A gorgeous bottle and an emotional experience, truly ticking off one bucket list wine dream I never thought would be fulfilled. A friend generously brought this mere weeks after having stumbled into it and some other random wine treasures, thrown into a modestly upsized deal that was otherwise focused on an old Chartreuse. Nice trade! Everything apparently came from a passive basement cellar, and the estate agent had full confidence in a $500 price for a set of 12 bottles, including this rarity, the first Charles Krug made by Robert Mondavi (we didn't get to this one) and a 375 of a '67 Mouton Rothschild (then a 2nd Growth), which was unsurprisingly DOA. So be it.

Our apprehension around how the bottle would show was allayed immediately upon the extraction of the remarkably solid cork, as the aromas were easily detectable several feet away. Dark fruit, some smoke and coffee notes wafted up confidently. The wine was remarkably fresh, and showed real structure, with nearly resolved tannins discernible. It held steady in the glass for some ninety minutes, even taking on more weight with air. I can't say this was at peak, as the vibrant energy others have described was not so evident here. Just shy of perfection, TN-wise, but a solid 100 when emotion is considered. Such a remarkable treat.

Beautifully paired with a pristine 1969 Chappellet (and an outlier of a 2018 version). One of the last of a case I bought on release, and in many ways the best bottle. Whereas earlier samplings were delicious, fruit-forward expressions of Napa Cab., this was the first to feature well-received tertiary notes of leather and earth alongside the gentle fruit and mild herbs. Graceful and finessed, and such an instructive contrast to the more robust and fruit-driven '69 version, a remarkable juxtaposition.

Overwhelmingly oaky, with dominant vanilla notes. The creamy fruit came off as monolithic, though more nuance may develop with further bottle age. If this was the only wine being consumed, I am sure I could be more charitable, but it unsurprisingly stood out unfavorably when matched with its 1969 and 1996 predecessors, seemingly making this a brother from another mother, as they say.

I thought this was make an interesting pairing with the 1969 Chappellet featured at this tasting, as Galloni's effusive notes on the latter wine mentioned how it echoed LMBH, and this indeed rang true for us. My second recent tasting of this wine, and it continues to impress, with this bottle showing a bit more concentration and depth of flavor. Fully mature, with savory blue and black fruit notes, some ashy smokiness and a saddle leather. A bit clipped on the finish.

From a 375 recently acquired by a generous friend, knowing full well that this would be a shot in the dark at best, and indeed there was no life left whatsoever. I am grateful nonetheless.

Fully mature, with joyous Pomerol notes of currant, plum, caramel and truffles. Seamless from front to rear palate, with enough acidity to make this a fine accompaniment to truffled sliders with caramelized onions. Should hold for decades.

From a magnum. A birth-year wine for the birthday boy. Fully mature, with plenty to offer: cedar, dusty fruit and a nice array of spices, but not especially generous either.

Another birth-year wine for the birthday boy, also from a magnum. This was even better than my first. The bottle was utterly pristine, as was the cork. There was a purity and freshness to the wine, and I love the slightly green aspect of the fruit notes, truly old school Margaux. Additionally featured pepper and tobacco leaf, but the clean texture and purity of the wine are what really stood out.

From a magnum. A stunningly good Syrah, one of the best Truffiers I can recall having had. Layered, concentrated notes of sweet black fruit, fresh and powerful, with a glycerined purity and fine minerality that made this a joy to drink. The depth of flavor hear impressed me to no end, yet I could not detect any reduction, which i have seen in other of these wines.