(Two previous 1983 vintage wine reviews never made it on here, so copying from CT).
My experiences with 1983s has been fairly positive, and this PL certainly is among the better I’ve had from the vintage. Holding color nicely with deep ruby and slight bricking around the rim. Started off a bit dense and muddled, but hit stride about 30mins later with a mix of red and black berry fruit, cassis, a streak of herbal green down the middle (something I always get with PL). Excellent example of the fruit showing lots of flavor without being overly ripe. Leather, sweet pipe tobacco, graphite, and still some vibrancy at the finish with tannin structure. Clean and elegant at this stage. Showed well over the course of two hours. Drink up and enjoy. — 5 months ago
Super sweet and oaky on first open but matured up with a 3 hour decant
Still quite fruity but with steak, it gives a lot of red berry fruit and the oak is reasonable and the sweetness is gone with the airtime.
Overall good wine but I thought it lost out to the Paul Hobbs LPV ‘14. — 8 months ago
Deep ruby, full body, high tannic, high acidity, black fruit, cherry, tobacco, chocolate, berry jam, sage, sandal wood, eucalyptus, spice, thyme, long finish, fruitful, good complexity — 2 years ago
Gift pats
Really like this. Complex on front and middle. Let's you know it's here for the full experience — 4 years ago
Good berry flavor. 100% best one I’ve had so far — 4 years ago
Dr. Steve Brule gets a 10! Drank the 3L at the ranch. Worth it!!! — 5 years ago
Blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 80% new oak, deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, cedar, floral and earthy spice notes. On the palate flavors of blueberry, cherry and blackberry with vanilla, licorice, tobacco and toasty oak notes. Long rich finish on fine juicy tannins, drinking ok now but has room to age. Very Nice! — 5 months ago
Blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, & Charbono. Deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum with cacao, baking spice and vanilla. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and tobacco notes. — 6 months ago
Deep ruby in color, almost purple; cassis, black cherries, and cedar on the nose; high acidity; high tannins; tastes like black plums, berry jam, and baking spices with a medium finish. Nellie says it's ok, and I like it. We both think it goes well with a steak. — a year ago
Antinori family of Florence, one of the world's oldest & most distinguished wine producers, lived in Tuscany since the 14th century. One of the first "Super Tuscans," blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cab Sauv & 5% Cab Franc. Deep Ruby with aromas of black berry fruit aromas with dried herbs and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with cacao, tar, mushroom, vanilla and spice. Fine graceful tannins, long finish, well balanced, savory ending with oaky and earthy mineral tones. Very Nice! — 3 years ago
Granular, ripe and heavy. Syrupy berry and smokey notes. Quite smooth. Enjoyable? Yes. Whopping alcohol level? Yes. Worth fifty bucks? No. At mom's. — 5 months ago
From a recently purchased owc showing the classic LB personality of red cherry, black berry fruit, cassis, leather, menthol, graphite, sweet savory spices & tobacco. This has been fully mature for a while where perfectly stored btls are still drinking well. — 6 months ago
I’ve got lots of love for these wines, but I always struggle with when to open. They are fantastic young and equally fantastic with age. Jeb said of this wine, “the greatest GSM blend from California, ever.”, and stamped it with a perfect score. Strong praise, and while I’m not there, I don’t regret opening this.
Consumed from decanter the first 2-3hrs before decanting back to bottle and finishing the remaining third later in the evening. Much better later in the day. Wound up tight initially. Classical high end Paso with this distinct airy-jammyness. So much going on with squeezed blackberries, peppercorn, lots of kirsch. Some garrigue. Mouth coating and a total wave of flavor on the palate…black fruit, cherry cordial, cherry drizzled smoked meats. It’s both supremely juicy and hauntingly tannic at the finish. Even with time to open, the ABV makes itself known, but you know that going in. If you like the style, it’s hard to beat. — 2 years ago
Fantastic 1988 Phelps Insignia. Fresh, lively with acidity and wonderful red berry flavors and slight cocoa notes on the finish. Silky mouthfeel. Nose still unfurling hints of sweet chocolate and raspberry. A gorgeous showing. — 5 years ago
2005 Vintage. 16.4% Alcohol. 93% Grenache, 7% Syrah. Wow, this wine was stunning. Cork broke in two using the lever screwpull but saved it with a hand corkscrew for the remaining half inch. Even under the intact wax cap. Found it hidden in double deep racking on the white/rose side of my cellar. Big fruit and velvety mouthfeel. Not obviously hot, but packed a punch! — 5 years ago
Ron Siegel
This was rich, ripe, round with dark, berry almost plum like showing good balance that is not your typical Montrose — 5 months ago