Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1999 vintage. Decanted and tasted after four hours. Medium/heavy body. Intense, dark color. Earthy, tannic nose. Plenty of grip and fruit and showing beautiful balance now. Not an Insignia fan but this was excellent and has plenty of quality time left. No rush to crush. 71% Cab, 21% Merlot, 6% PV, 1% Cab Franc, 1% Malbec. 3.5.24. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Flight #2 of our 1997 Retrospective and these were the thoroughbreds. Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #1 had great color, was developing, and probably the earthiest of the group but still had a lovely fruit profile. A really nice balance of fruit and non-fruits. Robust structure. Notably, this was the only bottle in the flight that had Brettanomyces…and while I found it to quite charming, this is what ultimately got me hung up on whether I thought this was the Dominus or the Monte Bello. Ultimately I called the later. I really dig this and wish I could afford more Dominus in my life. Drink now and through 2035. — 4 months ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Delicious. Some secondary notes, so freshness. Beautiful balance and length. Really great right now — 5 months ago

with Bex and Lindsay

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy birthday honey. 🎂🥳🎉❤️

The Chateau that got my wife Sofia to finally love Bordeaux (1995). Expected more from the this property in 2000. But 2000 is still either the stubborn I think it is or just not as good as critically advertised. 20 years in bottle and think it needs at least 10 more years. Also, a touch of v/a-bandaid. It has nice balance with soft fruit & earth. It just lacks the wow factor for the property & vintage. Maybe, it is in a dumb faze. But, I’ve been waiting 20 years for 2000 to come out of its shell. I love this property but it is not up to its reputation…even for lesser vintages. It might be outstanding in another 20. This bottle is a little flawed and perhaps maybe (?) a better 2nd day wine. Tonight it is leaner than I would expect. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Sweet lead pencil, charcoal, volcanic ash, spice, nutmeg, some cinnamon, vanillin, dry tobacco, sandalwood, limestone, dry crushed rocks , dry pebbles, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, dry herbs, hints of Worcestershire sauce, moist clay, withering mid floral bouquet with excellent acidity and a wire to wire finish that is balanced, nicely tensioned and elegance that lasts minutes. One of the few slightly flawed bottles in 25 plus yrs of collecting. I can count them on just over one-hand.

Picture of Sofia picking the 2012 Mouton Rothschild Merlot. — 7 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

This bottle of 1983 Pichon-Lalande (I really can't be bothered to type out its full name) is the best of many encountered over the years. This offers gorgeous melted red fruit, woodbines, smoke and cigar humidor scents that could only come from Pauillac. Hints of black truffle and morels follow after about an hour in the glass. The palate displays lovely balance, poised and fresh, perhaps more vigor than I ever expected, with just a hint of dried blood on the finish. Impeccable provenance played a role here, but it is still a 1983 that should not be underestimated. Tasted blind at Pichon-Lalande. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 9 months ago

Doug Powers

9.4

Cassis, blackcurrants, cigar box in this lovely, still youthful Bordeaux, really nice balance, seems very fresh still, long finish, terrific bottle!! — a year ago

with Jim

Christopher Duong

9.6

Intense dark fruit, leather, good balance, smooth tannins — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2008 | tuilé rim, brown, beautiful smell: autumnleaves, eucalyptus, leather, is now in its drinking window, great balance — 3 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium deep copper tinged . Basically still , with a slight spritz notable on the palate. Nicely fruited still quite rich and decadent . Candied peel with slight caramel note , brioche . On the palate still fills out very well with good fresh acidity cutting the richness of the yellow fruits. Good length and balance for a wine of this age. This needs drinking won’t improve , but is still surprisingly enjoyable. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

1989 vintage. 375 ml format. Good fill but cork had some red streaks all the way up to the top and it was difficult to remove the top part of the "fused" foil. Decanted and tasted over the course of three hours. Expected sed. Light-medium body. Nose on point with the vintage/age and didn't seem abused/mistreated. Flavor profile a mishmash of chunky and resolved. Ultimately, came in slightly short on the balance ledger side. Lean, judicious fruit okay but not totally reconciled with the final exam. If enjoyed from a 750 ml format, thinking it might climb up to a 9.1 currently. Maybe. A maggie format (or larger) might reveal a revelation. 12.9.23. — 5 months ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

Always a solid Sonoma cab. Some anise and dark fruit, dark chocolate and anise. Slight bit of dill and vanilla. Drinks young, this could go for a bit longer. Good strong tannins but smooth enough to balance my prime rib. — 8 months ago

with Jillian

Jess

8.9

Deep ruby color.
Aromas of cassis, vegetal, vanilla, licorice.
Dry. Flavors of cassis, soft vanilla, licorice, cinnamon. Rich, velvety tannins. Good acidity.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 10 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind. Deep tawny color. Heavy nose with lots of drama going on. Notes of old wet cedar desk, red fruits, pepper, mocha, dark moist earth and some spice. Great structure. Has a perfect balance of fruit that strongly remains in the picture with structure and acidity. Silky, coats the mouth. Might have been the WOTN until the next bottle was poured. — 2 years ago

romo

9.4

10 GPL killing it with lamb chops. Instructive balance with a restraining force and fruit for days. Wow. — 3 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Sift in the nose with light lime and limestone and floral notes. A nice integrated spine of acid. Great balance and delicious right now — 3 months ago

with Paul, BOT and 1 other

Conrad Green

9.3

Great structure and acidity. Good balance. Sweet lemon and corn. Excellent — 4 months ago

with Gregg

romo

9.3

A restrained Margo, beautiful balance, lighter-bodied than expected. Have not had many 06 Bdx. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2018 vintage. Great, taut balance between the new school and old school Napa cab worlds. Plenty of delicacies here and there amongst the hurrahs, huzzahs and whispers. Not to be missed. Medium-bodied with both nuance and thrust. 9.17.23. — 8 months ago

Paco Suro

9.4

Outstanding. Great structure and balance. — 9 months ago

Vino Joe

9.5

Opened smoothly and the cork was soaked deep red. Immediate hit of perfume and an inviting aroma at the bottle and on first pour. The wine is rich and velvety. Nice balance between inviting but limited mature fruit and a finish with earthy elements and the alcohol was at the right level. Lots of depth to this. It has a weighty mouthfeel. It’s a lingering joy. — 10 months ago