Jay Kline

9.6

Conterno’s “Monfortino” Barolo Riserva (early vintages like this one were labeled as “Stravecchia” and “Extra Barolo”) practically defined the Riserva style. In many ways, one could even make the arguement that it blazed the trail for Barolo’s reputation as being the age-worthy wine it is today. Back in the early days, Monfortino was a blend of purchased fruit as control of Cascina Francia in Serralunga d’Alba did not come until the 1970’s. I can’t be sure but I believe the fruit used to be sourced from Monforte d’Alba and specifically from Le Coste, Bussia and possibly others.

This bottle was opened several hours prior to service. The 1941 Monfortino pours a pale garnet/rust color with significant rim variation and a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of Maraschino cherry, menthol, Tootsie Roll, espresso macchiato, walnut, and truffle. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Getting to experience an 80+ year old wine is always a special treat. Getting to drink a Barolo from World War II, during one of the darkest periods in Italy’s past, is extraordinary. Getting to drink early Monfortino (pre-estate) made by Giacomo himself…well, this is drinking history. I nearly got emotional. While it’s clearly is showing its age, the 1941 still shows its class and still has some impressive moves. We delighted as it danced across the palate proving that it still has stories to tell. Drink now if you ever see a bottle. — 2 days ago

Vanessa

9.1

Clos Roquète is a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine produced by Frédéric & Daniel Brunier of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe with a fascinating history to tell…  

Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CNdP) is a highly-esteemed commune located in the Southern Rhône of France. It gets its name, “new castle of the Pope,” because the Pope spent his summers there in the 14th Century when the papacy was relocated to nearby Avignon.
 
This wine is made from 35% Clairette, 35% Roussanne, and 30% Grenache Blanc (all local, white varieties), each adding a unique aromatic and structural dimension. It was aged 11 months in oak prior to release, lending richness and texture.
 
Despite its rich, creaminess, it also has aromatic lift with notes of lemon peel, ripe cantaloupe, white peach, apricot, next to notes of white blossom, vanilla, honey, fennel, and petrichor (a fancy word for the smell of warm, wet pavement like after a summer rain).  

We’re excited to pair this with a lemon, garlic, and herb roasted shrimp over spiralized zucchini noodles.
 
Cheers to beautiful wines that tell stories and share histories! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Michael Walker

9.9

Have a long history with the BV GdL but not sure if I’ve reviewed the ‘11. Decanted this one 2.5hrs and served with short ribs. The nose is the star of the show: pungent, redolent, pick your wine superlative. The palate just slight underwhelms after the overwhelming nose but still superb. Probably peak aging or maybe slightly past. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1979 vintage. Last tasted 07.15.25 (9.4). Bottom neck/top shoulder fill. Employed Durand with cork (60% saturated) easily extracted. Decanted with a funnel + decently small screen. Godzilla-styled sed. Tasted immediately after decanting and 30 mins later. Light-medium/medium body. Initially reticent but started to blossom after 20 minutes. Chunkiness flowed to cocoa powder, spearmint and milk chocolate. There was a 10-15 minute period of subtle, raw green bell pepper that shook out. Wine was gonzo after an hour so no further developments noted *shrugs.* Great time capsule enjoyed with more than a few people that could appreciate the history and experience. 13.7 ABV. Haha that is a current Napa pipe dream. 08.15.25. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

1971 vintage. Top shoulder fill. Used a Durand but fully saturated cork still required some clean up on aisle 7. Decanted and tasted after 5 minutes. Threw much much less sediment than expected. Decent color with a little browning. Tertiary nose gave way to similar flavors with it being very slightly brickish. In a holding steady phase where there is no shining light to chase after-everything is consolidated and filed away so you're tasting the interpretations of history. Instructive. 6.13.24. — 2 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

D’elezione vecchie vigne, top 5 bottles on the list I’ve been meaning to taste. Very surprising and not disappointing! Resembling Beaujolais Cru much more than any Italian wine (color aside) it starts dominated by fresh herbal tones, minty, zesty, hidden under a thin layer of natural funk. The palate is dominated by bright acidity, turned earth, perhaps small berries, very light and fine tannins. Still shy and quite elegant. I wish I could say I’d spend $160 on it, but still awesome to taste a piece of winemaking history — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to the early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Medium Ruby with aromas of rich red/black fruits and spice, 16 months in 25% new French oak. On the palate raspberry, cherry & black currant flavors with notes of oak. Soft dusty tannins, well balanced ending with fruit, spice and cedar. Very nice! I wouldn’t age long, great now! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

History begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor in San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is 95% Zin with a splash of Petite Syrah. Dark Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, floral and spice! On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with peppery floral herb spice integrated with fine soft tannins, lively acidity. Medium+ finish ending with juicy fruit and spice. Nice! — 7 months ago

JKT

9.1

First taste!? Mature with a bit of bricking but still nice solid color and bouquet of mature red fruits and earth. Velvety and enticing on palate. Excellent with Evan’s Shanghainese pork belly. 51/43/4/2 Merlot/Cab/CabFranc/Petit Verdot on label from Bernard Magrez touting same attention as his Pape Clement, and long history dating back to 1120. Importer label says 37/55/6/2 instead! (Oldest in Medoc, 1400 by house of Foix loyal to King of England. 1486 Camet new owner. 1500s by Michel de Montaigne.) — a year ago

Conrad Green

9.2

What a treat. Showing its age. Darker than you’d expect given it’s a war vintage. Tea colored at the edges. Soft, faded fruit. Orange rind, some dried herbs, mushroom, black tea, cured meat. Some dried wood, dried roses. A slight tart tang. Softening out and adding done delicate sherry notes with time in the glass. An amazing wine given the age. Certainly not a powerhouse but really special- a taste of history — 3 years ago

with Walker, David and 1 other