Jay Kline

9.1

Double-decanted several hours prior to dinner and subsequently enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2012 Classico pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe notes of red fruit: cherry cordial, candied nuts, red flowers, some leather, rich wood and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannins and high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A very good, albeit modern expression of Barolo from a solar vintage. Personally, I find pre-modernist Pio Cesare more exciting. Thanks Andy! Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 6 months ago

David White

9.3

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff — a year ago

Paul H

9.4

When they say bring your A game you can think of this bottle. This is an amazing glass of wine. It benefits from decanting for a good bit. Upon opening I thought of dusty plum and cedar on the nose. Tasting brought plum, currant, blackberries, vintage leather plus an array of other items indicative of this style of big wine. There is a good mix of tannins and acid that makes this a classic great glass of wine. I want to try it again in a few years to see how much better it may get. — 4 years ago

Paco Suro

9.0

Lean but well structured. Young. Opened up nicely over a few hours. Cedar notes. Hint of green pepper. — 6 years ago

with Geoff

Eric Urbani

9.4

It’s me again, still lovin’ it — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

It always amazes me how approachable the current vintage of Caymus Cab is year after year. One of a few Cabs that you can drink now as well as put some age on it. Dark Ruby with rich ripe berry aromas. Flavors of cherry and raspberry with cinnamon and cacao notes. Very soft tannins on lingering finish ending with some earthy spice tones. A Fav! — 8 years ago

Raj Harb

9.3

2012, very enjoyable if very young. Dark inky purple. Black olive tapenade, tomato, and beefy iron. Will try to wait a few year to have another — 9 years ago

Anthony James Marr

9.3

The critics said it best “cornas at its finest” and I fully agree - this required a few hours in the decanter to open up and was showing even better on day 2 leading me to believe this could continue aging for another half decade before truly peaking — 7 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Gorgeous wine with a silky mouth feel. A few more years and this will be amazing! — 9 months ago

Michael Phillips

9.3

Somewhat disappointing for a great producer in a great year. Medium body medium color, dark fruit hint of tobacco.
Hopefully a few more years will improve this wine. — 4 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.4

After a coffee chat at work yesterday that ended discussing Hillside Select I was motivated to open one for the holiday weekend. Initially I was very disappointed as the wine was flat and uninspiring considering the pedigree and price tag. Read some reviews that this 2013 needs A LOT of air and sure enough after hours the wine began to evolve and markedly improve. It is an intense wine that lingers in the mouth for a long time. Smooth tannins, red fruit and tobacco flavors. Not my most favorite wine and not at the $229 I paid, but nonetheless a very good wine once it had the chance to get some air for a few hours — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This still needs a few more years but drinking well showing a burly, muscular style with black fruits, cedar, leather, graphite & mineral. — 6 years ago

Clive McNish

9.2

I think the 389 gets easier to enjoy earlier on each release. This 2016 is already very smooth and drinkable. Priced reasonably enough to get a few bottles and follow its progress. — 7 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.5

Local mosquito bites call for a local cure. — 8 years ago

Daron Watson

9.4

brambly dark berries, potpourri, soft licorice, eucalyptus & graphite ~ crunchy red berry fruit, blood orange, dried herbs & tobacco ~ very approachable yet should mature a few and age a bit — 9 months ago

Gregg G

9.5

Recent notes suggested this wine was declining and the fruit fading.This was cause for concern as have a few of these I’ve been patiently cellaring. Well, I’m very happy to report this bottle, a Martine’s import, was stellar. To my palate, the wine is in a perfect place. Tertiary aromas and flavors dominate. Very complex aromas of sous bois, herbs de provence, wet saddle and red fruits. The palate is vivid and lively. Extraordinary depth and length that never faded. I can’t say enough great things about this wine. There’s no chance this bottle was fading or won’t last several more years. I don’t think it can improve as it’s almost perfection right now. Simply a stunner. — 3 years ago

with Conrad

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

2 hrs in the decanter.
Coolish and classic nose. Kinda smooth.
On the palate sturdy tannines! Lots of minerality, yet very soft acidity. Black fruit, cloves, coffee, smoke, leather and graphite.
Give these bottles a few more years in the cellar to smoothen out the tannines. Potential plus. — 4 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.5

One of the few big Napa wines I actually enjoy. This was epic — 5 years ago

Ian Staub

8.9

Profoundly earthy, with a great helping of pyrazine. Restrained fruit- blackberry and raspberry, and a garden-full of freshly turned soil, herbs and spices. Great balance of acid and tannin. Rustic and compelling - curious to see where this goes in a few more years. — 7 years ago

Cody Short

9.3

Give it a few more years but starting to drink well — 8 years ago