Shay A

9.7

WNH virtual Insignia Tasting. Vintages featured were ‘95, ‘96, ‘00, ‘01, ‘02, ‘09, ‘13 and ‘14.

This was the Wine Spectator wine of the year and received a 100 point score from Wine Advocate (for those interested in accolades and scores).

Knowing the pedigree here, I knew to expect some fireworks and tried to prepare accordingly. I gave this 24hrs upright after pulling from the cellar, and then decanted about 90mins, before consuming from the decanter over the course of the evening. The cork came out perfectly via the Durand and had absolutely zero seepage up the cork. My glass of choice was the new Glasvin Expression. Really like their glasses.

My first sip after opening had me looking at my wife saying “this is 18yrs old and is insanely youthful”. When hearing from my friends about their mid/late ‘90s, and for the ‘01, those offerings had basically zero merlot. The ‘00 had a similar amount to this (14%), and I think that component really elevated this to a more “elegant” style. The oak here comes across as a mix of French and American (though it’s all French)...the oak has such a distinct sweet note to it that I associate with American oak on Cali wines, yet isn’t full on coconut. Aromatically, it’s a beautiful display of cherry tobacco, black cherry cordial, violets, and elevated heady notes of black cherry pie. On the palate, there is creme de cassis, espresso, cocoa powder and mellowed red fruit before a finish that has surprisingly grippy tannin. This drinks like a bigger style left bank Bordeaux with how wonderfully integrated it is. Zero chance I’d call this 18yr old Napa cab if tasting blind. This easily has 5+yrs in this drinking window, and another 5-10 in the next evolution journey before really starting to slide. If opening now, decant 1-2hrs. One of the best expressions of aged Napa cab I’ve had this year. — 5 years ago

Lars Miller

9.4

Graphite, black peppercorn, and deep dark fruit note on the nose. After opening, a definite barnyard note with fruit undertones. A very different type of syrah, unadulterated and no tricks in the making of it. Quite nice! — 6 years ago

Jonathan Glazer

9.0

This is a delicious, crisp and light wine. — 7 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Aloxe Corton continues to be massively underrated. Gorgeously deep and refined aromas of Black cherry, spice and some hints of oak being absorbed. Palate is complex and structured like this cuvee normally is but with so much fruit, complexity and spice. Incredible palate presence and much density and sweetness. This needs and hour but then is a terrific terrific value. Will age for 10-12 years easy. — 8 years ago

Greg Koslosky

8.9

Solid wine for the price quality — 9 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

10

1965 Baga from Barraida (Agueda), Casal Mor 'Caves Primavera' is still made to this day! Founded in 1944.

So, now the wine!

Color of tawny and brick, absolutely as expected at this age. The cork was whole when pulled via Durand, a little wet and very dark.

The nose was sous bois, crushed fall leaves, dried chipped beef, citrus peel, dried flowers and red fruits.

The palate was elegant and indeed tasted Portuguese, with some notes and textures that reminded me of old Barbaresco, Rioja and even Burgundy in its purity and finnesse.

Further time won't help this wine, but to taste this history, this snapshot of time, is one of the reasons I love wine so much.

Obrigado! — 9 years ago

with Miguel

Ashley Alexander

9.4

Excellent French wine! Grenache Mourvèdre blend. — 10 years ago

Cody Short

9.8

Everything great Bordeaux should be. Cork crumbled in the Durand but first sniff and I knew it was on. Waves of saddle leather, tobacco, cedar, forrest floor and cherries. The wine was intense but more feminine than I expected, a great balance. Truly one of the best and most memorable bottles I've had the last few years. This is what drinking wine is all about, experiences that shake you to your core. — 10 years ago

Angelika Langenfelder

10

Super gut ! — 11 years ago

with Ralph

Matt Waring

9.1

Intense, but lithe and perfectly balanced blue and black fruit. A+ cru Beauj — 5 years ago

with Christine

George Hesse

9.0

This is much better than yesterday’s SB. I would get again. — 6 years ago

Eric Arnstein

9.0

Blackberry Gusher up front, with an arid wavy breeze to hang on as you wind sail off into the sunset. — 6 years ago

Steve S

9.2

Dried apricot and white prunes, honey, almonds/hazelnuts. Really fun. With Marco and Tim. — 6 years ago

Yoshinori Tsukuda

9.0

RP 92 points — 7 years ago

Eric

9.4

One of the more unique Syrahs I’ve had. Inky black fruit, roast beef, licorice, cinnamon, and iron. Great acidity and complexity. Nose and palate morphs with each sip. — 8 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.2

Exuberant nose of spice, cherry cough drop, wood shavings, sour cherry. Very aromatic. Round, sappy and juicy with nice balance and freshnes. Clean and mineral finish redolent of spices and red cherries. Nice suave tannins. Showing very well. Terrific balance. — 8 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.2

A mineral Sancerre w citrus. Perfect w my salad Niçoise at Côte d'Azur . 3 bottles was thrice as Nice. — 10 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.2

Rust...dusty and dried tertiary beauty of red fruits, spice, leather and forest floor...fun and actually better than the last bottle!

Should have used the #durand! Old Bordeaux transforms into a much wider spectrum of cuisine pairing. We had this with a seared duck breast and confit leg...excellent match! — 10 years ago

Eric Waxman

9.0

Very nice Red Burgundy. More fruit than I expected if a bit less earth. Went exceptionally well with our food selections; Salmon and lamb but good match for both. — 10 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Toasty oak nose. This is 2014. Very cherry. Sappy and very pure fruit. Excellent intensity. Very pure. Long. 2014 is looking good. — 11 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Every major holiday demands a celebratory wine. This Saturday Labor Day weekend, it’s a 1986 Leoville Las Cases.

The other weekend, we had Ribcap’s with a good Bordeaux & Napa Cabernet but, it was not what I was looking for with an Allen Brothers Ribcap. Allen Brothers steaks are the top 1% of beef in the country.

This 86 Leoville Las Cases started slow but, in short order excelled. The cork (not from my storage) made me hesitate to an extended decant. Even with the Durand corkscrew, it was a little tricky to remove the cork. However, the wine was still sound.

My favorite pairing is a Ribcap & an old Bordeaux. For me, no meal is slower or better. I grew up the youngest in a family of seven...raised by a single mother. My father passed away while I was four months conceived. So, we ate fast and fought for every scrap.

The nose reveals classic Bordeaux notes & style. Ripe, funky barnyard fruits of; cooked; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, black plum, dark cherries, slight dry cranberries, pomegranate, blueberries & rhubarb. Steeped tea, cola/red licorice, anise, golden brown to slightly burnt pie crust, dark, rich, turned earth, dry stones, limestone, cedar notes, old tobacco, underbrush, graphite, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, bay leaf, hints of eucalyptus/mint, old, soft leather, touch of mushrooms, just a hint of band-aid/va, with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, blue, purple flowers framed is soft violets.

The palate is; smooth, elegant, ripe and juicy. The 86 still shows some baby, slightly tarry & teethe tannins. The structure, tension, balance and length are incredible. This 86 has years of life ahead of it if you enjoy them at this age and older as I do. Ripe, funky barnyard fruits of; cooked; blackberries, dark cherries, black, strawberries, black plum, dark cherries, slight dry cranberries, pomegranate, blueberries, faint raspberries notes, & rhubarb. Steeped tea, cola/red licorice, anise, golden brown to slightly burnt pie crust, crispy toast, dark, rich, turned earth, dry river stones, charcoal w/ ash, limestone/sandstone, dry clay, cedar notes, old tobacco with ash, underbrush, graphite, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, bay leaf, some vegetal characteristics, hints of eucalyptus/mint, old, soft leather, touch of mushrooms, used expresso grounds, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha powder, hints of band-aid/va, with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, blue, purple flowers framed is soft violets. The acidity is a gentle rain shower and perfect. The long finish defines elegance, balance in fruit & earth, well knitted and goes on for several minutes in perfect harmony ending with dry earth & juiciness over the top.

What a treat it is to drink Bordeaux of this age & older. I love the style of 80’s Bordeaux and really appreciate the 12-13% ABV of that decade. Wish that never changed.

Not sure this makes it to 2060 but, there is still plenty of life in it. Don’t be afraid to decant it 1-2 hours without question on well stored bottles.

Photos of; Chateau Leoville Las Cases, old large wood vats, their archway you see as you enter the property from the D2 & staff working their Estate vines. — 5 years ago

Charlie Evans

9.3

This was the red made from Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre in Faugeres. This is a collab from Alex Durand. Wildly delicious wine. — 6 years ago

Peter Falk

9.3

Briljant Bourgogne! Underbara smaker av mörka körsbär, mandel, kanel och rostade fat. — 7 years ago

with Annika Lindh

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.2

This is the vintage Xavier really got going. Lovely nose of spice and mineral. Big candies cherries and some sour cherries as well. Palate is soft and elegant with huge fruit. Sappy and spicey with lovely freshness. Good mouthfeel and terrific value. Needs maybe 15 minutes and then raring to go. Terrific sweetness of fruit smothered with spice. — 8 years ago

Adam Crane

9.2

Cork barely made it out with a Durand. Took a few minutes to blow off some funk but revealed glazed strawberry and cigar box. 375ml — 9 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.0

Great value. A little bit funky on the nose and with nicely developed fruit and structure. — 10 years ago

with Elizabeth

Jim Reed

Fine Wine Room Manager Harbor View Wines and Liquors

9.7

First of the season, #durand photo bomb #delectableapp — 10 years ago

Jordan Sumliner

9.0

Dry and refreshing — 10 years ago

Cindy Spence

9.2

Thanks Genie! — 11 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.0

Classic cool climate Syrah. Pepper, brambly fruit, barnyard, leather, spicy funk and dirt. Lovely. — 11 years ago