8/9/2020 - khutchi2 wrote:

Seductive nose, leather, lead and dried currant. Going to be fantastic now or for the next 15years. One of my favorite vintages and it doesn't get much better than this! (low-neck fill, 750ml)

8/9/2020 - khutchi2 wrote:

Absolutely sensational. Touch and go with the cork, but this was WOTN. So much fruit and structure still here. Will sit on my other two for another 5-10. (High-shoulder fill; 750ml)

12/29/2018 - khutchi2 Likes this wine:

Definitely full bodied. Get currant and blackberry. A stellar GSM in a Rhône style. Good now. Good for the next few years. Just polished off the last of my 2014s and was sad to see them go.

12/21/2018 - khutchi2 Likes this wine:

One of the better extra anejo i have ever tried--

1/7/2016 - khutchi2 Likes this wine:

From the start we knew that 1) this was stored impeccably, and 2) holy hell this was going to be a special bottle. The first, and possibly best, leading indicator for a 50+ year old bottle when opened is the nose. Having consumed wines up to 65 years old let me tell you that this was the most impressive bottle I have ever opened in that category.

Somehow, someway, the bouquet was flamboyant, oaky, and dare I say fruity?! The wine was not thin in the least bit, however there was a slightly heavy lead finish.

It was superbly balanced and somewhat paradoxical in the sense that the aromatics suggested a far younger wine, yet the color, sediment and finish all indicated that it was a very old and mature bottle. The body was ever present, and prior to the lead finish, there were hints of currant, leather along with the musky earth tones that left bank bordeaux are so aligned with.

My immediate reaction was where can I get another. Alas, wine searcher tells me that none are available at the present in North America. If I can find one with a similar fill (high shoulder), I will gladly spend what I must to get this gem that could be in its stride for another 5 years or so.

We opened it alongside the 1989 Durcu Beaucaillou at Marea in New York.

8/24/2015 - khutchi2 Likes this wine:

I bought this in a lot at auction and knew it would be a crap shoot. However, much to my surprise when the sommelier pulled the cork out in one piece and the color was a deep ruby, I knew we had something. There were notes of lead pencil shavings and truffle. Definitely a musky wine that showed its age upfront. It was pleasing on the pallet, and the highlight of the wine was when paired with an Uni panna cotta. The salt in the uni just cause the notes in the wine to explode and that one sip made it all worth it. If you have one, drink it now. She isn't getting any younger. The fill on mine was mid-high shoulder.

7/31/2015 - khutchi2 Likes this wine:

I really can't see how this bottle has an 88.6. For a 19 year old beauty it was flowing with fruit. It was silky with a medium body and boasted notes of cherry, olives and terrafirma. I will be replacing this bottle today. No questions asked. At this price point it would be irresponsible not to buy another.

5/18/2015 - khutchi2 Likes this wine:

this one took a while to come into its own. Enjoyed it with a great truffle risotto. Approx. 45 mins after decanting, the alcohol faded from the nose and what began as a thinner, lacking brunello came into its own and filled out quite nicely. It was not as big as a valdicava or biondi santi from a truly stellar year, but for a '93 I was impressed. If you have one, drink it now. If you don't have one and want one, don't hold it.

5/18/2015 - khutchi2 Likes this wine:

decanted for 45 mins at Cut in LA (highly recommended). From the nose and the first sip it was perfection. One of the great super Tuscans I have had the pleasure of opening. Buy this and drink it on a special occasion. It will not disappoint.

5/3/2015 - khutchi2 wrote:

did not knock my socks off from the start, but after 45 mins the fruit started to come out and it became much more full bodied. Give this one some time and it will not disappoint...

4/30/2015 - khutchi2 wrote:

Merlot/Cab Franc blend made it lighter and fruitier than some of the bigger, dryer Bordeaux's. For the value, a good one to open without occasion...

11/25/2014 - khutchi2 Likes this wine:

Decanted for about an hour. Still big and dry like you would expect from a Montelena Estate. Definitely nearing the end of its window...Large formats are likely to keep for a bit longer. If you have one, don't dilly-dally.