Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

Medium bodied and elegant compared to some of the 96s and 89s we had this evening. Still a lovely wine and inside it’s drinking window. Delicious. It definitely had the classic ‘95 feel — 6 years ago

with Ben

Phil Castellano

9.0

Fresh RI oysters and French champagne and McCusker....what else do we need???? — 7 years ago

with Jim

Bill Bender

9.3

After a spirited tussle between myself and the Durand vs a dry and crumbly cork I was able to double decant this and segregate away the remnants of floating debris. I was immediately struck by the bouquet which was unmistakably borne from Cabernet Franc (and I believe this blend is less than 10%). It was a positive sign. The wine is completely intact and boasts ample fruit albeit waning acidity. Simple Concord grape, bruised black plum and sweet oak flavors are holding on 2 hours in. This has some time left, but not much. This is a testament to Opus One quality in the early days (I believe this was the 3rd or 4th vintage) and while I think the ‘87-‘97 era was their best, this is an profound example of an exemplary wine at age 37! — 8 years ago

David L

9.5

07' Ornellaia Bolgheri ( Bordeaux blend). Predominately Cabernet. I'm also guessing it's mostly all new oak. Slightly tannic & a little heavy on the oak. That absolutely subsides with a decent decanting . Must decant, so the fruit can move forward in the wine. Layers of elegant & beautiful black fruit, with hints of tobacco & dark chocolate. It just lays on the back of your palate for 30+ seconds. A little more patience/time?? I would love to try this again in 3-5 years. Recommend highly!

I've got to get some more of the great vintages of this! My better half..."We need to get some of this" 😉 — 9 years ago

Peter Wassam

9.1

Gamey, rubbery, almost Shiraz-like burnt quality on the nose. Wild berries with zippy acidity and a rustic, herbal edge. Still has Malbec (or should I say Cot) concentration. — 10 years ago

Conrad Green

9.9

Unbelievably good. Hard to believe this is 56 years old as it's such a perfect bottle. A stunning nose of leather, dark fruit with real complexity then a brilliant rich and vivid mid palate. It goes on and on and is really as good as Bordeaux gets. — 10 years ago

B

10

1985 Sassicaia. Second red wine at Redd Wood lunch w A, S, and K. This wine was perfect. Epic. We could not believe how perfect this wine was drinking. Thoroughly enjoyed it- it was enjoyable the way truffles are- hard to describe, but pleasing to all relevant senses. — 10 years ago

Bill Raney

9.5

Double mag that needs a lot of time to breathe. Great wine. Lucky we had some friends to help out on Christmas Eve and thanks Anne for sharing! — 11 years ago

Josh Spurling

10

If you don't like this wine, we can't be friends any more. — 11 years ago

William Bentley

9.6

We chose this as our Thanksgiving wine. I thought it would be a little robust for turkey and ham, but it was just perfect. Everyone loved it. Great memory... — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.7

The 1990 Cristal is remarkable. Polished, nuanced and light on its feet, the 1990 is all class. Citrus, orchard fruit and floral notes are wonderfully lifted throughout. A slight reductive note adds character on the finely knit finish. I can’t think of a better way to start this tasting. Simply put, the 1990 is a total rock star. Moreover, it is much more delicate than most wines from this ripe vintage. Amazingly, the 1990 tastes like it is still not ready! “Nineteen ninety was my second vintage here,” says Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. “It was ideal. The fruit was just perfect. We blocked the malolactic fermentation completely and only fermented 6-7% of our lots in oak, as opposed to the more typical 20%, in order to preserve as much freshness as possible. The wine was made by my predecessor, Michel Pansu, but I was learning. This was the first year I started working with oxygen by reducing sulfites in vinification to pre-oxidize the Chardonnay musts, as I do know, which allows me to get rid of all the unstable, oxidative compounds. With Pinot, on the other hand, you need a little bit of sulfur at crush or you lose the brilliant fruit. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 7 years ago

GabWine

9.6

When we open from 1987, we expect everything. One thinks of its conservation in cellar, the risk that it is passed or incredible, with the tannins having evolved in this vial ... The cork pulled-out, in perfect state and one knows in advance that one hit the jackpot and that it will be phenomenal. A coppery robe, a complex nose with aromas of black and floral fruits. In the mouth, an explosion of flavors that take the length and makes us go back in time. A very large estate for an incredible wine, to fall 😍🍷 — 8 years ago

David Annis

9.6

This is gorgeous. The cork disintegrated, and the bottom was black as tar. The nose is fruit and earth in that order, which was surprising. Decanted 30 minutes, which wasn't enough time for the vinegar notes to dissipate. Light color, which is slightly incongruous given the still pronounced fruits and tannins. Leather, cigar box, blackberries, oak on the finish. I was initially worried that we might have waited too long, but by the end of the bottle, I'm convinced there was no rush. This is exactly what a mature Pauillac should be. — 9 years ago

Pierre Arneaux

9.2

Wow. More flavor, much better than their regular cab. Silky, velvet, smooth. Chocolate. Rich fruit. Big, full flavor, lots of flavor. Not old world style for sure, not subtle. It's a big bomb. We would pay up to $75 for this so a bit overpriced to us.
— 10 years ago

Chris Bensick

9.2

Having failed miserably at our 2015 new years resolution to drink up our aging cellar faster, we're glad we still have some of these around. Shy at first but then becoming fuller in the glass, this was an excellent hamburger wine tonight. With Alex in Oakland 12-17-2015.. — 10 years ago

Renee Dukeshire

9.8

Great with these amazing filets we had last night — 10 years ago

Melissa Potthoff

10

Great wine with a great friend! Wish we had another bottle!! — 10 years ago

Randy Fillingim

9.3

This bottle was given to me by a good friend and we drink it together on 8-4-2010. It was also my 60th birthday. — 11 years ago

Astrid Lewis

10

1947. Can't actually believe I have rated this in my lifetime. Although it had a significant amount of leakage and oxidisation, it was still bright, still had bags of fruit, tannins, acidity. What am incredibly generous wine to open to celebrate our new little company. Thx guys xxx — 11 years ago

with Pierpaolo and Chris

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Even though we brought spilts with us on our trip, I still missed it. There just aren’t many better starters to kickoff a weekend night. Cheers! 🥂

Many previous notes still apply.

The next time you have BSR as an aperitif and your are having red wine after, save some to close out your night. The BSR ascends from 1080p HD to OLED 4K on your palate. For that matter, any quality Champagne will do. — 7 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.5

We are a road trip with my parents in VT and the restaurant has a phenomenal wine list which includes this beautiful Napa Cab at an insanely inexpensive price. This is absolutely lovely with black fruits, vanilla and oak. — 7 years ago

Narelle Burke

9.5

We are still in the reds from France...a lovely 2007! — 8 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Can't believe I've held on to this treasure for so long! Cedar and sandalwood on the nose. Silky with a bright and savory--almost vegetal--finish. Perfect with filet and steak-house style garlicky creamed spinach. These grapes were picked when I was still in high school! — 9 years ago

Bodil Martin

10

Some of the great wines we have enjoyed and looking forward to enjoy😊 — 9 years ago

Jim Barri

9.2

One of my favorites for past 10 years. I'm afraid new ownership could effects future productions we have wait and see. — 10 years ago

Charlie Beatty

Buyer wineworksonline.com

9.6

2013 out of a MAGNUM that is very Rare. The 13 has more structure and body. Fruit and tannin levels also are much bigger, overall I believe this 2013 will outlive the 12's. CB 96 — 10 years ago

with Karen

Mark Wrobel

9.3

Here we go.... — 10 years ago

William Goldsmith

9.6

Note to @Harry Hackett @Jordan Kirsch and @Ryann Swan we are drinking Napa cabs way too early this is so so good. — 10 years ago

David Conway

9.2

Birth year Musar! We need that '88 for LC! — 11 years ago

with Brad and Lauren

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.4

Thanks to Doug Martin we have Chateau y'quem 2002 to finish off the evening! — 12 years ago