Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2017 “Estate” pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe, black and red fruit: Blackberry, Mulberry, bruised strawberry, Bing cherry, red flowers, mushrooms, rich mahogany, sand mixed with rocky earth, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, silky and slightly savory. Wouldn’t you believe it, another outstanding vintage from McHenry. Drink now through 2037. Only 100 cases made. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

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.  — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.

Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 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 black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.

How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service. The 2005 pours a deep ruby/purple 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 black and red fruits: black and red brambles, cassis, tobacco, green pepper, graphite, espresso, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is silky. For what it’s worth, there were a number of nice wines at the table and I kept coming back to this which, now that I think about it, also Léoville-Poyferré seems to always deliver more than expected. The 2005 is in the zone and I don’t expect it fall off anytime soon. Drink through 2045. — a year ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Medium deep ruby core , pretty narrow garnet rim , youthful and bright . Slightly funky at first but this blows off to release concentrated spicy cassis , blackberry, red currant , cigar box , wood smoke , truffle. On the palate very rounded with fresh dark blackcurrant and red currant fruits , well balanced acidity. Rounded but quite noticeable tannins. Long sweet red fruit finish with touches of charcoal, grafite and a saline nuance. This is lovely now, and maintained well in the decanter for 5 hours , and will surely last on this high plateau for another decade at least as it appears so young, plump and fruit driven. — 2 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.6

Ruby core , slight lightening at the rim. Mix of red and dark fruits , really exuberant and enticing , but also a mineral and earthy undertow. Very suave and persistent on the palate , red and dark fruits , rounded and velvety though with lovely mineral complexity . Refreshing acidity , ripe polished tannins, very long mineral tinged finish. Surprisingly enjoyable now though will be even better in 5-10 years and continue on for a further 20. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Initial is the most produced in quantity and can be referred to as the “entry level” bottling for Selosse but really, it is anything but, and should not be overlooked. Particularly so with some bottle age. 2018 disgorgment is in a great spot and wafts from the glass with distinctive Selossien aromas of caramelized stone fruit, roasted nuts, honeycomb, gun smoke and floral undertones. The palate is rich, powerful and deep with racy acids and a chalky mineral core. It has both freshness and oxidative complexity yielding a complete, balanced and utterly seamless Champagne. Selosse perfection for me is 5-6 years post disgorgement and this is entering that window in great fashion. Always a treat. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

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. — 6 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Ruby core with quite wide garnet , terracotta rim . Quite deep and reserved at first , floral , red berry , strawberry, raspberry , red cherry , very fruit forward . On the palate this is also very primary , with lots of sweet strawberry , raspberry and cherry . Really fruit driven , so young . Bright acidity , quite strict tannin frame . This is a mineral saline note after a while , lots more complexity hidden underneath all plushness of the fruit . Perfectly balanced and proportioned with a long finish . Really promising and the finest of all the wines on this night but you will need to wait for the real fireworks to begin , a wine for the future . Wait 10 years and will probably show well a further 15 -20. — 6 months ago

Mike Miller

9.4

Subtle tannins, beautiful blend. Wish I had another case. — 8 months ago

with Anne

Jay Kline

9.3

Decanted about an hour in advance and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2022 Cuvée Réservée pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and tart bramble fruits: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, “Oops All Berries!!”, garrigue, red and purple flowers, black pepper, licorice, a balance of cool and warm spices, river rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from nose; particularly the power and quality of fruit. The finish is long. Early days for the 2022 Cuvée Réservée but holy smokes is it already pretty special. The ABV is a scorching 16% but you would never know it. The power and freshness of fruit with the titanic structure keep everything in balance. Drink now through 2042. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

10

A physically pristine example from a well established cellar, the cork pulled clean and without so much as a hint of compromise. It was subsequently double decanted several hours in advance. The 2000 Margaux pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. The nose: developing and simply stunning. A cornucopia of cassis, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, new leather, cocoa, fine woody notes, dry gravelly earth and gorgeous baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure acting like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is forever long and impossibly silky. Sensationally balanced.

To my palate, this falls into the very small category of wines that require no additional inquest. It is utterly complete. And, when I consider the company and circumstances, perfect. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2100. — a year ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Completely alive!
Quite deep still , medium garnet core , medium narrow garnet rim . Rounded smoked plum , undergrowth , touch floral . Plump and round in the mouth , mix of red and dark fruits , quite elegant and medium bodied , pretty good length . Still a touch of noticeable but very fine tannins, though very much integrated into the wine. Elegant and well balanced acidity . Based on this magnum , the wine is fully mature but with a lot of life left. Not the most complex or large scale Petrus by any means , however it has great texture and elegance , harmonious powder fine tannins , just a joy drink now and over the next 10 years perhaps. This was opened and then decanted just before service , followed over 2 and a half hours and was still going strong at the end. Magnum had a level of bottom neck . Drank at Noizé, London . — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a brilliant, deep ruby color with a transparent core and some rim variation; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a heady perfume of mostly ripe and some tart fruit: mixed brambles, black cherry, purple flowers (lavender?), animale, some pepper, a touch of olive, a touch of leather, some green herbs, fine warm spices and rocky earth. I believe this has seen oak and it’s beautifully balanced and smells expensive. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is grippy. This is delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Gamay, a Grenache-based blend or possibly Syrah; from Italy, or France. Immediately after I was presented the glass, I liked this being Sangiovese, however, there was too much new French oak for me to feel comfortable. Besides, the florals were too purple to be Sangiovese anyway (never mind Grenache or Pinot Noir). Then there were the non-fruits: it could be justified by whole cluster Pinot or Gamay…or was this a really impressive Syrah? This wine seemed familiar to me. This could be Chave. I did think this had some age based on color and rim variation. Final conclusion: I’m calling this Syrah, from France, from Northern Rhône, Hermitage, with 20+ years of age, from a decent vintage like 2004. And for the hell if it, I called producer: Jean-Louis Chave. Boom. Bottle No. 3981 — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

The fruit from this vineyard was planted in 1886 by Joseph Spenker. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of fresh raspberries, lingonberries, Earl Grey, purple flowers, cool spices, and old wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and slightly spicy. This is one of the more elegant vintages of the Lodi Cinsault. Drink now with some air and through 2033. 13 barrels produced. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Double decanted before service; enjoyed over a several hour period. The 1988 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with dried dark fruit, tobacco, mocha, grilled meat, mushrooms, damp earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry. At this point, the tannins have integrated completely and are perceived as medium; acid is similar. Finish is medium. This leaned towards the more rustic, old school style of Bordeaux and I’m all for it. While this isn’t falling off a cliff, I would drink now. — a year ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Cigar box, pencil lead, also some lovely spicy redfruit aromas, still pretty structured, but showing a deep core of lovely dried redfruits, some sweet fruit notes in the long, lingering finish, very fine LLC!! — 3 years ago

with Jim

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Bright Ruby with aromas of red/black fruits, floral and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of ripe blackberry, cherry, and currants with notes of licorice and sweet figs. Fine dusty tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit and toasty mineral character. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

You would never pick this as a 26 year old red wine from the colour. A rich Ruby red with no tawny rim. This has the Penfolds DNA of ripe plum, mocha, coffee bean and chocolate - a trace of liquorice. The palate is medium plus weight, balanced and harmonious maintaining that core strength. Those initially firm tannins have become supple. Drinking at its peak but could stay on this plateau for a couple more years. My last bottle of the 96 but I still have a few more bottles of the Bin 707 from 1996 which was a huge wine. — 4 years ago