Drank at Lure Fishbar in Soho for DB#1's 65th. Quite generous nose of plums, blackberry, cedar and leather. Dark ruby core with some slight bricking at the edges, still on the inky black side in the glass. Palate of this quite masculine wine shows plenty of meat on the bone--red and black fruit, graphite, touches of earthiness, cedar and forest floor. Tannins are mostly resolved, and there remain hints of vanilla and oak--remnants of when this was a baby blockbuster way back when... (Note: I did not decant for fear the wine wouldn't hold up, but I was quite mistaken. The wine improved immeasurably over time such that by the time the bottle had emptied, everyone--including our Somm--was quite disappointed that this lovely had gone so quickly). A wonderfully delicious wine that has maintained its high level of greatness. Pretty much certainly one of the best bordeaux blends you can find outside of the left bank. Alas, I am saddened to think this was my last of the wonderful 1999 vintage, but it was imbibed for a very good occasion--even if my buds didn't recognize or appreciate what they were drinking (the Som did, however...)
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Cellared since release in 2001. Enjoyed on September 18, 2023 with dinner after it was opened and placed in decanter, drinking it over the next two and a half hours. The glass revealed a purple core, surrounded by deep crimson with slight browning at the rim. The nose featured black fruit and tobacco. The wine seemed a bit closed initially, but within 15 minutes it opened to reveal lush cassis fruit that was deep, and pure. The tannins were integrated and soft, and the wine had an enjoyable textural mouth feel along with a definite “grip” to go along with a 20 second finish. It is a beautifully aged California Meritage with five to seven years of enjoyable drinking life ahead.
94 points.
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11/8/2023 - lesz wrote: 93 Points
part of veryical tasting
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10/2/2023 - cephomer Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank at Lure Fishbar in Soho for DB#1's 65th. Quite generous nose of plums, blackberry, cedar and leather. Dark ruby core with some slight bricking at the edges, still on the inky black side in the glass. Palate of this quite masculine wine shows plenty of meat on the bone--red and black fruit, graphite, touches of earthiness, cedar and forest floor. Tannins are mostly resolved, and there remain hints of vanilla and oak--remnants of when this was a baby blockbuster way back when...
(Note: I did not decant for fear the wine wouldn't hold up, but I was quite mistaken. The wine improved immeasurably over time such that by the time the bottle had emptied, everyone--including our Somm--was quite disappointed that this lovely had gone so quickly). A wonderfully delicious wine that has maintained its high level of greatness. Pretty much certainly one of the best bordeaux blends you can find outside of the left bank.
Alas, I am saddened to think this was my last of the wonderful 1999 vintage, but it was imbibed for a very good occasion--even if my buds didn't recognize or appreciate what they were drinking (the Som did, however...)
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9/21/2023 - PITT Wine Guy Likes this wine: 94 Points
1999 Joseph Phelps Insignia
Cellared since release in 2001.
Enjoyed on September 18, 2023 with dinner after it was opened and placed in decanter, drinking it over the next two and a half hours.
The glass revealed a purple core, surrounded by deep crimson with slight browning at the rim. The nose featured black fruit and tobacco. The wine seemed a bit closed initially, but within 15 minutes it opened to reveal lush cassis fruit that was deep, and pure. The tannins were integrated and soft, and the wine had an enjoyable textural mouth feel along with a definite “grip” to go along with a 20 second finish.
It is a beautifully aged California Meritage with five to seven years of enjoyable drinking life ahead.
94 points.
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9/16/2023 - Jhalpern27 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Still alive and kicking, definitely ready to drink but can also go longer in the cellar. Very enjoyable now though.
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7/28/2023 - Rieslingfan wrote:
Error
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