Drinking elegantly. Shimmering currant with tobacco and leather notes. Funk burned off very quickly. Light for Margaux but more refined fruit as breathed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rustic, with fading fruit but still very much alive. It has that underripe green stem note. That is the calling card of 1978 to my palate. Firm acidity but a cool old wine. Like your 60 year old wiry uncle who isn’t in great shape but you know will be hanging around for a bit longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A bit of a surprise as the auction house noted this unmarked label as a '75, but it was clearly a '78 after pulling the cork. This was a fantastic mature Bordeaux. Showed tobacco leaf cedar and eucalyptus notes. Compared to the '82 on the same night this had more depth, with a cedar spice and mint character noted through the palate and finish. While not as plump on the mid palate, had more complexity. Wine of the night for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Birthday wine. Hint of vinegar on opening that blew off in a few minutes. Nose: Smoke, leather, mushroom, porcini, blue cheese. No fruit. Palate: Medium acid Medium tannin Structure seemed younger than 45 years (wish i could say the same hah). paired Black fruit, blackberry, black cherry, black current, cracked pepper, green pepper, tertiary leather, mushroom, Paired well with lamb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Commanderie de Bordeaux: Spring Parlement - Chateau Brane-Cantenac (Minneapolis Club, Mpls, MN): Drak red color. Doubled decated for 10 minutes then recorked; drank a glass over 45 minutes. Pencil, slightly herbal, dried roses, subtle green pepper, cassis and mushroom on the nose. The palate shows a smoky pencil character, dried earth and mushroom, cassis, raspberry, very suave, medium bodied plus though a little thinner mid palate with integrated tannins. I really enjoyed this myself with only the '00 edging it as my favorite of the vertical. Others felt the '89 took honors (there were 4 different bottles - so variation was likely present), though I found mine less compelling. Rank '00, '78, '89, '82.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A scary moment when opened as there was a hint of vinegar and we thought the bottle was done. Luckily, that blew off after 20 minutes and the wine showed perfectly.
Intense smoke on the nose, almost like embers, followed by notes of dried mushrooms, old leather, dust, beets and blue cheese. No fruit at all on the nose. There is some fruit on the palate, however. A bit of blackberry, blackcherry and blackcurrant as well as fresh cracked black pepper, green bell pepper and the leathery/mushroom tertiary stuff from the nose. When paired with a lamb loin, the fruit on the palate got more intense.
Medium - acid and subtle, medium - tannins that are slowly resolving. In fact, the sturcture makes it seem younger then 45 years old (as do the flavors, once paired with food). Obviously this doesn't need any more time in the bottle; but it will probably show as it does right now for the next 2-4 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Late Dec 2022: upper shoulder fill; upon opening cork broke in two pieces; clear crimson red color; bouquet of coffee and strawberries; delicate and elegant on the palate; no tannins left; light/medium body.
Classic mature claret.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Perfect bottle with bottom neck fill. Clean top of cork with only bottom half soaked. Clear garnet in the glass, and with barely any browning. Looks 10-15 years younger than what it is. Wood spices on the nose, the palate has still good medium weight and fruit concentration, smooth but with fair bit of green. Tannins fully integrated. Short finish. While I cannot understand Neal Martins repeated 83 point ratings of this wine, I do find it relatively to the on paper inferior 1979 vintage slightly disappointing. Perhaps picked too early, or should have sorted a bit more carefully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well this was a pleasant surprise...popped and poured...on the nose fruit tea, leather, smells fresh & juicy, touches of soy sauce, plums and earthy spice, a little cream...In the mouth it's softly engaging, more fruit tea, savoury and sweet spice, bit of a tannic whisper insinuating itself on the palate, touch of cigar box, cream here as well, very, very nice indeed. Another fantastic 78. Yum.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a wine that continues to sing. It's got ample fruit to quaff as a PnP but continued to drink nicely over the course of the evening with melanzane parmigiana and a small cheese plate. Red fruit, sous bois, mushrooms and tobacco on the nose, matched on the palate and with a nice spicy element on the finish that I couldn't quite place. Balanced acidity and soft tannins create a wine with a smooth mouthfeel. No traces of VA that would suggest this wine is in precipitous decline. I have purchased two 3-bottle lots of this wine at auction in recent years (for a fraction of current release prices) and have opened one bottle from each lot, both of which were excellent. I'll drink the rest over the next seven years (it may decline a bit, but I think this will still drink well enough on its 50th birthday).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Previous reviewer stated "wow", and I have to whole-heartedly agree with him (hope it was a 'him'...). Drinking wonderfully, mature, but not a hint of fatigue. Actually quite full-bodied, my companions tagged it as Pauillac or St. Estephe. A joy....
Nose: Wow. The perfume wafting off the glass hits you well before your nose gets in there. Bright cherry, sous bois, floral notes, kirsch, and porcini mushroom. Amazing coffee cake and molasses notes by the end of the night. Palate: Elegant and light in the mouth with a gorgeous inner mouth perfume. Bright red fruit, sous bois, blackberry and floral notes. Touches of treacle and umami lay in the background.
This is in a great spot and perhaps a bit past its apogee.
Enjoyed while wrapping Christmas gifts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep color. Quite robust with some enduring fruit amongst the tertiary flavors. Decent energy. Left in the glass too long, it gets ashy. Nice surprise given the poor provenance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Based on the divergent recent reviews from Neil Martin and Cellartrackers, evidently this wine lives up to the maxim that there are no great wines, only great bottles. In any event my particular bottle (sourced recently from a French auction house and showing all the signs of a long slumber in a cool damp cellar, then stood up for more than a month) was a delight. Beautiful pale ruby robe; moderately expressive nose of earth, leather and some red fruit, as well a light floral note. On the palate the wine had a modest core of sweet cherry (not a marker I usually pick up in classic aged Bordeaux) with some plum notes, surrounded by fresh mushrooms and sous-bois. There was also a sense of violets which, combined with the rather lush mouthfeel, imparted a feminine impression (if you'll pardon the classically sexist terminology. Tannins are fully resolved but there is enough acidity on the finish -- just the barest hint of it volatile -- to refresh the palate. It was convincing as an AOC Marguax but if tasted blind could do justice to Harry Waugh's quip about the confusion of Bordeaux with Burgundy. A real treat and I'm glad to have a couple more bottles in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ullage at high shoulder. Cork somewhat loose. Decanted for 15 minutes. Initial nose was cardboard and dried flowers.
After 15 minutes fruit and subtle leather started to come through. This vintage retained a wonderful Margeaux elegance, though a bit muted if not powdery. Tannins were much diminished letting cherries, currents, and apple come through. Mostly fruit with a very soft finish and almost no alcohol or tannic bite, but still very lively.
This is not a big or bold wine, but one to be appreciated for its subtlety. We had it with a light pasta dish and it was perfect. Not domineering, but accommodating by enhancing everything it was paired with. A delightful bottle that belies some old "average" ratings. This vintage bloomed with age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: Opened very funky, but a few hours of air allowed beautiful morello cherry and kirch notes to open up. Nice spring flowers and elegant perfume on this nose. Palate: Gained weight to deliver a solid wine with a core of red fruit and depth on the palate. Finish: Good length, but perhap lacking in some complexity.
For me this was as good as the best bottles of the 75 I have had, but just behind the 1966 in total quality.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
In a restaurant Label gone, fill into neck, cork in 2pieces. Rubin with brownish borders, healthy colour. Nose typical with more secondary than tertiary notes. Palate ok, quite light similar to my last encounter 20ys ago. No flaw, some but little developement in glass. As far as i know this wine- a perfect bottle. Drink up
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Encore très en vie! Nez sur le tertiaire, bois, terre, animal Bouche qui contient encore du fruit, surtout cerises confites. Finale longue Toute en finesse, justesse, élégance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP; 45 minutes for moldy hay funk to dissipate; beautiful garnet color, light strawberry, violet and cola nose. Mid-weight, well-balanced, plush, elegant berry/cherry fruit with slight tea and tarragon notes. A mature 39-year old still providing pleasure...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Intriguing and entertaining nose with band-aid plaster, wet autumn leaves, raw chocolate, iron, leather and dust. Soft, velvety on the medium-bodied palate with a nice finish leaving coffee - and cocoa-dust notes. More than mature but still drinking well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle seemed on an early downward trajectory (stored in a passive temperature controlled basement cellar), but still a fantastic experience. I think I'm pretty terrible at writing tasting notes, but in particular I have difficulty describing old wine (unless it's terrible). This had wonderful dusky notes that I associate with delicious old Bordeaux. Very little fruit on the palate. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good, but not my favorite '78. Condition all seems good, but nose very muted. 2-3 hours air helps, but it's still subtle to the point of weakness. What there is is nice- a few minor Worcester Sauce notes. Tastes much the same really; nice enough but restrained to the point of being boring.
Generally I love this vintage in Margaux and elsewhere in the Medoc, but this wine isn't up to scratch on this occasion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bought this bottle based on the notes from David (see below). Complex, well delineated and attractive nose with iron, dust, chocolate, fresh-roasted coffee beans and truffle notes. Soft, velvety on the medium bodied palate. More than mature but still drinking well. Thanks David!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Incredibly, still drinkable but at the end of its life. Some brown at the edges. After another 30 minutes notes of tobacco came through and it's depth came through. Would have been great about 3 years ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Clairement briqué. Nez typique vieux Bordeaux avec ses arômes évolués, mais d’une finesse qui me fait revenir au verre souvent. En bouche, belle acidité, une pointe de fruit rouge, un relent épices/bois et d’une bonne longueur. Possiblement passé son apogée, mais loin d’être fini. Excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is still going strong with lot of complexity, long lasting taste. Not many tanins left but it devellops and lives in the glass for at least 4 hours
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Better level than previous bottles, upper-top shoulder. At the beginning, Horse stable on the nose, needed very long to develop, the last glass was the best after 2,5-3 hours decanting. Other notes same than previous. Decanted 1,5 hours. (to short, need at least 2,5 hours before starts drinking). Drink now-2018. (at least)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Even though the filling was down on the shoulder B/C, the bottle was very good. Leather, tobacco, a little sweetnes, very powerfull taste lasting for 30 seconds or more. Devellops over the first hour very possitively and last for at least 4 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not a perfect bottle, upper-mid shoulder. Color starts bricking on the rim. After 10 minutes in the decanter, strawberries showing up. Sweet fruit, earth and still some tannins on the palate, medium body and a short finish but a never ending aftertaste. Decanted 90 minutes. Drink now - 2017.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I could purchase a case by auction at a rather low bid, probably because of the contempt of Robert Parker for the Branes of the 1960`s and 1970`s. The wine in to decant for one hour and a half. If you start drinking immediately, you only will find sweetness without contours. The domination in taste is changing quite often: It starts with a bitter note, then the tannins are more remarkable, later you are sure having discovered terroir-notes, thereon maybe fruity taste is obvious.... A very interesting oldie for which we have to have reverence. 92 points, because this winw is still going strong !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was a quite interesting example to show how the wine can evolve quickly. It was a bit muted on hour 1 and at the end (4 hours), some unpleasant acidity came through. The best time was probably between 2 and 3 hours. Amazing aged color, translucent ruby. Cedar, black currant, tannin is pretty much gone, making it drinking so easy and smooth. Without noticing it's gone. It looks like it is dying though, not having much grit, that you could expect.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Served blind: Showing some age right off the bat, toasted cedar, creamy fruit, graphite on the nose. The palate is so gentle, full in the mouth yet elegant in it's approach, very soft fruit that shows some cedar and tartness moving into the finish. Resolved acids and tannins on the finish yet still enough to keep the wine in balance. Great length through the finish. This bottle was singing to me, an amazing and captivating wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Mature Bordeaux at David's (David Paris's place): Beautiful nose of damp earth, beets, cedar shavings, spices and fruit. Ripe and mature on the palate with good fruit, balanced tannin and nice acidity. Moderate finish. Both the fragrance and the palate impression grew more complex and interesting over 3 hours. I thought this a '90 from Pauillac or St. Julien. What a revelation when the label was revealed! Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blind Mature Bordeaux, 1966-1995 (My house): Slow-oxygenated for 5 hours before event. Nose shows some must, but in a pleasing way... very pleasing. I completely understand my dusty library book from my previous note. There's also some eucalyptus. Great palate, with still plenty of tannins, some apples, dusty fruits, and very nice acid. Really nice finish with great balance and beautiful structure. Again nice acid on the finish. The flavors here lingered for minutes after a sip and this was just beautifully integrated. A surprise to many when it was revealed, as it was in the top 3 for most everyone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bottle appears to have been well cellared. Cork soaked through but came out easily, almost in one piece. Base neck fill. Immediately upon opening green pepper, iron, autumn leaves, ceder/pencil shavings. Initial impression was off putting. Over the next hour the initial nose integrated and more fruit flavors, red fruit primarily, came forward.However, the earthiness remained which I enjoyed. Great mouth feel, silky smooth. Long 90 second finish, red fruit flavors, some iron. Wonderful wine.Was at its peak about 3.5-4.5 hours after opening, became to come into its own at about 1-1.5 hours and seemed to start to fade at 5 hours or so. Had the opportunity to buy more than one and didn't and I am now kicking myself. This seems to have life left in it. By far the best $35 dollars I have spent on wine in a long long time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
From a well cellared bottle. Cork was loose and very difficult to extract. Decanted, kept improving over a few hours. Deep red color, no sign of browning. Strong aroma: cedar, plum, currant. In the mouth: intense, complex and very long, dominated by licorice and bell pepper, with notes of sour cherry, lead pencil, and vanilla. Tannins are not fully integrated, but still balanced by the fruit, not unpleasant. This wine should last for a few years, but I'm not sure that the fruit will outlast the tannins. Very enjoyable now if you can get your hands on a well-preserved bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Noticed as I pulled this bottle that the foil seemed pretty locked in place, with perhaps signs of light seepage (fill was still bottom of neck). Cut the foil, and sure enough there was tons of funky looking white mold atop the cork. Inspected the other 5 bottles I have and all of them seem to have fine foils that actually rotate still. The cork on this one came out cleanly, but was quite spongy and saturated throughout. Tried a sip and it didn't seem noticeably flawed, so threw it in the decanter for two and a half hours. As of now: Erica pinned the aroma, it smells like an old library book! Also, light dark chocolate and light green bell pepper. Some very faded fruit on the palate, the wet library book, a hint of maple syrup, and some spiciness building. A big hit of spice, ala bell peppers on the finish. This is what mainly lingers, but there's also dark chocolate and perhaps Worcestershire sauce. The finish sticks around on my palate for up to a minute and I really appreciate its flavors. Definitely mature, and very smooth, but I was expecting a bit more exuberance from the other notes here. I'm betting the bottle isn't in prime form, even if there are no "flaws." This mellowed out and lost some complexity after a few additional hours... Looking forward to the other bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
there's a lot of life left here. Garnet red with a brickish rim, as expected. The nose is delicate with cabernet and floral notes. The acid structure is prominent on the finish at first, but the fruit emerges with time after opening. Medium bodied, gentle faded fruit on the palate. No reason to wait to open this up as I suspect it is past its prime, but ir's still a nice bottle considering its age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cork practically dropped into the bottle. Undrinkable levels of VA, label looked like it had been scanned and stuck on, though cork was suitably crumbly and soft enough to be pushed into the wine. Not enjoyed!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Amazing to taste a 30 year old birth year bordeaux. Tannins still very much in tact, but smooth as can be. Brownish color because of age, but solid flavor and finish. Still has some years on it for my last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A translucent ruby red color. The nose is sweet, with dried cherries, autumn leaves, and sage. Some sweetness also on the palate, dried fruits, hints of tobacco leaves, sappy. Still some tannins showing at times, but a very pleasant finish. The wine kept improving over the 3 1/2 hours we drank the bottle, revealing more sweet cabernet fruit. Perhaps not the most complex wine, but compelling nonetheless. Holding up very well for a 30 year old wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The oldest wine I have drank. Very funky nose and initially almost briny on the palate. I thought this was past it's prime but after some time it opened up into a complex array of dusty fruit and tobacco. Still not sure if it would be considered drinkable by seasoned Bordeaux drinkers, but damn it tasted good to me!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From double-magnum, clearly a well-cellared example with top-shoulder fill, a strong, springy cork, and a bright ruby color. Tannin totally resolved, making this smooth as butter to drink now, with a pretty but soft bouquet suggesting mossiness and sandalwood.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This Magnum had the smell of cassis ,raspberries, strawberries, leather, stable, old leaves in the autumn.....Mmmmm wonderful. The taste was at first a bit tannic but it integrated after 5 minutes. It was a very harmonious taste, not too much fruit, not too much of anything...Just that smile on everones face and the bottle dissapeared quickly!!!! Good!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
as a psychic, able to hear the genie inside the bottle speaking, i wish to inform- "the report of my demise is premature". when will the wine critics be held to task for not going back and re-visiting wines which they have declared to be moribund to see what is happening with them. even people in comas wake up now and then- which shows that the professionals are not always correct in their pronouncements.
this bottle had earth particles under the capsule which smelled like truffles. the cork was slightly loose and fully saturated. extraction left cork intact with small crack at the base.
the bouqet filled the glass and the room with perfume indicating that this was undeniably brane.
color was vibrant with no browning and no thinning at the edge. legs observed on the wall of the glass.
the wine was delicate making it difficult to provide metaphors for the fruit. if forced, would mention raspberries which is consistent with the color.
at first, the tannins appeared fully resolved. then they began to dominate somewhat. after 15 minutes, fruit and tannins came into beautiful balance. the fruit remained full and appreciable throughout. at the end, the dregs take over.
our love affair with brane continues unabated. glad we have more to look forward to although this vintage will need consuming over the next year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
4/12/2024 - VAGentleman wrote: 93 Points
Drinking elegantly. Shimmering currant with tobacco and leather notes. Funk burned off very quickly. Light for Margaux but more refined fruit as breathed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2023 - jviz wrote: 92 Points
Rustic, with fading fruit but still very much alive. It has that underripe green stem note. That is the calling card of 1978 to my palate. Firm acidity but a cool old wine. Like your 60 year old wiry uncle who isn’t in great shape but you know will be hanging around for a bit longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/3/2023 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 93 Points
A bit of a surprise as the auction house noted this unmarked label as a '75, but it was clearly a '78 after pulling the cork. This was a fantastic mature Bordeaux. Showed tobacco leaf cedar and eucalyptus notes. Compared to the '82 on the same night this had more depth, with a cedar spice and mint character noted through the palate and finish. While not as plump on the mid palate, had more complexity. Wine of the night for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2023 - GhengisTron wrote: 92 Points
Birthday wine.
Hint of vinegar on opening that blew off in a few minutes.
Nose: Smoke, leather, mushroom, porcini, blue cheese. No fruit.
Palate:
Medium acid
Medium tannin
Structure seemed younger than 45 years (wish i could say the same hah).
paired
Black fruit, blackberry, black cherry, black current, cracked pepper, green pepper, tertiary leather, mushroom,
Paired well with lamb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2023 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Commanderie de Bordeaux: Spring Parlement - Chateau Brane-Cantenac (Minneapolis Club, Mpls, MN): Drak red color. Doubled decated for 10 minutes then recorked; drank a glass over 45 minutes. Pencil, slightly herbal, dried roses, subtle green pepper, cassis and mushroom on the nose. The palate shows a smoky pencil character, dried earth and mushroom, cassis, raspberry, very suave, medium bodied plus though a little thinner mid palate with integrated tannins. I really enjoyed this myself with only the '00 edging it as my favorite of the vertical. Others felt the '89 took honors (there were 4 different bottles - so variation was likely present), though I found mine less compelling. Rank '00, '78, '89, '82.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2023 - AlphaMikeFoxtrot Likes this wine: 91 Points
A scary moment when opened as there was a hint of vinegar and we thought the bottle was done. Luckily, that blew off after 20 minutes and the wine showed perfectly.
Intense smoke on the nose, almost like embers, followed by notes of dried mushrooms, old leather, dust, beets and blue cheese. No fruit at all on the nose. There is some fruit on the palate, however. A bit of blackberry, blackcherry and blackcurrant as well as fresh cracked black pepper, green bell pepper and the leathery/mushroom tertiary stuff from the nose. When paired with a lamb loin, the fruit on the palate got more intense.
Medium - acid and subtle, medium - tannins that are slowly resolving. In fact, the sturcture makes it seem younger then 45 years old (as do the flavors, once paired with food). Obviously this doesn't need any more time in the bottle; but it will probably show as it does right now for the next 2-4 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2022 - Fatty Cat wrote: 92 Points
Late Dec 2022: upper shoulder fill; upon opening cork broke in two pieces; clear crimson red color; bouquet of coffee and strawberries; delicate and elegant on the palate; no tannins left; light/medium body.
Classic mature claret.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2022 - pavel_p Likes this wine: 89 Points
Perfect bottle with bottom neck fill. Clean top of cork with only bottom half soaked. Clear garnet in the glass, and with barely any browning. Looks 10-15 years younger than what it is. Wood spices on the nose, the palate has still good medium weight and fruit concentration, smooth but with fair bit of green. Tannins fully integrated. Short finish.
While I cannot understand Neal Martins repeated 83 point ratings of this wine, I do find it relatively to the on paper inferior 1979 vintage slightly disappointing. Perhaps picked too early, or should have sorted a bit more carefully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2022 - Prinsen wrote: 93 Points
Amazing, still going strong
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2021 - chatters wrote:
Well this was a pleasant surprise...popped and poured...on the nose fruit tea, leather, smells fresh & juicy, touches of soy sauce, plums and earthy spice, a little cream...In the mouth it's softly engaging, more fruit tea, savoury and sweet spice, bit of a tannic whisper insinuating itself on the palate, touch of cigar box, cream here as well, very, very nice indeed. Another fantastic 78. Yum.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2021 - ParisWino Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is a wine that continues to sing. It's got ample fruit to quaff as a PnP but continued to drink nicely over the course of the evening with melanzane parmigiana and a small cheese plate. Red fruit, sous bois, mushrooms and tobacco on the nose, matched on the palate and with a nice spicy element on the finish that I couldn't quite place. Balanced acidity and soft tannins create a wine with a smooth mouthfeel. No traces of VA that would suggest this wine is in precipitous decline. I have purchased two 3-bottle lots of this wine at auction in recent years (for a fraction of current release prices) and have opened one bottle from each lot, both of which were excellent. I'll drink the rest over the next seven years (it may decline a bit, but I think this will still drink well enough on its 50th birthday).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/11/2021 - Hansvo Likes this wine: 95 Points
Previous reviewer stated "wow", and I have to whole-heartedly agree with him (hope it was a 'him'...). Drinking wonderfully, mature, but not a hint of fatigue. Actually quite full-bodied, my companions tagged it as Pauillac or St. Estephe. A joy....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
12/24/2020 - RockinCabs wrote: 93 Points
Nose: Wow. The perfume wafting off the glass hits you well before your nose gets in there. Bright cherry, sous bois, floral notes, kirsch, and porcini mushroom. Amazing coffee cake and molasses notes by the end of the night. Palate: Elegant and light in the mouth with a gorgeous inner mouth perfume. Bright red fruit, sous bois, blackberry and floral notes. Touches of treacle and umami lay in the background.
This is in a great spot and perhaps a bit past its apogee.
Enjoyed while wrapping Christmas gifts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2019 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
Deep color. Quite robust with some enduring fruit amongst the tertiary flavors. Decent energy. Left in the glass too long, it gets ashy. Nice surprise given the poor provenance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2019 - ParisWino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Based on the divergent recent reviews from Neil Martin and Cellartrackers, evidently this wine lives up to the maxim that there are no great wines, only great bottles. In any event my particular bottle (sourced recently from a French auction house and showing all the signs of a long slumber in a cool damp cellar, then stood up for more than a month) was a delight. Beautiful pale ruby robe; moderately expressive nose of earth, leather and some red fruit, as well a light floral note. On the palate the wine had a modest core of sweet cherry (not a marker I usually pick up in classic aged Bordeaux) with some plum notes, surrounded by fresh mushrooms and sous-bois. There was also a sense of violets which, combined with the rather lush mouthfeel, imparted a feminine impression (if you'll pardon the classically sexist terminology. Tannins are fully resolved but there is enough acidity on the finish -- just the barest hint of it volatile -- to refresh the palate. It was convincing as an AOC Marguax but if tasted blind could do justice to Harry Waugh's quip about the confusion of Bordeaux with Burgundy. A real treat and I'm glad to have a couple more bottles in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/28/2019 - Janstan wrote:
Gave away for Jeff's 40th
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/22/2018 - StantheLee Likes this wine: 94 Points
Gentle Elegance.
Ullage at high shoulder. Cork somewhat loose.
Decanted for 15 minutes. Initial nose was cardboard and dried flowers.
After 15 minutes fruit and subtle leather started to come through. This vintage retained a wonderful Margeaux elegance, though a bit muted if not powdery. Tannins were much diminished letting cherries, currents, and apple come through. Mostly fruit with a very soft finish and almost no alcohol or tannic bite, but still very lively.
This is not a big or bold wine, but one to be appreciated for its subtlety. We had it with a light pasta dish and it was perfect. Not domineering, but accommodating by enhancing everything it was paired with. A delightful bottle that belies some old "average" ratings. This vintage bloomed with age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2018 - Aleks Che Likes this wine: 95 Points
CHE95 Fantastic conditions! Bright shiny color, cedar, graphite, black currant, light tobacco leave, harmonic and very good balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2018 - RockinCabs wrote: 92 Points
Nose: Opened very funky, but a few hours of air allowed beautiful morello cherry and kirch notes to open up. Nice spring flowers and elegant perfume on this nose. Palate: Gained weight to deliver a solid wine with a core of red fruit and depth on the palate. Finish: Good length, but perhap lacking in some complexity.
For me this was as good as the best bottles of the 75 I have had, but just behind the 1966 in total quality.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2018 - otto60 Likes this wine: 91 Points
In a restaurant
Label gone, fill into neck, cork in 2pieces.
Rubin with brownish borders, healthy colour.
Nose typical with more secondary than tertiary notes.
Palate ok, quite light similar to my last encounter 20ys ago.
No flaw, some but little developement in glass.
As far as i know this wine- a perfect bottle.
Drink up
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2018 - Laurentcg wrote: 95 Points
Encore très en vie!
Nez sur le tertiaire, bois, terre, animal
Bouche qui contient encore du fruit, surtout cerises confites.
Finale longue
Toute en finesse, justesse, élégance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2017 - europat55 wrote: flawed
Very badly flawed... bummer!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2017 - ProperClaret Does not like this wine:
Just not enough left to give. Flavor was mostly sour cherries. VA starting to build to unacceptable levels. Even tertiary flavors have faded.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2017 - David J Cooper wrote: flawed
Corked.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2017 - Cliff Booth Likes this wine: 91 Points
PnP; 45 minutes for moldy hay funk to dissipate; beautiful garnet color, light strawberry, violet and cola nose. Mid-weight, well-balanced, plush, elegant berry/cherry fruit with slight tea and tarragon notes. A mature 39-year old still providing pleasure...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/5/2017 - Ary Likes this wine: 92 Points
Intriguing and entertaining nose with band-aid plaster, wet autumn leaves, raw chocolate, iron, leather and dust. Soft, velvety on the medium-bodied palate with a nice finish leaving coffee - and cocoa-dust notes. More than mature but still drinking well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2017 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 91 Points
This bottle seemed on an early downward trajectory (stored in a passive temperature controlled basement cellar), but still a fantastic experience. I think I'm pretty terrible at writing tasting notes, but in particular I have difficulty describing old wine (unless it's terrible). This had wonderful dusky notes that I associate with delicious old Bordeaux. Very little fruit on the palate. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2014 - NewFrenchClaret Likes this wine: 87 Points
Good, but not my favorite '78. Condition all seems good, but nose very muted. 2-3 hours air helps, but it's still subtle to the point of weakness. What there is is nice- a few minor Worcester Sauce notes. Tastes much the same really; nice enough but restrained to the point of being boring.
Generally I love this vintage in Margaux and elsewhere in the Medoc, but this wine isn't up to scratch on this occasion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2014 - Prinsen wrote: 93 Points
Very good, complexity in smell and taste, fantastic wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2014 - europat55 wrote: 93 Points
Lovely, just lovely 36 yo Margaux!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2013 - Ary wrote: 92 Points
Bought this bottle based on the notes from David (see below). Complex, well delineated and attractive nose with iron, dust, chocolate, fresh-roasted coffee beans and truffle notes. Soft, velvety on the medium bodied palate. More than mature but still drinking well. Thanks David!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2013 - Prinsen wrote: 94 Points
Very well balanced, powerfull smell of old Margaux, long length, harmonic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2013 - McNeill wrote: 88 Points
Incredibly, still drinkable but at the end of its life. Some brown at the edges. After another 30 minutes notes of tobacco came through and it's depth came through. Would have been great about 3 years ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2013 - dzitt wrote: 91 Points
Clairement briqué. Nez typique vieux Bordeaux avec ses arômes évolués, mais d’une finesse qui me fait revenir au verre souvent. En bouche, belle acidité, une pointe de fruit rouge, un relent épices/bois et d’une bonne longueur. Possiblement passé son apogée, mais loin d’être fini. Excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2012 - Prinsen wrote: 94 Points
This is still going strong with lot of complexity, long lasting taste. Not many tanins left but it devellops and lives in the glass for at least 4 hours
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2012 - MJ_777 wrote: 93 Points
Better level than previous bottles, upper-top shoulder.
At the beginning, Horse stable on the nose, needed very long to develop, the last glass was the best after 2,5-3 hours decanting.
Other notes same than previous.
Decanted 1,5 hours. (to short, need at least 2,5 hours before starts drinking).
Drink now-2018. (at least)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2012 - MJ_777 wrote: 91 Points
Same notes as below, cannot wait to try one of my better level bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2012 - Prinsen wrote: 92 Points
Even though the filling was down on the shoulder B/C, the bottle was very good. Leather, tobacco, a little sweetnes, very powerfull taste lasting for 30 seconds or more. Devellops over the first hour very possitively and last for at least 4 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2012 - MJ_777 wrote: 91 Points
Not a perfect bottle, upper-mid shoulder. Color starts bricking on the rim.
After 10 minutes in the decanter, strawberries showing up.
Sweet fruit, earth and still some tannins on the palate, medium body and a short finish but a never ending aftertaste.
Decanted 90 minutes.
Drink now - 2017.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2012 - tennis wrote: 92 Points
I could purchase a case by auction at a rather low bid, probably because of the contempt of Robert Parker for the Branes of the 1960`s and 1970`s. The wine in to decant for one hour and a half.
If you start drinking immediately, you only will find sweetness without contours. The domination in taste is changing quite often: It starts with a bitter note, then the tannins are more remarkable,
later you are sure having discovered terroir-notes, thereon maybe fruity taste is obvious.... A very interesting oldie for which we have to have reverence. 92 points, because this winw is still going strong !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2012 - Prinsen wrote: 93 Points
Impressive wine, powerfull, complex nose, long lasting taste
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2011 - Nursing a Hangover wrote: 90 Points
So happy this was still viable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2011 - Prinsen wrote: 92 Points
very remarkable and powerfull smell of old margaux, very long lasting taste. the wine was on top for 5 hours after opening. still a good wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2011 - Pierre-Yves wrote: 88 Points
This was a quite interesting example to show how the wine can evolve quickly. It was a bit muted on hour 1 and at the end (4 hours), some unpleasant acidity came through. The best time was probably between 2 and 3 hours. Amazing aged color, translucent ruby. Cedar, black currant, tannin is pretty much gone, making it drinking so easy and smooth. Without noticing it's gone. It looks like it is dying though, not having much grit, that you could expect.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2011 - xtenson wrote: 88 Points
Seemed a bit vegetal, possibly past its prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2010 - gripNsip wrote: 94 Points
Served blind: Showing some age right off the bat, toasted cedar, creamy fruit, graphite on the nose. The palate is so gentle, full in the mouth yet elegant in it's approach, very soft fruit that shows some cedar and tartness moving into the finish. Resolved acids and tannins on the finish yet still enough to keep the wine in balance. Great length through the finish. This bottle was singing to me, an amazing and captivating wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2010 - tomandlu wrote: 91 Points
Mature Bordeaux at David's (David Paris's place): Beautiful nose of damp earth, beets, cedar shavings, spices and fruit. Ripe and mature on the palate with good fruit, balanced tannin and nice acidity. Moderate finish. Both the fragrance and the palate impression grew more complex and interesting over 3 hours. I thought this a '90 from Pauillac or St. Julien. What a revelation when the label was revealed! Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2010 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 92 Points
Blind Mature Bordeaux, 1966-1995 (My house): Slow-oxygenated for 5 hours before event. Nose shows some must, but in a pleasing way... very pleasing. I completely understand my dusty library book from my previous note. There's also some eucalyptus. Great palate, with still plenty of tannins, some apples, dusty fruits, and very nice acid. Really nice finish with great balance and beautiful structure. Again nice acid on the finish. The flavors here lingered for minutes after a sip and this was just beautifully integrated. A surprise to many when it was revealed, as it was in the top 3 for most everyone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2010 - ghnye wrote: 94 Points
Bottle appears to have been well cellared. Cork soaked through but came out easily, almost in one piece. Base neck fill. Immediately upon opening green pepper, iron, autumn leaves, ceder/pencil shavings. Initial impression was off putting. Over the next hour the initial nose integrated and more fruit flavors, red fruit primarily, came forward.However, the earthiness remained which I enjoyed. Great mouth feel, silky smooth. Long 90 second finish, red fruit flavors, some iron. Wonderful wine.Was at its peak about 3.5-4.5 hours after opening, became to come into its own at about 1-1.5 hours and seemed to start to fade at 5 hours or so. Had the opportunity to buy more than one and didn't and I am now kicking myself. This seems to have life left in it. By far the best $35 dollars I have spent on wine in a long long time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2009 - echya01 wrote: 88 Points
From a well cellared bottle. Cork was loose and very difficult to extract. Decanted, kept improving over a few hours. Deep red color, no sign of browning. Strong aroma: cedar, plum, currant. In the mouth: intense, complex and very long, dominated by licorice and bell pepper, with notes of sour cherry, lead pencil, and vanilla. Tannins are not fully integrated, but still balanced by the fruit, not unpleasant. This wine should last for a few years, but I'm not sure that the fruit will outlast the tannins. Very enjoyable now if you can get your hands on a well-preserved bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2009 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 91 Points
Noticed as I pulled this bottle that the foil seemed pretty locked in place, with perhaps signs of light seepage (fill was still bottom of neck). Cut the foil, and sure enough there was tons of funky looking white mold atop the cork. Inspected the other 5 bottles I have and all of them seem to have fine foils that actually rotate still. The cork on this one came out cleanly, but was quite spongy and saturated throughout. Tried a sip and it didn't seem noticeably flawed, so threw it in the decanter for two and a half hours. As of now: Erica pinned the aroma, it smells like an old library book! Also, light dark chocolate and light green bell pepper. Some very faded fruit on the palate, the wet library book, a hint of maple syrup, and some spiciness building. A big hit of spice, ala bell peppers on the finish. This is what mainly lingers, but there's also dark chocolate and perhaps Worcestershire sauce. The finish sticks around on my palate for up to a minute and I really appreciate its flavors. Definitely mature, and very smooth, but I was expecting a bit more exuberance from the other notes here. I'm betting the bottle isn't in prime form, even if there are no "flaws." This mellowed out and lost some complexity after a few additional hours... Looking forward to the other bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2009 - wilmette vino wrote: 89 Points
there's a lot of life left here. Garnet red with a brickish rim, as expected. The nose is delicate with cabernet and floral notes. The acid structure is prominent on the finish at first, but the fruit emerges with time after opening. Medium bodied, gentle faded fruit on the palate. No reason to wait to open this up as I suspect it is past its prime, but ir's still a nice bottle considering its age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2008 - mrm27 wrote: flawed
Cork practically dropped into the bottle. Undrinkable levels of VA, label looked like it had been scanned and stuck on, though cork was suitably crumbly and soft enough to be pushed into the wine. Not enjoyed!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2008 - davergny wrote: 93 Points
Similar to previous bottle. More cedar on the nose. Classy wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2008 - rmsanz wrote: 92 Points
Amazing to taste a 30 year old birth year bordeaux. Tannins still very much in tact, but smooth as can be. Brownish color because of age, but solid flavor and finish. Still has some years on it for my last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2008 - davergny wrote: 93 Points
A translucent ruby red color. The nose is sweet, with dried cherries, autumn leaves, and sage. Some sweetness also on the palate, dried fruits, hints of tobacco leaves, sappy. Still some tannins showing at times, but a very pleasant finish. The wine kept improving over the 3 1/2 hours we drank the bottle, revealing more sweet cabernet fruit. Perhaps not the most complex wine, but compelling nonetheless. Holding up very well for a 30 year old wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2008 - socalkid wrote: 92 Points
The oldest wine I have drank. Very funky nose and initially almost briny on the palate. I thought this was past it's prime but after some time it opened up into a complex array of dusty fruit and tobacco. Still not sure if it would be considered drinkable by seasoned Bordeaux drinkers, but damn it tasted good to me!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2007 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 90 Points
From double-magnum, clearly a well-cellared example with top-shoulder fill, a strong, springy cork, and a bright ruby color. Tannin totally resolved, making this smooth as butter to drink now, with a pretty but soft bouquet suggesting mossiness and sandalwood.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/3/2007 - abh wrote:
Excellent. Full, lots of leather and cedar, still some backbone and structure. in good condition and plenty of life left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2006 - Deadheadno1 wrote: 93 Points
This Magnum had the smell of cassis ,raspberries, strawberries, leather, stable, old leaves in the autumn.....Mmmmm wonderful. The taste was at first a bit tannic but it integrated after 5 minutes. It was a very harmonious taste, not too much fruit, not too much of anything...Just that smile on everones face and the bottle dissapeared quickly!!!! Good!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2005 - bacchus wrote: 90 Points
as a psychic, able to hear the genie inside the bottle speaking, i wish to inform- "the report of my demise is premature". when will the wine critics be held to task for not going back and re-visiting wines which they have declared to be moribund to see what is happening with them. even people in comas wake up now and then- which shows that the professionals are not always correct in their pronouncements.
this bottle had earth particles under the capsule which smelled like truffles. the cork was slightly loose and fully saturated. extraction left cork intact with small crack at the base.
the bouqet filled the glass and the room with perfume indicating that this was undeniably brane.
color was vibrant with no browning and no thinning at the edge. legs observed on the wall of the glass.
the wine was delicate making it difficult to provide metaphors for the fruit. if forced, would mention raspberries which is consistent with the color.
at first, the tannins appeared fully resolved. then they began to dominate somewhat. after 15 minutes, fruit and tannins came into beautiful balance. the fruit remained full and appreciable throughout. at the end, the dregs take over.
our love affair with brane continues unabated. glad we have more to look forward to although this vintage will need consuming over the next year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment