Doug Powers

9.4

Still shows some lovely primary redfruits, cassis, currants, quite tannic as well (characteristic of the 1986s I cellared), long, lingering finish, should show even better after my wife’s grilled lamb and my grilled steak come off the grill. I will say I was nervous when the final 1/8-inch of the cork severed off my old Ah-So cork puller, but not a problem!

Interesting sidebar — I purchased this upon arrival in 1989 at K&L in SF — by that time there were widespread reports of bad corks in Ducru from (at least) 1985 and 1986, so when I visited the shop I explained the situation and committed to purchasing 6 bottles, but only if I knew this batch didn’t have the cork problems — so, I said I’d pay for another bottle and we could open it together in the shop, I’d pay and also buy the other 6 bottles if it was NOT corked, and said if it was corked, then they’d pay for the opened bottle and I wouldn’t take the 6 other bottles — they agreed, we mutually tried the bottle then and there, no cork taint so I paid for 7 bottles total.

Telling the story in part because K&L has always been, IMHO, one of the classiest wine shops in the U.S., and they deserve credit agreeing to my deal (BTW, Wine Advocate had written about the cork taint issue within the preceding 3-6 months, so they were aware of the potential for it) — anyway, they’ve gotten a lot more of my business in the past 35+ years since!! — a month ago

with Jim

Michael Chelus

9.0

Strawberry, cherry, raspberry, lime, slate and watermelon. Good acidity and balance. — 7 years ago

Doug Powers

9.1

Heavier and seeming more evolved than the great 2010 Orthogneiss, instead of the lovely honey notes this shows mature notes, still very good acidity, but seems ready to drink, very good. As a minor sidebar, I had the same experience 3 months ago when I compared the 2009s of each, that is, the “lesser regarded” Orthogneiss outperformed the Granite, not sure why?? — 9 months ago

with Jim

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Terrifically mineral and just-underripe strawberries. A beauty of a wine with beast on the bottle. Taken down in the sidebar at Covell. Proper wine for cheers-ing to chosen family. — 5 years ago

Randi Gerson

9.3

At sidebar. Light to medium body. Good fruit good earth. — 6 years ago

Andrew Schweiger

Winemaker Schweiger Vineyards/Parry Cellars

10

15 years ago today was our biggest Cab day of harvest. I refused to watch TV all day until I could go home, view the images and cry. Tonight we raise a glass in honor of all the firefighters and police who lost their lives, the citizens trapped in buildings and airplanes, the pilots, crew, and passengers, and all those left behind. We shall never forget! (Sidebar: the wine is tasting awesome and can age another 15 years!) — 8 years ago

Karen Tripson

9.0

Tastes like California in the best way. — 3 years ago

Peter Stern

9.1

Juicy, delicious! — 3 years ago

Daniel Taub

9.1

The Ritchie shines threw! — 6 years ago

Philip Makara

9.0

Date night. Good wine! — 8 years ago