February 14, 2024 - If you're holding this for a 50th birthday in a few years, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. This wine is holding up really, really well and definitely has some life left.
February 13, 2024 - Savoury, yet still fresh and tannic, with notes of cigar box. Classically proportioned the tannins simply faded away leaving a sweet cedary finish. While the fruit was subdued there was still complexity, balance and a great deal of style. CHP 90 pts
October 30, 2023 - a warm red color, suffused with a mellowing brick tone. There is an attractive bouquet of leather, cigar box and dried berries; all woven together harmoniously and wanting to smell, smell and smell!
On the palate the wine has considerable tactile warmth and smoothness. It is obviously in its tertiary stage and possibly fading a bit; but, oh, so attractive.
A wonderful, old style Bordeaux: refined, elegant, everything in its right place and with a long, harmonious finish.
Worth every penny of the money when I bought it about 3 years ago!
October 24, 2023 - This bottle was declining in vibrancy. Cork was not tight and slipped into the bottle. There was still refined flavors in the wine but it was fading from earlier experience.
June 20, 2023 - Needed a moment to come alive but that’s to be expected after 45 years in a bottle. Some initial funk gave way to creosote, dark plum, leather, earth. Leveled off nicely revealing some tart cherry, subtle wood notes, forest floor with a medium finish. Very old school, austere Bordeaux drinking very nicely.
April 15, 2023 - S&E Wine Society - Blind Bordeaux Blend Tasting (at Home): Garnet and brown with a classic French Bordeaux nose. Tannins are still balanced and balanced acidity in the finish although a little shortish.
February 4, 2023 - Deep garnet color. Elegant mature claret nose; leather books, dried red fruit. Medium body, medium-to-medium-plus acid, well integrated tannins. Dried red cherries with great savory depth; forest floor; super elegant. Outstanding. 92+
November 29, 2022 - M&PD at JVNK.
B4, approximating EVH. Graphite bottom.
November 29, 2022 - M&PD Tasting: California Cabernet (Seattle, WA, USA): Mmmm, this is proper Bordeaux with intense graphite, smoky, soft, pretty, cherries and cedar. With air more greenish, spicy tobacco notes come out, just utterly classic, not a blockbuster but really lovely.
November 19, 2022 - Plenty left in the tank here but this bottle was somewhat monolithic as LLC can be sometimes.