1/20/2013 - Mark162 Likes this wine:

wonderful.

3/4/2012 - Mark162 wrote:

sublime

3/4/2012 - Mark162 wrote:

needed a full 2 hours of decanting before very green tanins moderated, but then it was wonderful.

12/31/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

very tight for several hours, as others ahve commented. but good bouquet. earthen notes, anise and truffles, with some bitter tannins that moderated over several hours. it was terrific with Marguerita pizza.

5/9/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

beautiful garnet color, deep fruity aromas with licorice and vanilla. full flavored on the palate, almost with too much fruit, rich tannins, and moderate acidity. i would prefer to taste a bit more terroir, but nonetheless a rich and meaty St. Estephe.

5/9/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

earthy, leathery nose, light in fruit. palate of red currants, and minerals. very nice.

5/8/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

llight nose, blackberry jam, leather, anice. opened up nicely after 1 hour in the decanter.

5/8/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

madderized

5/1/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

unfortunately, this wine is over.

4/24/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

Over extracted and one dimensional. Was this a zin?

4/22/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

Very rich and fruity on the nose. Red currant, blueberries, licorice and spicy notes on the palate. Softened nicely as it opened.

2/13/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

wonderful deep color and fruit on the nose, and balanced tannins and acidity.

2/12/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

decanted. color was a fairly dense garnet with a brownish red tinge. nice fruit in the bouquet, although still tight in the nose. opened up over the course of several hours with nice minerals, fresh moss and some spiciness. moderate fruit. still quite a few tannins in this wine after 21 years. may mellow further over the next 5 years, although the fruit might diminish further. somewhat disappointing based on the year and producer.

2/5/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

Ordered on a whim of Cafe Boulud's wine list. Apparently, Emanuel had purchased at a Zachy's auction. Let me tell you the wine was fantastic! Beautiful aromas of flowers and earth, and an incredibly balanced palette of light red fruits, must, and rose petals. Minimal although present tannins, moderate acidity, both in balance with each other, and a decidely long finish. Truly a spectacular wine that paired well with our lamb and veal. Would order another bottle again in a heartbeat, even at the asking price of $385.

1/30/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

nice ruby red color with a tint of orange. wonderful red fruits and spice on the palatte, vanilla and minerals in the finish. aging very well, with a nice balance of tannins and acidity.

1/29/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

modest nose. fairly tight, strong tannins, but good fruit and earth fragrances. opened up quite a bit about 2 hours after decanting. very nice.

1/27/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

Superb! deep ruby color and wonderfully fruity fragrance. rich and bold with a little excess tannin, but after 2 hours reall mellowed out.

1/23/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

Brownish red out of the bottle with very little nose whatsoever. Light fruit, moderate mineralogy and acidity, no discernible tannins. Overall, not particularly well balanced, but enjoyable nonetheless. Definitely should be drunk not stored.

1/22/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

Outstanding! Wonderful dark fruit and earthy nose, incredible balance of tannin, acidity, and medium red fruits. Feminine (says my wife.) Very smooth and silky with a long finish.

1/19/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

wonderful cherry red and fairly translucent colors. light fruit and mineral aromas on the nose. a little tight and tannic at first, with moderate red fruits, strong pepper spices, and minerals. strong and long finish.

1/19/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

wonderful nose, very fruit-filled. taste was rich, fruity and oaky, still retaining a fair bit of tannin but reasonably balanced nonetheless. probably suitable for another 5 years.

1/14/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

Below par for a 2000 Barolo. tight bouquet of fruit and minerals. moderate red fruit, minerals and earthiness on the palette, but with moderately strong tannins remaining. nice finish, however.

12/23/2010 - Mark162 wrote:

superb. nice balance of tannins and acid, plenty of dark fruits, charcoal and tar. sublime

1/15/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

strong alcohol in the nose, but good red fruit smells. dark cherries, cow dung, and wild grasses on the palette with a lot of acidity and mild tannins. overall, very good and stereotypical for Walla Walla

1/9/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

A solid Chianti-style wine. dark fruits, tannins. opened up after several hours. probably needs another 5 years.

1/11/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

Brilliant ruby red color and wonderful fruity aroma. Not as heavy as I would have expected for a 2005 Sangiovese. Red currents, light spices and a little earth. Very nice.

1/8/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

quite fruity and rich, with a robust aroma and lengthy finish.

1/3/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

very nice bouquet of red ruits and flowers. color was red, but not very saturated. flavor was a on the meager side with a little spice, although there was a little fruit and flowers in the finish. fair bit of acid. agree with other tasters that it had aged past its peak.

1/2/2011 - Mark162 wrote:

level was to mid neck, but cork wasn't in great condition as it was very loosely in place and almost fell inside the bottle when uncorking. color was surprisingly deep, a garnet purple. primary bouquet was of fruit, but a secondary scent more of mildew was noticeable. flavor was amazingly balanced, with some fruit and a lot of minerals and earth, but mid-finish a bit moldy. the finish was actually quite nice, and relatively long and balanced. unfortunately, the faint putrid smell and taste detracted materially from what would otherwise have been a wonderful old Cote-de-Beaune.

12/31/2010 - Mark162 wrote:

our bottle was in good condition, with the level into the neck. we decanted, and there was only a moderate amount of sediment. when poored, the wine was slightly cloudy, a brownish red, and fairly translucent. a faint nose of flowers. light and smooth, still a tiny bit of tannins, tasting of red currants and rose petals. a very smooth and long finish. an amazing, spectacular wine.

11/25/2010 - Mark162 wrote:

superb. not super bubbly, but wonderful grain notes.

10/30/2010 - Mark162 wrote:

very good for California, but no Bordeaux.

10/30/2010 - Mark162 wrote:

not super complex, but delicious

10/30/2010 - Mark162 wrote:

sublime.

9/12/2010 - Mark162 wrote:

nose is modest and unassuming. taste is elegant yet structured, floral, pepper and black current scents, well-balanced tannins. drinking very well right now.