Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2018 vintage. Last tasted 04.08.23 (9.5), 12.01.22 from a 375ml (9.5) and upon release 06.07.21 (9.5). Decanted and tasted after 45 minutes. Mysterious, dark-fruited and dusty nose. Medium body with excellent darkness of night color. Previous baby-fat overtures approximately 90% gonzo. Slimming down and getting more toned. In a state of transition with undeniable tension that can easily be misconstrued as underperforming. Last wine I tasted that was under this sort of metamorphosis at this level was the 1996 Pichon-Lalande about 1.5 years ago. Such a privilege to experience world-class wines in such a vulnerable moment. Everything is laid out bare/naked before you and you can see where the wine is headed and whether it will be following a trajectory that agrees with you. Definitely unusual to find this occurring in a wine this youthful but the 21st Century is smashing the old 20th Century clay tablets and digitizing. For most wine enthusiasts sampling this wine now, expecting some disappointment in the scoring. For myself, this is currently in the perfect symmetry of past, present and future. Will it show critically better in the future according to the accepted trials, palates, judges and juries? Probably. Will they experience the potential, doubts, insecurities and questions? Doubtful. This kid stays in this exact picture for another 2-4 years imho before striking another pose and I would love to taste this again during that time frame. An above and beyond thank you to FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) regular Todd. 08.15.25. — 15 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Deep Ruby color with aromas of rich berry fruit, floral and complex spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and blueberry with floral spice, vanilla, integrated toasty oak, tobacco and earthy cinnamon. Fine soft dusty tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, vanilla oak and earthy notes, starting to drink now but a little time will benefit, small production! A nice fillet mignon with mushroom gravy will go well. — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

A penfold’s classic, 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Shiraz, an amazing combo that provides the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz. A great example of the striking balance of fruit and oak, this version of Bin 389 highlights the approachable mid-palate Penfolds is known for decades. Grapes are sourced from 5 different regions, on the nose, it is rich with deep tones of mahogany and cigar leaves. Mellow spices are quite integrated with a dusty and textured mouthfeel thanks to the amount of cocoa powder, tannins are firm but impactful. Smooth and delicate after 90 mins of breathing. Tasted at immediate uncorked and after 1.5 hours and the difference was noticeable!
— 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

+1 hour decant(some fine/cloudy sediment). A splendid still deep dark ruby red color. On the nose: brambly dark cherry, mocha Java, worn leather, floral, cloves. Taste: silky, layered, savory mouthfeel wine with dark plum/cherry, dark currants, dark chocolate, graphite, and a peppery dried herb, dusty tannin long finish. YUM! Should drink well for more years. — a month ago

with Brenda

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Plenty of tannins left. 25bucks. Those were the days! 14%| Quite classic. Browne tinge. Needs at least 2-3 hours of air. Quite harsh and astringent. Roses, earthy and dusty, very dry. Hint of truffles. - Not super exciting at first (15min) so wait. Will last another 10 years - but i do worry about the fruit component if you need space in your cellar - i would suggest drink up. I will. Some folks tend to hype these wines i don’t - after all this is their most basic version with a large production volume. Total volume is 500,000 bottles a year at this cooperative. My guess they to make a lot of this one. — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (24%), Petite Verdot (3%) and Cabernet Franc (3%). Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of plush black fruit, violets, graphite, leather, cedar and wet gravel. Jammy raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors with additional notes of plums, black currants, mocha, coffee, tobacco and baking spices. Beautiful hints of smoke and dusty earth on the long and precise finish. Rich and concentrated with great intensity. Medium-plus body and some noticeable tannins. Still a bit tight, but heading to a very good place. Thank you so much for the wonderful gift, Kasey and Pete! — 5 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.6

Deep ruby color. Aromas of Anaheim pepper, blackberry, plum and violets. What a gorgeous wine! Black and blue fruit on the palate, earthy /dusty finish.

🏅98 Points - Robert Parker
🏅97 Points - James Suckling — 2 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.2

Bewitching #bordeaux - second wine of 5th Growth Château Clerc Milon. After decanting, distinctive and pronounced #paulliac graphite, dusty cassis nose. Lovely brightness on palate, genteel tannins, and a long finish with that pencil lead foundation throughout. That acid-leaning balance makes it a meal-friendly wine and not just the usual suspects - it worked well for a my mild spice fish burrito with poblano peppers. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, savory oak and floral notes. On the palate blackberry and cherry currant flavors with hints of cedar and leather, adding some herb notes. Fine dusty tannins, good acidity, well balanced, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes. Nice! Grab a filet! — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant(lots chunky/fine sediment). A gorgeous inky purplish garnet color. On the nose: dark fruit, forest floor, smoked meat, floral, cigar wrapper, pencil lead. Taste: smooth, rich, creamy mouthcoating wine with blackberry/dark cherry, dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, baking spice, and a cedar/graphite medium plus finish with some slight dusty tannins. Had this 2 years ago, and it's improved. In the beginning of its drink window at 18 years? Wow — 6 months ago

with Brenda