Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Quite deep ruby and , garnet terracotta rim. Quite spicy nose , slightly green touches , mix of red and dark fruit . On the palate fills out quite well , good acidity , slightly gritty tannins still with mineral , tobacco notes on the finish . Ok reasonable length . This comes across a bit greener than I remember it , so not sure how representative this bottle is , fine to drink now and over the next 10 years . 91

Second bottle medium deep ruby with garnet rim . Took a bit of time to open up , but very good definition , red and dark fruits, truffle , undergrowth, cigar box and grafite. On the palate quite charming sweet red fruits, red plum, cassis , dried spices, undergrowth , elegant for las cases , grafite and tobacco stained finish . Well balanced acidity and quite gritty but ripe tannin . This is lovely now with time in the decanter and over the next 10 -15 years . Completely different from first bottle . — 2 years ago

Jonathan Bennett

9.2

OK, OK, so this is far from my first bottle of this, but boy is it a firm favourite!! — 4 years ago

Stas Medvedev

9.3

🏅 Rating 93+/100 (4,35⭐)

Tasted from magnum.

Ruby color with tawny hue showing the age. First nose has a slight touch of iron. Fruit is ripe and sweet. Vegetable scent of tomato stems suggesting presence of Cabernet Sauvignon. Sandy tannins of Sangiovese. Amazing how bottle aging makes the wine so smooth and satin.

Mostly tertiary aromas, but very well holding the age and could last for at least 5 more years without any signs of decline

Elegant expression of famous Tignanello.

1981 was outshadowed by great 1982. It was 10th anniversary vintage and is considered a very fine one.

Key oenological data:
Average sugar content of grapes at harvest 21.00%
Average total acidity of the grapes 7.80%
Alcohol content after fermentation 13.00
Average fermentation temperature 28C
Length of fermentation 13 days
Acidity of wine after malo 5.90
Ageing in 225 litre barrels 20 months
Bottle ageing in our cellars 18 months

======
I have published the article with a story of Tignanello, the emblematic SuperTuscan wine from Antinori.

\- What were the key factors of its success?
\- What makes this wine stand out from many other wines form Tuscany?

Best enjoyed with a glass of Tignanello.

Read the full article at www.stasmedvedev.lv/wine

---
Instagram: @wine_talks_club — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy Spring! It’s one of our favorite points in the year. More; daylight, a little warmer in CA and everything starts to bloom which, means a long summer of gardening and being outdoors every day/night is not far off.

Since it was such a great day and basically most Californians are shut-Ins, the voluntary self quarantining was getting to me. I did the landscaping and got an afternoon of fresh air today. A breath of fresh air...ahhh! Wow, was it needed after Gavin’s Newsom’s estimate of 25.5 million Californians would be infected with Coronavirus over 8 weeks yesterday.

So, a good night to celebrate another day of being virus free with my 2nd favorite N/V Rosé Champagne.

All my numerous previous notes apply.

Stay safe everyone and remember the new terminology of the new decade...social distancing! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Photos of; Spring in our backyard & a Billecart Grand Cru Vineyard.

— 6 years ago

Paul T HB

9.7

I’ll stick with my last score, it’s mellowed since my last bottle. So this might not be a long distance runner just as @David L said — 6 years ago

Anthony Pro

9.0

It’s going to be good... It’s a Caymus. But man, for the price, there’s so much better out there. An abundance of fruit. Perhaps too much. The birthday boy isn’t even drinking wine...

Update: just realized this was my 100th California wine. — 7 years ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

9.6

I’m really beginning to see this transition where the 2013s-16s of Rhône and Burgundy are already so drinkable and showing ripe fruit. Like they are making them to drink now, this winemaking style is showing a little more fruit extraction and from what I’ve seen here in Napa, you’re sacrificing the ability to age there for the early drinkability. Hopefully I’m wrong and these are all just warmer vintages. I just wanna see these wines reach their potential 10/20 years out — 7 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.5

Renegade Wine dinner series at Rebelle NYC presented by sommelier Patrick Cappiello. Focus was on Cab Franc: 15 wines paired with 5 courses. Posting a few favorites.

This was WOTN for me. First thing I noticed - and could hardly believe - was how bright red the wine still was being 38 years old. There was some funk on the nose but a ton of fruit as well. The fruit stood out on the palate - and the wine had a brightness to it I couldn't believe. Flavors of raspberries and gravel and still had a great acidity. The somm did note that there is a lot of bottle variation. He opened the same vintage recently and it was all mushrooms and little fruit - so he felt his bottle was a little atypical. But that worked for me. Paired well with Comte. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2012 was a good vintage but was never going to age as many thought. That is not to say this 2012 is not in perfect form now. Still not happy the family cashed out and sold this Napa pioneer winery to a corporation that had no previous wine experience. As well, eliminated the last free tasting in Napa, which included their Maratha’s Vineyard. These corporations pay a top price for these grand wineries and then squeeze it. That’s just what corporations do. So disappointing!

The 12 is smooth as silk. Nothing that bites back. Fresh, ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Mid, Indian spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, crushed rocks, dry twig, mid cola, brilliant, fresh, red & dark, violet florals, amazing acidy, well structured & balanced, easy tension with two minute ruby polished wire to wire finish. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 4 years ago

Mono Head

9.1

Wax was hard to get off. Essentially scrapped it off. Before cork even came out I could start smelling the wine. I thought it would be corked. Cork melted off even with an ah so. First sip just had a little bit of funk but overall very drinkable. Much like a French Bordeaux. Fruit is muted, dry. Dark fruit finish. Smell definitely is dry and has an older funk, herbal, medicinal - not in a negative way. Would have loved to seen how it would have done decanted but had no time. — 5 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.6

In its prime. I didn’t decant for fear of shocking it, and that was the right move. Pop it now if you have it because it’s a beauty from stem to stern. The nose pours out of the bottle with all kinds of flavors and expressions- pencil lead being a primary- but as it had a chance to breath and express itself it blossomed. Lush yet powerful, naturally as it’s blend would indicate it reminded me of some of what I like so much about Bordeaux. — 6 years ago

with Beth

M. Christopher Roebuck

8.9

Single vineyard pinot noir from Coastal California. Very deep purple for the grape. Viscous. Medium plus bodied. Perfume, floral nose notes but to me they are a bit overrun by oak. Belle Glos website says that this wine boasts bright acidity, but I would disagree. In the palate there is a ton of red fruit, almost candy, and very little acidity. Some residual sugar, and low to medium tannins. This is a good wine, but an odd Pinot. To me, it's almost like someone delivered Pinot Noir grapes to Ravenswood for processing as a Zinfandel.

PS it's giving me a headache.

DAY2 UPDATE: So I don't throw out wine, I'm giving it another whirl tonight. Done with dinner. If I wasn't on the Keto diet I'd slam this with a big 2 slices of cheesecake and I bet it would be perfect. The point is-- besides the fact that I miss cheesecake--this is a way over the top Pinot Noir, residual sugar and it's still at 14.6% abv!!! I'm adding the plus because I believe this was made with purpose, just not what I'm looking for.

89+ points — 7 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.6

Happy place. All the Burgundy and Nebbiolo comparisons are apt, but this has a feral quality, a sense of animalistic earthiness that walks the line between elegance and wildness like nothing else I've experienced. I drink one of these almost every year for my birthday and lucky enough so far not to have experienced the bottle variation others have. (This one had a 2012 cork). Eventually they will run out of these library releases and I will be 🙁 — 8 years ago

with Steven

Deborah M

9.0

Out to dinner with my parents last night and I was trying to find a wine that would make everyone happy. No it was not going to be the greatest pairing, but my objective was family happiness. I had previously opened a 2016 at home that they enjoyed, so I knew this would be a safe bet. The 2018 is drinking surprisingly well for being so young. While this was a nice bottle, it will be better with a few more years. If 2018 is your only option, I suggest a bit of time in the decanter.

Produttori del Barbaresco’s website offers a good bit of historical information on their wines — A cooperative founded in 1958, now has 51 members and controls more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of premium Nebbiolo vineyards in Barbaresco. Each family is in full control of its land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with centuries old skill and dedication. They produce a blend harvested from multiple vineyards, but in great years they will produce 9 single vineyard wines. I still need to try one of those single vineyard wines.

Facts: 2016 Produttori del Barbaresco. 100% Nebbiolo. Bottling date was April 2021. 15% ABV, but despite the number it does not come across that high.

Rule #4 Sometimes wine pairing importance comes second. I have to remind myself that not everyone I share a bottle with is as obsessed about wine as I am (i.e. my parents) — they just want to enjoy our time together with a nice glass of wine.
— 3 years ago

Dasha

9.4

At Luca London. Always so alluring and penetrative and unassuming. Silky Luxardo cherries, blood orange peel, hibiscus, soft tannins and menthol. Real stunner the ‘15 and lovely right out of the bottle. — 4 years ago

Will Stanley

9.3

Easily one of the finest aromas I’ve experienced in a Rioja, and indeed any wine, in the past year, truly a beguiling and complex experience that begs your nose to remain in the glass. I must note for my own posterity that on the palate I was initially a little underwhelmed. I’m not sure why. I think because this is such a subtle and elegant Rioja, and that I’m so out of the habit of drinking wines from this region and perhaps even, by extension, subtle and elegant wines as a whole. But the more I tasted it, the more I enjoyed it. I had a similar experience with the Viña Ardanza 2010 (which at the moment I prefer to this). But this 904 Gran Reserva is a beautiful, medium to light-bodied Rioja, very fruit-forward with Burgundian delicacy and a charm so typical of the finest wines of this region. A melange of coconut, vanilla, dried cherry and Mediterranean herbs are followed by an impressively saturated palate with medium orange peel acidity and very fine, resolved tannins. I must admit I cannot yet calibrate this wine with the notes of prominent critics, who talk about power, acidity and tannin, but maybe time will tell. This should be a terrific wine to follow over the next ten to twenty (plus) years. — 5 years ago

Nik Kannan

9.4

2009 - best year as told, great taste couldn’t leave it, so easy choice. Paired well mostly with out medium heavy, but can imagine it as a stand alone bottle empty need another.. lol 🔥😁 — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

BBQ & Zin night!

This was served too warm for my liking, especially alongside the hot TX BBQ, so it was tough to get everything out of it, but it was still youthful and powerful. Mainly red and black fruits here, with some sweet oak. Not quite jammy but not quite peppery. Good balance. — 7 years ago

with Dan, Weston and 1 other

Shay A

9.4

Our monthly 4th Friday event at the storage facility. No requirements, just wine you want to share with others! Always an enjoyable time.

Special place in my heart for this winery. A few months ago, I had an '88 go celebrate my birth year. It was STELLAR. This is pushing forward easily...after an hour of air, the fruit and secondary earth and funk notes came out. So good! Thanks Walter! — 8 years ago

with Mark