5/8/2021 - joedv8s wrote:

We were given a bottle from a wine lover who has a case of this wine.
The original owner purchased in 1988. I think when you read the reviews it's all about provenanace. Look at last six reviews: 3 are throw away 3 are 91 or 92.
This wine: we know the former owner who has had it cellared for the wines entire life in the same place. Cedar is first smell, maybe a hint of basement as others have said. Color is near perfect, no brown on edge, looks like a young wine in a decanter. Smell deeply and you can pull out red fruit still deep under the basement. On the palate it is pleasant and different; nice finish. The proof is in the second pour. You have a choice to drink anything else in your basement of 800 bottles or have a second glass. I'm on my third pour. I like it especially with cheese and extra credit of 1 point for effort over time. Now an hour later the more I drink it the more the fruit shows and the more I like it.

5/5/2021 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Didn't disappoint 11 year old Molly

Fruit was lighter as expected Aussie fruit bombs can be too much.
Well balanced.
Popped and poured

4/30/2021 - joedv8s wrote:

Open 90 minutes prior, no decant. Was awesome wine in it's prime I'd say but no indication of age at all. Amazing finish, best part of the drink
but all layers of palate we excellent. Fruit is soft as you'd expect after 18 years but still a complex and balanced wine. It was a real treat for the 5 of us to enjoy.

4/11/2021 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

I've enjoy Dead Arm for 20+ years and this one didn't disappoint
D'Arenberg is one of those wines from Australia that has the ability to age beautifully. Was this one a bit on the older side, yes and I drank it after reading another review here that said so. Maybe prime was a few years ago but it's not so much as prime but what kind of flavor you like.
Young and tight or old and fully developed and mellow. Drink em if you got em. popped and poured.

11/4/2020 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

2 hour decant, a very good wine no surprises no disappointments

11/3/2020 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

One of the finest bottles I've ever had.

At the tender age of 12 the fruit was bright cherry like almost Pinot and earthy. I don't know what to do with the other bottle when something is so good. Do I dare keep it longer!!

Decanted 2 hours prior dinner for 6, everyone loved it.

10/19/2020 - joedv8s wrote:

Opened and decant 3 hours prior on this one. Completely met my expectations of earth and fruit, forest floor

I found it delicious and was surprised to see an 87 score here.
Happy have 3 more to go.

10/19/2020 - joedv8s wrote:

Drank from Shelly's cellar and excellent example of Napa Cab.

12/1/2019 - joedv8s wrote:

My friend Shelly brought this wine to dinner, popped and poured for 4.
Everyone loved it so it's hard to understand the negative scores of the other two reviews. This wine was full, round, dark and delicious with a long finish. What more do you want from a California wine? 2011 I think was aged perfect could even go a few more years.

11/30/2019 - joedv8s wrote:

Second day review, see day one below.
But to continue with day one first, in 30 minutes the wine was very drinkable. All the funk and gasoline was gone, now more eucalyptus
and earth. Second day was a bit more improvement on the fruit and less eucalyptus. Still struggled to give it a 90.
These wines at this age are not recommended. Drink them if you have them. I have 3 more

11/25/2019 - joedv8s wrote:

Just read these reviews. Sadly I have 4 bottles so I opened one to see for myself.

My cork had a bit of mold on it and this is not from my cellar it's fairly dry. Cork fell apart and was many pieces to get out. May be a bit corked because of the cork. Color on white paper and bright lights is good, nary a hint of browning on the edge. The nose is light at best with a hint of red fruit and gasoline. First sip was just bad, 4 minutes later is much better. The initial tingle of old wine is now gone and some fruit may be coming to life. I will continue to try it over the next hour and may update tomorrow for second day as the last review had done

11/21/2019 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

I see some of the other scores are less then mine but, we drink a lot of very good wine most of which I never get around to making notes for in cellar tracker. This wine a 2012 I recently discovered in the cellar looking for something with some age on it and had no recollection ever buying it. I tend to write on the bottle so I had 11-2016 and $58.00
must have been a store wine tasting and only had the one bottle.
It was " awesome " and I didn't decant drank slowly over an hour or so with Peggy

10/7/2019 - joedv8s wrote:

Drinkable but over the hill, fruit is all gone, not musty but not very pleasant either and I have another of these. Ug

Drink up. California wines 10 year limit with few exceptions

9/28/2019 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Similar to notes prior to mine a fine and delicious wine. No sign of age only elegance. Hard to predict the future of this wine, I have a second down stairs but easily several more years. I followed the do not decant from an earlier note and just opened and let stand about 90 minutes prior to consumption. Dinner for 6, everyone loved it.

4/27/2019 - joedv8s wrote:

As the immediate and prior ratings suggest, a very nice wine
Shows beautiful expressions of fruit and balance and finish.

Worth the money and can still go more years but I don't think it will improve but maintain

4/29/2019 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

This wine was a total surprise. I discovered it in the cellar while searching for nice wines to serve to guests. I can't recall when, where
or how much I paid for it. I looked it up and saw the same 5 scores and comments you see below mine and 5 or more years old. low 80s and even a 70. I thought well it's time to open and or throw out as one suggested. About 2 hours open in the bottle and then we started to drink, 4 of us and well seasoned critical drinkers following a flowers chard and eating steak. It still has fruit on the noise, more blueberry then any other. Medium body hint of leather on mid palate followed by cedar on back palate. Quite pleasant we all enjoyed it and had second pours. The following day there was just enough for Peggy and I to have short pours. The flavors above were even more pronounced in fact Peggy says better the second day and she scored it 91. I was 89 so the above score is our average. I asked her how much would you pay for it. She said $50.00 I thought it more a $20.00 and as I see today it is a $20.00 wine. If you buy a new vintage or want to challenge this review find the oldest vintage you can find and drink it over two days and lets see. It's old French wine and it delivered!!! Surprised to be sure

3/21/2019 - joedv8s wrote:

A solid wine, good balance, medium fruit, nice finish
decanted and poured 30 minutes

11/22/2018 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Drank both the 2015 and 2016. Both are excellent and drinkable now
Full body and delicious, get some if you can. J& M in North Andover found mine case

8/31/2018 - joedv8s wrote:

A very good wine, popped and poured. Likely would benefit from a few more years in the bottle. Tempted to give it a higher number. Finished the second night, better the first some of the fruit was gone.

4/19/2018 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Made 60% mark up on this trophy in the 3 years I owned it.
Wish I had another !!!

Chinese buyer.

1/28/2018 - joedv8s wrote:

I read some notes here before we chose this bottle over the 2006
Scores we comparable at 91.6 and 92 respectively.
Followed decant advise went about 3 hours. In general over the hill
you never quite know how it's been kept and some reviews are very good. Nose was gone, little fruit, good mouth feel and finish was pleasant is about all I can say positive.

11/14/2017 - joedv8s wrote:

Opened 5pm, decanted at Restaurant Scalini Fedeli NYC 7Pm, Drank 2008 Staglin Chard first excellent 92 points Chard. 8pm pouring the bordeaux.
I didn't get the sense that more decant time would have improved the flavors, nor did my other fellow dinners (5) all with wine cellars think so.
My wife maybe more then the others who favors old world and earth notes loved it at 95 points, better then the 1997 Insignia or the 2007 Insignia which followed. Impossible to know that more time will improve this wine, doubtful. However it may just rest here in the low 90's for more years to come. We all enjoyed it very much, an excellent wine
still lots of fruit and layers of earth and good nose and finish. All the needed ingredients to enjoy. One of my very first purchases to my cellar
nearly 20 years ago. BTW the 97 Insignia was a couple points better then the 2007 but headed in the right direction. If you have theses wines, (95) drink them. French influenced Italian food Scalini Fedeli.
Amazing NYC.

11/3/2016 - joedv8s wrote:

An excellent wine, maybe past prime. I see in my notes it was estimated at 96 in 2003.

I read several notes before opening and most suggested decanting. They were the prior notes of 2015 and 2014.
I opened and tasted at 5pm, I thought it was ready then and put the cork back in. Drank at 7:45 and thought some of the fruit has dissipated. But still very good wine. Didn't taste much age at all.

9/15/2015 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Popped and tasted, tight, smelly as you'd expect and alcohol. I followed the instructions here in CT and decanted for @ 3 hours.
We had Tenderloin and this wine was wonderful with it. Complex, balanced with dark fruit and great long finish. D' Arenberg always a winner. Great soil on the palate and nose as well.

2/7/2015 - joedv8s wrote:

An interesting experience, I wish I had what others have shared here.
open and smelled, something was wrong. First flavor was like sour champagne all fizzy in our mouths. Tried a few more tastes and decided to wait til the next day. Better, most of the fizziness was gone and the true wine flavors were coming through. Enjoyable, not perfect by any means. I would go for an 85 but not post it. I hope my other bottle also bought at Gordon's is better

2/2/2015 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Another great expression of California blend when you give it time to mature. 1 hour open. Structure all in balance

2/2/2015 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

I can't understand the poor score some drinkers are giving this wine.

We found it delightful, full, rich and earthy. Worth twice the price of $35.00

Decant one hour. Drank over 2 more hours.

12/25/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

A very pleasant wine, drank as expected but not a surprise. One review was to pop and pour. I think that you should try that with this wine.
We opened and drank it second so it was open maybe 4 hours before consumption and was losing its verve. Very nice still though!!

12/25/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Done the way only the French can do!! Nearly 20 years old and young and vibrant with green cherries and green apples on mid palate.
I have a second one of these and plan to give it at least 5 more years.
Opened, no decant but open for 3 hours prior and drank beautiful for 3 more hours improving along the way. I don't think it is peak yet.

Peggy says 94, Cedar and the right amount of mustiness.

11/27/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

This time around even better
Popped and decanted just 20 minutes
Had with beef
Wonderful, elegant, aromas and fruit
Excellent long finish

One bottle left
Of my original 6 this is the highest rating

Drink now if you have one

10/22/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Years ago I was a huge fan of Aussie wine and bought many cases. This being one of my original purchases. The rose has ben off the bloom for several years now and even my Clarendon hills hasn't held up. very disappointing. I bought at least a case of this wine back then and have enjoyed most over the years. My prior note was a 90 and to decant 3 hours. I opened, smelled and took a small pour. Devine!! I did not decant but left open at the counter at 3:30 about 7:15 we started drinking this big but subtle beautiful wine. Dark red fruit
huge mouth feel, full bodied and a finish like no other. Peggy says one of the best wines she's ever had. Really amazing. deserves high marks

9/8/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

This Bottle came from nephew Tim and his cellar. We were all present at Gordon's the year before when purchased and this was the first of 6 bottles to re confirm our tasting score of 92. We 3, including Peggy al loved it. Brad is correct in his description, see his notes, the other review here. With this added. Opened 2 hours prior no decant. It followed a Patz and Hall Chard 2009 Dutton Ranch which we had with Lobster and Scallops and of course butter. Oddly and maybe this was the food, we detected little or no noise. Tim said forest floor minimally at best. However, in the mouth it's a wow. Red raspberries and chocolate. Smooth, luscious and soft. long finish. This is what we drinkers love about fine wine. A steal of a deal at $24.00

8/4/2014 - joedv8s wrote:

This Chardonnay wowed the room. Balanced and buttery but not huge. long finish. delightful. We bought a case from the wine dinner, our usual chard is Mer Soleil Reserve gold as our daily. This is a step above that but worth the money

8/4/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Cali /France

Seldom can you experience old world from California. All france on the nose. a delicious and long lasting lingering flavor. If you love blends and most of all the petite Verdot flavors 8% excellent

8/4/2014 - joedv8s wrote:

We had this at a wine dinner then bought a case. Solid pinot dark color like Bella Glos, maybe not at big as Bella but delicious and different a bit more on the burgundy style. 2 scored 92. One of the favorites of the evening

7/23/2014 - joedv8s wrote:

unmemorable

7/24/2014 - joedv8s Does not like this wine:

Had some of the usual properties you would expect, however the dominant smell was that of diesel fuel. Maybe just way to green to consume. What little fruit there was was overshadowed by diesel.

Hoped for much more. Maybe time will correct.

7/20/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

90 minute decant with Rack of Lamb followed a sea smoke ten Pinot.

This wine keep the enjoyment going at a high standard. Powerful but not over the top, well balanced with long finish as you'd expect from a great wine.

7/19/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Bought this in France and carried it home in 2007.

Glad I did. A beautiful expression of french earth and fruit coming together. I did't decant this one, usually do. Opened for 2 hours prior
A joy to drink. I would take this to a blind tasting any time.

7/19/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Funny thing about the morning after and the first bottle to drink when friends arrive for dinner.

You or we often drink it without thinking about it

We had this Chard with a cheese platter and then roasted baby artichokes with lemon and garlic. Paired beautiful. Clean, crisp ad delicious. Followed with a sea smoke 10 Pinot and a Staglin cab 25th anniversary. And thats why it was hard to recall how good the chard was because the next was a wow and another wow

7/14/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Excellent expression of a super tuscan. Still young but approachable
We enjoyed this gift with friends who drank this one with us and gave us a second bottle for cellar.

5/2/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

What a treat this was, opened 90 minutes prior no decant. A little tight right away, but later it became beautiful. Full mouth big body but still some elegance. Spice, leather and tobacco along with some tart red fruit, such as raspberries.

Wish I had a case of this.

Could be prime at this age.

4/1/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

decanted 2+ hours
A beautiful wine, I can't understand the other recent reviews of 85 and 95 range. Every palate is different I suppose. I concur much more with the 95 review, its just hard to give a 95. I can't believe I only paid 18 bucks for this wine. I'd love to have a truck load now.

4/30/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

This is a solid and refreshing Chard. Good with and without food, shows best warmer not colder as some of the recent reviews suggest. This Chard is one of our everyday picks when you can't have a Newton Unfiltered Chard one of our favorites. Our other everyday Chard is Caymus, Mer Soleil reserve Gold.

5/1/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

A real treat, popped and poured. Vibrant fruit, deep color, rich and delicious.

Always hard to say is this peak!! Maybe, based upon other reviews now might be the time.

4/30/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

nice wines didn't score them when drank

4/6/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

I concur on Ct score a solid 91 and some will like it more. We drank over two nights, delicious both nights. Could argue better the second night but this is a personal choice whereas Peggy and I seem to like the fully oxidized wines the next day more than the tight or fruity flavors which come more from a California wine. We decanted the first day and drank i hour later half the bottle and covered decanter to second night. Excellent wine.

4/6/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

Opened and decanted 2 hours prior, we had this with meatloaf. Early smell right from bottle shows good red fruit. No hint of age yet on the noise. Soon after the fruit on the nose disappeared and was replaced by cedar. Typical of an older italian, not musty at all and still has a younger taste to it. Great mouth feel with intense flavors, long finish and god tannins remain. I think this wine still has life in it for several more years.
I can't award it 95 like the last review in 2008. 92 still shows this wine as a delicious wine which definitely improved as the night went on. I recommend a 4 hour decant.

3/31/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

we loved this wine much more than CT average 89

After about 1 hour open, rich, full flavor and balanced. Hold it mid palate for more flavor surprises. Delicious!

3/29/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine:

I concur with fellow wine drinkers before me, was surprised t was as good as it was given it's California nature and age. Not likely many or any of these still laying around, if so drink up.
No decant, pop and poured. Still good fruit and balance no earthy smell of age.