Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1995 vintage. Great fill, foil and label. Perfect cork. From a top-notch cellar. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Volcanic ash-styled sed vs chunky-style. Big funk on the nose that resolved after 7-8 minutes. Wine was showing decently (in the 69-72 degree range) but lacking any tannic structure. Placed the decanter atop an ice bucket bath to drop the temp down to 60 degrees or so. Took about 20 minutes but the tannins kicked in the door to say hello. Fruit components stayed constant. Pauillac tendencies were all there. As is the case often with older BDX, the decaying matter/leaves at the onset transitioned to graphite/lead pencil and espresso flavors. This was a superior bottle in great shape. Top of this wine’s specific bell curve. Comparable bottles would look to be drinking this well for the next 5-7 years without dropoff. Out of larger format…could possibly push this into 9.4 status. 2.5.24. — 2 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.4

Very dark robe bricking on the rim. Looks at least 20 years younger. Nose of steak tartare, flint, cedar, blackcurrant and crushed flowers. Very complex and elegant in the mouth, medium light bodied and mostly melted tannins. This is top notch. And has plenty of life left. — a year ago

with Jose and Adriana

Willie Carter

9.1

A decidedly lovely clear gold with effusive perlage in the glass. Tiny, persistent bubbles and really nice creaminess. The nose is remarkable and highly expressive with some really nice citrus aromas fresh out of the gate. Kumquat and pears, marzipan and apricots. Fresh brioche bread and a welcome shock of nutmeg and cinnamon. Chamomile after around 45 minutes in the glass. A bit of red berry goodness to top things off.

Always a superstar champagne and seemingly always a notch above other vintage Grande Marque bottles. 65% Pinot Noir primarily from Aÿ and Verzenay and 35% Chardonnay mainly from Oiry and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The acidity is still present and zippy despite the dosage of 8 g/l. But the key here is that signature Bollinger power and grace which shines here beautifully. Such a vibrant and elegant champagne.

A full bodied, lush wine. Truly wonderful balance, structure, and texture. The palate follows the nose with citrus fruits for days. Fresh herbs and yeast with a backdrop of spice throughout. Green apples and cherries absolutely sing. A champagne that’s full of clarity and what it wants to be. While it is drinking so nicely right now it may be worth waiting a few years. You will be rewarded. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2004 vintage. Decanted and tasted after two hours. Used a Durand but cork was great. Top-notch fill. Super chunky sed..like vintage port. Nose good, not great, but biggie structure and balance all there. Medium body. Not a personal fave but may hafta pick up a few more of these for those inclined to partake. There will be 2004 Insignia going steady for quite some time. 12.22.23. — 4 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Dark rubi robe, kaleidoscopic nose of blackcurrant, spices, top soil and cedar. Very powerful in the mouth with some VA but not enough to bother. Tastes like a Margaux, better on the nose than on the mouth, but this is a crazy good bottle if you like powerful classical Bordeaux. Its a threat now but might be even better in 5 to 7 years. Top notch and we loved it ! — 9 months ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Aaron Tan

9.5

I must thank my fellow lunchers for not wolfing down this wine despite how much they all adored it. It really gave the wine a chance to showcase its brilliance. This was full-bodied, concentrated, hugely complex, and most importantly, super energetic. The flavours are pretty much consistent with my last notes, but the seafood lunch really took this up a notch. Paired perfectly with some steamed prawns. What a wine! Everyone’s pick for wine of the meal. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2013 vintage. Overtly decadent, überripe and spent when tasting just after decanting. No sediment. Initial temp tasted was at about 60 degrees F. Rated an 8.8. Beyond golden color in the decanter. Prepared an ice bucket ice bath with double linen napkins atop the remaining ice and placed the decanter roughly 25% into the ice bath. Let sit for 20-25 mins. Retasted. Wine temp was closer to 45 degrees F. Completely different wine. Tasted like a top-notch, 10 year old Meursault with ridiculous amounts of vanilla bean and crème brûlée. Slight undercurrent of acidity wove the entire endeavor together. Now? A 9.4. Not my style but it didn't suck. 11.15.23. — 5 months ago

Teresa DiMarco

9.2

Delicious, amazing, top notch Pinot! — a year ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.2

The 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Carelle sous la Chapelle is fairly muted. Two hours in the decanter help unwind a restrained bouquet of rose pedals, violets, red and black cherry, cranberry, wood smoke and hints of iodine. Just a notch below full-bodied, the wine is tightly structured and embodies an underlying strength, which undoubtedly will be unleashed after a few years of bottle aging. I wouldn't dare touching this for at least 10 more years. Drink from 2030 until 2050. — a year ago

Glen Shikunov

9.0

Dark fruit, coffee and spice. Great on the nose, mediocre finish by otherwise top notch. Would buy again. — 3 years ago