K. Syrah

9.2

2014. Call it 9.1-9.2. So solid for an off-vintage but Ciacci rocks. Has a slightly sour funk with the cherry fruit which combines with surprising concentration to make it fairly unique - works for me. Good tertiary Sangiovese flavors as well. Drinks well now but wouldn’t risk hold too much longer given this subpar vintage. $40 At Wine Library, elsewhere. — 6 years ago

Tom Philbrick

9.7

Nice nose after a couple hours, but super, super tight finish that never comes around. Seems like quality is buried in there however. Waiting 10 years for next bottle. Not worth the risk at this point — 8 years ago

Riccardo L.

9.1

Yep, it's not only pretty, it's absolutely delicious. Subtle, calculated, balanced. It's both refreshing and complex. I'm throwing some into the pot with these moules and couldn't be more excited. Thanks @Sarah Catherine — 8 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.3

from a bottle owned about 20 years and having a decrepit label, the wine was as good as the label bad. Super density and fruit, very elegant, grand cru weight, no risk of decline. — 9 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.7

1000th post deserved something special, yeah its not a Cabernet glass, didn't want to risk breaking the good glasses outside, 1 hour decant so far, 3 more to go — 9 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

World's End is the Napa project of Jonathan Maltus. He's better known for his work on the Right Bank of Bordeaux as the owner of Château Teyssier and creating Le Dôme. The 2013 Against The Wind was sufficiently beaten up by more than one critic, but I was still surprised when I fished it out of a discount bin for $9... he's made a wine that Robert Parker scored 100... I think I'll take the risk... Juicy plum with blueberry are the focus, followed by some Hershey's cocoa powder and roasted red pepper, with some tertiary molasses and dried violet. — 9 years ago

fred isquith

9.3

Unique varietal and perfect balance. The wine maker took a risk and the drinker is rewarded. — 10 years ago

Larry Frierson

9.6

A special late disgorged bottling. It’s sea breeze from start to finish. The salinity is backed by fruit and dough based richness. A few more years are still there. Why risk it? Drink up!! — 6 years ago

Keith Fisher

9.8

This is as good as aged Chardonnay gets for my palate (your mileage may vary). Color was holding with a faint touch of green. Buttered popcorn on the nose. Great luxurious finish. Parker tasted this wine in 1998 and gave it 92 points. I’m going to have to respectfully suggest that score should be revised. Aging these wines (especially Hudson Vineyard) is like betting on an inside straight. the wines are great young and it would seem the risk is unjustified especially when you’ve had some disappointing examples where time has not been kind. So you usually lose, but when you win (like this wine did today) it is beyond memorable. Thanks very much Dan Fitzgerald — 7 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.3

for Bryan: wow. The recent purchase of some 2015 made me want to taste one with at least a few years on it. Drinking Corton Charlemagne this young is a bit of a travesty, ameliorated some by the risk of premox.

This is old school—in a good way—Corton Charlemagne. Dense and oily, almost thick and chewy, it’s the essence of citrus wrapped in acidity, some steeliness and a very rigid spine, though the wine fans out on the finish, lasts and lasts. Really great stuff. — 8 years ago

Paul J

9.3

Okay, how many 100% Petit Verdot's can you remember???? French style nose opens massive plum and cherry flavors. After all that one word defines this wine "soft"!!! It's like laying your head on a soft pillow after a long day, if that makes any sense at all. Trinchero should be really proud of this wine and for taking a risk! — 9 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

1994 was a big year in California... the Northridge earthquake, OJ, Apple's Power Mac, Netscape Navigator, Green Day's Dookie, and this Cabernet from Stonestreet. This is the only one that's still relevant today.

Upon opening I could tell there was plenty left in the tank. I had my concerns, though, with how brett-y and damp the initial funk it gave off was, but the fruit was showing through. It needed 45 minutes before it was noticeably better. The surprise was how much it continued improving over the next two hours, leveling off at style reminiscent of 1989 Left Bank Bordeaux... an entanglement of dried black cherry, coffee, graphite, pipe tobacco, and dried herbs with an edge of pine, but with a slightly more pronounced oak influence. The hint of damp earth remains to linger in the background. I'm not sure I'd risk it, but this could probably go another decade. Superb. — 9 years ago

Nate Miles

9.0

Solid. Such a lame thing to say about this bottle, but....solid. Wanted it to be mind blowing, but alas, it was.....solid. At the risk of waxing philosophic, I suppose it is a bit silly to put expectations and pressure on a bottle of wine, but we're doing that with most everything, these days, aren't we? — 10 years ago

Anastassia Laskey

8.9

Big beautiful sweet nose - jammy dry taste - earthy finish. A very well calculated risk! — 6 years ago

Steve S

9.0

More attack than Puy, but calculated with complexity and a longer finish. Has the potential to age. Pretty solid now - would be great with food. Notes of tobacco and leather mixed in with black currant, slight raspberry, vanilla — 7 years ago

Ron from VA

8.9

I love a “risk-reward” purchase....I bought this blind and was rewarded with real quality. Quite a nice single block build - a little PV AND MERLOT (about 10% total) from the steepest slope and highest point in the vineyard. With a month of hurricane rains this still has the concentration you would expect from a classic vintage. I can only wonder how this was solved in the cellar ;) Nevertheless, it had dynamite structure and acidity to complement a complete pallet black fruit and spices! — 8 years ago

Aivars Lode

10

What an amazing champagne house. The risk that this house takes with oxidisation and the complexity and structure of the wine makes it incredible. — 8 years ago

Jared Elder II

9.1

Great wine in our room having some wine and cheese for dinner. It was a great buy and really hit the spot. I think this will be a trip of “risk and reward”. So what is the price point and how good is it???? This is a really nice wine. Would have it again for sure. — 9 years ago

Peter Leggatt

9.2

Something like the Platonic form of the Beaune; not wildly idiosyncratic, but a practised, well-dressed dinner companion who pulls out fine cigars during dessert. No risk of opinions on Brexit; refuses even if asked. Remarkable wisdom and suavity for its years; has the wit of a wine eight years older but definitely for drinking now, like the best summer dinner dates: easy but not simple.

[Wonderful pupper, does a fat boof, very doggo.] — 9 years ago

Ben Edwards

9.5

Big fruit liqueur upon opening, settling into a lighter berry candy nose. Transforming flavors pull in many strong directions, but never last long enough to knock it out of round. Sweet and sour, earthy and floral. Opens up to an easy-drinking, versatile, pour-at-your-own-risk, pairing machine. With: brie, tarragon mustard, baguette, castelvetranos, and cured meats.
Edit: Finding chalk toward the end of the bottle... Also, sadness for not having another to open. — 9 years ago