David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

There are worse ways to start a Saturday then tasting & talking wine with Tor Kenward & Andy Beskstoffer having the 1980 BV George Latour Private Reserve & multiple vintages of Tor. Wine 94 technically but age & style 96. The overall experience is a 10.

These bottles came from his cellar so they are perfect. So silky smooth elegant. Beautifully ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, understated baking spices, fresh & used tobacco, sandalwood, raspberry, limestone powder, fine, dark spice, bright, withering dark & red florals, excellent acidity, sheer, balance, elegance and perfect finish that lasts a full minute.

Andy Beckstoffer sold fruit for $150 a ton in the late 1970’s, early 80’s. Today, $50,000 plus a ton and a percentage of the producers bottle price. — 14 days ago

Paul J

9.0

Happy New Year!! On the sweeter side and not a ton of effervescence, but a lovely flavor. — a year ago

with Brooke

Nicole K

9.2

At first Smoky smell, nose changed a ton over time even tho decanted, coffee honeycomb, long finish and round ish — 3 years ago

Paul J

9.0

PnP. Better than previous bottles of older vintages. Started out nice but became too tannic and rough for me. Not a ton of fruit present, more earth, herbs, and minerality. Decent depth. — a month ago

with Brooke

Willie Carter

9.0

A standard that still brings excitement and drama. Medium gold color with plenty of small bubbles. The nose is wonderful with a ton of apples and baked bread. Nice floral accents to match the dried cherry and blackberry notes. Really, really nice.

Composed of the three traditional grapes and injected with a nice bit of reserve wines, this is just one of those bottles that’s always right on time. Powerful, muscular, masculine, and sleek. Lovely fruit on the tongue and an elegant mouthfeel. A classic for a reason. — a year ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Lots of “terroir” shines through in this Zin. Nose has the requisite blackberry fruit, but there is a ton of warm sandstone and crushed rock, along with moist humus, allspice, and wafty sandalwood smoke. Savory, soft, and tacky-feeling in the mouth. loads of crushed rock. A level of complexity rare for Zin. — 4 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.4

Excellent Zin with a ton of blackberries and some of those Zin brambles. Fully integrated with a long smooth finish. Not sure if drinking this earlier would have made the fruits brighter but still overall a very special wine. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1971 vintage. Bottom shoulder fill initially had me worried. Decanted and tasted immediately and after two hours. Absolute ton of sed more appropriate for a vintage port. This was banging. Light-medium body. Chunky frontal palate. Plenty of charcoal in the mid-palate with some surprising freshness on a longer than expected finish. Not getting better but feel it can stay the current course for a spell (4-5 years). This was from a 750ml format but a larger format would undoubtedly be an upgrade. La Mission HB is a fave property and this reaffirmed those feelings. 10.13.23 — 6 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.2

This needs a ton of airtime and then food to really show well. I think it finally hit its stride after being out about 5 hours. — 2 years ago

Justin Bothur

8.9

Funky and savory ... not clean but I dig this style. A ton of earth and cranberry bog. — 4 years ago