Matt

9.8

Birthday/birth year vibes 😎. Alive, structured, focused and fruit clear still. Muddled black cherry, dried black plum, blackberry fruit leather. Notes of wood smoke, ash, cedar, juniper and pine, toasted oak, lovely sous bois character. Then the spices, cardamom, cinnamon, peppercorn, cloves. Herbals, but very subtle, dried flowers, bay and thyme. Perhaps some mushroom or truffle. Iron, dried beef, jerky, a little hoisin, but perhaps the most alluring is the velvety notes of milk chocolate and mocha throughout, almost coaxing some sweetness out of this wine. It’s upright, postured, and still showing some goods. The acidity is lively, tannins are still holding with a fine firmness, you get the feeling that this has always been a wine with a tight dry finish. Glad to see that has melted a bit. Can sense the chaptalization, but I wouldn’t mark it on that aspect. Cork was impeccable. Certainly in the running for one of the best wines this year, mainly for its contemplative nature and elegant deliciousness. Perfect with homemade tagliatelle, braised lamb shank, and a shit load of perigord truffles. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

Posting my review from a few months back as my experience was the exact same.

Very ripe and integrated. Full spectrum of red and black fruit, cassis, pipe tobacco and worn saddle leather on the nose. Structure was still very solid with plenty of tannins at the finish to keep this upright. Round on the palate...dark cocoa dusted dates, roasted plum, cardamom and muddled raspberries. Drinking really well but will probably hold in this window for a few years. — 7 years ago

with Jack, Mark and 4 others

Ron R

9.3

Those of you that love domestic wines should take a look at this gem. Exhibits sweet notes, with density on the mid-palate. Nicely balanced oak treatment, coupled with upright acidity. Finishes with a long tail - really nice. No rush to consume these. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Nate Miles

9.1

Smokey dark fruited velvet blanket. Still a bit upright. — 9 years ago

Marlene Meer

9.5

Easy to drink! Light for a Rioja, but still has a lot of flavor. Musty on the nose, but cherry and rose aftertaste. Personally, I like this at a slightly warmer temp. Would recommend keeping upright before drinking. More sediment than expected. Cheers! — 9 years ago

with Byron

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

Sample. Medium ruby red. Beautifully layered nose with blackberries, black currants, chalk, burnt wood, and dried bark. Moderate tannins (6/10) that are well integrated but a little out of balance with the acidity in the finish. Very dark palate and rounded attack, with tobacco, spices, roasted almonds, unsweetened cocoa milk and black berries. Medium body and medium finish. Great start to this wine from the nose till the attack of the palate, then the acidity will kick in. Two options: either this wine will balance out with age or drink by 2019. — 9 years ago

with Sean and India

Shay A

9.7

WNH virtual Insignia Tasting. Vintages featured were ‘95, ‘96, ‘00, ‘01, ‘02, ‘09, ‘13 and ‘14.

This was the Wine Spectator wine of the year and received a 100 point score from Wine Advocate (for those interested in accolades and scores).

Knowing the pedigree here, I knew to expect some fireworks and tried to prepare accordingly. I gave this 24hrs upright after pulling from the cellar, and then decanted about 90mins, before consuming from the decanter over the course of the evening. The cork came out perfectly via the Durand and had absolutely zero seepage up the cork. My glass of choice was the new Glasvin Expression. Really like their glasses.

My first sip after opening had me looking at my wife saying “this is 18yrs old and is insanely youthful”. When hearing from my friends about their mid/late ‘90s, and for the ‘01, those offerings had basically zero merlot. The ‘00 had a similar amount to this (14%), and I think that component really elevated this to a more “elegant” style. The oak here comes across as a mix of French and American (though it’s all French)...the oak has such a distinct sweet note to it that I associate with American oak on Cali wines, yet isn’t full on coconut. Aromatically, it’s a beautiful display of cherry tobacco, black cherry cordial, violets, and elevated heady notes of black cherry pie. On the palate, there is creme de cassis, espresso, cocoa powder and mellowed red fruit before a finish that has surprisingly grippy tannin. This drinks like a bigger style left bank Bordeaux with how wonderfully integrated it is. Zero chance I’d call this 18yr old Napa cab if tasting blind. This easily has 5+yrs in this drinking window, and another 5-10 in the next evolution journey before really starting to slide. If opening now, decant 1-2hrs. One of the best expressions of aged Napa cab I’ve had this year. — 5 years ago

Matt

9.3

Tactile, energetic, soulful. Represents its origin very well, classic Evangelho floral tones and silky, lengthy tannins. Nose is ripe black raspberry, black cherry liquor, juniper, rosemary, crushed wildflowers and fur. Palate is upright, crunchy, and moves from fresh fruit into savory herbs and whole cluster spice. Again bramble, kirsch, licorice, juniper and blood orange, spices. Young with a very raw energy right now. — 7 years ago

Norman

9.8

I’ve been keeping these on their side in the wine cellar but need I think to put them upright a few days prior — 8 years ago

.

9.1

This is was ready to go with a short decant. Very nice, medium-to-full bodied Brunello with no funk. Lots of sediment, though, even after a week upright. — 8 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.3

Summer catnip. The upright, straight cousin of wooly cotton chenin blanc: clean, yellow plum, has length--& all elegance. 2012. — 9 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Apologies for the quality of the label. Tried to force a bottle in my fridge, and paid a heavy price.
Nose of spice box, molasses and licorice. Palette is balanced and precise. Presents blueberries, dill, white pepper and leather. Acidity is perfect. Tannins are not resolved, which creates a more upright structure. Still tight, with no signs of aging. Excellent — 9 years ago

with Mo

Ron R

9.1

Visually pristine, but a touch of age detected on the nose.
On the palette, the wine is lithe and full. Tannins are still upright. Tobacco and herbs come through, followed by sweetness and barrel toast. This must have a large proportion of cab franc in the mix. It's a fun wine which, 12 years on, presented well. — 10 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.6

In the glass, you can see the deep extraction. The nose displays blueberry pie and maple syrup. Palate is dense and focused. Tannins create an upright structure, combined with supple acidity. Finishes textured and sweet. Overall, a thrilling presentation. — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Stacy Stadnik

9.2

Found this gem tonight at Total Wine in Dallas. Figured it had to be corked; it’s probably been sitting upright for the past seven years. Actually quite nice. — 7 years ago

jg

9.1

Had it tonight for our 39th anniversary presentation with beef filet, stuffed mushrooms , grilled asparagus with balsamic, steamed carrots. Pulled it from the cellar. Bought it upon release. Upright, open and chilled for 2 hrs.

First was sour, then settled and opened up with the meat. The acid was still present, and the fruit; cherry, came forward and was full tilt by the cheese course, St. Andre.
Silky, sweet finish. — 7 years ago

Matt

9.2

Came out of the gates backward, attacking dry and departing “sweet” almost. Once upright the gorgeous honey kissed citrus/stonefruit, exotic flowers, and array spices and herbs, ginger, tea, aloe. While it’s shed some baby weight, it still has a great interplay of powerful concentration and extract to keep the acid in check. — 8 years ago

E Kosgei

9.8

Had an old 1985 and it was amazing with a French recipe for duck and olives! One of the best meals ever. Had to have it upright for a while cause of the sediment, then decanted for 25 minutes before drinking. So good! The cork in mine was old and fell apart three times while trying to open it but thankfully I managed to keep any cork bits for getting in the actual wine, but if you have a old bottle be careful. — 9 years ago

Ron R

9.2

We were impressed with this example. Lovely floral nose, coupled with caramel and cinnamon. Nice upright structure, framed by bold tannins. Palette is consistent with the nose. Bright acidity complements the finish. Great value. — 9 years ago

with Anne-marie

Adam Jesberger

9.1

Shocked this is still so solid. Found it upright in a random liquor store. Was sure it would be toast. Its actually great and evolved nicely. Thank you 08 for your high acid. — 9 years ago