Holding up very well. Magnum helps. Keeps getting better with time. Not even beginning to fade. Wine Tasting at Andy and Elaine’s. — 5 years ago
Following last year's sensational vintage, 2016 was another stellar growing season in Bolgheri and expectations were once again set high for Sassicaia. The 2016 Sassicaia certainly does not disappoint, as it is an absolutely monumental effort that completely delivers, and in some aspects even looks to be more compelling than last years brilliant wine. Composed of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc, the 2016 is all about elegance, class and purity. It begins to impress with its striking aromas of fresh blackberries, dark cherries, fresh florals, exotic spices and wild herbs along with a touch of licorice and mineral characteristics all coming together to complete the seductive nose. On the palate this is nothing short of extraordinary, as it displays outstanding overall structure and balance along with remarkable clarity and precision. This continues to dazzle with its beautiful expression of incredibly pure red and dark fruits, along with exotic spices and floral characteristics which all work their way seamlessly across the palate before leaving a lasting impression on the gorgeous finish. The 2016 is without question another all-time classic vintage for Sassicaia, as it clearly possesses the elements that indicate an extremely bright future ahead, with the potential to evolve into a perfect wine over time. — 6 years ago
Herbal and still rather tannic and youthful. Leather, mushroom, tobacco, thyme, rosemary, dusted plum. Some redder tones emerge from the black fruit core - strawberry even. A pleasant rusty patina with some gentle, welcome bitterness on the finish. — 7 years ago
An ICON. Superb, even belonging to a big big corporation. — 11 years ago
Clear deep purple colour with watery rim. Clean medium intensity aroma with minty black cherry and black currant with hint of oak smokiness and vanilla. Dry on the palate full bodied medium alcohol with medium acidity and high but smooth velvety tannin. Flavours of earthy black currant, black cherry, and vanilla. Flavours last through into its long pleasant finish. Very good quality, drink now but can age for another 3 to 5 years for a even more balanced complexity. — 11 years ago
Smooth but flavors have switched a lot to non fruit even at that age — 6 years ago
Exceptional. Price value ratio, outstanding. Anyone who knows these wines knows that they are traditional, old school style riojas with that extra layer of finesse that sets them apart, but many of the other vineyard bottlings require extensive aging beyond even what the winery sometimes deems appropriate. This, on the other hand, has many of those characteristics we all love, but with the freshness and lift that makes it so drinkable and food friendly today. Having had 2008 and 2009, the 2010 is truly a cut above. — 6 years ago
Everything you want out of St Estephe (even though the chateau is famously close to Pauillac from a terroir perspective...) Black currant, plums, leather, green tobacco, iodine, olive tapenade, but velvety soft so the austerity doesn’t extend to the tannic structure. — 7 years ago
Is there a better wine for roast chicken than Loire cabernet franc? Rhetorical question, of course. 2011 so tight, even after two hour decant. It slowly unveils its charms, like Jo Fiennes unwinds Gwen Paltrow in the otherwise forgettable "Shakespeare in Love". Unlike that film, this has staying power. Stash away a case, it will develop beautifully over the next three decades. — 8 years ago
2013 still young and will age beautifully. Ripe tannins, perfect acidity. Blackberry, cherries, some blueberry, even some cocoa/baking chocolate. Amazing wine. — 8 years ago
What can be said about d'Yquem can only be expressed in poetry, even in a modest vintage like 1998. It is an inner sanctum, a fragrant garden, a poignant release that is both profound and glorious. Descriptors cannot do it justice, sensual and honey-drenched layers of apricots, vanilla bean, creme brûlée and almond pastry. Viscous and glycerol-laden in the mouth, offset by dazzling acidity, dried fruit—quince, more apricots. A silken, pure, honey-spun web of delight. I'm rambling, but d'Yquem does that. — 9 years ago
Perfectly balanced, well integrated, and pairs best with good conversation. Even for an Italian, this Tempranillo gives any Nebbiolo a run for its money. — 10 years ago
So me and Gary A... My Xavier brother from over 25 years back, in Coral Gables. Pizza and Tignanello... This 09' is young... So dry on the open, your cheeks get turned inside out... Fruit later on... My humble opinion, as good as the 96' not even close to 08' though... Still perfect way to start the weekend... — 11 years ago
A monster wine. Even better, enjoying it with two good friends at Marea — 11 years ago
The 1989 Pichon-Baron repeats its performance from the vertical tasting in May 2018. It storms from the glass, bearing copious blackberry, cedar and perhaps a little more mint than I noticed on the previous bottle. There is so much youthful zeal to this harmonious, refined Pauillac that you would barely guess it is 30 years old. Long and tender with a graphite-infused finish, this bottle might be even better than the ex-château example. Tasted at the 1989 Bordeaux dinner at Hatched in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2019) — 6 years ago
Mature, elegant, harmonious wine that has aged well. Distinctive tertiary notes in the wine give this a definite Old World personality despite having that classic core of fruit even restrained wines take on in Napa. I bet this was singing on its 20th Birthday. — 7 years ago
In game, with curry. Such a fortunate one to drink a bottle of this every year. Even if it is only one bottle, considering myself lucky. — 7 years ago
Bought on a bit of a whim, this was perfectly fine without a real wow factor. A quite lovely nose of beef stock, strawberry jam and roses, but the palate was undistinguished and acidity overwhelmed any initial fruit. Food is a must and even then it's a bit awkward. — 9 years ago
Amazing how you could smell and taste the fruit in the wine. Even though it has 24 years. Incredible wine. You could definitely store this for many years. — 10 years ago
Slightly sweet, full flavoured, berry notes, velvety smooth. Goes very well with red meats or even a berry themed dessert. Excellent value for the money. — 10 years ago
Lovely sweet black fruits. Tannins not fully integrated yet, so no rush. A very fine, even great, Cali Cab. — 11 years ago
Martijn
This is very young still. I would never even have guessed it is Musar. Fruit driven even at day 2 not the typical notes you find at older Musars. This is black currant all over. An interesting acidity like old balsamic vinegar. — 4 years ago