Bram Wessel

8.9

A LOT more austere than I expected, tastes almost young. Nose took time to develop, even with lots of air. I'm a little suspicious about how this bottle was stored. There's almost zero penetration of the cork suggesting lots of upright storage? The ulage was normal-seeming, just a small visible gap beneath the foil. What nose there is has hints of mint, cedar and something candied, like dates. On the palate, surprisingly moderate intensity (12.5% pre-fruit-bomb era), tannic structure still very evident at 24 years, but considerably softened down to fine grain. Plummy, black cherry flavored, with that confected undercurrent. Finishes long and tannic. Cut through very rich lamb shank stewed in red wine, caramelized onions, shallots, and rosemary. Still developing with dark chocolate dessert. — 11 years ago

Ian Burrows

Sommelier Atelier Crenn

9.5

All the preserved apple & citrus & dried mango slices... Incredible acid still holding everything upright & tights — 12 years ago

Gilles de Chambure

Master Sommelier & Educator

9.5

upright barrel fermentation 100% tannat superb — 12 years ago

Scott Tallman

9.2

Upright as usual kills it with this wheat-based saison — 11 years ago

with Sheela

Marty Winters

9.4

Vintage selection from block f-1. Upright redwood tanks used for fermentation. Austere wine with a long finish. Truly a special experience. — 11 years ago

Mark Lindzy

9.6

My kinda beer - dry styled British IPA, hoppy and bitter without being perfumed. — 12 years ago

Jonathan Wood

8.9

Aged 4 years. Stood upright. No corks blown. Deeper, rounder, more complex. Good advice from Alessandra Bera. — 12 years ago

Jonathan Lipsmeyer

9.4

Initial wave of big cheese on nose -- Citeaux/washed rind; opens into truffled leather and allusions to graphite, great acid, red raspberry fruit. Lovely, upright, still fresh yet tertiary wine. 1999. — 11 years ago

Dimitri Fedotov, C.S.

Sommelier Osteria 177

9.0

Very pleasant. Jam declines as decanted for a few. Solid. Pleasant tannins and not a heavy cab, yet upright. — 11 years ago

Pax Mahle

Owner/Winemaker Wind Gap Wines, Agharta & Pax

9.5

One of the best old tondonias I have had ...very upright & proper — 12 years ago