April 20, 2024 - Perfection in a glass. Like previous notes this needs a 4+ hour decant. Once it finally relents and opens it reveals sweet cedar and a depth of stewed plums and thyme that must be tasted to be believed. This is a wine that is getting better by the day….
April 14, 2024 - Champers and Napa Cabs Blind - Fun Times! (Chateau Simms): This was an unexpected treat. The wine reinforced the adage that there no good old vintages, just good bottles.....and this was a good bottle! I have had this wine a couple times, and this was the best bottle yet. A nice blend of dark fruit and tertiary goodness. The color was still remarkably dark with a slight reddish hue on the rim. The nose showed some florals, earth, and old leather, and the palate followed suit with cassis and stewed plums coupled with some earthiness, old leather, graphite and sweet tobacco. Tannins were well rounded and smooth and shades of acidity kept the fruit alive. Definitely leaning toward the tertiary side of the scale, but still had plenty of discernible fruit. Loved it! 97+
April 14, 2024 - Had a small sip. Super interesting, but needed more.
April 14, 2024 - Eyes Wide Shut - Day 2 (A quiet place): Nose: Bright and airy forest floor, lithe mushrooms, used leather and light red fruits.
Palate: Tannins seem completely integrated, light mushrooms and soft light red fruits. Damp soil and rotting tree leaves.
Only had a taste from the dregs of a remaining bottle. Definitely already deep into the tertiary realm. Or, possibly just variation, or maybe it has dove deeper into the tertiary side after getting loads of air from being open the previous night.
April 11, 2024 - Very good if still somewhat angular/edgy, needs a lot more time. 94++
March 21, 2024 - 98+ -- what a wonderful wine - a moment of wine - an immortal wine - 6 hours decant - but this bottle was not completely open for the very real fun - so powerful - what a structure - coffee - cassis - leather - hint of mint and at this stage - waht would this wine be, if this is ready? - Parker wrote in 1996: it has the potential to last for 50-100 years! (RP) Inner quote mark (8/1996) -- i agree
March 18, 2024 - Comm Bx
March 15, 2024 - This wine is shockingly young for its age and hardly shows any bricking. Nose and palate are quite subdued when first opened and not all that interesting, so highly advise to leave this alone for at least 2-3 hours before approaching. This really starts to come alive around hours 4-5 with growing intensity in the nose and palate. Regal, aristocratic, this wine is a monument to classicism with med-high acidity, firm structure, nose dominated by mint, cedar, leather, and restrained but fresh black fruits. Drank over three days and kept getting better each day. This is just entering its drinking window and should last another 3 decades.
This is not everyone’s cup of tea, especially those newer to wine or used to new world palates, but for those who enjoy this style of winemaking, the 86 Mouton is an exemplary example.
March 11, 2024 - Decanted two hours ahead.
Surprisingly light sediment.
Outstanding nose. A beautiful blend of
elegance and power. It took great restraint,
but this is the first bottle from the case.
March 8, 2024 - Smelling great and so tasty. With still bright structure and vivid minerality on the back. Just opened and so good.