Certainly the youngest wine tasted tonight, bottled a few months ago. Clear light straw color. Wonderful bouquet of lemon blossom, white grapefruit, lemongrass and lemon verbena. Fresh and crisp, medium-full body, invigorating acidity providing great definition. Youthful but full of poise and balance, ready to enjoy now. Thanks JulieD!

Clear pale copper hue with scant fine bead. Bouquet of dried berries, flowers, bruised apple, sherry, croissant, alfalfa. Subtle and complex, a delicious treat. Some at the table thought the color and bouquet both suggested oxidation, but I found the wine to be typical for its style and age.

Clear light straw yellow with scant fine bead. Marvelous bouquet of quince, lemon, lime zest, lemon blossom, brioche, hint of hazelnut, and old limestone or marble, like walking into the antiquities gallery at the Louvre. Similar on the palate, pure and refined, a wine to contemplate all evening. Alas, the complexity of the wine was endless, but the quantity was not. Group's FIRST PLACE in this flight by unanimous vote. Thanks Mr. & Mrs. Ucladave!

Allowed to breathe in glass 30 minutes. Clear deep ruby-garnet color. Glorious bouquet of mixed red, black and blue fruits and their liqueurs; potpourri, chai tea, cranberry relish, hints of camphor and mincemeat. Similar on the palate, full body, beautiful balance, seamless, elegant, pleasant acidity providing freshness and definition. ShaneT remarked that this was the youngest showing of all the red wines. It seems to have plenty of life ahead of it, and it would also benefit from a longer decant.

Allowed to breathe in glass 30 minutes. Clear dark garnet. Glorious bouquet of red and black sour cherries, fresh roses, lilacs, stony red soil, grilled sage. Similar on the palate, exuberant, vibrant, everything on full display, with mouthwatering acidity, polished tannins and lingering finish. ShaneT called it "the surprise of the night," surpassing some of the early favorites in the friendly competition. My #3, group's SECOND PLACE in this flight. Thanks Red Guy and Gal!

Decanted. Clear dark inky garnet color. Brooding bouquet of dusty black cherries, boysenberries, creme de cassis, old leather, stony red soil. Full body, balanced, seamless, pleasantly tart, lingering finish. Outstanding wine. As another Cellartracker note suggests, this is easy to confuse with a nice bordeaux. I will be on the lookout for this, to enjoy with a steak or pasta and red sauce.

Decanted. Clear inky garnet-black color. Glorious bouquet of blackberries, black currants, black cherries and their liqueurs, eucalyptus, lilacs, forest floor, cocoa and cloves. Similar on the palate, full body, seamless, balanced, rich and generous. Really singing, or firing on all cylinders, choose your superlative metaphor. This slightly eclipsed 1986 La Mission Haut-Brion, but that didn't bother ShaneT, since he and J brought them both. My #1 and group's FIRST PLACE in this flight.

Fill into neck, cork removed intact, appears original. Decanted and served. Clear medium ruby-blood-brick red color. Bright fresh youthful notes of red raspberries, juicy red cherries, wintergreen, old leather, dried roses, Earl Grey tea. Similar on the palate, mellow, balanced, smooth, pleasantly tart. Began to maderize after an hour. My #2, group's THIRD PLACE (tie) in this flight.

Decanted one hour before tasting. Clear inky garnet-black color. Gorgeous bouquet of juicy red fruit, minty tobacco (Skoal according to ShaneT), iodine, iron filings, lava stone. Similar on the palate, classy and elegant. Really superb wine that has improved since 2011 and may still be reaching for greater heights. Group's THIRD PLACE (tie) in this flight.

Decanted 4 hours before serving. Clear light-medium ruby color. Beguiling perfume of strawberry jam, milk chocolate, raspberry liqueur, cherry cordial, potpourri, and watermelon Jell-O shot. On the palate, this was delightfully smooth and mellow, with no heat and plenty of charm. Delicious dessert wine with an essentially indefinite lifespan.