Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1998 vintage. Cork a little dry near the bottom so called out the Durand for a rescue. Less meniscus than expected. Dusty, earthy nose. Medium body. Heaps of allspice/sandalwood, prunes and baking chocolate hovering about in the medicinal/oily nose and (mostly) in the flavor profile. Ridiculously reminiscent of an aged (‘80’s-‘90’s) Branaire-Ducru St. Julien BDX. So much so that, if blind tasting, that is the guess. This is gliding along. No highs or lows to navigate currently. Not a showstopper by any means but one helluva ringer in a blind tasting. Some bretty influences here and there but nothing warranting a red card/dq. Picked up slightly more body and a noticeable cinnamon/clove note on the finish after being open for an hour. Also...some muddiness along with a sudden frontal-palate richness (at the 1.5 hours open mark) reminiscent of Petit Verdot involvement/influence. WTF?!?! Bring it! 4.21.24. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First aged 09 I’ve opened …tasted a ton of 09’s upon release. I’m now all in on the comparison of the 82 & 09 vintage.

Beautiful fruit & elegance defined.

Slightly surprising wine & valve from this producer. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

If you see my posts, you know all too well that I am addicted to Rosé Champange. Also, I love to pair food & wine.

Everyone has a passion and or gift(s). One of the other things I do well is make the best fruit tart I’ve had anywhere. I’m not bragging, just relaying something that has played out through my experiences. I make it twice a summer season and have been waiting to pair with the Ruinart Rosé this season. I simply knew these two would be perfect together and it didn’t disappoint. Even over the Billecart Rosé which, on its own, I enjoy more over the Ruinart Rosé.

The fruits in each marry perfectly. The crust of the tart picked up and extenuated the dough/baguette crust in the Champagne. There is a perfectly even tug of war between the dessert and the Champagne which, is the primary essential building block of any good food & wine pairing. The wine and dish should not dominate one over the other. The flavors of each should complement each other in some fashion and there are normally many paths to choose from in getting there. This happened perfectly tonight with this Cuvée and my tart.

The Ruinart shows rich, deep and ripe fruits. Black cherry, strawberries, citrus blend, raspberries, soft, delicate chalkiness, mid intensity volcanic minerals, bread dough/Baguette crust, excellent acidity and beautifully, delicious, rich, elegant polished finish that persists minutes. 9.2 on its own and 9.4 with the fruit tart.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, famous painting of Ruinart’s founder-Dom Thierry Ruinart, my fruit tart and the walk down to their chalky caves. So chalky, its seeped through the bricks they laid to support the ceiling and walls. — 5 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1986 vintage. Tasted through 5 bottles at a 1986 BDX dinner at Mister A's-San Diego. Double decanted and tasted over 5 hours. Tremendous bottle variation in the nose. That expected, light Beychevelle body (similar to L'Evangile in Pomerol) aping Burgundy. Bouquet was all over the place but the five bottles consistently sung. Yes, there was brett here and there. Did it DQ any particular bottle(s)? Not from my perch. Better than anticipated. Can see this going steady in this phase for another 4-5 years before dropping down a notch. 3.14.24. — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%). Deep ruby color. Bold aromas and flavors of red and black cherry, blackberry, orange zest, menthol and violets. Long and linear finish that offers a touch of slate/graphite and a large oak presence. Medium-plus body and chewy tannins. Might need a bit more bottle age. Thanks for sharing, Keith S! — 9 months ago

Paul T HB

9.4

Just needs some air👍🏼
Parker dropped his score from a 95 to a 93 back in 2010..
Not as enjoyable as the late 90’s Napa cabs I had earlier in the week, those had more complexity — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1986 vintage. 5 bottles tasted for a 1986 vintage BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. This was up against other 1986's Pichon-Lalande, Beychevelle, Gruaud-Larose, Montrose and Cos. Double decanted and tasted over 5 hours. Respectable sed. Effin pop and pour now. Right right now. The clear winner. So good with balance and enough fruit without having to reach or rationalize. If you're not able to access for 7-10 years, you should be okay. Delicious. 3.14.24. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1982 vintage. Tremendous color. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Throwing respectable sed. Ridiculous body for a 1982, esp considering the Saint-Julien pedigree. Big, initial fruit in the entry palate that carried over into the mid-palate. Thinned out noticeably at the end. Woulda guessed 1990. Have had approx 7-8 '82's this year and they were all consistent throughout with the lean body. This one was a joker for sure. Based on this example, not improving but can leverage the performance for another 3-5 years without significant drop-off. Full disclosure...love older St. Julien reds but not a fan of Branaire. 9.16.23. — 9 months ago

David L

9.3

Araujo Altagracia ,VHR, Realm Bard, Palmaz. Favia La Magdalena. These are a few of my wife’s favorite 2011’s . Okay... secondary market bargains. — 5 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Still youthful with beautiful aromatics showing a nose of red berry, cassis, earth, barnyard, leather, lead pencil, leather & tobacco. One of the better 94’s — 5 years ago