Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas — a year ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

I liked this quite a bit. Cleaner than the ‘82. Nice fruit. Tannins are mostly resolved. — 2 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. — 6 years ago

with Bex and Naoko

E & K G

9.3

‘96 and ‘99 side by side. A real treat from a good friend. Similar fruit and flavor profile though the ‘99 had a bit more weight and structure. Both were a pleasure with dinner. — 7 years ago

Mike Dougherty

9.0

Probably opened it a bit too late. — 8 years ago

M

9.0

Silky blackberry and black cherry. Mild tannins and acidity. Very nice, but I think a bit overrated. One could purchase two bottles of comparable wine--and probably more interesting to the taste buds--for the same price. — 10 years ago

Michael Walker

9.5

A bit austere. Really fell down vs the DRII immediately before — 10 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.1

From magnum, and still a bit beefy around the middle, reflecting the vintage. Plush but with character, the perfect choice for those who generally find Beaujolais too thin. — 10 years ago

Joe Paradise

9.1

One of, if not my favorite, rioja producers. Fruit on the 03 is a bit crisper than other vintages. Cranberry, tomato (leaf?), deftly deliberate oxidation, earth and savory balsamic, all framed in lovely oak. Fine integrated tannin. Long savory finish — 11 years ago

Andrew Benn

9.0

RP 94
Described as elegant
Agree though a little disappointed
Great wine but wanted a bit more
Unique flavor profile
Had at the Battery in SF — 12 years ago

Jan A

9.5

Really looked forward to this one, but a little bit too rich to warrant higher score. Missing the acidity/tension a bit.
Edit: and it was served too warm.. — a year ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

I think this is peaking. From a marginal year but really nice. Lots of cedar and a little roasted peanut note augmenting some nice, mellow cassis fruit on the nose. A big whack of intense flavors on initial entry, with tannins still there but softening. A teensy bit drying on the finish, but damn this is nice with grilled butterflied leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary. — a year ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.7

Beautiful subtle aroma from Merlot makes it pretty. Its free spirit nose makes you feel what the wine is going to be about. Drinkable and fresh. Apparently missing weight but it doesn’t miss a bit all the way thru the tasting. The aftertaste is long and very, very pleasant after one minute. — 2 years ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Nice wine, but probably slightly over the hill. Tannins still there but the balance is a bit faded at this point. Still a nice wine with good acid. — 6 years ago

Michael Phillips

9.4

Low acidity so a bit overly mature but very good — 7 years ago

Rob Russell

9.0

Just had this in Bordeaux a few weeks ago. Like most wines of this vintage it took a bit of imagination to fully appreciate. It is clearly time to drink this wine, it may be on the downhill side of life. Overall a good experience for what was not noted as a premium vintage, but is a very solid wine. — 7 years ago

Michael Park

9.5

A five hour decant. Dark cherry and blueberries with a rub of minerals and tobacco. Just awesome — 9 years ago

.

8.9

Best on pop-and-pour, this faded a bit with air. Sported a pleasant green pepper note on the nose (but not on the palate), with an interesting tangy element in the finish. — 10 years ago

Rebecca Fletcher

9.7

Orange, honey, smokiness, roasted nuts, sweet spices and a bit of earth. M+ concentration. M+ acid, body and concentration. Honey, apricots, nutty. Slight bitterness on the palate. M+ complexity. — 10 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. — 11 years ago

Chris Bensick

9.0

Thanks to a good cork, still alive, with a super bouquet, although a bit faded in the mouth. Wish I was in as good shape! — 11 years ago

Jan A

9.5

Still a little bit greenish tones (not distracting), plateau'ed. Good freshness — a year ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Finally got to drink one of the famous #morgon producers. Sappy red fruit, touch of enticing funk, purple floral notes and some sous bois aromas. Lushly textured on palate, iron, lofty acidity. Sure it’s a bit young but had to seize the day on this occasion. #foillardftw — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured from my cellar. The cork was absolutely perfect. The 2005 pours a rather turbid, deep garnet at nearly 17 years old. There's quite a bit of fine sediment that clings to the edge of the glass with each swirl. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, this was initially a bit grumpy but within minutes, it relaxed and started to show some real charm. A fully developed wine, this is becoming a bit of a Leather Daddy, full of leather (obviously), bruised and desiccated red, black and blue fruits, Christmas spice fruit cake, coffee, damp earth, and candied nuts. On the palate, the fruit remains quite stunning and confirms the mix of bruised and desiccated fruit with a sort of sherried character. Loads of salmiakki (salted licorice), spiced nuts, pepper, coffee and, you guessed it, leather. The wine was dry, technically, but almost gives the sensation of some RS with all of the over-ripe fruits and the texture was almost sappy, in some ways. However, while this was absolutely rich and well-endowed, it was not cloying. Tannins have fully integrated (though still present) and the acid was like a girdle keeping everything held together. This remains a rather large personality even if it's showing its age. Definitely in a lovely spot...but how much longer will that last? If this wasn't my last bottle, I would probably be drinking these over the next five years unless you want the full Leather Daddy experience...which is okay if that's your thing. — 4 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.4

Very good right now (Nov 2019) but will definitely improve over the next few years. Still a bit tannic but explosive black and blue fruit aromas and flavors along with mint, and earthy flavors. I'd hold for another year or two but no rush in drinking. — 7 years ago

James Webb

9.1

Nice nose after being open an hour. Traditional. Enjoyed the mint an eucalyptus notes. The mouthfeel was syrupy and lush. Finish is long and the tannins were a bit sandy. Not good QPR here or maybe I just lack the ability to do big Napa cabs. — 7 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Light straw gold. Impactful effervescent nose with notes of bread yeast, lemon, marzipan and apricot. Vibrant in the mouth. Expands and has a long finish. Expect this will get better and more complex with a bit more age. Really good right now tho. — 9 years ago

Dirk Pitt.

9.1

A bit of brett and VA, but still really good. Has a lightness and elegance to it. — 10 years ago

with Winehouse

Steve Anderson

9.1

Bonus Wine #2 after Arietta wine dinner. a bit of barnyard on the nose. Consensus was this was past prime, but still a nice treat. Thanks @Dustin Cano ! — 11 years ago

Bernardo Llaguno G.

9.3

My kind of wine, a lot of meats and dark fruit. Mainly wood and meats in it. I can't have enough of this amazing wine though it can wait for a bit longer for a better opening. — 11 years ago