December 2, 2023 - California Wine Weekend; 12/1/2023-12/3/2023 (Mos Eisley Cantina & Waterhouse Restaurant): This was drinkable but had more prominent oxidative note than I would have preferred. Sometimes these start awkward and come out of their shell, but his one just had too much of the sherried character to get over and the fruit to bloom.
January 2, 2020 - Wine was properly stored from purchase in the early 1970's from Andre Tchelistcheff until consumed.
Initial bottle stink, blew off after about 10 minutes. Beautiful old Bordeaux-style bouquet. Cassis. Cherries. Berries. Caramel. Apricot. Walnuts. Frais-des-bois. Distinct coconut.
Amazing for a 53 year old wine. Still has style, ability to please. A real tribute to Tchelistcheff.
November 14, 2016 - Opened this for my 50th birthday. Nice dark color with some bricking around the edge, good dark fruit on the nose and the palate upon opening, tasted much younger than a 50 year old bottle. At the half hour mark it started to get raisiny and almost port like but without the alcohol or heat. It was amazing tasting the transformation and enjoyable with a perfectly prepared ribeye. I would caution against holding this wine for much longer if you still want to taste the fruit of Napa in the 60's.
July 20, 2012 - Nose much younger with cassis, tobacco. On the palate slightly more tired with underwood, some red fruit, smoke.
March 16, 2012 - BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Vertical Tasting: Light ruby colored core, bricking.
Very pronounce nose of sweet carmel, sherry reduction, slightly oxidize along with nutty, forest floor with floral qualities. Slight tannins still on the palate along with some sour cherry on the back end. Nice acidity.
With a hour plus in the glass and this is still rocking, wow what a bottle. Keeps opening up and adding more nuances.
SS 93pts.
January 28, 2012 - Acker Merrall Second Chicago Auction (Elysian Hotel - Chicago IL): Aromas are mostly mature and earthy with some black cherry and currant in background. Big structured and full bodied on palate. Still nicely tannic, with long and powerful finish.
July 5, 2011 - Very nice. Still sweet, cassis, earth, tobacco, leather.
March 19, 2011 - SOM'd overnight. Bottom neck fill.
Smells like Rutherford. Cool savory, herbal, green oilves, mixed with cassis, some vanilla. Very supple on the palate, again an effrotless glass of wine. Pretty, in excellent balance, just beautiful. This was a very well cared for bottle, and on the back side, so drink up. 92 pts.
December 24, 2010 - Cherry, cassis, earth, tobacco. Still full-bodied and going strong.
March 28, 2009 - This may be past its prime, but still had plenty of sweet chewy tannins and cherry flavors. Performed well above expectations.