This bottle of 1976 Chateau Lafite Rothschild was cellared in a wine cave part of its life and a modern cellar the more recent part of its life. The fill for this bottle was mid-shoulder and the label had been tattered from back when it was in the cave. Using a Durand, I was able to pull the cork intact and it was saturated but seemed to have done its job. The color was good and the wine was sound; in fact, it was very much alive and full of character! Opened about four hours prior to service and decanted for sediment (of which there was plenty). No formal notes. At this stage in its life, the 1976 Lafite pours a garnet color with an orange rim. The nose is straight up old-money. Classy aromas of desiccated red cherries & red currants, dried tobacco leaf, graphite, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, leather and dried baking spices. On the palate, the structure was still quite palpable with tannins till present and acid doing its job with aplomb. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and graceful with some nice stoney minerals. Drink now but well cellared examples could hold longer if you wanted…but if you’re even thinking about it, just open it! — 2 years ago
Just in from Jersey, $22.00 no tax free shipping. Buy it by the case all day long. Skip the Bevan & buy this
Retail notes,
There’s a sweet-spot for domestic Sauvignon Blanc found in a special part of Bennett Valley that experiences a strong maritime influence as it flows through the Petaluma Gap to Sonoma Mountain. Within that funnel of cooling coastal air, the Dry Stack Vineyard is in a prime location at 550 feet elevation at the base of Mt. Taylor. I’m continually drawn to Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Stack and the vineyard produces fruit with detailed notes of fresh guava, rocky minerals, ripe tangerine and mineral infused citrus. You might be familiar with Russell Bevan’s version from Dry Stack, and Grey Stack has been a pillar on our tasting list in Yountville.
With Grey Stack, everything begins in the Vineyard with exceptional quality fruit, but from there, the wine is given a voice by winemaker Patrick Sullivan, whose experience includes making wine at Peter Michael, Paul Hobbs, Lewis Cellars and Rudd. This is absolutely one of the finest examples of California Sauvignon Blanc with its superior focus and incredibly vivid, distinctive flavors. If you love Sauvignon Blanc, or better yet, even if you don’t… Try this one and you’ll probably never look back. — 4 years ago
Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. Early on, this was a probably my favorite of the three Moutons and showed well throughout the course of the evening. Expressive red and dark forest fruits with tobacco, leather, earth and baking spices. The structure was still showing its tensile strength. This has a long life ahead. Drink now through 2040. — 4 months ago
2003. Last bottle was 3 years ago, and this one I liked better. Starts out austere with evidence of a difficult hot year. But after hours in the decanter it cycled thru some almost port like caramelized tapenades and ended the evening with a somewhat strange but delicious red crème brûlée thing. So if you have one… I suggest patience thru the awkward opening hours to get to the awkward good part. Cheers. — 3 years ago
A rich crimson red in colour. Cassis , bay leaf mulberry and notes of violets. On the palate black currant, restrained yet sweetish - see notes from a year ago in March 2020. Sam Middleton, part owner and winemaker likes to drink Quintets between 10 and 15 years of age although I have had much older examples from friend and longtime Mount Mary collector, Dr Peter Sklavos. One of Australia’s classiest Cabernets. Not as minty as Coonawarra or as herbal as Margaret River. Commemorates the passing of founder, Dr John Middleton in 2006 as on the label. — 4 years ago
2020 vintage. Investigating +-$20 red Bordeaux, part two. PNP. Some decent depth for the price. Medium body. Good concentration. A little, minty note amongst the chunk. Finish hangs in there for a spell. In this price range, would tap this again. 5.28.24. — 9 months ago
Dark fruit tones of plum, blackberry and black current that are dominated by the mineral, granite and soy aromas. The most mineral dominated young L’Ermitage I have tasted. Palate has nice flesh with firm mineral driven tannins and lifting acidity. Berry and cassis fruit on palate is muted but there are graphite, all spice and floral accents giving the wine real depth. This is a finely balance wine but not certainly not open for business. I believe this need the better part of 5 to 7 more years in the cellar. — 3 years ago
Wonderful very approachable wine. Easy like a Sunday morning. — 4 years ago
Alvaro Bustillos
Tito yuca aaron wero andrian dany gtz — 4 months ago