Her Mir Tage

9.2

Is the Parker 99-point 2009 VCC Worth Its Price?

From a scoring perspective, you might feel slightly disappointed upon opening it, but in terms of price, it likely aligns with expectations.

Having previously tasted a Parker 95-100-point Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, I found its complexity and aromatic depth more impressive than this wine—though the 99-point VCC is the highest score this estate has ever received from Parker.

After 30 minutes of decanting:
The wine showed dark fruit aromas (blackberry), along with primary, secondary, and tertiary notes—cigar box, leather, and truffle-but the tannins were still tight, indicating it wasn’t fully open.

After 2 hours of decanting:
The wine began to unfold, not with explosive aromas but with a refined, lingering profile.Beyond the initial notes, ripe plum, vanilla, and graphite emerged. However, compared to an older vintage of VCC I’ve tried (which had a rich dark chocolate character), this bottle lacked that particular depth.

The tannins turned silky and smooth, making it very approachable, while a savory umami note complemented the medium acidity. The body was beautifully clean and well-structured. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

I think if you read this nonsense I post, you know how I feel about this producer, past & present. This 07 is outstanding & top of its bell curve. It is so good to revisit these great vintages of Caymus Classic.

This is fresher than the 97. It is rich/lush, cassis to currents, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, classic, beautiful, Caymus Classic spice that I miss dearly in their new wines, black licorice, fudge, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, most top soil, limestone, dry herbs, dry tobacco, barrel shavings, taut leather, volcanic grey clay, dark, fresh & slightly withering flowers, violets, beautiful round acidity, balance, structure, nice tension and elegant finish that last minutes and falls on spice and evoluted earth tones.

This bottle is in fine shape. Still strong and will last another 10 years of fine drinking. Phenomenal vintage and time to enjoy. — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Double decant for sediment and pour. A splendid still dark tawny red color. On the nose: expressive notes of stewed blackberry/plum, worn leather, musty forest floor, truffles, mint. Taste: silky, elegant, savory wine with dried strawberries, leather, cedar, earth, and a peppery chocolate espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Still delivering like a champ at 45 years and glad to have a couple more bottles — 6 months ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.5

1.5 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable purplish magenta color. On the nose: very aeromatic notes of black & red berries, truffles, loamy soil, worn leather, tobacco leaf, floral, herbaceous. Taste: soft, elegant, balanced, layered mouthfeel wine with blackberry, dark plum, leather, crushed granite, dried herbs, and a spiced cedar long finish with some dusty tannins. YUM! At the start of its drinking window with 20-30 years to go, so no rush. — 8 months ago

with Brenda

Scott Strickler

9.5

Dark fruits and well balanced tannins highlight this excellent wine. More in the medium to full body Pinot noir‘s which I prefer  — 4 years ago

R. David Liebers

9.0

Pleasant aroma, fruity on the tongue with a dry finish. — 5 years ago

Scott Soren

9.2

Not my favorite year for this. Still quite nice. Black fruit and plum with some earth tones on the pallet. Low acidity and a short finish. Tannins still firm as to be expected. — 7 years ago

Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

8.9

Nero d’avola? Native yeasts 💁🏻‍♂️
#sommcon — 7 years ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.0

Dusty plum on the nose. Plum , blackberry, mint mid-palate. Decanted 30 min, but would do an hour+ in retrospect. Really complex wine. That got much better over time! — 9 years ago

with Chad

Victor Demydov

8.9

Great for 30 — 12 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Medium deep garnet , medium terracotta rim . A very healthy looking colour. Quite mature and venerable on the nose , sous bois , iodine, plum, old wood , earthy with herbal touches and fresh tobacco . Reasonable volume on the palate with light sous bois and nori notes , quite fresh acidity and slightly gritty tannins still. Tobacco , grafite slightly short finish. Quite a good showing for a wine of almost 80 years old, enough interest and volume on the palate . Probably better a few decades ago , but certainly more than a curiosity as the wine stayed with us well for over 2 hours . Drink now . This was an ex chateau bottle that had been reconditioned at some point , I would imagine by the looks of the cork , about 20-25 years ago. No mention of this on the bottle however . Into neck fill. — 4 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Dark plum and ink. Very pure and scented. Lovely texture and intensity. Plush — 5 months ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Conrad Green

9.6

Dark and brooding. Tangy plum fruit, roses, blood and dried herbs, iodine. Very intense and serious. Blackcurrant and black pepper with plum and black cherry. Long and quality. — 6 months ago

with Bex, Major-General and 1 other

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

9.2

At over 20 years old, the 2004 Opus One is showing beautifully, striking a balance between maturity and vibrancy. On the nose, it opens with an inviting bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with subtle notes of violet, tobacco, and espresso.
On the palate, the wine is smooth and full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins and a silky texture that coats the mouth without being heavy. The core is rich with dark fruit—black plum, currant, and a touch of blueberry—balanced by earthy undertones and a whisper of leather. Definitely one of my favorites. — 7 months ago

with Michael

Colin Cahoon

9.2

Still bright and fresh with notes of strawberry, plum, and cranberry. — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, & Charbono. Deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum with cacao, baking spice and vanilla. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and tobacco notes. — 9 months ago

Aaron Schneider

9.8

Truly an elegant expression from aged Napa wine. The notes of cedar and cigar box coupled with some mushroom and earth tones dominate. On the taste, the rich mouthfeels steel shows some fruit notes with deep blueberry and plum notes. I REALLY LIKE THIS WINE! And am glad to still have this in my cellar... — 6 years ago

with Kay and Chuck

Manny Abascal

9.4

New leather, licorice, graphite on nose, juicy plum and black fruit on palate, velvet texture, integrated tannins, long finish, balance. — 7 years ago

Nerd_Emperor

10

This is the ultimate red wine!! 😍 You taste the fruit as soon as it hits your tongue. Has a smooth finish. This definitely is a mislabel because their is no end to the hope in this bottle. #Perfect10 — 8 years ago

Jimmy Smith

Director, West and North London Wine School

9.2

2011: all varieties. Meaty, lavender, garden herbs, smoky, but still very vibrant red fruit. Lovely vibrancy of red fruit and all Mouvedre and Grenache aromatics. Sweet fruit, juicy acidity, hot indian spice and liquorice. Plum, cherry, spiced. Quite ready now. — 10 years ago

Marc Melser

9.0

We had the 2012 Vintage on 7/12-13/25. With 13 Years of aging, all the tannins have been smoothed out. Tastes of blueberry, plum, leather and spice. Medium to full bodied. Still fruit forward. Very good — 4 months ago

Jack Krawczyk

9.8

still tight on the tannins and rich plum flavor. could enjoy for 5-10 more years. — 4 months ago

Vanessa

9.5

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — 6 months ago

with Deked1

Tom Garland

9.5

1 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark medium garnet with little bricking. On the nose: expressive perfumed nose with dark plum/cherry, currants,milk chocolate, baking spice, floral, wet forest floor, touch of roasted meat. Taste: silky, balanced, elegant wine that is singing at 20 years with dried red fruit, earth, chocolate, cedar, minerals, saline, and a spiced-tobacco-green bell pepper long finish. YUM! — 8 months ago

with Brenda

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Everything about this wine is DARK. Deep ruby/purple color bordering on black. Aromas of black and blue fruit, Asian spices and coffee. Flavors of cooked black berry/plum/currant fruit, bakers chocolate, tar and espresso. Hint of black pepper on the long, lingering and silky finish. Extremely concentrated with lively acidity. Tannins are firm but in harmony. This is a wine you quickly take notice of. Probably at (or just past) its peak. Thanks for the wonderful gift, Petey P! — 9 months ago

KDU Wine Club

9.3

Earthy and berry aroma. Smooth and velvety with tastes of black currant, plum, and cherry. Dusty and chalky with a mouth coating feel. Slightly dry and spicy with a lingering finish. — 5 years ago

with KDU

Ellen Clifford

9.1

The juice, the energy, the dammit I don’t want it to be so tasty but...Artemis got you. Because she’s a goddess and says so. I mean, there are other deities. Ones more powerful or whatevs but I’ll run through the woods with this for a night — 6 years ago

Forrest Trevor Henderson

9.5

Had this with a nice creamy cheese and fruit/nut crackers (slightly sweet) and it was all delicious. — 7 years ago

Peter Wassam

9.8

A softened ruby color. Beautiful balance, everything in harmony. Wet earth, raspberry, cinnamon, a whiff of truffle, intoxicating nose. So much ripe, fresh red fruit on the palate. Such soft tannins, damson plum, a mineral streak running through. Drinking a 15 year old wine for 15th anniversary of diabetes. This is splendid in the moment — 9 years ago

Matt Wilson

9.2

Deep concentration, dried cherries and plum. Licorice, leather and charcoal. An icon — 11 years ago

with Kyle