Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Bright Ruby color with aromas of red berry fruits, spice and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry with spice, licorice and floral notes. Fine chewy tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, floral spice and slight earthy character. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+. — 5 months ago

Stephen F Laga MD

9.6

I’ve had this in my personal cellar all these years. It was absolutely fantastic. Very smooth. No aftertaste. Had with prime rib for Christmas Eve dinner — 5 months ago

Michael J Lanni Jr

8.9

A great blend of five grapes. Enjoyed with grilled chicken thighs and oven roasted mushrooms. Combo of berries and a hint of pepper. Smooth and stately finish. — 6 months ago

Paige Donnell

9.5

Are with beef, great flavor - rich and delightful — 9 months ago

Chris Coulombe

8.9

Light but full flavor. Higher acid than tannin but very good. — 10 months ago

President Obama

9.2

$15 at Macarthur — 4 years ago

David Miska

9.1

Really like this. — 4 months ago

Bardia Khoshnoodi

9.0

Day 1: No decanting, on the nose this is tangy and fruity but tart. On the pallet, fruity light but dry. Has brightness to it as well. Overall I enjoyed this wine but not my favorite. — 5 months ago

Paul K

9.3

I know, I’m here too early, but I bought 3 cases for a steal. I’m excited to see the evolution over next 25 years and I can have more than a bottle a year so no scolding required! 😉 looking forward to the education. Makes you think though. I’m about done buying Bordeaux futures. Too long to wait, store, and 20-25 years is starting to look blurry in the telescope. Now it’s on to auctions and buying wines that are ready. — 5 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.6

From magnum at Acker birthday auction. Incredibly fresh and light colored. No oxidation. Really nice — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2020 Classico pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, pomegranate, red flowers, old wood, and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. My first time trying the 2020 vintage of Produttori’s Classico and it’s another really lovely, benchmark example of Barbaresco. Drink now through 2040. — 9 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Worried about the light, “thin” first impressions… but never fear. No Brett..round and fruit forward… resolved tannins…a teeny bit missing acid, but a superb foil for Scottish Chateaubriand on this cold Edinburg evening. Juicy cherry with a hint of forest floor. One of the “good” bottles of older Beaucastel. — 3 years ago

Brianne Henry

9.8

I thought this was light and refreshing. — 4 months ago

with Jennifer and Daniel

Jane Bassett-Powell

8.9

I had forgotten I had this champagne in my fridge in the garage. Opened on New Year’s Eve fully expecting it to be flat.
It was delicious! Very bubbly and good! — 5 months ago

Ericsson

9.7

Yes—exactly that kind of wine: timeless, composed, and quietly authoritative.

It smells so good on first pour. Damp pine forest floor and clean mountain air register immediately. Everything else unravels from there; but that initial pop-and-pour sniff is pure magic.

On the palate, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs unfold with control, carried by freshness and finely etched tannins in a medium body.

So classic, so intellectual, and deeply mesmerizing. Drink now or age. — 5 months ago

Vin d’Ottawa

9.1

Dry & mineral, a bit of grilled pineapple & green apple. The Finger Lakes has a well-deserved reputation for its Riesling. — 6 months ago

with Gillian

Andrew Cullimore

9.6

Slightly lighter ruby with a wider ruby garnet rim . More reserved and cooler , more elegant , spicier fruits than the Mouton , less plush. Cassis , violet , blackberry , red cherry , roasted red pepper , grafite and oyster shell . Quite detailed and mineral. On the palate this is finer boned and elegant with refreshing acidity , cassis , tobacco , grafite and that briny , sea shell note . Saline and very fine , but also very noticable tannins on the palate , long grafite , tobacco , cassis tinged finish . This comes across as very classic Lafite , with drier , cooler fruit; more introvert than the extrovert Mouton. It doesn’t shout, there is no need , its refinement and pedigree are clear to all. Still young but beginning to show some development, better in 5-10 years and will last well another 10-20 , and being Lafite , perhaps even longer . As an aside this was paired with seared duck breast , port wine sauce and roasted figs , a combination that really worked with the wine , it was just a fantastic combination. — 8 months ago

Kerri

9.0

Good semi dry bubbly. Loved the tiny bubbles, holds up well. Not too sweet — 3 years ago

Vin d’Ottawa

9.0

A very drinkable Riesling with an underlying lime to it. Lots of fun spring sipping. — 4 years ago

with Gillian