After 20 years, it still took extensive decanting to soften the initially gripping tannins. Once it did, beautiful dark fruits came through. Black currants, stewed prunes, delicious and full on the palate. Outstanding. Paired well with Brie and beef chow fun!!  — 20 days ago
A perfect bottle, direct import from a Negotiate via K&L. It has seen only Chateau & Negotiate storage.
Love, love, love the style of 80’s Bordeaux. Especially, the very good 80’s vintages. The style at this age is just so good as is the 12.5 ABV.
The fruit is still very solid & fresh. Ruby; blackberries, plums, poached strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries & blueberries hues. Lead pencil for days, some light v/a-bandaid, used tobacco w/ ash, very used leather, dark spice, understated mushroom, baking spices- light nutmeg/clove, cinnamon, vanillin, dry, river stone, limestone, dark rich soil with dry leaves, mix of dry and fresh herbs, touch of mint, moist clay, withering & dry dark, red, flowers, rainfall acidity and a well balanced, nicely structured, softly tensioned, beautiful finish that lasts 90 seconds.
Paired with/ Allen Brothers Cover Ribs. — a month ago
at toscana east lansing — a month ago
Tawny coloration.
On the nose, forest floor, spice, vanilla, florals, dark cherry and earthiness.
On the palate, forest floor, green pepper, vanilla, blackberry, tannins still present, good structure still. Very nice blend. — 15 days ago
Very pleasing. Cherries and raspberries, very smooth. Went great with couscous, a lot of veggies and merguez — a month ago
Good wine with beef. — a month ago
At WS - smooth — 2 months ago
Fountainbleu with kristen and Adrienne. — 2 months ago
The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 23 days ago
I’m a Tempest fan but others preferred The Bard. Young but fantastic. Could have spent more time opening but too many people for that. Magnum. — a month ago
rounded fresh fruits, deeply tannic still. aniseed, pepper, like a cured sausage taste. light oak on the nose and on palate. clove. slightly mineralic, granite and graphite, fresh olive, orange rind. — 2 months ago
Jody Scharf
wine has something for everyone — 7 days ago