Tom Casagrande

9.3

Once Again, I can’t wait and open a Once & Future Zin too early! But this is remarkable even though it’s a baby. Deeply earthy nose has loads of rocky, warm gravelly notes, along with tight but profound pure blackberry fruit. Intense but contained in the mouth. Surprising acidity accompanies tight, deep fruit and mineral notes. Tannins there but very fine grained and buried in the rich flavors. Lengthy finish. Only quibble is a little peppery heat ((15.2% alcohol) pooks through in the finish. — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2021 | Só true to type cab franc with playful raspberries, tight tannins with nice bitters, great future | paired with tagliatelle oyster mushrooms, peppers and garlic, a Sardinian recipe we have been making for more than 30 years and a family favorite — a year ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Starting to soften from a few months ago. Loose-boned, big-bones. Not one to age but to drink in the next year or two before the alcohol burns through the fruit. — 2 years ago

Severn G

9.2

2015 | Sauvignon Blanc
Claude Riffault; Les Denisottes
Loire Valley, Sancerre, France

3H decant, then double-decant for service.
Really coming into the zone (for my palate) with reduced acidity and secondary dry-ish fruit notes starting to peek out, dried lemon peel, candied tangerine; dried peach, day-old lemon wedge. Note to future self, drink remaining stock 2025-30. 🤞 — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

The 2014 vintage was the last harvest while Serge Hochar was still alive. He tragically drowned while on holiday, NYE in 2014. I have no logical reason to be wary of Musar’s future as the team involved in producing the wines have been in place for some time. However, Serge’s death was for me, the loss of an wine hero. This is my first experience with the 2014 and I can’t help but reflect on the unforgettable experiences I’ve had drinking wines that he produced.

Decanted for several hours prior to dinner, the wine appears a deep purple turning garnet after plenty of air with an opaque core. High intensity, medium+ viscosity, a touch of sediment. On the nose, this is a wild carnival for the senses with cherries, mulberries, rhubarb pie, Twin Bing, harissa, kofta, pipe tobacco, oud, teriyaki, and event canned peaches (though only after some time in the glass). On the palate, things are much more modest with a very compelling cherry compote and bright cranberry notes with some tobacco and baking spices. Very primary at this stage. Medium tannin with medium+ acid. The finish long…forever and a day with dried cherries and dates bringing me home. While still an infant, this is shaping up to be a lovely and long-lived vintage of Musar Rouge. Cheers, Serge. Your legacy lives on. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

On Saturday I conducted a Cabernet tasting at home with 8 mates. The theme was 2009 vintage Bordeaux v Margaret River with this outlier from NZ included. This had leafy minty notes with a touch of coffee. A medium weight palate with a certain hardness which was a negative. Still a good future. Ended up being out classed in the company to follow. I will drink my remaining 6 bottles over the 5 to 10 years. — 6 years ago

Doug Powers

9.5

Wow, this Zin is super aromatic, with fantastically pure crushed red and black fruits, some mineral, flavor profile shows lovely floral as well as the rich, deep red and black raspberry, while this wine needs further aging, it has impeccable balance and a very long, lingering finish, 13.5% ABV, 201 cases made, bravo to Joel!! — 5 months ago

with Jim

Conrad Green

9.6

Intense and pure. Beautiful balance. Focused and saline with great minerality. Young and tight but so much in the future — 10 months ago

with Bex

Ron Siegel

9.4

Youthful that will need more time but a great future — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

A nice Bordeaux and a bunch of mesquite-grilled lamb chops. This Cantemerle is quite dense and youthful. Color shows almost no sign of age. With air, nose slowly unfurls to show lots of graphite, menthol, tight cassis fruit, underbrush, and crushed rock. Medium bodied, the flavors are tight too, and there is nice concentration, but it’s mostly promise for the future. Tannins are nicely managed and there is good acidity. 9.2+ — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2020 vintage. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and equal parts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Basile Tesseron has done a great job at this Cru Classé and this 2020 is the best I have ever tasted. Blackberries, cassis and flowers. Juicy and focused, with lots of charm in a solid ripe tannic structure. Lovely finish with retronasal black fruit and minerality.Abv. 13,5%. As the estate was bought by the Lorenzetti family (Pédesclaux) I expect the quality to rise further in the future, so this is definitely an estate to watch. — 4 years ago

Jonathan Bensick

9.3

Was worried by soggy crumbling cork, but flavor developed after almost 90 min decanting. Historic! Toasting a brighter vaccinated future at first indoor dinner with friends in 1+ year! — 5 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.9

Following last year's sensational vintage, 2016 was another stellar growing season in Bolgheri and expectations were once again set high for Sassicaia. The 2016 Sassicaia certainly does not disappoint, as it is an absolutely monumental effort that completely delivers, and in some aspects even looks to be more compelling than last years brilliant wine. Composed of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc, the 2016 is all about elegance, class and purity. It begins to impress with its striking aromas of fresh blackberries, dark cherries, fresh florals, exotic spices and wild herbs along with a touch of licorice and mineral characteristics all coming together to complete the seductive nose. On the palate this is nothing short of extraordinary, as it displays outstanding overall structure and balance along with remarkable clarity and precision. This continues to dazzle with its beautiful expression of incredibly pure red and dark fruits, along with exotic spices and floral characteristics which all work their way seamlessly across the palate before leaving a lasting impression on the gorgeous finish. The 2016 is without question another all-time classic vintage for Sassicaia, as it clearly possesses the elements that indicate an extremely bright future ahead, with the potential to evolve into a perfect wine over time. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

I’ll just commence this tasting note to see if it is accepted. Dense Ruby in colour. Blackcurrant and tobacco notes - ripe blue and black fruits - luscious texture. Anytime I’ve had a Napa (or Washington State) Cabernet I have always been impressed - probably better than most good Aussie Cabernets (and more expensive). Has a good future but irresistible right now. Have the last bottle in a year or two. Interestingly reverse osmosis was used to reduce the alcohol. Now at 13.9%. — 5 months ago

David Hale Smith

9.9

Lucky to sit with a friend who bright two bottles of this beauty to share at Bordeaux Fest Near perfection from a magnificent special bottle. The year the wall came down with label art that looks to the future. Believe the hype. — 6 months ago

Mike Evans

9.0

Lots of promise, great on the nose, but the tannin clamps down hard right now. It has a bright future but isn’t there yet. — 2 years ago

Hanli Su

9.8

hou yummmm — 2 years ago

with Lanli and Nicolette

James Everhart

8.9

Lovely label. $21 as a future — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At the Dom Perignon dinner last Friday night. David Cross from Moët Hennessy who presented on the night said that this was the first showing of the 2012 in Australia. More intensity and power than the 2010. David thought the 2012 will be the better wine (a definite future P2 star) but the 2010 the better wine to drink now. Almost like a very good white burgundy with a little bubble. — 5 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.8

Obviously way too young. 14.1% quite high for E&M. Classic perfumed nose, Give it 45 min in a big glass. High toned raspberry, cranberry, hint bitter, touch white pepper, orange rind, oregano, lime. Classic E&M. Needs at least 5 years. So light and elegant on it’s feet. A superb Pinot in every aspect and a class in its own. Will be a 10 in the future. Bought at Mayfield Restaurant in San Juan de Capistrano at lunch. — 5 years ago