Brad Jensen

9.4

Revisiting this on the day we create our first family business, tasting wine from our honeymoon. Couldn’t tell that this wine is 7 years old, with a heavily perfumed nose of artificial carpet, blood orange, and velvet, with hints of pepper and lush dark red fruits to the edges. Color gives away no age either, with a deep rose color and medium body. The tannins remain largely intact on the palate, still grabbing the tip of the tongue, but there’s just a hint of age showing at the periphery, with some butterscotch and caramel notes starting to show integrated well with the loooong blackberry and black plum compote dominating the primary palate, with greater pepper, vanilla, a little coca and earthy notes incorporated within. This ages well, no question. — 5 days ago

Joe Christenson

9.2

Bright, crisp, minerals, and green apple. Nice way to start the Christmas Eve festivities — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

When a bottle of wine is this old, one can never have too high of expectations. There are far too many variables to consider when it comes to whether it will even be drinkable, let alone enjoyable. Particularly when it’s a wine from an unheralded vintage like 1953. As someone who has been fortunate enough to have tried many old bottles over the last ten or so years, I have had my share of duds; even bottles from a good vintage with strong provenance. However, every now and again, a bottle will surprise and this 1953 Barolo from Pio Cesare went way beyond my expectations. It had many stories to tell.

There was a tremendous amount of sediment but I had allowed that to settle to the bottom by leaving it upright for a couple of days. We pulled the cork few hours before service and decanted. The cork was very typical of wines from the region at the time; short and stubby. With the help of a Durand, we were able to extract in one piece and, to my astonishment, the cork was only 1/3 saturated. And then, whoa…what a lovely perfume. It was alive! The ’53 pours a light copper color and has a largely transparent core. On the nose, the fruit is still playing a major role however it was almost completly desiccated now: cherry, apricot, prune, tar, dried roses, dried leather, and mushrooms. On the palate the tannins are almost imperceptible and completely resolved. The acid is lovely; the preserver of life. The notes from the nose were confirmed and there was a long, satisfying finish. There was substance and a real energy about it. Old…and yet so full of life! I want to be absolutely clear, this wasn’t just a novel experience. This was a practical one as well as it paired perfectly with tajarin tossed with shiitake mushrooms as well as a bit of bone-in Wagyu New York Strip from Morgan Ranch. Everyone at the table was smitten by this septuagenarian of a Barolo; even those who had no prior experience with old wines. Drink now.

For what it’s worth, I’ve had this bottle in my cellar for a little over a year, when I was fortunate to have come across one with decent provenance. This is a wine I will very likely never see again but it was so wonderful to have had the experience and I’ll cherish this memory forever. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 7 years ago

Daniel Jara

9.5

Un vino complejo en nariz , sedoso, con armonía y sin aristas ! Vinazo — 3 months ago

Lasse KR

9.1

Friskheden og syren har lagt sig. Men stadig bare 😍. — 7 months ago

Edward Nelson

9.3

51! Nolan and wife. Waiting on some birthday chicken parm. Cheers! — 9 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2012 Montrose has a taut and focused bouquet with crisp blackberry, tobacco and light earthy scents on the nose. Fine vigour and class evident here. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins on the entry, fine acidity, lightly spiced with a nicely proportioned and focused finish. This is a solid, almost swarthy Montrose, though it is surpassed by more recent vintages. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2022)
— 4 years ago

Milos Milosevic

9.8

Absolutely fantastic!!!!! — 5 years ago

Amber Hall

10

The perfect Pinot! Well balanced, juicy but not sweet. Loved it! — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The 2004 Seavey Merlot is showing marvelously now at the fifteen year mark. Aged in 40% new French oak, the wine is a silky blend of 75% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Petit Verdot (10%). The earthy tones aromatically are really nice, as this shows dusty terroir that has settled with the black fruits and black tea aromas that all come together in the glass. The palate is soft, rich and downright elegant. Black fruits collide with shades of creme de cassis and mocha, with the lovely damp terroir terroir that round out this beautiful palate. This is absolutely singing at the fifteen year mark but has another ten years left. Drink 2019-2029- 92
— 7 years ago

Josh Raynolds

9.6

1995 just hitting it's stride - smoky earth, pipe tobacco, cherry and cassis in abundance, velvety texture and amazing length. Probably even more interesting in another five to ten years but why wait if you've got a couple or more? — 7 years ago

KA

9.2

Grand Havana Room — 3 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.3

Ten out of “Ten”, wonderful nose, body full yet somewhat delicate with long wonderful finish. Drinking perfectly at this time — 5 months ago

John W

9.4

Dark ruby coloration. Some translucency- classic Pinot appearance. On the nose, cherry, dark berry, plum, forest floor, earth, and minerals. On the palate, cherry, plum, dark berry, cola, fruit forward. Jammy. Nice medium to full body with velvety mouthfeel. Nicely balanced tannins and longish finish. — 3 years ago

Randy Fillingim

9.5

As good a Pinot - 2009. - that I have had. Seamless. Tannins and fruits in near perfect harmony. Initial taste - amazing. AND it finishes just as good. — 5 years ago

Kim Tobin

9.5

Love this! Can’t wait to visit Portugal again. Yes, fruity, floral, crisp- great summer white — 5 years ago

Lauren Willis

9.5

🍷✔✔ just lovely. Bought from the cellar door — 6 years ago

Rajveer Singh Bedi

8.9

Don't judge a book by its cover is all i will say — 7 years ago

Seth Morgen Long

Broker • Arterberry Maresh / Winemaker • Morgen Long

9.4

Kind of a shame to open such a young Chave. Even after hours in a decanter, this felt small in “stature”. Forget about this for ten years - the pedigree is hidden now. — 7 years ago