Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2018 Montrose delivers on the promise that it showed from barrel. I gave this a three-hour decant before broaching, since Montrose is always backward, albeit far less ferociously than even just a decade ago. It offers copious blackberry and blueberry scents on the nose, plus pressed violets and a light estuarine scent that becomes accentuated with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky-smooth texture. Finely chiseled tannins frame multilayered black fruit infused with crushed stone, and it has retained that subtle graphite element that lends it a Pauillac-like personality, though less so than out of barrel. This is a beautifully defined Montrose with entrancing symmetry, and it should drink earlier than other recent vintages thanks to a little more pliancy. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2021)
— 4 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

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

Matt

9.1

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

Drew Brandt

9.8

Wow had this one at Caymus and it’s by far the best wine. You could even tell a distinct difference between it and their normal release. — 7 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.2

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

Kirk F

9.4

Nice to have friends with big time cellars! After an hour in the decanter this wine shows beautifully. One of the best Bordeaux I've had and I'm grateful to even have a taste. Wow! — 8 years ago

with Sonia, Michael and 2 others

Bernardo Llaguno G.

9.4

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

Kathy Morgan

9.5

Surprising power and fruit - even better than the 64 — 10 years ago

Peter Heidt

9.2

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

Thomas Droumenq

9.2

A monster wine. Even better, enjoying it with two good friends at Marea — 11 years ago

Peter C

9.7

Phenomenal! Truly even blind. — 4 years ago

Donald Williams

9.0

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

with Bonnie

Joe D'Angelo

9.9

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

Bryce Wiatrak

9.4

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

Andrew Schirmer

9.1

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

with Alsu

Peter 0'Neill

8.9

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

Ben Sacks

8.9

Certainly better than the 2011. Lower alcohol for a CA red. Medium tannins. Not very complex kinda meh on the Livermore Cabs — 10 years ago

James Jordan

9.6

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

Roy Whitehead

9.3

Lovely sweet black fruits. Tannins not fully integrated yet, so no rush. A very fine, even great, Cali Cab. — 11 years ago

Logan Smyser

9.6

Not even released and it's a showstopper! — 11 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.3

Magnum. Even after decanting around 6 hours the nose was still muted. Structure still there. What a fun treat. — 5 years ago

Todd Stone

9.2

Very good Rosé champagne. Not as Brut as a typical white version- has a touch of sweetness but still dry. Very smooth, softer bubbles, strawberries & maybe even raspberries. — 5 years ago

with Gordon and Peggy

Max Einhorn

9.0

Smooth but flavors have switched a lot to non fruit even at that age — 6 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.2

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

Jason and Jennie

9.5

I think this is my favorite wine from steven kent. Would love to try this against some good vintage lineages. It's got a great nose, mouth watering acid and flavors, and enough tannins to get your attention. Not dark dark fruit. More mixed with prominent red fruit. Really in a nice spot. These wines are really meant to have this kind of age on them. — 7 years ago

Kelly Velez

9.5

Awesome even in a not so great year — 8 years ago

with Vicente

Christine Havens

9.5

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

Francesca Filippini

9.4

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

Moreno Luis

9.4

An ICON. Superb, even belonging to a big big corporation. — 11 years ago

Kai Chang

9.2

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