Shay A

9.3

Color me shocked. Up there with one of the more surprising bottles of the year (alongside an old Carlisle Cardiac Syrah). Had very little hope, but was completely and pleasantly surprised.

Cork split in two coming out. Trusty Durand saved the day. First small pour was not encouraging…lots of funk. After leaving alone for 30mins, the faded ruby with tinge of black in the glass had aromatics of sous bois, black tea, and dirty red and black berries. On the palate, this was elegant showing more herbal/earthy notes, dark berry fruit in the background, sweet pipe tobacco and a still-tart finish with both acidity and tannin. I have to admit that if someone said this was older burgundy, I could see it in the realm of possibilities. No sappy, rich, cola type notes here. Open and enjoy! — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Dark inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Full-bodied with medium plus acidity.

Sweet on the palate with mild complexity.

Showing black fruits with wood, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, spices, coffee, mocha, cola and peppercorn.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a dessert.

20% alcohol by volume.

90 points. — 10 months ago

Kim Tae Wan

9.1

Very strong. One of the fine vintage of the year. Gift from my friend — 2 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

Smells like funky-town. Flavors are great with licorice and berry sauce. Complex. — 2 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

medium ruby with quite wide terracotta rim . Quite light spice filled nose at first , allspice , clove , nutmeg with some liquorice and herbal , tobacco and red plum touches. On the palate a bit leaner than the 1993 , but light dried red fruits, sous bois , tobacco and herbal notes. Good length, really nice balance and intensity with fresh acidity and melted sweet tannins . This is still showing well and can last perhaps a further 5 years or so . Quite elegant and classic in style . — 2 months ago

ESF

9.2

Classic old skool offering from Yalumba: every descriptor known to mankind… bit syrupy & viscous for my taste w/plenty of RS - but the aromatics are off the charts! — 5 months ago

Roger Ray

9.0

Wonderful, ruby red, sweet but tart Port — a year ago

Shangliao Sun

9.0

Dried fruits, and baked spice, really nice. — 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Decant for sediment(lots of fine/cloudy sediment) and pour. A majestic tawny dark red color. On the nose: sweet port like with dried plum/cherry, herbaceous, rich soil, mushroom, pepper. Taste: Amazing! juicy, refined, balanced, savory wine with dried cherry, black raspberry, earth, tobacco, mint, and a nice mocha baking spice medium plus finish. YUM! Still delivering at 44 years, and glad to have a few more bottles. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The follow up to the 03 Brane-Cantenac. So good but still youthful now as I mentioned this 97 still is in @Paul T- Huntington Beach recent post of his 2013.

The tannins are round, softened but still meaty & somewhat tarry.

The nose is still brooding. Ripe lush, ruby, fruits of, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice with palate piercing heat, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets.

The palate is ripe, lush, juicy & floral fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries, raspberry highlights & pomegranate. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals/ash, moist, grey clay, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets, insane, waterfall acidity, woven, layered, structured, nicely tensioned with great length and a incredibly balanced, well polished finish that goes on for two to three minutes.

If you are 15-20 years plus patient w/ these bottling’s, they are one of the very best values in Napa Valley. — 10 months ago