Pooneet K

9.4

A knockout left bank Bordeaux. I’ve read that the 2005s may go longer than the potentially even more vaunted 2000s and I might agree based on this bottle. Decanted 5 hours. Cork in perfect shape. Amazing depth of fruit and a ton of Bordeaux earth. Nose goes on and on as does the finish. Was an excellent pairing but a very good but simple roast chicken. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The best Phelps Napa I’ve had & had a ton. This 97 was stored perfectly & still just the other side of its peak. Balanced, lovely w/ nothing that bites back. Well worth the $75 or so that I paid. Likely around $25 on release. Now, 24 yrs in bottle better than some other Napa wines I’ve paid $150. The nose is also one of the better Napa Cabernet’s I’ve inhaled. Ruby; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, poached, dark cherries, spiced strawberries with raspberries hovering. Anise to black licorice, dark Indian/Asian spices, slightly dry tobacco, nutmeg, cinnamon, sandalwood, hints of sweet lead pencil shavings, dry & fresh herbaceousiness, charcoal, black tea, hints of menthol, dark, slightly withering florals, framed in lavender & violets.

The palate is lush, ruby, juicy fruits. Those that think fruit is lost at this age, not the case here and in many of the well stored wines I’ve had. Ripe & juicy; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, black plum, plum, poached, dark cherries, spiced strawberries with raspberries hovering. Anise to black licorice, tarry notes, some fig & dates, dark Indian/Asian spices, slightly dry tobacco, dry brush/twig, nutmeg, cinnamon, sandalwood, hints of sweet lead pencil shavings, dry & fresh herbaceousiness, charcoal, black tea, hints of menthol, moist volcanic clay, very fine, dry, crushed rocks, dark, slightly withering florals framed in lavender & violets, perfect acidity. The finish is outstandingly; knitted, tensioned, structured, layered, balanced for days that lasts minutes. Outstanding!!!

What a treat. The integration & evolution is epic & everything you hope for in every wine you open. You’ve heard of a velvet wine wrap in an iron fist. This is a velvet wine wrapped in a velvet glove. — 2 years 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. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Served alongside beef short rib, xo sauce, pickled mustard seed, cumin stir-fried asparagus. This bottle of 2006 was throwing a ton of sediment. Showing mostly red fruits with red currants, new leather, tobacco, earth, forest floor, baking spices…a touch green. Hello Cabernet Franc!! Good structure. The finish is long. Every time I have the opportunity to enjoy Sassicaia, I am reminded why it’s one of the great wines of Italy. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive. Drink now through 2036. — a year ago

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. — 3 years ago

Paul J

9.0

Happy New Year!! On the sweeter side and not a ton of effervescence, but a lovely flavor. — 3 years ago

with Brooke

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. — 2 years ago

with Brooke

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.7

1982 vintage. Wow. Where to begin? Decanted with the cork holding up extremely well (used a Durand). Throwing an absolute ton of sed so took about 4 minutes to decant properly. Plenty of color. Tasted 2 hrs, 3 hrs and 4 hrs after decant. Nose a little reticent the first foray but plenty of damp earth, elderberry showing up later. Then the graphite came in huge along with lesser, second-hand smoke/tobacco aromas. An addition of a remarkable freshness of both watercress and dill in the last few tastes. Light-medium body. Have tasted a few tired, big-boy '82's. This ain't one of them. This remarkable bottle did nothing to alter my opinion that I'd rather have a bottle of La Mission Haut Brion than any-including (just barely) Château Haut-Brion-first growth in the same vintage. Doesn't get much better and this one has plenty of time remaining. No rush to crush. Thank you, Dermott! 3.12.23 — 3 years ago

Hayden Hamilton

9.2

Delicious. Bright fruit. Buttery finish. Not a ton of complexity but very easy drinking. — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

After trying this, I was informed that this one had been slow-oxing for 3 days! Soft quality with very rounded edges. Red and black fruits here get you right in the front with a dried nut character. Plum, pipe tobacco, a little foresty in the middle. Finishes with a lot of elegance but still has enough grip and pepper that it would go very well with really just about any food or fare. If this wine is drinking this well after 3 days, it still has a ton of life left! — 6 years ago

with Dan and Bradley