Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a dull purple/garnet color with a translucent core and significant rim variation, moving towards a rust color. The wine has medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, dried blackberries, dried red and purple flowers, old leather bound books, tobacco, a touch of menthol, some earth, old wood and a sprinkle of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Super high quality but a touch thin.

Initial conclusions: Due to the observable characteristics of color, rim variation, sediment, smell and flavor, I think this wine has significant age; 30+ years. However, this is still very alive and showing more than enough markers to give an indication of place. Subsequently, this could be a Cabernet-based blend or a Tempranillo-based blend from the United States, France, or Spain. For me, I’m getting new French oak vibes instead of American so I’m eliminating Spain. I also think this leans more towards its fruit than its structure and since this comes across a little on the thin side, I’m going to say this comes from a tougher vintage. My final conclusion is this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the USA, Napa, 1981. Wow! This showed really well.

It never ceases to amaze me how analogous the 1981 vintage was in both Napa and Bordeaux. I find it equally amazing how well that vintage has held up; particularly when considering its poor reputation, mostly based on the prevailing thought at the time. From my perspective, well stored examples are not going to fall off of a cliff but I would drink now through 2031. — 4 months ago

Lindsay

9.8

Love this red. — 6 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.6

Mid-weight on the palate; showed a bit more interest than last bottle. A powerful wine with plenty of fresh baked bread and crisp green apple notes. Long, almost oily finish with a final kick of acidity hints at a long future. — 6 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Final vintage from the Herb Lamb vineyard.

1 hour decant(lots of sediment). A gorgeous tawny ruby red color. On the nose: nice aeromatic notes of dark red fruit, cassis, mint, loamy soil, cigar ash, and touch of stewed meat. Taste: silky smooth, rich mouthcoating wine with dark red berry/plum, earthy, smoke, mocha, spice, gravel, and a nice dry medium plus finish. YUM! — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Kevin Løk

8.9

Very tasty. Pop and pour and pound. — 3 years ago

with Caroline

Taylor Ost

9.5

A delicious and lightly sweet sipper. — 6 years ago

Daniel M

9.0

Mocha, tar, cedar, tobacco, even bread, black currant, black berry too. Very intense and concentrated nose. The palate is well balanced with a very strong acid drive, some cedary, minty notes, some bright red, dark fruit all along, a creamy touch on the sides, a bit coffee too there in mid palate before very lively tannins kick in. This is 10 years old and so young! Finish with a bit of coffee, a bright forest fruit and some meat juice with a kind or final thickness that stick to palate and tongue and dry it a bit. It has at least a decade ahead and a great structure. It's a bit bragging and showing off but the acid structure underneath makes it a good tasting experience. I like that! — 6 years ago

Julia Indik

9.3

Opens up with splash of plums, dark cherries, and apple. This is tempered by fig, anise and touch of smoke. There are bitter but light tannins that dominate the final notes. — 2 years ago

with Robert

Camilo Jaramillo

9.0

231009 apto con H y Vero. Intenso Syrah pero con correcto final. — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.5

Happy 8th Anniversary to the love of my life!! We’re celebrating with a bottle of Krug Vintage 2004

To underscore the unique features of each Vintage Champagne, Krug assembles a blend of expressive, representative wines from the year and then matures the final product for at least 10 years before release. This particular wine spent 12 years on the lees. It was disgorged in 2016.

The 2004 Vintage was named “Luminous Freshness” paying homage to the summer sunrise and vibrant citrus notes it exudes. This blend consists of 39% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir, and 24% Meunier varieties, each playing a role in the final style.

With a golden hue, this wine offers developed aromas of baked apple, lemon peel, grapefruit pith, dried white blossom, blanched almond, brioche, toast, marzipan, and wet slate. It’s balanced and complex, with a lingering finish and delicate, long-lasting mousse.

This wine pairs wonderfully with the slow-cooked halibut in a creamy, fennel and lemon sauce alongside a zucchini and squash salad. The intensity and richness of the wine and food work well in concert. — 4 years ago

with Deked1