Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.8

The 1978 La Mission Haut-Brion is a candidate for the greatest Bordeaux wines produced during the 1970s. Without question, it is the highlight of the vintage. I have tasted it several times over the years and each time, my appreciation is heightened further. Still youthful in appearance, the bouquet soars from the glass with almost high-toned blackberry, cigar humidor, warm gravel and that signature trait of black olive. You could nose this all day. The palate is medium-bodied yet there is much more density than you will find on other 1978s. Notes of black fruit, bay leaf, graphite and earthy tones, the latter emphasized with aeration. Decanting is strongly advised because it responds to a long opening, deepening all the time, developing a sustained cedar tincture that lingers in the mouth. It is a fabulous La Mission Haut-Brion that at 40-years continues to give so much pleasure. Tasted at a private dinner in London (ex-château bottle). (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2018) — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.6

This may be the smoothest Hermitage I've had @ £83 it's like a pig rolling in velvet 🐷 so smooooth 😍 Great now but 97+ over next 5-20yrs 😎

🍷 Ruby w/ purple hue

👃 Cloves, Olives, thyme & piggy 💩 through blackberry w/ touch of liquorice & minerals

👄 Med+ body incredibly super smooth olive tapenade, blackberry & dark cherry - surprisingly well balanced @ this age 👍

🎯 Long dark fruit & olive pure silk finish — 9 years ago

Ozlem Ertekin

9.4

beautiful, elegant, fine and delicious! — 10 years ago

Katie Kean

9.0

A little sweet — 10 years ago

Justin Timsit, MS

Wine Director, The Rittenhouse

9.2

Smoke, olive. Truffle, blackberry. Completely secondary. Gorgeous. — 11 years ago

Rebecca Chapa

9.5

What a great refreshing and tasty Chard! Neutral oak but it has great flavor — 12 years ago

Sam Shepard

9.3

Ripe green olive and dried thyme — 8 years ago

Mike Searby

9.1

Superb oaky and complex — 8 years ago

Duilio Ramallo

9.6

Same flavor profile as the 1999 - Olive tapenade, blood, tobacco, but much more integrated and subtle with a weightless, airy mouth feel. Superb! — 9 years ago

Courtney Frick

9.0

Not spectacular, but very drinkable. Smooth and mellow. — 10 years ago

Gary Moreno Jr.

10

Always my favorite — 10 years ago

Matthew Jauregui

9.4

Great way to finish a tasting a nice champagne blend. Opens very well, in a beautiful pale salmon color. Chalk full of fruit fresh wild strawberries, pairs, apple, and lots of cherries. — 11 years ago

Nolan LaBrucherie

9.1

Wild ridge! — 12 years ago

Tobin Spratte

9.0

Tasted in December 2014: Notes of vanilla, caramel, and creme brulee overlay complex apple, peach, and pear aromas. Hints of calcareous minerals. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.2

A tannic monster. Figured a wine named "Wild Boar" is appropriate for Father's Day. This is so freaking dark in notes, but the color wouldn't allude to that. Color is red/purple and smells hot. Red licorice, peppercorn, anise on the nose. High tannins on the palate. Cedar, smoky, beef jerky notes to it. Spicy rhubarb too. If opening now, this needs at least a two hour decant. — 9 years ago

Lisa Winter

9.5

Goes wonderfully with everything from Pollo Novello (yummy roasted chicken) to Caserecce con Ragu di Salsiccia (pasta w/housemade spicy sausage)... thoroughly enjoyed our meal! — 10 years ago

Heather Meyer

9.7

Delicious, budget-friendly wine with a long-lasting velvety finish — 10 years ago

Alessandro Nardi

9.3

Intense flavors, great balance and a bargain at $18. — 10 years ago

Sal B

10

Sweet but done just right. Very smooth. But again! — 11 years ago

Peter Park

9.4

Delicious, full of depth. — 13 years ago