Conrad Green

9.0

Slight marmalade, hints of honey. A bit like aged Chenin in character. Still fresh but a little tangy. Fleshed out — 3 years ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Michael Phillips

9.5

Deep amber with burnt orange and somewhat Smokey nose lovely but a bit past prime — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Dark ruby, bright, doesn’t look it’s age. Awesome funky old Cal Cab nose. Notes of cherry, cranberry sauce, dirt and some balsa wood. Some steminess. Great perfume. Nice in the mouth but missing just a little bit in the mid palate. Really enjoyed this. — 6 years ago

Mike Dougherty

9.0

Probably opened it a bit too late. — 7 years ago

Omar Abdeen

9.0

It's a bit sweet for me but it's fantastic and smooth ~~ — 8 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.2

First night dark cherry and a bit too acidic. Second night balances out with layers of character... Spent more time smelling than sipping. So glad to get this piece of quintessential California in Hong Kong. 2012. — 9 years ago

Mitja Sirk

Production La Subida, Aceto Sirk

9.0

Missing a bit of focus and elegance.. Maybe was just the strongest of the night.. — 10 years ago

with Marta

Paul H

9.4

When they say bring your A game you can think of this bottle. This is an amazing glass of wine. It benefits from decanting for a good bit. Upon opening I thought of dusty plum and cedar on the nose. Tasting brought plum, currant, blackberries, vintage leather plus an array of other items indicative of this style of big wine. There is a good mix of tannins and acid that makes this a classic great glass of wine. I want to try it again in a few years to see how much better it may get. — 3 years ago

E & K G

9.1

A bit disjointed and not the balanced velvet powerhouse I remember when I had the 2003 vintage. — 6 years ago

Joel Neal

9.3

Fruit is still surprisingly present for 13 years in the bottle. Oak, med tannins, a bit of earthy spice. Good vintage. Most Iso are a bit past prime at 13 years, this could go a while longer. — 7 years ago

Randall Brater

8.9

Light with hints of tart and sharp raspberries. Just a little bit of earth. Ok, better with food and cheese than by itself. — 7 years ago

Peter 0'Neill

8.9

Bought on a bit of a whim, this was perfectly fine without a real wow factor. A quite lovely nose of beef stock, strawberry jam and roses, but the palate was undistinguished and acidity overwhelmed any initial fruit. Food is a must and even then it's a bit awkward. — 9 years ago

Guy Davies

9.1

Much brighter fruit on nose than 2004. Zesty by comparison. Actually a slightly more delicate, gentle texture. Less intensity and a bit shorter on the finish. — 10 years ago

Paul Kaan

Winemaker/Blogger FilthyGoodVino.com

9.6

It's Bordeaux O'Clock. 81 Palmer oppulent, refined texture, fresh, layered & yummy! A bit of extra Pre-Parker finesse perhaps? #FilthyOldVino — 11 years ago

Conrad Green

9.4

A slightly saline iodine note. Tangy blue fruit with sour cherry, leather, tobacco. The fruit and structure are intense . A little bit simple but delicious and authentic. — 5 years ago

with Bex and Naoko

Jay Root

9.1

Quite nice after breathing for a bit. Quality Smokey California cab — 6 years ago

Adam Gauthier

9.0

Very subtle, good raspberry flavor with some tart dark cherry. I would have wanted a little bit more complexity. — 7 years ago

Eric

9.1

Super complex nose with figs, olive juice, roasted dark nuts, funk, and black licorice. Following that is a bit of a let down. Palate starts strong with dark fruit and charred earth but the watery finish (that I feel like is a vintage thing) leaves me hangin. Doubtful more time will help. Still a good showing. — 8 years ago

Sean Trapani

Founder/Educator Wine Fluent, Consultant ABC Fine Wines & Spirits

8.9

Elegant and structurally balanced, but I wish there was a bit more concentration and longer finish. — 9 years ago

Rick Baumgarten

9.1

A bit of oxidation, but otherwise, just fine. Fruit still there. 1970, 45 year old wine for our 45th Anniversary. — 10 years ago