Haven’t had this one in a minute but showed quite nicely — 9 days ago
Yeah, from a plastic cup. This is absolutely singing and showing zero signs of aging. Textured, layered and tannic. Nice espresso notes give way to black cherries and pure cassis. From magnum. — 5 days ago
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish, cloudy rim.
Red fruits on the nose with light oak, tobacco leaf, herbs, earth and light chocolates notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, herbs, light vegetables, earth, dark chocolates and peppercorn.
Nice finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 10 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint Estephe is starting to drink beautifully now, but still feels young.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Showing good potential to become a 94+ point wine in 10 years.
Rich, but not extracted. Soft and elegant. Fruity and complex. Nicely balanced and interesting.
Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with food too.
A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in all New French oak barrels for 20 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$180. — a month ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour or so. No formal notes due to the setting. The 2009 seems to break from the reputation of the vintage with a freshness and verve that surprises. The typical quality of Cristal is there with its persistent mousse and attractive texture. Good acid too. Pretty tasty stuff and I’m not sure I would ever turn down a glass of this. Drink now through 2039. — 4 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2004 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart mixed fruit: Blackberries, black cherry, dill, olives, leather, toasted coconut, some vanilla, dried green herbs and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is in a very lovely place. Drink now through 2044.  — 17 days ago
On the lower end of Gran Riojas I’ve had especially for a 2014. Still good. — 18 days ago
Opened and decanted hours prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1989 appears a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart, ripe, and dried fruits: cassis, blackberries, black cherry, black plum, tobacco, Poblano pepper, mixed dried flowers, some cocoa, pencil shavings, dried green herbs, a touch of leather, some organic and gravelly earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Fabulous stuff with plenty of fuel left in the tank. Drink now through 2039. — 12 days ago
Peter van den Besselaar
Vintage 2001 | Sheer perfection, meditation wine with awesome balance | at restaurant Monarh Tilburg — 13 hours ago