Noah Chasin

9.2

Initially concerns it was shot, three hours later it proved to be quite delightful. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Conterno’s “Monfortino” Barolo Riserva (early vintages like this one were labeled as “Stravecchia” and “Extra Barolo”) practically defined the Riserva style. In many ways, one could make the arguement that it blazed the trail for Barolo’s reputation as being the age-worthy wine it is today. Back in the early days, Monfortino was a blend of purchased fruit. Control of Cascina Francia, in Serralunga d’Alba, did not come until the late 1970’s. I can’t be sure but I believe the fruit used to be sourced from Monforte d’Alba and specifically from Le Coste, Bussia and possibly others.

This bottle was opened several hours prior to service. The 1941 Monfortino pours a pale garnet/rust color with significant rim variation and a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of Maraschino cherry, menthol, Tootsie Roll, espresso macchiato, walnut, and truffle. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Sublime. Getting to experience an 80+ year old wine is always a special treat. Getting to experience a Barolo from World War II, during one of the darkest periods in Italy’s past, is extraordinary. Getting to experience early Monfortino (pre-estate) made by Giacomo himself…well, it is drinking history. I nearly got emotional. While it’s clearly is showing its age, the 1941 shows its class and has some impressive moves. We delighted as it danced across the palate, proving that it still has stories to tell. Drink now if you ever see a bottle. — 7 months ago

Mike Evans

9.3

From 750ml with a couple hours of air, it’s showing bell pepper and ripe currant fruit with just a hint of leather, knit together by lovely acidity. At peak and excellent but with plenty of life remaining. — 10 months ago

Winton Sweum

9.4

Deep currant red; smoke on the nose with blueberry and spice; ripe palate with time has become lush with a pastille quality and ripe, finishing tannins. This evolved substantially over two hours open. — 4 years ago

Byron Fuller

9.4

Needed quite a bit of air. Palate initially leaner / lighter — filled out after about 1.5 hours. Would definitely try again. — 5 years ago

Paige S

9.7

I love you, I love you. — 9 years ago

David Langstaff

9.4

This wine needed about 3 hours to release. Initially tight with uncomfortable medicinal nose which then totally dissipated. Drinking now next day and you get the age of fully integrated but not fading tannins. Nose has a delightful dark fruit and smokiness. Great fit of nose and taste, meaning - when tastes after smelling the experience is consistent and not jolting. I think the color purple in a subdued way. Very nice. Memo to self: decant and watch for sediment, and enjoy three hours later. — 10 years ago

with Cynthia and Chris

Leslie Bartos

9.4

decanted 2 hours. cassis, cherry, but also a fragrant floral nose and earthiness more similar to a burgundy/pinot. very elegant wine, almost feminine and an intoxicating nose. well-balanced and it was delicious over dinner. the last few sips we noticed slight fading. A splendid wine for a birthday celebration. — 11 years ago

with Tony

Anthony Trumbo

9.1

Finishing off our second bottle of this meaty rosé with some sausage bolognese. — 11 years ago

Nose Reiko

9.5

Luxury aroma, with certain acid feeling — 12 years ago

Norma Normington

9.5

Got this bottle on my last Virgin Voyage and I had extra $ on my bar tab - a fantastic opportunity to purchase a couple exclusive (expensive) bottles like this. Sassicaia is a known leader in Super Tuscans. My first time trying Sassicaia… opened the bottle only for a couple of hours but a big beautiful bouquet of big jammy goodness that definitely isn’t shy. Wow 🤩 a delicious wine that doesn’t disappoint! — 7 months ago

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. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed from red Solo cups over the course of a few hours. This bottle of the 1982 showed very well today. It pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of black currants, black plum, mixed brambles, tobacco, some green pepper, graphite, leather, earth, and soft warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. 1982: the vintage that keeps on giving. Drink now through 2042+. — 9 months ago

Vijay Parikh

9.5

Splash decanted this 1993 La Tache and consumed over the next four hours. Aromatically brilliant and loads of promise but still young — a year ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

From a great looking bottle with a fill almost into the neck. Double decanted and left in the bottle for 5 hours before attacking it. Amber color. Good weight and haunting nose. Notes of old cedar, mocha, plums, cola, dark fruit, molasses and some sweet red cherry. Early on it’s all about the amazing nose. But with time the wine gains weight and you have a gorgeous old St Estephe in front of you. Still giving its all, and although the fruit is somewhat faded, this has complexity and structure that still drives the experience. And that nose is simply stunning. Great showing. — 4 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.3

Amazing that 40 years later it is still as tannic as it is! Took a few hours to open up but once it did, super well integrated. Very herbaceous (juniper, eucalyptus), plums. Love the opportunity to drink a birth year wine! — 7 years ago

with Natasha

Monica O

9.5

This oldie was funky to start thought it was ready to go down the drain. Gave it about 2 hours and boy it just Flourished. very nice 🍷 — 10 years ago

Martin Frowde

9.2

Drinking the 1991 in 2016 after over 2 hours of decanting. Wonderful light sherry type nose with a hint of pepper and quite brick red colour around the edges. Such a soft texture on the tongue though still a little astringency on the finish. Very good. — 11 years ago

with Georgina

Sharyn Grant

9.0

Big quality fruit bomb - 2006 - drinking softly now, open 2 hours. Would like to see if the fruit resolves over the next few years. — 11 years ago

Paul Schmidt

9.0

Delicious with a mid rare ribeye. Breathed in glass for 3 hours before the meal. Plush blue fruit and nicely integrated oak. — 11 years ago

with Ashley

George Yasutake

9.3

Dark purple nectar as I poured into my wine decanter. The wine did not disappoint. Drank wine over 4 hours over a Christmas Eve dinner. . — 7 months ago

with Michael

Jerry Raphael

9.5

I purchased this wine for $60 as a Bordeaux future offering from MacArthur’s in DC, with the hope of opening it when my younger son—born in 1982—was old enough to share it. We finally did just that this Thanksgiving, celebrating both him and the bottle.
The fill was mid-shoulder, but the family was together and it felt like the right moment. I gave it about an hour in the decanter before dinner. Early on it showed blackberries, a touch of veg, lead pencil, cedar notes and a smooth elegant finish. As the evening went on it opened a bit more, gaining some depth.
A few hours later I revisited the small amount I’d saved and found it had dried out some—but that was expected for a 43-year-old First Growth. Ultimately, it was a wonderful experience and a memorable way to share both the wine and the moment with family.
— 7 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Opened and decanted for 2 hours before dinner and then really only opened up and truly hit expectations around the 3rd hour when paired with wagyu strip steaks.

This wine was savory tightly wound and tannic at first. Didn’t show much fruit until after the long decant and then it really changed.

With time, the fruits shown through with great complexity and great balance for the savory elements. — 9 months ago

Deborah M

9.5

Just wow! Blown away by this one. New private wine bar in Dallas had this on the list! Surprised to see this wine. The wine took some time to open up in the glass. I would have decanted this wine for hours if served at home, but not an option last night. Plenty of smiles as this evolved in the glass. Expressive nose, no tannins, nice acidity. Beautiful expressions of dark fruit peeking through, but not enough time to really shine. Still a fabulous bottle that I’m grateful I was able to enjoy with friends. — 4 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.3

Magnum. Even after decanting around 6 hours the nose was still muted. Structure still there. What a fun treat. — 6 years ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Absolutely delicious Brunello from 2001. Intense aromatics, deeply mouth filling. Decanted for a couple hours. Had with prime dry aged steaks. Just an awesome pairing. Really an iconicly excellent wine. — 9 years ago

Michael Meagher MS

Chairman/Founder Boston Sommelier Society, Beverage Director Cafe Escadrille

9.3

Exotic spice, dried red fruits and a finish that carried on for what seemed like hours. Wonderful wine showing a bit past peak, but still a treat. — 11 years ago

Loren Groves

10

This wine evolved over several hours. Smelled like books and stewed cherries. Long spicy finish. Fresh broccoli. — 11 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

1990. Slow burn with this one--firing on all cylinders with 2 hours of air. Hits all the aged pauillac notes — 11 years ago

with evie and V

Matt Duncan

9.6

Crisp cranberry emerges after a few hours. Light acidity surrounds eucalyptus appeal. Oak tannins balanced and refined. Subtleties develop luscious progression. — 11 years ago