Anthony Lombardi

9.2

The beauty of great producers in great regions is how the wines wear the vintages & tell the story of that place & time. 2014's story & soul lie transparently in the texture. High toned, fresh red fruit with an acidic core which seems to brighten the wine as it breathes. The aromatics are never far from the palate here, as that is where the power lies. Undeniable floral & strawberry perfume overtake the senses as the glass is raised. Call me crazy, but this was a star alongside chicken Marsala. White in the sauce, red in the glass. — 9 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.7

2013 vintage. From Jay. Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache 2013 - Quick Note/Initial Thoughts: Lovely light ruby colour - really has sparkle. Strong presence of red fruits on the nose together with forest floor and brown spice - This is very special on the nose with fabulous balance between intensity and concentration. Across the palate the wine displays the power one always associates with La Tache but it is somewhat reigned in at this stage, however, the undercurrents are there and will certainly express themselves in time. Unlike the Richebourg that is playing its cards closer to its chest at the moment, this wine is clearly destines to be profound. 97/100. Drink 2028 to 2045.
— 9 years ago

Tina Termsomket

9.6

Carried this back 8 years ago when i visited Bodega the first time. This wine is traditional classic old school Rioja- earthy and fully developed primary nose, soft acid n tannin, haunting finish... 🍷💃 — 11 years ago

with Jon

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.3

My mom is in town so I figured it was time to open some nice wine. Like others said here, the 1999 takes some time to open up. No fruit at all at first but then you get this beautiful strawberry and licorice and that beautiful aged subtle American Oak spice blend. Great body and deep dark color that doesn't suggest it's age. — 9 years ago

with Kate

Eric Egan

9.2

Super-weird bottle. Mid-shoulder, crumbly cork, and the colour of freshly pressed strawberry juice - extremely pale as slightly cloudy! The immediate scent was quite off-putting but after 30 minutes it stormed back! Scents of autumn mulch, burning vine roots, sour cherries, and raspberry compote. A weird sourness and heady acidity on the front of the palette but it still keeps together well. Clearly badly kept but still really interesting to drink! A true testament to The quality of Mouton under the stewardship of the late Baron. I wonder if this is what some of the better kept bottles might be like in 100 years' time!? — 9 years ago

William Hughes

9.2

Time to drink this. My Veteran's Day wine for my first holiday since retiring from the military. Leather, garrigue, dark fruits, and a fine incense aroma. 1994 has a higher percentage of Mourvèdre than is typical of Beaucastel. Tasting better than the pundits said this wine would. — 11 years ago

Jordan Gianelli

9.5

Loved it at Press in St Helena after Albariño and Pinot Noir. Strong but soft, my happy place when one begins to describe older characteristics in a wine without the wine becoming a dead piece of acid without elegance and all you are left with is a sharp sensation and a longing to have opened the wine 10 years ago. Anyhow- beautiful wine and definitely the time to drink it!! — 9 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.2

2008 vintage. From Jay. 2008 Bartolo Mascarello - Brief Note from Galloni Historical Retrospective Held in London April 26, 2016. Dark saturated ruby colour. Big robust tannins. This wine has a massive spine and is all about power and structure. A very brooding wine which will need lots of time to develop. 92/100. Drink 2025 to 2040. — 9 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.3

2000 vintage. Deep ruby, edging to deep garnet around the rim, very bright. Plush on the nose. The black cassis notes from the Cab and the violets from the Cab Franc are very noticeable. The wine is developing with huge sweet spice, vanilla, smoke and leather. There's a bovril, meaty note here that's very attractive. On the palate, medium acidity, high tannin - grippy, but not coarse; well integrated. Alcohol is 13% and unobtrusive. Good concentration. Fruit is riper on palate than in the mouth, and a distinctive dark chocolate and cinnamon note. The finish is long and attractive. Hard to imagine this wine drinking any better from here. — 10 years ago

Mitchell Bennett

9.5

The Prisoner from Napa Valley is excellent--second time tasting, but first time with the bottle. Delicious both times. — 12 years ago