Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

This was great but not same level as prior bottles. Perhaps a slightly off cork ? Medium dark rubi robe, nose of blackcurrant, top soil and balsam with hints of cedar. Ever so slightly reticent tannins but overall great length and good complexity. Great now, but no rush. — 20 days ago

with Jose, veronique and 4 others

Ron Siegel

9.3

Another great btl! Consistent with my prior notes — 9 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

When mature Jamet are on they’re sooo good. ‘98 is gorgeous tonight and even less evolved than a prior bottle. There’s such balance and clarity to its haunting richness wafting complex aromatics of deep blackberry fruit, smoked meats, camphor and black truffle with an elegant, satiny palate, melting tannins and a stunningly long mineral and savory finale. For my tastes, at its peak! — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

I have dreamed of the 1981 Grange for many, many years. Why? Well, it’s quite simple: I’m an ‘81 baby and that year doesn’t have the strongest reputation for producing great wines. Spain and Italy faired better and of course, there were always exceptions. However, most have long been drank or forgotten as it was a tough year in many of the classic wine growing regions. All of that being said, Australia didn’t suffer the same conditions and Penfold’s managed to make a very good expression of Grange in 1981…if only one could find it and then of course, afford it. But, sometimes you just have to put it out into the universe and she answers. Tonight, a dear brother in wine who also happens to share 1981 as a birth year, provided this bottle from his cellar to share. And while my 45th remains a couple months off, we were celebrating life and friendship tonight!

Opened prior to dinner and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1981 pours a deep purple color moving towards a garnet rim and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated tart black, red and blue fruits and rotundone: blackberries, raspberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, black olive, cocoa, coffee, eucalyptus, leather, toasted coconut, earth and baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is looooong. What a stellar showing and this bottle certainly lived up to hype. Drink now through 2041+. — 2 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Showing well! Consistent with my prior notes — 5 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.6

Cool vintage.
Very peculiar taste profile.
Charcoal and grill pan with violet and fresh mountain ferns. — 9 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was really drinking well! Consistent with my prior notes — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Paolo Bea dinner at Semo. All wines were prepared by opening and slow-ox, prior to service. Abbreviated notes due to the setting. The The 2020 Santa Chiara appears a deep orange color with notes of marmalade, apricot, flowers, and varnish (VA). The palate shows low+ tannin and decent acid. Tasty, complex stuff as usual. A lovely pairing with gougère of prosciutto, green olive and honey. Drink now through 2030-ish. Bottle No. 2814/5940 — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Fortuna Terrae means luck of the land in Latin, aged in oak for 18 months, deep inky Ruby red color with complex aromas of berry fruits, floral, herbs and spicy nose. On the palate flavors of ripe blueberry and cherry fruit with spicy herb, cacao, vanilla and toasty oak. Fine soft chalky tannins, well balanced, good acidity, long finish, almost creamy, ending with fruit, spice and earthy notes. Will last for a decade!! — 6 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Always hits the spot Consistent with my prior notes — a year ago