Connor Smith

9.2

With the Wine Blight laying waste to her vineyards, France went from 8:1 exporter in 1870 to 6:1 importer in 1887. Legions of wine farmers faced total financial ruin. With no cure - or even a proper diagnosis - in sight, many saw no option but to flee to lands not yet affected.

The influx of institutional knowledge that flooded into former backwater wine regions like Rioja catapulted them into relevance, and soon matured into a world-class standard. The farmers had found respite, but couldn't run forever. By the time Phylloxera crossed the Pyrenees, however, there would be new ways to fight back.

French botanist Jules-Emile Planchon had a theory. If the blight was caused by a microscopic American insect as he suspected, perhaps grafted European varieties on American rootstock would be resistant. This would be confirmed by Missouri entomologist Charles Riley, and with millions of rootstocks supplied by Texas horticulturalist T.V. Munson, the Wine Blight was soon in remission.

(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû’s Wines ‘History of Wine 1453AD-Present’ seminar, where this wine was poured) — 6 years ago

Myorei

9.0

Funky red wine. V brought to il den. — 7 years ago

Meg Herring

9.0

Normally not a new world / oaked chard fan but this one was well integrated. Leaned tropical, and I got lots of salted butter. 🇿🇦 — 8 years ago

David Wanek

9.9

This was a stunner. Old and new world flavors galore. Drinking incredibly well for 15 yrs old. My WOTN — 8 years ago

David Kline

9.3

Early test of a beer I will most certainly be aging! Barley Maw! Dip some carrot cake in Ethiopian coffee and you will be getting close on the nose. The entire bouquet is a caramelized, myrrh version of that in an oiled, leather bag; although there is a doughy life to it that evokes freshly washed hair, with whiffs of Madagascar vanilla. Heavy coffee oils, bitter chocolate, smoked leather, tar, burnt caramel, black mushroom, rattan, blackened marshmallow, allspice, graham spice and dark tobaccos finishing briny. A seaside stroll at night through foamy pools. Can't wait to see how she ages! — 9 years ago

with Courtney

Ryan Sones

10

Did a 20 year vertical. It was a moment of zen. Did it with friends, even better... And had a really cool som walk us through every year. World class. Thanks CD — 9 years ago

Mark Lindzy

9.2

New release of our Ancient Vines blend (⅓ each Zinfandel, Mourvèdre & Carignane) from Bedrock Vineyard. All 3 varietals play well together and add their own distinct flair, making for a red that's full-flavored yet nuanced. I would pair it with ribeye steaks, grilled lamb or braised short ribs. — 10 years ago

Paco Suro

8.9

Rich and concentrated. New world (oaked). Violet in color. Young. Revisit in 5 years. — 11 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.5

Wow. Delicious. Much richer and new world in style than the 88 which was tasted in conjunction. — 12 years ago

with Elena

Mimi Ryan

9.6

Full bodied, great with Italian sauce.😍 — 13 years ago

tim heyman

9.0

very good 2001 aged surprisingly well for new world wine — 6 years ago

Jeff Payne

9.3

Spicy fruity and lively top notes. — 7 years ago

Lynn Derbyshire

9.0

Rich, thick, smooth, just yummy!!! A smoky essence that was surprising. Had it with grilled chicken and tomatillo salsa. Divine. would be awesome with a steak or lamb. 8/10/18 — 7 years ago

Paula Correa

9.2

good he to keep on hand — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

10

What a beautiful person inside and out! I'm blessed beyond measure to be able to call him "Dad". Words can't adequately express how much I Love him. We opened a few bottles last night that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever. We are celebrating his completion of 6 rounds of chemo therapy in his battle against Prostate cancer. This is his 3rd time in the ring against this opponent and it appears that he's won with a unanimous decision by knockout at this time!!!!!! Love you dad!!!!! So proud of your strength through this process. My Father was born in 1940. A difficult year to say the least:
Germans entered Bordeaux in June of 1940. As dictated by Hitler himself, it was the sworn duty of each and every commander to search and seize whatever could be used for the advancement of the German cause. Bedlam broke out. Chateaux' were ransacked, wine cellars were looted if not used for target practice. The Chateauxs were forced to continue producing wines. It's poetic justice that Mother Nature provided the Germans with the worst growing season from 1940 to 1944!!!! The Germans left Bordeaux in 1944 to the cheers of the residents "Au Revoir Les Allemands"!!!! The 1940 bottle that we enjoyed this evening survived World War II. It Survived the ransacking, pillaging & plunder of countless German soldiers. It's outer capsule showed evident signs of its struggle but it's inner beauty was unblemished and glorious. I've had many, many vintages of Latour from 1928 and on but none have ever tasted as perfect as the one we enjoyed tonight. This 1940 was perfect. It was a fighter, it never gave up, it never relinquished in the face of adversity. That's my Father, that my role model. He's a beautiful person inside & out. I think 1940 is the best vintage that I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Special thanks to my good friends Michael Troise whom provided me with much of the insights in regards to the incredibly difficult vintage and David Page whom gifted this bottle to me for our celebration this evening. I will never forget your generosity. It was a glorious evening to say the least!!! Wine has a way of bringing people together and encapsulating an evening and event. I couldn't think of a better way to rejoice in his victory than to open a Father & Son birth year wine. — 9 years ago

with Ryan, Christine and 1 other

Alan McCullough

9.2

My favorite blended wine of everywhere I've ever been. — 10 years ago

Ludovic Anacleto

9.3

Dusty, tight and a bit austere. A lot of pedigree here, slightly more on the old world side, this is a very serious wine. Would love a bit of exuberance and a bit more of an outgoing personality. To young perhaps? — 11 years ago

James Bailey

9.7

Just won best Rioja in the world! — 12 years ago

Ehren Jordan

Owner/Winemaker Failla Wines

9.6

Drink like King Midas! — 12 years ago

Mike Rindler

9.4

Take me to Monte Rio... — 7 years ago

Jay Gaughan

9.0

Run Lola Run and a great wine — 7 years ago

Kirk F

9.2

Wine #2 in ‘old world’ flight. Tasted blind, decanted and from magnum. The most unique and fascinating wine of the evening with crazy exotic sweet flavors. Flight winner. — 7 years ago

Farial Moradnouri

9.0

Refreshing flavors and aroma of strawberries and pineapple 🍓🍍 — 8 years ago

Christopher Beatty

9.0

Full flavor. Not too jammy. — 9 years ago

Charles von Breitenbach

8.9

What used to happily pass for a "big" wine in Napa. The wine is remarkably fresh and flavorful for a 23 year old new world Cabernet. While time has tamed the tannins somewhat they are still very much evident in every sip. — 9 years ago

Effie Genovese

9.3

Oh so yummy and smooth. Savour it in front of a fire on a cold night — 9 years ago

Evan O'Donnell

9.5

Excellent rye — 10 years ago

Sarah DeBusk

9.2

Much needed — 11 years ago

Jason Koh

9.1

This new world blend from maybe not the best vintage can easily outshine first or second growth bordeaux for my palate... — 12 years ago

Michael Shonblom

9.3

Sweet, fruity, mild spices that sustain. Holds its own — 13 years ago