Dan Levin

9.5

This is my 5th and final bottle and, like the others, was extraordinary! The wines from Laura Zahtila/Laura Michael are consistently great, but the combination of their nuanced winemaking, incredible Beckstoffer fruit, and 13 years, made this a stellar bottle. Green olives, dried thyme, roasted meats, leather, and forest floor were the dominant tones with the primary fruits - dark ripe cherries and raspberries - playing a supporting role. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Celebrating a 10 year anniversary only happens once. Tonight is all about trying to recreate as much of our wedding day as possible. I cooked two pasta dishes the restaurant in Cortona made for us family style. While good, there’s no substitution for truly well done Italian cooking from the old world. What the restaurant did for our reception was truly amazing and done with wonderful Italian hospitality. Those of you that know my wine habits, I’m the guy who brings Bordeaux to an Italian wedding reception and that’s what I did. After all, It was our/my wedding. I brought an 1986 Haut Bages Liberal magnum with me from the U.S.. So in remembrance of our wedding reception, we are enjoying another magnum on our 10th anniversary tonight. I was concerned about finding another magnum in good drinking condition. However, this bottle 10 years further removed is better than the one we enjoyed at our wedding. In magnum and larger formats, I think it has another 5-10 years left of good drinking ahead...properly stored of course. On the nose; dark cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, cherries, dry cranberries, a touch of pyrazine, black rich earth, stones, old tobacco leaf, cedar, saddle-wood, baking spices and dark fresh floral bouquet. The body is somewhere between medium to full. The tannins are nicely resolved. Fruits are ripe, fresh and juicy 31 years down the road. Blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, cherries, dry cranberries & pomegranate extract. Black licorice, a touch of pyrazine, black rich earth, wet stones, dry top soil, old tobacco leaf, light expresso roast, softly understated asian spice, mint, cedar, saddle-wood, baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & a hint of nutmeg), violets and dark fresh floral bouquet. The acidity is round and like a waterfall over the palate. The finish is rich, ripe, balanced, well textured, elegant and lasts well over a minute. The quality of this magnum wildly exceeded our expectations. One would think this bottle was stored at a Chateau it’s entire life prior to my purchase. The alcohol comes in at 12.5%; which is one of the reasons I love the good years of 80’s Bordeaux and prior. Too bad alcohol levels are negatively impacted higher now and going forward due to climate change. Additionally in some cases, because of producer marketing decisions largely based on consumers who crave higher alcohol levels! Sofia, I am lucky to have found you to walk through life together. I love you now and forever. What a 10th celebration tonight and a celebration of our life together. All under a nearly full moon. Oooow, I ❤️ you! Photos from our 5th anniversary trip back to Cortona; the building we were married inside & out and one of the vistas surrounding (Cathedral) this beautiful hilltop town. — 8 years ago

JT & Brandy Egli

9.3

Just gorgeous. 5th we've opened from the case. Starting to bloom beautifully. Bright red cherries, black berries, tobacco, a touch of leather. Wonderful compliment to a gorgeous Wagyu ribeye — 10 years ago

Eugene Kim

9.3

Beautiful 5th Growth #Bordeaux from a great vintage. Red fruits, evolving secondary notes, nice acidity. Integrated tannins.. — 10 years ago

Lynn Gowdy

9.2

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenére, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Intense blackberry and cocoa aromas. Almost voluptuous-like on the palate with blue fruit, a hint of oak, balanced acid and well-integrated tannins. — 11 years ago

Bob Halifax

9.9

Opened a wedding present that's now got a bit of age on it. Bouquet and taste that's still passionate. Must be a good sign. — 11 years ago

George Hesse

9.5

At Terranea with Jennifer, Yvonne, Ivan and Yvonne's mom, for their 5th anniversary food and wine tasting event. Very subtle nose. — 11 years ago

Tala Drzewiecki

Wine blogger Winelandia.com

9.3

Celebrating our 5th anniversary by public day-drinking Champagne by the water. — 12 years ago

Yoon Ha

Master Sommelier/Wine Director Benu

9.1

A nice 5th growth from a vintage that is often overlooked. Eighteen years old and it still has 5 left easy. — 13 years ago

Bryce Wiatrak

9.0

Lovely - a charming value from the Haut Médoc. Rusty strawberry, raspberry, crushed stones, piercing acidity and gentle tannic focus. Easy and delicious. 5th Growth. #sommcon — 7 years ago

with Samantha

Paul Brusaschi

8.9

Really well balanced wine, great balance of flavor, tanin and finish. Wish I had more — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A small, family-run domaine now in its 5th generation. Cathy & Cedric aim to strike a balance between the old and the new, with wines that respect the traditions of their ancestors but have one foot firmly in the present.100% Gamay, bright red with red fruit aromas and oaky pepper notes. On the palate cherry flavors with espresso, oak and vanilla, soft tannins on lingering finish. Good balance. — 9 years ago

Melanie Closs

9.2

Really nice oaky smooth Duoro, from 5th ave, had on a rainy summer night with Ben, Iris, Maggie, Ang. — 9 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.5

5th wine of the night., How lucky are we., Carlos Lopez de la Calle is friends with Anthony and showcased his wine e as well during our Edge Hill tasting. Incredible Tempranillo., very aromatic., spicy with great structure and silkiness. We popped & poured., the bottle would have been better if decanted for 4+ hours. Very young and still wound tight. However. Promises to be an incredible vintage! We did notice sone bottle variations. — 10 years ago

with Kirk, Cindy and 3 others

Michael Descamps

9.1

Espresso beans, molasses, smoke. — 11 years ago

David Landrum

9.2

'79 5th growth. 5th element. Tons of life left, fill up in the neck. Old apples, pipe tobacco, raspberries. #Maturewinerules — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.3

A deep dark wine with lots if dark licorice spice blackberry jam violet floral notes espresso very complex array of 5th generation from walla walla the family owns a granite company gonzaga university went to Florence Italy fell in love with wine and came home bought 20 acres planted everything himself. Big and chewy on the palate with a good hand of tannins with an array of that sice and earth from the nose through the finish 45+ — 11 years ago

Yoon Ha

Master Sommelier/Wine Director Benu

9.2

Sweet maturing fruit, lovely balance. At 15 years old, the 5th growth '99s are in full stride. — 11 years ago

Megan Miller

9.6

5th Anniversary Champagne from Sandy — 12 years ago

LM Segal

9.2

Called this New World blind, but disappointing as group’s 5th of 7. Despite an initial green/vegetal quality that blew off, this was full, brambly-nosed and super smooth. — 8 years ago

with Mark and Joe

Axel Finger

9.2

collectif anonyme 2014 collioure rouge "BEAU OUI COMME BOWIE" 90% Syrah, 10 Grenache. — 8 years ago

Andrew G

9.2

One of the 3 second wines of 5th growth Haut Bages Liberal. Even better than the last time - typical Pauillac barnyard notes. 92 — 9 years ago

Justin Nickel

9.0

Heidi Barrett killed her 2009 release which was the 5th release overall for this wine. This vintage is 46% Merlot, 21% Syrah, 15% PV, 14% Cab, 4% Can Franc. I'm usually not a fan of heavy Merlot in a blend, but this wine is silky smooth in the mouth with wonderful rich fruit. The 2009 is my favorite VP so far. — 9 years ago

Pat Sperry

8.9

Delectable blend, $34.50 @ FPWM, 12/15; — 10 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Cedar on the nose. Very dark. Well rounded. This 05 is ready to go no need to keep this longer. Black current, cedar box, in the back of the mouth tea leaves. Very classic 5th growth from the best year in the 2000th. — 10 years ago

Dylan York

8.9

1982 Chateau Haut-Batailley - 5th growth showing elegance and depth. Great wine. — 11 years ago

Gilbert Lara Jr

9.8

Celebrating our 5th year wedding anniversary! — 11 years ago

George Hesse

9.3

At Terranea with Jennifer, Yvonne, Ivan and Yvonne's mom, for their 5th anniversary food and wine tasting event. — 11 years ago

with Jennifer and Yvonne

Alejandro Lopez

9.5

This 2005 represents the 5th Edition of this blend where Sangiovese (44%), Pinot Noir (27%), Nebbiolo (14%), Barbera (10%) and Shiraz (5%) mix things up to craft an interesting wine with really smooth tannins and a certain herbaceous character. Let it breath at first to showcase potential. — 12 years ago

Thomas Hughes

9.5

2 years in oak barrels, followed by 2 years of bottle age, then released in the 5th year. Montalcino has made Brunello both a science and passion. In the most recent vintages, 2001, 2004, 2006, it didn't matter the vineyard ... Most are outstanding. But some stick out and this wine does just that. The fruit that initially hits the palate is mind blowing. How can this not be a Bordeaux blend? How can this just be Sangiovese? But it continues with the grace and balance of an old world red. Unfortunately, I haven't seen this bottle in at least a few years and I only have 1 bottle left. But for under $50, this definitely stands out! Cheers! — 13 years ago