David Kline

9.5

Dusty cherry and dense Christmas pudding nose features baked blueberry and dried red currants with blue spruce, Connecticut cigar wrap, sunflower, marigold and tea. There is ample black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and lacquered oak. Silky smooth and incredibly well-integrated layers of aforementioned spices with a surprisingly green tobacco note. Cedar and dried blackberry atop baked raspberry and peppercorn tart. Simply delicious and unwaveringly structured.

#chevalblanc #cheval #châteauchevalblanc #1ergrandcruclassé #1986 #stemiliongrandcru #appellationsaintemiliongrandcrucontrolée #misenbouteille #misenbouteilleauchâteau # — 4 years ago

Tom Garland

9.2

1 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A dazzling dark ruby red color with some bricking. On the nose: bursting from the glass are dark plum, toast, stewed meat, graphite, and a sweet minty chocolate. Taste: a elegant, smooth, medium weight wine with plum, currants, tea, crushed rocks, earthy....velvety mostly resolved tannins coat the mouth with a chocolate tobacco long dry finish. — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Had another bottle, aged well. Steve & Paula Black pursued a dream in 2003 and purchased a 110-acre vineyard located in the Red Hills of Dundee creating The Four Graces, named after their four daughters. Medium Ruby with surprisingly complex aromas of red fruits, herb and spice. On the palate cherry and raspberry flavors with tea and espresso notes adding a bit of pepper spice. Well balanced acidity with fine tannins, medium(+) length, ending with earthy notes. Nice value! Tasting Sample! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus!

Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus.

Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different.

The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days.

The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep.

13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s.

Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
— 7 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

One of my favorite producers. Always good. Can go another 10 years. Dark red with an orange tinge. Blackberry nose. Then tea leaves leather on the palate. Dark cherries. 2004 was a top vintage and it shows a great wine — 10 years ago

Joseph C Burke

9.4

2003; black red color; sweet dark fruits and tea spices; huge ripe fruit dominates the center palate: black raspberry and Kirsch, large scale but not sappy, bright acids provide perfect structure, spicy and long finish. — 11 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Gains weight over a few hours. Cherries, umeboshi, black tea, baking spices, hint of vanilla. Tremendously well made. Tough vintage. — 11 years ago

GaYoung Kim

Graileys Fine Wines. Sommelier. Broker

9.8

Fresh citrus like Meyer lemon, melons, white tea, and orange blossoms. Dry, bright acidity, one of my favorite wine makers. — 13 years ago

David Kline

9.4

Nose of black tea, portobello, baked plum and soft, unctuous cherry. Kirsch-chocolate, blood orange, French roast, marigold, ferromagnesian elements. Coffee, baking chocolate, black cherry skin, cigar smoke, venison jerky, char, cassis, and vine charcoal.


#cdp #châteauneuf #chateauneufdepape #chateaudebeaucastel #2004cdp #rhonewine #rhonereds #rhoneblend #familleperrin #appellationcdpcontrôlée #œnothèquechâteaudebeaucastel #pierredebeaucastel #crudebeaucastel — 4 years ago

LM Segal

9.5

Stunning nose of brambly dark red fruit and black tea. Bacon fat and scorched clay on the entry followed by a broad beam of melted tannins and fig, iron, Provençal spices and lavender. 45+ second finish. Outstanding, another great bottle though now at its apogee (but likely to stick around and turn to burgundy over time). — 5 years ago

Eric Grasser

9.4

Aristocratic for a 15 year old American Pinot. Has all the hallmarks of Savoy: lush bing cherry, sandalwood, licorice root, black tea leaf and forest floor. Light tannins falling out. The core of the color totally remained intact with just a ring of brown near the edge. Seems in a near perfect place at the moment — 6 years ago

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. — 7 years ago

Diana Eng

9.5

2001 vintage. Dried dark red roses, brooding red and black cherries, blackberries, cinnamon, baking spices. Slight black tea and meat, smoke. Red clay/sand. — 8 years ago

with EatSommThings

Mike

9.2

20 very smooth. Very good and recommended. — 10 years ago

Megan Stockton

9.2

Acidity is intact and pulls the wine through. Tannins are softened but still evident. Notes of tobacco, tea leaf. — 11 years ago

with Michael

Liz Dreessen

9.0

Great for price! $5.99! — 11 years ago

Tom Higgins

Owner/Winemaker Heart & Hands Wine Company

9.0

Aromas of dark cherry, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco and tea leaf. The dark cherry continues through to the palate with orange peel and light tannins on the finish. Delicious, but a little past-peak. Drink now. — 11 years ago

Rebecca Hopkins

PR Folio Fine Wine Partners

9.0

Stunning little wine; bright tea rose aromatics w restrained and elegant silky tannins — 12 years ago

P. Shields Ferber

9.8

Nice light Zin served at the Lorian. — 13 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.3

Very nice amber wine, one of the few producers we’ve found that make well-structured natty that aren’t overpowered by cidry funk and “off” aromas. Strong herbal overtones. Black tea. Massive desiccating tannins. At the same time the palate has an appealing softness. Lovely work. — 5 years ago

with Alsu

Bill Mowry

8.9

46% Tempranillo, 31% Grenache and 23% Graciano. Light tannins with dark cherries. — 5 years ago

with Steve

Colin Cahoon

9.3

Dark cherry, and charred fruit on the nose. The palate displays more dark cherry, rhubarb, cigar box, black tea, and oak. Moderate plus tannins, medium alcohol, and high acid. The long finish is tart red berries and acid sizzle. A fresh and bold Chianti that should age nicely. — 6 years ago

with Susan

Dan R

9.5

Smoking good, with a savory character and silky smooth, velvet texture. So harmonious and complete, with all elements in place and perfect balance. Red apple skin, pennyroyal and black tea and a sous bois finish. A delicious pinot that reaches rarified heights of sophistication and elegance — 6 years ago

Emily Lauten

9.2

Perfect chilled — 7 years ago

Neel Master

9.2

Yup yup yup. Acid core, mineral, tea; very lightly orange barely any tannin. — 9 years ago

Patty

9.0

For a wine at less than $10, very enjoyable. More spice than fruit. Very good. — 10 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.6

1985. Tasting this was like sitting next to a WWII vet on a train...some respect for an old school gentleman...they don't make wines like this any more: herbal, pencil shavings, cigar, tea, lots of acid, grainy tannins, light body, refreshing...let's bring cab like this back! — 11 years ago

Steve Haro

9.6

Massive with 3-6 years of life left. Spice box and black tea and grilled meat. Fantastic. — 11 years ago

Mike D

10

Wine of the night. Sneaky Burgundian profile and weight that might have been green once upon a time. Finished long, with lingering raspberry leaf tea notes and lip smacking stoniness. — 12 years ago

Jose Merino

9.8

As one can expect from a wine from 1928. Notes, Tea leaf, figs, etc. The color was an amazing amber. — 13 years ago