Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is an unusual CdP. In the sense that is is dark, thick and like chocolate for water.

My first of three bottles.

The nose shows a very light flaw, some soft VA, bandaid. The core is all dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, incense, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, grilled meats, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, dry herbs with floral candied dark, red flowers with liquid violets wrapped in lavender.

The palate reveals; dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries, some pomegranate & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, incense, Christmas cake, red & dark cola, olive tapenade, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, smoke, grilled meats, soy sauce, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, moist clay, dry herbs with dark, gentle dark spices, red& dark flowers with candied liquid violets wrapped in the same candied lavender, grand, round, rainfall acidity w/ a rich, lush, well balanced, nicely toned/structured, elegant finish that shows length that lasts 90-120 seconds and falls on chocolate cake, clay & spice.

Untypical for a CdP to be so thick, round, rich and a bit of wine candy.

93-95 with the meal.

Drink over the next 7-10 yrs and perhaps a couple to three yrs +. Greatly depends on storage and how you like your wines in age. — 15 days ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

At Stubborn Seed in Vegas — 17 days ago

Ted

9.2

A little waxy like those little bottles filled with sugar water I devoured as a kid. Lemon. — 10 days ago

Jim Powers

9.4

Classic Besucastel! I first visited this property in 1987, and the Brett character was unmistakeable. This 1990 is aging extremely well. Strong Brett aromas, but the fruit is also strong and in balance. If you are one that thinks Brett is an unforgivable flaw, you will hate this. Great Chateauneuf from a great vintage! Celebrating my son’s 33rd birthday tonight (1993 wasn’t a great vintage in CdP!) with a perfectly grilled NY steak. I am very pleased with this wine — a month ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.2

Clear, pale gold in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary aromas of lemon, gooseberry, and passion fruit; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, medium alcohol, light body, and pronounced intensity primary flavors of honeydew, white peach, and lemon grass with a long finish. This wine is balanced and intense. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. Nellie likes it too. — 2 months ago

with Nellie

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2022 vintage. 6.3.26. — 3 months ago

Jol

9.4

Très puissant bonne année Ouvert depuis la veille — 4 days ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.3

Still catching up from two weeks ago. Well wasn’t this quite the joy! Slightly shy upon opening, with more red fruit on the palate. Developed considerably in the glass and bottle, filling out with black fruit and a tight, beautiful tannin core. Seems in a great place right now but with years ahead of it. — 8 days ago

Doug Powers

9.3

This aged CdP still has very fine color, just the faintest hint of bricking, shows just a trace of surmaturite (which has been evident in most 1990 CdPs I cellared), lovely medium-ripe redfruits, while it’s mature and ready, with a little heat (14% ABV) in the solid, lingering finish (BTW, this is the “regular”, not Vielles Vignes, bottling), this is a really impressive aged CdP!! — a month ago

with Jim

Ron Siegel

9.4

This btl was still fresh & in perfect condition. I am always amazed how well the 66’s show especially the La Mission HB. — 17 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This had lots of dark cherry, berry fruit, mineral, sweet spices with floral tones. — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

vintage 2005 | Harmonious happiness — 2 months ago

Garen Staglin

9.3

Very fresh. Nice fruit and finish. — 2 months ago

Lyn Farmer

9.5

Textbook Savennières - chiseled, crisp acidity still in evidence, lemon, apple, pear, quince, hay, peach, almond and honey. Still stunningly fresh and mouth filling. Dry but thickly textured. Glorious at nearly 30 years of age. — 3 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Notes from memory. This was so deep and understated. The fragrance was subtle, but with a grilled hangar steaks slathered in chimichurri it shined. Perfectly mature and so long. — 8 days ago

with Dan

Doug Powers

9.1

So, initially I thought this was nowhere near the 1990 Marcoux CdP, and this is Côtes du Rhône (WHAT????), but for a 38 year old CdR, it’s pretty fine, zero tannins, definitely lower alcohol (label says 12.5% ABV, but I’m not buying it?!?!), but no noticeable ABV and smooth and suave, honestly, I attribute the great showing to the 1988 vintage!!? — a month ago

with Jim

Mike Obley

8.9

Surprisingly good for a waek vintage — a month ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Wallys feng — 2 months ago

Mark S.

8.9

Cherry red. Black Fruity matured. Good concentration. Black pepper is not much. Fermented flavor.
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M Tannin M Soft Bitterness M Body M Finish M %
Balanced Concentrated M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila Hait Occultum Lapidem Syrah Blend 20 @1000, city, 260629 — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Medium-heavy body. Needs time/patience but shows pretty well currently if you're out of either/both. 6.3.26. — 3 months ago