Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.8

The 2008 ‘Cristal’ Champagne is a magical effort from this storied vintage in Champagne. Roederer cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has crafted a simply magnificent wine here. The nose is highly perfumed and very musty with earthy tones showing front and center. White truffle shavings and peat moss with egg yolk infused brioche and bright pear flavors fill this exotic nose. Streamlined throughout, there is a seamless quality to this wine. With racy acidity and a remarkable salinity the wine shines through on the palate delivering a delightful combination of serious weight and effervescence. Saline infused Japanese pear, marzipan, Marcona almond and kumquat flavors all delight the senses. Truly one of the best from this house that I’ve ever sampled, the 2008 ‘Cristal’ needs more time in the bottle to develop — that said, this wine is scintillating in its youth. Drink 2022-2050- 98 — 7 years ago

Gerardo Suro

9.2

This is evolving nicely. Flowers, mint, bright cherries, minerals and silky tannins. Would’ve guessed red Burgundy if tasted blindly. Truly remarkable. — 7 years ago

Trevor Maskell

9.6

1998. Great bottle. Still fresh. Sublime texture and flavour. Still has remarkable acid. Brûlée and zest flavoured. Superb length. — 8 years ago

Jack Suckling

10

This shows so much candied yet subtle grapefruit, orange and guava peel; yet the tertiary character is also deliciously prominent in the form of flint and straw box. The body is ridiculously intense given the reserved nose, uplifted by beautiful acidity and a seemingly everlasting finish. The flavors on the palate are even more impressive: passion fruit and chalk intermingle amid a very phenolic texture, playing off layers of dense white fruit. A white that's remarkable now but one that will age for still many years to come. — 9 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.4

A remarkable wine, a bit like many ‘45’s in its power and concentration. And while those who are after some more of the La Chapelle structure may be disappointed (and I have sympathy with aspects of the assessment), this is such an full expression of fruit and terroir, that I can really only cheer. Plums, orange zest, pepper and currants on the enticing nose. The palate is awash in luscious, sweet fruit, soy tinged, with melting tannins, round and soft, pure velvet past the mid palate, and it finishes with gusto, batons twirling, with layered exuberance and appealing length. — 9 years ago

Richard Lewis

9.5

The main problem was that we opened it far too soon! A remarkable wine, beautifully light and deep at the same time. A lesson in not judging by alcohol % - you would never know it was 14.8. — 10 years ago

with Lynne

Pat Taylor

9.4

Fantastic Chardonnay. Very old world; just a subtle hint of oak. Apple and peach and flint. Very nice depth and a remarkable feel. One of the best I've had. — 10 years ago

Michael Havens

9.1

Lively, more depth than last vintage, delicious. Remarkable value. — 11 years ago

with Paul

Yianni Stone

9.1

1994 Pichon Lalande. Remarkable similarity to Dunn — 11 years ago

with Haley

Howard Roselinsky

10

44 and still going strong. Remarkable eucalyptus nose. 2nd notes prominent with fruit hints in the background. — 13 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.9

Following last year's sensational vintage, 2016 was another stellar growing season in Bolgheri and expectations were once again set high for Sassicaia. The 2016 Sassicaia certainly does not disappoint, as it is an absolutely monumental effort that completely delivers, and in some aspects even looks to be more compelling than last years brilliant wine. Composed of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc, the 2016 is all about elegance, class and purity. It begins to impress with its striking aromas of fresh blackberries, dark cherries, fresh florals, exotic spices and wild herbs along with a touch of licorice and mineral characteristics all coming together to complete the seductive nose. On the palate this is nothing short of extraordinary, as it displays outstanding overall structure and balance along with remarkable clarity and precision. This continues to dazzle with its beautiful expression of incredibly pure red and dark fruits, along with exotic spices and floral characteristics which all work their way seamlessly across the palate before leaving a lasting impression on the gorgeous finish. The 2016 is without question another all-time classic vintage for Sassicaia, as it clearly possesses the elements that indicate an extremely bright future ahead, with the potential to evolve into a perfect wine over time. — 7 years ago

Ryan Mullins

9.7

In such a fantastic spot with decades ahead. Taunt and wide. A remarkable wine — 7 years ago

Antonio Galloni

Founder, Vinous

9.4

Exotic, deep bouquet of mulling spices, orange peel, sweet pipe tobacco and rose petal. Beautifully layered on the palate, with remarkable persistence and balance. Superb! 1947 Pontet Canet (recorked in 1986). — 8 years ago

Ryan Mullins

9.7

Consumed on one knee with head bowed! A remarkable bottle of pure and classic Rioja — 9 years ago

Sebastian Koncurat

9.3

Chocolate - tart black cherry cake flavors with an intoxicating - beautiful dark spicy aromas. This a multidimensional Dry-Creek Zinfandel, not super jammy, not super okay. .balance is remarkable — 9 years ago

Taylor Stein

9.6

Such a babe. Remarkable wine and showing no signs of slowing down after 18 years. — 10 years ago

David Hemmerling

9.4

Friend brought this 32 year old wine we have celebrated with them for many years. Decanted and drank with t day dinner. Remarkable longevity with good structure and color. Impressive. — 10 years ago

Eric Guido

9.4

This is already quite enjoyable, with a bouquet showing intense dark fruits, licorice, cedar and sweet spice. On the palate it displayed silky textures with vibrancy and remarkable freshness for the vintage. Tart blackberry, mushroom and tobacco lasted long into the finish, along with a tug of moderate tannin. — 10 years ago

Nick Holmes

9.5

Day 2, remarkable — 11 years ago

with Julianne

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.4

Another lovely wine from this remarkable house. "Mystery wine" before our Brut Rosé tasting this week. Blind, I thought it was from the Loire. Rich, full, mineral. Electric acidity. — 12 years ago

Mike

9.5

A remarkable drop of grape juice. 100% Cabernet from a small plot in Coombsville in Napa. Black currant, rocks and jammy. Delicious. — 7 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.1

Love this wine. Best value. Mulberry, spice, cinnamon, red fruits, sour cherry, rustic yet complex. Complex and silky with lovely tart cherry fruit and terrific freshness. Very linear and lovely mineral finish. Vibrant velvety tannins and as it opens up the depth is remarkable for such a value wine. Nice deep plummy mid. — 7 years ago

Steven Gullo

9.2

Not a solid vintage but this is remarkable. Notes of menthol, eucalyptus, dried currants and a textural, lengthy finish. Could still see a few more years. — 8 years ago

Roy Bennett

9.6

Straight out the bottle it showed remarkable freshness. Everything exactly how'd you'd like it - the nose immediately grabs you, with a herbal perfume intertwined with dark fruits. Mid palette offering a refreshing hint of graphite and a nice long 60 second finish. For a US Strip bottle this has been stored remarkably well. Excellent for the vintage. Love it. — 9 years ago

Richard Portes

9.0

17.5. 2008. Remarkable transformation. First day ok, but not special. After a few days under argon, it blossomed. Rich and long. Try decanting. — 9 years ago

Joe Roth

9.4

Remarkable. Smooth. — 9 years ago

with Michael

Greg Gregory

9.9

Byob. Wow is all I can say. If anything borders on perfection this wine is it. Truly a remarkable effort and kudos to Ann for such an amazing legacy of wines. Trust me, find the wine and buy it. — 10 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.0

Was worried after initial taste (nose of olives, bitter/sour cherries on the palate, acid, resolved tannins) but it was very good WITH food after about a two hour decant and even more remarkable considering its age. Very well-balanced and smooth. This is the second 20+ year old Seavey that I've had and I'm quite impressed with their ability to age. Though I prefer them with 5-10 years of age vs 20+. — 10 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.5

2011. The nose is full of red berries, with a dark flair. Raspberry, cherry, and red currant are met with Grahm’s signature savoriness of roasted meat, beef jerky and black olive tapenade. The sip reveals that the ‘11 Cigare is a festival of darkness. The savory aspects come forward in a rush. The forest floor, the olive, the spice - all are cloaked in a dark fruit setting. Black plums, currant and berries work hard to mesh with the wine's earthy character. The acidity is remarkable and the tannic structure is firm. — 11 years ago

Nicholas Livingston

9.6

A ferrous nearly sanguine Bordeaux that is rather more handsome than beautiful in that this Pauillac is masculine in its sandalwood, cedar plank, a cassis black currant and red plum, a wood smoke and a leathern and aromatic hardwoods with a breath of air only improving this all the more -remarkable! Thank you John and Peter Wackel! — 12 years ago