Bob McDonald

9.3

I had one of these only 3 weeks ago - see previous notes but will add a few here. Have another 10 of these so will only record every 3rd one over the next 5 years or so. Looks way younger than 17 years apart from the tawny edges. Mocha, Chocolate and fading Black Currant. Some herbal notes finishing with powdery Tannins. 389 is a good example of choosing between youthful power and black fruits or more savoury balanced aged characters. No answer is correct - up to the individual. I can see the charms of both approaches. After a couple of hours in decanter - intoxicating aromatics. Excellent Wine. — 5 years ago

Eli Barton

9.2

This was in better shape than the last one, decanted and opened up a bit. Nice classic flavors, good balance and acidity. — 6 years ago

with Jennifer

Mono Head

9.0

2007-ridge - soil, manure smell, a bit bolder than the 2006. I liked this one but needs to open up a lot. Can stand many more years of cellaring. 9.0+ $260 — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

Enjoyed last night and man oh wow. Outta left field, this one still has the color and depth to go another 10 years it seems, although I really think this was the perfect time to open this one from a classic Napa cab standpoint. Standing at just about 13.5%, this wine had a lot of green to it. Looking it up, apparently there were a lot of floods in Napa the year before this growing season, and the summer was a bit milder, yet Merlot was a little more impressive than cab. I think this translates to this wine, that had a rather earthy nose, green, weedy, fig, hint of plum. The entry of this wine was a little on the herbaceous side, with good fruit still very present in the front, but more of a fig and mellow licorice. Earthy middle, some herb, greener towards the finish, but it was really interesting how the finish of this one seemed to have more tannin than I would have expected. Overall, very complex Napa cab, and really awesome experience. — 6 years ago

with Shay

Anthony Lombardi

9.2

The oak is strong on this one. Seems more youthful than one usually finds these. Rich blackberry & tobacco notes, but the American oak is front and center in all of the dill and vanilla you need. Hold or decant these. — 7 years ago

Eric Egan

9.5

Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!

We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 8 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.5

I like the best of the 1994's better than the 1995's or 1996's, and this old school claret is one of them. Wow- earth, cassis fruit and good lift on the long finish. — 8 years ago

Joe Pea

9.1

This the third time I've had this in the last year and it shows beautifully right out of the gate. The wood and fruit are so interestingly and well melded at this point. Oak moves to cedar on the palate. Definite alcohol lift in the nose still and you can feel it the nostrils but not obtrusive...indeed it's actually a promising hint of what's to come on the palate. Dried cherry and stone fruit tastes on right away. Slightly mentholated. Definitely picking up distinct vanilla undertones on the nose and palate but not over the top. Satisfying medium tannins. Soft mouth feel but with really good/balanced structure. Perfect finish in line with what preceded it. Just a great fucking wine. And for the price? Getcha some! Can't believe this is still just around and available (not telling where!). Not for those who don't want wood in their wine but even here what you think will finish moderately chalky moves to soft-ish tannins at the perfect time. So many riojas are over top in the wood category or just so out of balance one way or the other. Everyone has heard of Rioja but have you really had a good one? Here's your chance without breaking the bank. I'd put this one up against the best or at least those considered the best. Maybe lacking a LITTLE finesse to be world class but damn close (can you use the word finesse with Rioja??). Drank in gulps with parmesan dusted NY style mushroom meatball mozzarella pizza from Peppino's in Athens, GA while watching Parenthood with my 17 YO daughter (who also pronounced the wine delicious). What a Tuesday night...thank you sir may I have another. Anyone really disappointed with this wine has WAY more money than me and is a spoiled brat. Geek out. — 8 years ago

Mark Osmers

9.5

Much more smokey than the 2007. One of the best reds worldwide — 10 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

From a great old looking bottle with a top shoulder fill and solid cork. Old light brick color, translucent. Notes of tart cherry, cola, some wood and some dry earth. Rustic. Still has reasonable fruit and structure. This bottle was better than the last one. — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

One of my all time favorites, the 1982 Cristal is magnificent. Fresh, nuanced and exceptionally beautiful, the 1982 remains one of the all-time great Cristals. Apricot, almond and chamomile nuances suggest the 1982 is just starting to turn the corner into its plateau of maturity. This bottle lacks a bit of excitement, but, then again, the 1982 Cristal is not exactly the sort of wine I get to taste on a regular basis, so it is possible this is not the best showing. Hopefully, I will get a chance to taste it again soon. Even so, well-stored bottles will drink well for another decade-plus. “In my opinion, 1982 is the first vintage of climate change in Champagne,” Lécaillon explains. “Sugars were higher than we were used to seeing. As a comparison, the 1981 Cristal is also concentrated, but it is concentrated by low yields. In 1982, we had high yields and elevated ripeness, meaning it was the sun that ripened the fruit.” (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.7

The 2014 d'Yquem has a complex bouquet with buttered toast, almond, honey and peach skin aromas. It opens with greater zeal than its peers, there is more immediacy here. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, a finely tuned and satisfying Sauternes with style and grace, evincing great tension and mineral drive towards the finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Pichon Lalande is my favorite 2nd growth with a steak. Yup...it's #SteakandClaret night to quote my buddy Gary Westby. Further, it's certainly one of my favorite producers period. I've waited for this wine to be in the bottle for 10 years before finding out definitely how good it was or wasn't. You see, the 05 Bordeaux vintage was exceptional. It's drinking right now better than 00. 00 may turn out to be better, but not for some time. The real issue was the division of scores between RP & NM. Parker had this as low as an 86 and now has it at 89. Neil Martin has been consistently at 95-96. I found it simply inexplicable that Pichon Lalande could have bombed in such a great vintage. Tonight, I know they didn't. This wine is beautiful. Although, I don't believe it will cellar as long as their some of their very best vintages and many others I've enjoyed. On the nose, bramble, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, notes of blueberries, poached strawberries, graphite, baking spices, cedar, lightly perfumed violets and dark, fresh & dry red flowers. The body is medium-medium plus, tannins nicely resolved with 10 years to be completely resolved. Fruits of; ripe blackberries, dark cherries, notes of blueberries, poached strawberries and pomegranate with a whiff of spice. There's notes of dry bramble, soft leather, fresh violets, graphite, cedar, dry stones, dark rich earth, limestone, tobacco, spice-box, vanilla, very light cinnamon & nutmeg. The finish is very long, elegant, ripe, round, smooth, good acidity and beautifully elegant...50-50 earth & fruit. I bought more bottles of this at $85 after it's was first released in futures and I do not regret it. $85 is proving to be a steal for this wine when it normally sells for between $100-$150 a bottle and higher. Might heavy up further after tonight if I find more around the same price. Oh yes...I'm with NM on the scoring. Photos of the Chateau, estate vines, newer tasting room & the Virginie de Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande. Forgive my long post, but my passion and love for this producer is profound. Producer history and notes...as I wrote in an earlier post for Pichon Baron, Pichon Baron and Lalande started as one entity. The first mention of what is now called Chateau Pichon Lalande was the creation of Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan. Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan is responsible for forming many of the top Bordeaux estates today. Pichon Lalande was given its name when Therse, the daughter of the founder received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville. Pichon Lalande was essentially managed by three women, Therese de Rauzan, Germaine de Lajus and Marie Branda de Terrefort. On the eve of his death in 1850, Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville divided the property between his five children. His three daughters received Pichon Lalande and his sons Pichon Baron. What happened next was Virginie, the wife of the Count of Lalande took over the management of the estate under the name of Comtesse de Lalande. In 1850 she commissioned the popular, architect Duphot to build a residence inspired by the Hotel de Lalande, located in Bordeaux. Without heirs, Pichon Lalande passed down from aunts to nieces. Following World War I, the Miailhe brothers, bought Pichon Lalande in 1925. They were the ones who planted even more Merlot. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the daughter of Edouard Miailhe became the new owner and general manager of Chateau Pichon Lalande in 1978. She expand the size of Chateau Pichon Lalande from 40 hectares to it's current 89 hectares. Chateau Pichon Lalande remained in the same family for more than 250 years! In fact, over three centuries, only two families have owned Pichon Lalande. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing sold Pichon Lalande to the owners of Roederer Champagnein in January 2007. This family-run company is managed by Frederic Rouzaud who owned several other wine estates in Bordeaux; Chateau Bernadotte, Chateau de Pez, Haut Beausejour and Chateau Reaut la Graviere. He sold Chateau Bernadotte in December 2012. In February, 2011, Sylvie Cazes was named the director of Chateau Pichon Lalande. She replaced Gildas d’Ollone. Sylvie Cazes was replaced in 2012 by current Director Nicolas Glumineau, who was previously at Chateau Montrose. In 2012, Pichon Lalande renovated the estate with a budget estimated at over 15 Million Euros. The new facilities included; building of a new underground barrel aging cellar and several new buildings...one that houses their new tasting room as shown. This renovation provided numerous improvements in their wine making. Most importantly, in the vinification. They created a new, triple tiered, cellar where everything moves by gravity. They also added numerous new, stainless steel, temperature controlled, double skinned vats. These new vats allow Pichon Lalande to vinify on a parcel by parcel basis as well as get much softer & gentle extractions. The 89 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Lalande is located adjacent to Chateau Latour and and across the road from Pichon Baron. The terroir of Chateau Pichon Lalande is deep gravel with clay and limestone soil and is planted to; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

Warm up wine for Howell Mountain vs Stags Leap District. Clear pale yellow. Nose started out with some creamed pears, honey, sweet citrus and some light hay. As it had some time to open up it added more aromas of white and tropical fruit. Sharp moderate acidity (7/10) with a moderate body. Definitely needs to integrate further. Thinner than expected and not buttery at all. Crisp finish with a little metallic feel in the finish. Loved that it was not a butter explosion but the metallic notes in the finish and sharpness of the acidity knocked this wine down a few points. Drink till 2019. — 8 years ago

Ryan Foss

9.1

Deinking quite well. Not a powerhouse vintage, but is clearly of classified growth quality greater than its 5th designation — 8 years ago

Tom

9.3

Still a bit young but developing nicely. Better than the last one cracked open last year. Decanted for about 45 min, which was fine. The tannins and acid are finally integrating together. Nice vanilla and oak on the nose along with a host of blackberry and pepper notes. The thing I love about #saxum fruit is that it's truly focused and multidimensional. Plush mouthfeel, but not overbearing, blankets you without any hint of heat. Rich, bold black fruit on the front pallate with medium depth in mid pallate finishing off with a lingering razor focused back pallate. — 8 years ago

Jackson Rohrbaugh

10

White pepper and stuff. One of the best I've had. Very different than young Rayas. — 9 years ago

Ryan Shenk

9.5

Surprisingly, a lot for fruit than the '84. Still pretty vibrant with some tannic structure — 11 years ago

.

9.2

Tasted with a group of 2007 Tuscan peers, about a week ago. Like all the wines, it got three hours of decanting before serving. This one was perhaps the most immediately approachable of the group, and showed sweeter fruit than the other bottles in the tasting. Of all the wines in the tasting, it saw the lowest percentage of new French oak, at 35%, which probably helped the fruit shine through. However, it also gave the impression that it might not be one to hold for too many more years. — 5 years ago

Clive McNish

9.5

My third Almaviva vintage and another bullseye. This one takes a bit longer to open up than the ‘14 and is a little sweeter and fruitier than the ‘09. Very smooth from the get go and fruit develops over the first hour and continues to come to life. Aromas of blackberry, spice and liquorice with faint caramel and vanilla. On day two the wine has really hit its stride (shame there’s only a glass left). Wonderful addition of pipe tobacco, leather and violet. Dark and opulent, so far Almaviva can do no wrong. Onwards to ‘15 which is a 100 pointer. — 6 years ago

Mono Head

9.0

2013 silver oak Cabernet Alexander valley. This one is spicy bell peppers. A little tiny bit of vanilla perfume. Dry with some tiny bits of fruits. But bold. A little more oaky on this one than the ones so far. But it’s not complete. Tiny bit of sharpness. Definitely some hint of bell peppers. 9.0. $70 — 6 years ago

Chris England

9.2

@ £50 - one of my fav pink NV with LP Rose, Bolly Pink NV & Billecart Salmon pink but this NV is a little lighter than normal

🍇 100% PN

🍾 Disg'd Mar 2015

🍷Pale peachy salmon copper pink

👃 Creamy citrus, red currant, apple & cherry, light smoked peachy oak, minerals & red flower

👄 Smooth & refreshing med body of red fruits with tart strawberry, apple, grapefruit & some cherry coming through in a lively bubbled mousse with low+ acidity & big minerality

🎯 Long red dry fruit filled mineral infused — 7 years ago

James Forsyth

9.4

Sushi and Champagne is one of my favorite combinations. Indeed, almost all celebrations that @Cara Zimmerman and I enjoy together will include this duo. This was somewhat of a step up from our norm as Sushi Zo is a world apart from our usual delivery order of tuna and salmon rolls (with free edamame). Likewise this 1975 DP was rather more elevated than our weekly fizz.

Dark golden color with rich, brioche and mature elements. A touch too advanced but enormously attractive and retaining terrific purity and energy. Sushi and Champagne has rarely been such a treat. — 7 years ago

with Cara and Daniel

Mike R

9.1

Decanted for a hour - Heitz is not my favorite but each time I try it it grows on me - I know Parker is not a fan but seriously for the money this is good - the 2010 is bold but needs air - the fruit is tasty but smell is a little weak - Parker one comment the elevated acidity is right on so give it air - so smiling a little but that is better than a frown

— 8 years ago

Michael Steele

9.7

One of the best Pinot Noirs I've had. Strong cherry flavors, bolder than most Pinots... — 8 years ago

Paul Barnes

9.0

Have always liked this one. Rustic with just enough fruit. More alcohol than I remembered. — 8 years ago

Paul Mawdsley

9.0

Deep, dark ruby.
Hint of clove, black cherry, plum.
Prune, coffee, earthy. A bit of quince/port-like coming through the nose.
Astringent compared to the other vintages, bit of olive flavor and clove retro. Smells better than it tastes, it's a bit disjointed. First one I could discern oak character out of. Love the nose right out of the bottle but it's overshadowed by 2003 once it opens up. — 8 years ago

Joe Kaiser

9.4

Intense! This is a stellar wine, and not even beginning to show her age #, other than the symmetry of the fruit, and tannins integrate seamlessly. It has been a month or so since drinking 02, but I think the 03 isn't much different other than it had a hint more of an anise note to it. Still one of our favorites & friends alway love it, so it is worth every penny! — 8 years ago

with bill and Debbie

Evandro Pereira

9.7

Bottle 23 of 30 purchased in 2007. Each one better than the previous one. Epic wine — 9 years ago

with Rafaela

Steve Anderson

9.1

Haven't checked in on this one in a while. Still excellent, seems a bit more subdued on nose and palate than last one a year ago. This was an auction purchase, so past storage conditions unknown. — 10 years ago