Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Made by famous Vega Sicilia estate. Deep Ruby with an array of aromas, dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak, aged for about 14 months in French oak, mostly new. On the palate flavors of juicy ripe blackberry currants, blueberry & plum with mocha, espresso and licorice wrapped in oak. Firm round taut tannins, great balance with acidity, full body, long finish ends with fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Almost starting to open, definitely needs more time! Will age a decade or more!! — 4 years ago

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9.7

The 1990 Cristal is remarkable. Polished, nuanced and light on its feet, the 1990 is all class. Citrus, orchard fruit and floral notes are wonderfully lifted throughout. A slight reductive note adds character on the finely knit finish. I can’t think of a better way to start this tasting. Simply put, the 1990 is a total rock star. Moreover, it is much more delicate than most wines from this ripe vintage. Amazingly, the 1990 tastes like it is still not ready! “Nineteen ninety was my second vintage here,” says Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. “It was ideal. The fruit was just perfect. We blocked the malolactic fermentation completely and only fermented 6-7% of our lots in oak, as opposed to the more typical 20%, in order to preserve as much freshness as possible. The wine was made by my predecessor, Michel Pansu, but I was learning. This was the first year I started working with oxygen by reducing sulfites in vinification to pre-oxidize the Chardonnay musts, as I do know, which allows me to get rid of all the unstable, oxidative compounds. With Pinot, on the other hand, you need a little bit of sulfur at crush or you lose the brilliant fruit. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 7 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.8

From Dubai to Singapore . Ch d'Yquem 2005. Almost fell of my seat when I saw this on the menu. Medium deep lemon gold, very thin rim. Still comes across as quite reticent though floral and fruit orientated , it is I suppose in Sauternes terms still an infant. There is candied citrus peel, orange , white flowers, though one gets the impression it is holding a lot back today. Rich in the mouth , huge amount of sweetness and acidity , citrus and a creme brûlée and vanilla character dominating. It is a complex wine, but being so young many nuances appear hidden and will need real age to show. In some ways a pity to open now (nah that's not right , it's always great to drink this kind of wine ) though if I had a case I would be tempted to wait maybe another 5 years and drinking the remaining bottles over maybe another 60 years! It is mouth coating , without heaviness , perfect balance , but with real richness , a wine full of contradictions. Privilege to drink, will probably outlive the great majority of those who have purchased it. Also it is worth bearing in mind this was from a half bottle! 98 points — 8 years ago

Ira M. Harmon, MS

9.3

1984 Opus slightly browning but very good ruby. Opening up nose of cedar cassis Tabacco slight vanilla. Taste is definitely showing some age but expressing power of Napa. Med acid med + body. Tannins mature long finish! Very balanced!! A touch of Brett but only enough to give level of character! — 10 years ago

with Jowai

Lucas Rosin

9.3

My final bottle of red wine for 2014 paired with ribeye. Absolutely delicious, changing in character with almost every glass. I woke up this morning to read the sad news that Serge passed away yesterday. Rest in peace Mr Hochar. — 11 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.2

Classic CUNE Riserva. Showing very well for a year that is not an excellent vintage. A lovely wine with food. Shows good balance and fruit and character. — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Family-owned and operated started in 1999 by Dr John and Karen Bergstrom. Medium Ruby with fresh ripe berry fruit flavors, tea and floral spice notes. On the palate, cherry, cranberry and raspberry flavors with complex herb and orange citrus notes. Fine tannins on long finish ending with slight citrus character. Drink now while it’s fresh, will benefit from short-term aging. I like ‘17 better than ‘16. — 5 years ago

Chris

9.2

Really nice fruit forward Oregon Pinot, with earthy character. — 5 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.3

Very high quality; utterly complex with a grand cru identity. Concentrated fruit, still showing plenty of primary character, good development in the glass and a defined minerality. Long finish encircled by a fresh and vibrant aura. — 8 years ago

Bill Bender

9.0

Somewhat muted and singular in character vs the '86. Reflects the solidity but lack of flair from the vintage. — 9 years ago

Geoffrey Luce

9.0

2003. Warm vintage perhaps created a slight raisiny character — 10 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.1

2004 vintage. This is not a champagne I thought worthy of the hype when I last drank this about 9 months ago. Maybe I was too quick to write it off. It seems to have grown in weight, concentration and complexity in that short period of time. The apples have become more precise, there is some stone fruit coming to the fore and even hints of minerality. There's some richness on the back of the palate now that adds character to the impression of the wine. The finish is more exact and there's depth of fruit missing last time round. The length is long and fairly persistent. Although a way off outstanding, it's become very good and clearly might improve further. — 11 years ago

Patrick Knöfler

8.9

Half-bottle. The wine was medium amber in colour and offered orange peel, apple, honeycomb, caramel, smoke, spices, sherry and a mouldy note on the nose. On the palate the wine showed orange, peach, apple, cane sugar, caramel, smoke, spices, creamy honey, some coffee, a hint of chocolate, sherry, mild black tea and a mouldy note, paired with medium-plus acidity, a creamy honey mouthfeel and very good length. Judged by this half-bottle the wine has just passed its plateau and started its slow journey on the downward slope. A good, medium-bodied Sauternes with lots of botrytis character. Drink now. 89 — 11 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Just had to try another bottle!!Ruby with red fruit aromas and spicy herb floral notes, aged for 10 months in 40% new French oak. On the palate fresh black raspberry and cherry flavors with herb tea and earthy tones. Firm fine tannins, balanced acidity, nice mouthfeel, long finish ending with earthy mineral herb character. Nice! Paired well with a spicy seared sushi grade tuna with spicy peanut dressed sesame soy sauce. Wow!! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

A special wine not produced every vintage, BDX presents a different expression of Oakville in a Bordeaux blend of 79% Cab Sauv and 21% Cab Franc (To Kalon fruit), aged in French oak (87% new) for 27 months. Aromas of rich ripe berry fruit with oak spice and cedar notes. On the palate blackberry and cherry flavor with cacao and cedar spice, great balance and structure. Soft tannins with balanced acidity on a lingering finish ending with a tobacco earthy character. Nice! — 6 years ago

Nina Zie

9.0

Nice blend. Would repurchase. — 8 years ago

Martin Redmond

9.2

Slightly bricking with a savory dried red fruit, earthy, cedar, and cigar box character. Delightful! — 9 years ago

Paul Masson

9.5

Crazy youthful energy despite its intense, complex toasty and nutty character. A standout amongst a lineup of standouts — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.5

This wine spends 9 years on the lees 70/30 Pinot noir and Chardonnay. This is all grand cru. A good amount of nutty a character with rich tree fruit. A big and rich wine with a good amount of pear and a host of nutty any yeasty character. Finish 50+. Most excellent+ — 10 years ago

Thomas Pastuszak

Sommelier/Wine Director The NoMad

9.2

Smokey, Briney, intense with olive, saline, mineral character: swoon — 11 years ago