Will Stanley

9.4

The 2016 Chateau Musar, the winery’s latest vintage on release, is much less forthcoming on the nose than the 2013 and ‘15 that I’ve tried recently, despite - or perhaps because of - the fact that the Hochars consider 2016 to be a successful and very ageworthy vintage.

The nose is quite dense and tightly wound, much like a left bank Bordeaux presents in its youth, not yet revealing its cards besides aromas of cedar, steeped plum, smoked beef and cinnamon. The palate, however, is open for business - powerful and saturated, striking that wonderful Musar balance between dark fruit and tangy acidity, expanding towards a puckering finish with good length.

The lasting impression here is of a very modern rendition of Musar, with great clarity and purity to the fruit, fine tannins, refreshing acidity on the palate and great drinkability now (though equal potential to age). My preference of late remains the 2013, but that’s now quite hard to buy - so I’d happily have a case of this instead.

94+ — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

A very enjoyable Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California.

Showing dark berries with earth, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, graphite, dark coffee, tobacco and beef jerky.

A long tangy finish with firm tannins and tangy cranberries.

This still has 5 to 10 years in it.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show tannins. Wasn't that great right out of the bottle, so be patient.

A blend of 79% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah and 3% Carignan. All from Dry Creek Valley. Aged for 13 months in American oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points. — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Had to open this after the 92 Verget Montrachet the night before pushing me this way. Deep yellow gold color from bottle with a high fill. Nose suggests immediately this is the real deal. Notes of apricot, lemon, clay soil and some brown spice. Incredible impact in the mouth. Lucious fruit battling fine grain acidity that makes your face flush. This always performs and is one of my all time fave white burgs. — 7 years ago

Rachel Van Til

9.2

In good condition but never really sung over it's five hours open. More herbs and flowers than tobacco. — 9 years ago

Dean Bernal Sr.

9.0

Silver Oaks Napa Cab. Full bodied, great tannins, smooth finish, a mouthful of flavor. Let it open up for awhile and enjoy. — 9 years ago

with Jeff and Isaac

Brian Bell

9.0

Way too early to open, but it's Christmas, so why not. — 11 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Seemed like the right time to open this. The candy like flavor that I see people complain about had blown off this wine and it just had this incredible purple inky color and rim to it. Very enjoyable. Still had good fruit and sweetness without losing too much luster. Caymus used to age forever but I would drink these up by 10th bday. — 4 years ago

Chip Habegger

9.4

Fantastic. Lots of structure that benefits from time open. Packed with fruit and depth. — 6 years ago

Patrick V

8.9

Took some time to open up but did quite well. Really great nez and solid balance/structure. Would have preferred a longer finish. — 6 years ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Soft, expansive and open. Pretty red fruit and roses, leather notes, tobacco, iron and black tea. Lovely stuff and drinking really well now — 7 years ago

with Howard, Matt and 1 other

Niels Busschots

9.3

Always a little bit risky to open a 90's but this one is right on top!! — 8 years ago

Michael Genn

9.3

Took a really long time to open up, but ended up being pretty damn good. Not as good as some late 80s/early 90s Dunns I've had though. — 9 years ago

Chris Leon

9.2

Always built for the long haul. But discipline isn't necessarily needed; it's open and expressive right now. — 10 years ago

Daniel McCullough

9.5

Full-bodied with acerbic bite, beginning to open up splendidly. — 5 years ago

Matt

9.3

Surprised by the generosity, drinking quite well for how young it is. Open-knit, true to place, moderately framed with some true charm to it. Really enjoyed over a few days. Deep red fruit, almost succulent, soaked cherries and lots of licorice root, cedar, cinnamon, flowers and tar. There’s a undertone of earth. From a tannin perspective these appear ripe, with moderate intensity relatively speaking. — 6 years ago

Aaron Hamrock

9.7

Young but couldn’t wait to try it. After an hour or so decant it started to open up. This is going to be an amazing wine in years to come. — 7 years ago

with Tim

Manchester Sheldon

9.3

Violets and peppercorns on the nose, it needs some air to open up, dark wood and some earth on the background. — 7 years ago

Jim Wagonfeld

9.8

For me, the best producer in Chablis and one of the finest in all of burgundy. In celebration of Open That Bottle Night. — 8 years ago

with Valerie and Judy

Robert Rothfield

9.2

What a difference a day makes...initially barnyard funk, tight and unapproachable. Next day open for business with kirsch and dark cherries with a long finish. A baby that has a great future — 10 years ago

Astrid Lewis

10

1947. Can't actually believe I have rated this in my lifetime. Although it had a significant amount of leakage and oxidisation, it was still bright, still had bags of fruit, tannins, acidity. What am incredibly generous wine to open to celebrate our new little company. Thx guys xxx — 11 years ago

with Pierpaolo and Chris