Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1986 vintage. Sampled 5 bottles for a BDX dinner at Mister A's-San Diego. Double decanted and tasted through 5 hours. Rustic and chunky. Zero finesse but it's Montrose. Can hold steady at this quality for another 7-8 years easy. 3.14.24. — 2 years ago

Ed Chin

9.1

The outliner given the other bottles. A brute in comparison. — 3 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.5

What a Fantastic mature wine. A rare opportunity to experience a wine of this quality. Everything is subtle and understated. Still alive and vibrant. I have 2 bottles left that I will drink in next two years 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.2

Those who follow me will know that this is a rare one for me, but I don’t have too many half bottles and my alcoholism took over late tonight and made me open something. This is one of the lightest Cabernet Merlot blends I’ve ever had. It’s still quite tannic but the winemaking is there. Seems to open a little over time and you can taste the French terroir. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.6

July 4th Friday was a total blowout! Killer bottles one after another. Here are just a few of the bottles we all enjoyed!

Such a treat to compare this against the ‘08 Schrader To Kalon and the ‘09 Chappellet Pritchard Hill. This was decidedly more dusty. Dark cocoa dusted dates, cassis, and black cherry compote over toasted graham crackers. This was decanted about an hour+ before we got to it and it was still powering through hours later. Thanks, @joe leatherwood . — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others

Delectable Wine

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9.6

One of my all time favorites, the 1982 Cristal is magnificent. Fresh, nuanced and exceptionally beautiful, the 1982 remains one of the all-time great Cristals. Apricot, almond and chamomile nuances suggest the 1982 is just starting to turn the corner into its plateau of maturity. This bottle lacks a bit of excitement, but, then again, the 1982 Cristal is not exactly the sort of wine I get to taste on a regular basis, so it is possible this is not the best showing. Hopefully, I will get a chance to taste it again soon. Even so, well-stored bottles will drink well for another decade-plus. “In my opinion, 1982 is the first vintage of climate change in Champagne,” Lécaillon explains. “Sugars were higher than we were used to seeing. As a comparison, the 1981 Cristal is also concentrated, but it is concentrated by low yields. In 1982, we had high yields and elevated ripeness, meaning it was the sun that ripened the fruit.” (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 7 years ago

Kevin Cahoon

9.6

Absolutely stunning. Minerals, stone and citrus fruit with that touch of reduction that is so fresh and vibrant. Elegant, high toned palate that leads with warm stones to bright apple fruit with a lovely spice component. Long, focused, mineral studded finish. Just superb. Bottles like this can go for 10 plus years. Shows why Leflaive can be so thrilling. — 7 years ago

Sony

9.2

Wow what a generous gift which retails for more than $250. Definitely less nose than expected but super complex! Regarded as one of the finest bottles available on the market today, we were nervous to drink it. That said, the 13 years in the bottle give it a strong alcohol start but finishes smooth and complex. — 2 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Poor vintage great bottle. Should last easily another 10 years. See also Eric Asimov‘s review of most notable bottles of 2021 in the NYT. — 4 years ago

Dawn E.

9.2

Old World Style presents with Cassis, Spice, Dark Berries, Leather, Milk Chocolate, Smoke, and mild Vanilla! Development of this wine is very enjoyable at this point..I use WE Vintage Chart as a soft guide and almost put it back (I will continue to slap my hands on more precious bottles). QPR on this is most satisfying..easy drinking, mild tannins and Medium bodied. — 5 years ago

HFly

9.0

Huge wine with lots of stuffing — probably opened this prematurely. Great fruit underpinned by massive tannins at this stage. Budged a bit on day two.
Will let other bottles wait at least a few more years and crack some Perbacco instead. — 5 years ago

Paul T HB

9.5

Thanks @Rob Brobst III , another 18 bottles at $38.00,
Parker 91 is just stupid — 6 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.3

A new experience for us tonight. A 34 year old C-D-P to celebrate our 36 year anniversary. Beautiful old red/orange color from the glass. Dried fruit and herbs, licorice and wet flint on the nose. Flavors of dried red plums and cherries, licorice , herbs and some earthiness. Still showing a slight tannic backbone. A nice long finish. — 6 years ago

with Lisa

Steve Pollack

9.2

Drink up. Getting tired and oxidized. Not as good as bottles 2-4 years ago. — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

One encounter with an ex-château bottle suggested that the 1966 Lynch-Bages is not to be overlooked. Deep in color, it has a tempting nose that unfolds gradually in the glass, graphite and cedar commingling with crushed stone and red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm entry, very cedary with touches of desiccated orange peel. It's a bit conservative on the finish, though that is a leitmotif of the 1966 vintage. Well-preserved bottles should still be giving pleasure. Tasted at the Lynch Bages vertical. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2023) — 2 years ago

Joe Flo

9.5

Going through some changes from earlier bottles. Would definitely benefit from 1hr decanting. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Starting the long Labor Day weekend in Big Sur the right way with a little N/V Krug Grande Cuvée. @Nepenthe

Happy Labor Day weekend all! 🍾🥂

Noses reveals; heavy bruised red apple, Bosc pear, overripe pineapple, lemon meringue, tropical melons, lime zest, white spice, sea fossils, deep crisp chalkiness, grey volcanics, yeast & bread dough, nougat, baguette crust, limestone, caramel notes, cream, vanillin framed in yellow lilies, white & spring flowers & mixed greens.

The palate is, ripe, lush, fresh and lively. The mouthfeel all Krug beautiful. Bruised red & golden apple with hints of cider, Bosc pear, overripe pineapple, lemon meringue, tropical melons, white stone fruits, lime zest/candy, white spice, sea fossils, crisp chalkiness, grey volcanics, yeast & bread dough, nougat, baguette crust, limestone, caramel notes, cream, cream soda, vanillin framed in yellow lilies, spring flowers & mixed greens. The acidity is near perfect. The long, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish is gentle until the long set when you get a full presence of white spice and minerality that persists for minutes.

This bottle was composed around 2011 and is made from over 120 different wines that span over 10 years. It is 47% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay & 17% Pinot Meunier. — 5 years ago

Brandon T

9.0

Mixed feelings on this - one one hand, it’s solid, on the other, there’s just nothing exciting going on. Also, Caymus using clear bottles really pisses me off. Overall, meh for the money. — 6 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.1

Starts with a touch of funk. And rolls into very peppery charred cherry. Still bright and sharp. Would love to see what happens in 5 years but we couldn't resist our only two bottles. — 7 years ago

Jack Petras

9.8

Fortunate enough to have tasted this along with 6 other stunning wines last night during a cellar tasting. This 36 year old 2nd growth was nearly perfect, unusual but very pleasant mint, camphor, crushed sage and rosemary aromas with the same cooling delicate herbal initial palate. Dried but expressive red fruits mid- palate with a great structural graphite element throughout. Whiff of new leather. Changed in the glass showing different mellow facets. Pretty much intercepted at the exact right time. A real privilege to taste such a renowned vintage with folks who appreciates what was in front of them. — 7 years ago