Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Joseph Phelps Party and the 83 Insignia from magnum.

The nose reveals; floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits; strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, cedar, old leather & tobacco, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with dry & withering dark, red florals.

The body is medium full with a fair amount of tannins in a wine with this age. The structure, tension, length and balance are still quite sound with harmony. Floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits, strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, dark spice with some heat, cedar, old leather & tobacco, cedar, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with some funkiness. withering dark, red florals. The acidity is nice. The long finish still show ripeness, good balance but, has leaned and shows nice persistence. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

From magnum and paired well with three different Tri-tip steaks sources and marinades.

On the nose, sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets.

The palate is med and beautiful. The length, structure, tension and balance are at its peak harmony from magnum. Sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, pomegranate, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb, burnt orange, with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry river stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, dry stems, more presence, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets and blue flowers. The acidity is waterfall perfect. The rich, ripe, fresh fruit, well balanced finish is simply beauty on steroids.

Photos of, Lopez de Heredia, Vat fermenters that are still in use and somewhere between 100-200 years of age (they repair them as needed to keep them tight), their cooperage and Maria José López de Heredia who now runs the family business. — 7 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.8

From magnum with low shoulder fill. Appropriately branded cork came out intact. Dark reddish purple, opaque. Reddish orange rims. Heavy nose of leather saddle, blackberries, cranberries, dark unsweetened chocolate, walnuts, and some old wine funk. Fruit forward in the mouth and very rich. Structure, acidity and fruit all still perfectly balanced. With air it improved over 6 hours, and new notes like menthol and quarry stone in the nose were noted. This wine is probably not going to get better, but should be fine in the near term to hopefully show like this big boy did tonite. — 10 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.7

Still great acid. Beautiful structure. — 10 years ago

James Fox

9.2

Nose of bright fruit Settles into soft well balanced almost elegant Structure is impressive! — 11 years ago

Eddy Mendez

10

Pretty darn good showing with tons of dark cab goodness and and nice structure early on but as it warmed from cellar temperature and opened the richness of the fruit started to outweigh the acidity and tannin structure. I guess it's a matter of what you want from a Cabernet. The 'Old World' Brother In Law and the rest of his loyal crew who value smoothness over all else thought it was "like buttah". I had to side with the spacewrangler. While this wine was not over the top or over extracted it left me wanting more structure. — 13 years ago

E & K G

9.3

‘96 and ‘99 side by side. A real treat from a good friend. Similar fruit and flavor profile though the ‘99 had a bit more weight and structure. Both were a pleasure with dinner. — 7 years ago

Blair Campomizzi

9.4

Pleasant berry flavors (blackberry primarily but other dark berries present), well structure but not too sharp. I touch young but good nonetheless. — 7 years ago

with Matt

Paul Morrill

9.2

Tastes young and aggressive sixteen years out, like a teenager looking for a good time. Color's great, solid structure. — 9 years ago

with Mads and Kristin

Michael Meagher MS

Chairman/Founder Boston Sommelier Society, Beverage Director Cafe Escadrille

9.5

From a 3 liter, about 10 years after "PD" suggested it was to be at its best. (This was a gift from my 21st birthday and the cork was beginning to show seepage so time to drink!). Seriously good stuff. The boozy side of Zin has settled, the structure and savory notes of the Petite Sirah and Mataro are emerging. Looking forward to this with grilled meat, lobster and whatever else we can cook up outside. @ridgevineyards #legend — 10 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.6

1989 vintage. A near perfect bottle with loads of ripe dark fruit flavors and classic Rutherford dust additions. Sweet tannins still providing structure and grip, and it's American oak treatment nicely integrated. Long, satisfying finish, where fruit, acidity and minerality comes in waves. Very, very impressive and behaving 10 years younger than it actually is. — 10 years ago

Tom Gutting

9.5

Absolutely superb. Youthful color. Lively. Complex. Great fruit. Structure remains. Will go 10-15 more years. — 11 years ago

Jerry Hindes CS, CSW

9.5

Such a classic! Well balanced classic body and structure for Alexander Valley. Open for 6+ hours the tannins have really softened and the fruit, earth and wood have opened up to integrate nicely on the palate. Can't go wrong with this producer unless there's a dismal vintage due to weather. — 11 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.2

Another old friend. Such grip, structure, & black fruited- like no Fleurie I know of. So young & pops out of the glass. Dresner book. — 7 years ago

romo

9.4

Still a big boy w room to run. Powerful structure w balance. — 8 years ago

Weijie Shi (Jay)

9.0

Black fruits, cedar box, liquorice, cigar box, menthol. Huge structure, chewy tannin, slightly green on the palate, 30s finish. Need more time. 2012 vintage — 9 years ago

John Blazon

Master Sommelier & Educator Spire Collection

9.6

Graceful and polished Margaux, structure was beautifully balanced. An incredible treat. — 10 years ago

Danny Owens

9.4

Had this with braised short ribs didn't know which one was better..this has all of the structure and weight with still lively fruit flavors. Balance and harmony at the dinner table. — 10 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.4

An elegant Valdicava expression with great purity, lingering acidity, wonderful structure and an expansive, already enjoyable finish. — 11 years ago

Ron Warrington

9.6

Grahite. Very good lots of structure. — 12 years ago