Taking notes from previous reviewers and my previous bottle, I decanted this and expect to drink it over a two hour window. Colour: Deep red, med rim with brown tinges. Nose: Fresh, ripe, good CS varietal notes, good complexity Taste: Med body, v rounded, soft, well fused tannins, excellent CS fruit, almost sweet, good long finish with hint of tannins but very ripe and rounded. Final notes after three hours: Still vibrant on both nose and palate although no evolution in complexity, which is a little bit disappointing.
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Im Mund wie in der Nase ein schönes und elegantes Aromaspektrum: reife Brombeere, Cassis, Sauerkirsche mit sominanten würzigen Aromen mit Maggiekraut, Pilze, Eisen, Cola-Frosch und Asche sowie Tabak und Waldboden. Wirkt trotz klarer Reife noch sehr lebending. BoW 19/20
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strong complex tertiary flavors of forest floor, truffles, dried cherries, touch of dried plum, touch of herbs. The mid palette is a total killer with a good strike of high precision dried dark fruits. As the night went by the wine started to decline somewhat. Would recommend drinking it within 2 hours after opening. Would recommend you open and drink this wine soon, in a great place and not going to get any better.
Drank alongside 1986 solaia, 1999 ornellaia
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Dark red with clear edges. Cedar box, house dust, green pepper, olive and black cherry fruit. Very much alive. Delicious leathery dark fruit and a very nice finish. Softening a bit as one should expect.
A real treat.
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From a case purchased on release and stored in an ideal UK cellar. Decanted an hour before dinner, almost no deposit. Colour still deep with no sign of browning, this is a powerful wine with no shortage of structure. The favourite wine of the group on the night, but tannins dominated the finish for me and this bottle was starting to dry. Still a huge treat to drink this but not as seductive as other wines poured on the evening.
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Well that was a surprise Expected a moribund wine Got the opposite Fully mature of course, leafy, dusty with good very nose and spice Would have never guessed it's Italian and a 1986 at that Colour was sound as well and the mouth suave solid and round
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2016 Sella Ronda Ski Trip; 1/21/2016-1/24/2016 (Alta Badia, Italy): From perfect cellaring conditions at La Stua de Michil, Corvara . Their Sassicaia room is something to be seen and this wine was probably here since release. Light brownish, well aged, fully mature and definitely past its peak. Delicate and fragile but also harmoneous, elegant and a lovely classic wine for those who like us like this style of wines. Granted not the best value for money Sassicaia around and we would be very worried to order it from a non AAA cellar but still an experience to be cherished. A touch short on the finish. 92 and drink now!
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Earth, tobacco and wild berry nose. Effusive and dramatic with perfect balance on the palate and a long, lingering finish. Outstanding; a better bottle than most recently reported on by others.
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2011 DRC and a range of others: Peanut, cherry, funky earth and meat. Mature, though not showing a great deal of complexity. Despite that it is in good condition and holding well. Good persistence as well.
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Unlike a bottle last year the nose on this was exceptional. All about the earth. The palate was not as interesting as the nose, which went on for a very long time. Very dry finish, mostly acid.
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Clear. Clean. Very intense nose, lots of berries, developing. Cherries, plums. Cool and fresh fruit notes. Very fresh and firm on the palate, elegant yet powerfull. Tannins are very fine. Very good length on the finish.
A very good wine. The structure is very fine and balanced, excellent.
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See my note for the 88 and take it down a couple of points because the nose is just not quite as good. Still a very good wine and a great thing to have these two wines side by side. Thanks to my friends Les and new CT member Wspohn.
The nose was a lot better when first poured according to all at the table. I was a bit behind them. Also it had a nice herb thing.
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Something strange going on - original note never appeared.
Nose doesn't show it's age, some dried herb, a little currant and a hit if alcohol. Palate is quite robust, again no sign of age. Alcohol and tannins come through at the finish but despite all this, a lovely wine unfortunately shadowed by the Haut Brion
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Markus' 50th birthday (Markus' house): Slightly medicinal at the beginning, some cherries, a hint of tomatoes with a very distinct acidity revealing the italian origins of this wine. Nice
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Mature appearance; mature bouquet, deep, minerals, cedar, vegetal notes; lively, harmonious, freshness provides lift, velvety tannins; good length, dried fruit, hint of coffee. In remarkably good shape, in particular considering less than perfect storage from 1991 - 1998
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Chinese New Year wine night (Crown Wine Cellars, Hong Kong): Hint of bricking but not as much as expected. Dried herbs on the nose and 'currant' palate with cherries. Balance long, slightly acidic finish. Minerally. Dried out by the end of the evening.
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Rich and intense appearance; nose opens up beautifully, fragrant and very complex, graphite, minerals, beefstock, cedar, dried cherries, new oak, dried herbs, harmonious, veers between Saint-Julien and Rioja; medium weight, perfectly mature, juicy fruit of crushed berries, fleshy but elegant, well-structured, stylish and satisfying; lovely length but relatively light finish, leaves the mouth dry but perfumed. At peak.
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10/10/2020 - Ralph_ wrote: 95 Points
From DMG
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8/25/2020 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine: 91 Points
Taking notes from previous reviewers and my previous bottle, I decanted this and expect to drink it over a two hour window.
Colour: Deep red, med rim with brown tinges.
Nose: Fresh, ripe, good CS varietal notes, good complexity
Taste: Med body, v rounded, soft, well fused tannins, excellent CS fruit, almost sweet, good long finish with hint of tannins but very ripe and rounded.
Final notes after three hours:
Still vibrant on both nose and palate although no evolution in complexity, which is a little bit disappointing.
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7/18/2020 - Nels+ Likes this wine: 95 Points
Im Mund wie in der Nase ein schönes und elegantes Aromaspektrum: reife Brombeere, Cassis, Sauerkirsche mit sominanten würzigen Aromen mit Maggiekraut, Pilze, Eisen, Cola-Frosch und Asche sowie Tabak und Waldboden. Wirkt trotz klarer Reife noch sehr lebending.
BoW 19/20
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2/24/2020 - lion@corewines.com Likes this wine: 98 Points
This was uber fresh with great sassi menthol and dark fruits.
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2/21/2020 - JR1575 Likes this wine: 93 Points
smooth and drinking beautifully.. deep fruit but not in your face forward... lovely bottle.. went down so easy
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5/31/2018 - sung251 Likes this wine: 94 Points
strong complex tertiary flavors of forest floor, truffles, dried cherries, touch of dried plum, touch of herbs. The mid palette is a total killer with a good strike of high precision dried dark fruits. As the night went by the wine started to decline somewhat. Would recommend drinking it within 2 hours after opening. Would recommend you open and drink this wine soon, in a great place and not going to get any better.
Drank alongside 1986 solaia, 1999 ornellaia
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8/16/2017 - David J Cooper wrote: 94 Points
Dark red with clear edges. Cedar box, house dust, green pepper, olive and black cherry fruit. Very much alive. Delicious leathery dark fruit and a very nice finish. Softening a bit as one should expect.
A real treat.
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3/27/2017 - Chimer Likes this wine: 92 Points
From a case purchased on release and stored in an ideal UK cellar. Decanted an hour before dinner, almost no deposit. Colour still deep with no sign of browning, this is a powerful wine with no shortage of structure. The favourite wine of the group on the night, but tannins dominated the finish for me and this bottle was starting to dry. Still a huge treat to drink this but not as seductive as other wines poured on the evening.
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9/14/2016 - Levantine wrote:
Well that was a surprise
Expected a moribund wine
Got the opposite
Fully mature of course, leafy, dusty with good very nose and spice
Would have never guessed it's Italian and a 1986 at that
Colour was sound as well and the mouth suave solid and round
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1/23/2016 - Papies wrote: 92 Points
2016 Sella Ronda Ski Trip; 1/21/2016-1/24/2016 (Alta Badia, Italy): From perfect cellaring conditions at La Stua de Michil, Corvara . Their Sassicaia room is something to be seen and this wine was probably here since release.
Light brownish, well aged, fully mature and definitely past its peak. Delicate and fragile but also harmoneous, elegant and a lovely classic wine for those who like us like this style of wines. Granted not the best value for money Sassicaia around and we would be very worried to order it from a non AAA cellar but still an experience to be cherished. A touch short on the finish. 92 and drink now!
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12/26/2015 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Earth, tobacco and wild berry nose. Effusive and dramatic with perfect balance on the palate and a long, lingering finish. Outstanding; a better bottle than most recently reported on by others.
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8/22/2015 - CamWheeler wrote: 91 Points
2011 DRC and a range of others: Peanut, cherry, funky earth and meat. Mature, though not showing a great deal of complexity. Despite that it is in good condition and holding well. Good persistence as well.
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7/31/2015 - David J Cooper wrote: 92 Points
Unlike a bottle last year the nose on this was exceptional. All about the earth. The palate was not as interesting as the nose, which went on for a very long time. Very dry finish, mostly acid.
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11/15/2014 - jtech wrote:
Clear.
Clean. Very intense nose, lots of berries, developing. Cherries, plums. Cool and fresh fruit notes.
Very fresh and firm on the palate, elegant yet powerfull. Tannins are very fine. Very good length on the finish.
A very good wine. The structure is very fine and balanced, excellent.
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4/26/2014 - David J Cooper wrote: 91 Points
See my note for the 88 and take it down a couple of points because the nose is just not quite as good. Still a very good wine and a great thing to have these two wines side by side. Thanks to my friends Les and new CT member Wspohn.
The nose was a lot better when first poured according to all at the table. I was a bit behind them. Also it had a nice herb thing.
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4/19/2014 - Wrighty wrote: 92 Points
Something strange going on - original note never appeared.
Nose doesn't show it's age, some dried herb, a little currant and a hit if alcohol. Palate is quite robust, again no sign of age. Alcohol and tannins come through at the finish but despite all this, a lovely wine unfortunately shadowed by the Haut Brion
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3/21/2014 - G_H Likes this wine: 93 Points
Markus' 50th birthday (Markus' house): Slightly medicinal at the beginning, some cherries, a hint of tomatoes with a very distinct acidity revealing the italian origins of this wine. Nice
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5/22/2013 - UPL Likes this wine: 95 Points
No decant, beautiful nose, bordeaux style, mint, earth, cherries, graphite, good length, ready to drink, but will hold few years
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10/3/2010 - Corgi wrote:
Crisp alpine scent. Elements of saddle, earth, and menthol.
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5/17/2010 - Nicky WLS wrote: 92 Points
Perfect bottle nose classic bordeaux blend cassis menthol eart... complex wine great fruits still tannin serious structure long finish ready- 5 year
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4/20/2009 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 90 Points
Mature appearance; mature bouquet, deep, minerals, cedar, vegetal notes; lively, harmonious, freshness provides lift, velvety tannins; good length, dried fruit, hint of coffee. In remarkably good shape, in particular considering less than perfect storage from 1991 - 1998
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3/15/2008 - plitton wrote: 92 Points
Full, firm body--deep. Some mint and cloves. Powerful.
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2/9/2008 - Wrighty wrote: 93 Points
Chinese New Year wine night (Crown Wine Cellars, Hong Kong): Hint of bricking but not as much as expected. Dried herbs on the nose and 'currant' palate with cherries. Balance long, slightly acidic finish. Minerally. Dried out by the end of the evening.
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2/21/2006 - mdlazar wrote:
wow...stunning balance...and this is an off vintage?
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8/30/2003 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 90 Points
Rich and intense appearance; nose opens up beautifully, fragrant and very complex, graphite, minerals, beefstock, cedar, dried cherries, new oak, dried herbs, harmonious, veers between Saint-Julien and Rioja; medium weight, perfectly mature, juicy fruit of crushed berries, fleshy but elegant, well-structured, stylish and satisfying; lovely length but relatively light finish, leaves the mouth dry but perfumed. At peak.
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