Shockingly good. Poured for many vignerons at IPNC with double takes asking me to see the bottle a second time. A little rustic but gobs of fruit and honestly decades left.
Shockingly good. Poured for many vignerons at IPNC with double takes asking me to see the bottle a second time. A little rustic but gobs of fruit and honestly decades left.
Aug 9th, 2019
After hearing great things about this (my birth year) 1988 vintage from @Carlo Mondavi on instagram, I was somehow able to score a couple bottles each for under $25 just in time for my 30th birthday. Overall impression is of a hazy soft focus still life of a decadent floral bouquet and bowl of over ripe/dried red fruit. Aroma was telling of its age, with dried fruit and roses, tobacco, and old sweet spices. Palate still marching along with lush, soft overripe red fruit and still some nice acid. Unfiltered, the haziness carried over to the mouthfeel which was soft and gentle. This was an absolute pleasure to drink throughout the night with friends, and will certainly leave a lasting memory.
After hearing great things about this (my birth year) 1988 vintage from @Carlo Mondavi on instagram, I was somehow able to score a couple bottles each for under $25 just in time for my 30th birthday. Overall impression is of a hazy soft focus still life of a decadent floral bouquet and bowl of over ripe/dried red fruit. Aroma was telling of its age, with dried fruit and roses, tobacco, and old sweet spices. Palate still marching along with lush, soft overripe red fruit and still some nice acid. Unfiltered, the haziness carried over to the mouthfeel which was soft and gentle. This was an absolute pleasure to drink throughout the night with friends, and will certainly leave a lasting memory.
Mar 20th, 2018
Earthy, dried black cherry, tobacco box, vibrant juicy palate
Earthy, dried black cherry, tobacco box, vibrant juicy palate
Mar 23rd, 2015
This was fun. 40yr old Napa Pinot. 12.5%ABV!
Cork was in decent shape. Pours faded ruby with bricking around the rim. First smell was a ringer for old burg! There was some mushroom and red berry funk with an herbal profile while being both odd and enjoyable. After 20mins, the funk faded and showed more old potpurri, chewing tobacco, raspberry fig bar, and a red fruit tang character at the finish (tart, perception of sappiness but not sweet). Little balsamic too. Acidity was mostly gone but the wine had a decent frame to it.
This was more for the cerebral side than it was the enjoyable side. I enjoyed this right after pop when the funk made it intriguing. After an hour, the wine fell off and became dull. Fun experiment.
This was fun. 40yr old Napa Pinot. 12.5%ABV!
Cork was in decent shape. Pours faded ruby with bricking around the rim. First smell was a ringer for old burg! There was some mushroom and red berry funk with an herbal profile while being both odd and enjoyable. After 20mins, the funk faded and showed more old potpurri, chewing tobacco, raspberry fig bar, and a red fruit tang character at the finish (tart, perception of sappiness but not sweet). Little balsamic too. Acidity was mostly gone but the wine had a decent frame to it.
This was more for the cerebral side than it was the enjoyable side. I enjoyed this right after pop when the funk made it intriguing. After an hour, the wine fell off and became dull. Fun experiment.
Mar 26th, 2025
Napa Valley, California, USA
