Wow. I’ve waited a long time to try my first Tondonia (surely this is a milestone for any budding wine collector, no?), having held onto this 2002 for a while and having a case or two of Heredia’s more recent vintages downstairs.
Such was the anticipation for trying this Rioja stalwart that I was almost nervous that it wouldn’t live up to it - especially with 2002 being such a rotten vintage for Spain’s flagship wine region. But this was staggeringly youthful, piercingly savoury with a gentle balance of tannin & acidity but all the supple features of an old school, aged Rioja. This is really special stuff. — 6 years ago
I miss when Rosenblum was the shit. Coffee grounds, forest floor, porcini, wet potting soil, black tea. Entering the relaxed, savory/sweet part of its lifecycle. I always felt like a smart guy when I could score all of this wine I wanted while all the collector types drove up the price of Ridge York Creek. — 7 years ago
1982 La Chapelle. Was brought by a Chapelle collector on a Tuesday afternoon. It was in a cooler and chilled to about 48 degrees. We decanted it and at first seemed light but as it warmed up in our glasses stronger notes of tobacco and spearmint and cherry came through. As it warmed more, it became more interesting and complete. It was even a bit floral. We tasted it along side the 83. I love all Chapelle and this was a treat to try the 82. — 7 years ago
Absolutely delightful. Fresh and Lively but with a huge helping of Earth and crushed rock making it super intriguing. — 8 years ago
Palate cleansing sherry. Fresh, but with body. Good with olives and charcuterie. On an exploration tonight being led by my worldly wine collector friend Alex. Stay tuned. — 9 years ago
Voluptuous yet very well balanced - excellent. — 9 years ago
2018 90+ “Oakville”, Cabernet Sauvignon (Collection Series)
A deep garnet color with legs that go for days. The nose is lavish and clearly made from outstanding fruit. Moreover, the aromas of cassis and even notes of earthy elements like truffle fill the olfactory with joy, frankly. All of that leads to a remarkably approachable/alluring palate that broadens as it breathes and covers the senses with deep flavors of cassis that not only reflect but expand on what is so evident upon the nose. It’s remarkable in its mouthfeel: rich and concentrated while at the same time extremely refined and openly expressive.
The finish leads right back to burying your nose back into the glass. Genuinely impressed with this, the first of the Collectors’ Series from 90+ Cellars. — 5 years ago
Tasted at March 2019 Montebello Collector event — 7 years ago
Remarkably good condition for a 28-year-old cru bourgeois. Brilliant color, excellent clarity, pretty tannins. Showing minimal oxidation for a wine of this pedigree. Lots of dried flowers, plum and red apple skin character with resinous herbs, tar, old leather and orange peel. I doff my cap to the most devoted collector who curated this collection for us. Truly outstanding provenance. — 7 years ago
Last of a batch of bottles acquired at auction from a collector who bought on release and maintained a cold cellar. Great fill. Yellow gold color. At opening this showed notes of lemon, wet river stones, and citrus notes with a great wallop of acidity in the mouth. But with air it grew tired over the evening and notes of toffee and burnt orange appeared. Drink up. BDay dinner 3/12. — 7 years ago
Very well made wine. Med body, rounded. — 8 years ago
Cherry and spice at the end. California. — 9 years ago
Full body rich flavor of cherries and blackberries — 6 years ago
Tasted at the March 2019 Montebello Collector event — 7 years ago
Great balance, goes with anything — 7 years ago
Oh my. Almost European in its cool climate delicacy and balance. 5 years young. Drink now and over the next decade at least. — 8 years ago
20 September 2017. Vine Wine, Brooklyn, NY. — 8 years ago
Jeffrey Sewell
Lot192 dark cherries with a bit of a bite at the end — 5 years ago