Doug Powers

9.3

Great color, still very youthful at age 25, this paired perfectly with some farm-raised elk loins we purchased in Reno 3 months ago that I grilled on the Weber, complex, long finish, really quite fine!! — 2 days ago

with Jim

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened 24 hours prior and decanted for sediment before returning to the bottle; enjoyed over the course of two days. The 1981 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart brambles and plums, green bell pepper, tobacco, leather, all of the decomposing earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, mostly integrated tannins with medium+ acid, borderline high. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Overall, a wine that is a reflection upon the vintage and at 43 years of age, that’s a big compliment. The 1981 is very much alive and will likely live for a very long time. However, it is backward, rustic, and somewhat tough to love unless you’re an old-school masochist. But I’m guilty and this wine is charming despite all of its green character. Drink now and over the next 30 years probably. — 2 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.1

From a 1 liter bottle. Which frankly was marketing and sales genius by the Wanner’s.

Fruity. Sweet. Lots of oak. A bit better with some bottle age. Let this breathe for quite a bit.

Did not hold a candle to the Paul Hobbs LPV — 3 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Medium Ruby with quite wide garnet rim. More truffle , tobacco , violet , cassis and earthy notes. Takes a bit of time to get going and certainly shows a bit more age than the 2009. On the palate, more austere with dryer tannin than the 2009 , but very well balanced and classic in style . Cassis, blackcurrant , tobacco graphite notes . Some dry spices too . Quite fresh acidity , and slightly gritty tannin. Long , saline, graphite tinged finish. This is showing some development , but will improve further over the next 5 possibly 10 years and hold well a further 5-10 — 5 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

It’s a night of consecutive first year decades, 90 & 80. Enjoyed in reverse order.

I had an 80 from Andy Beckstoffer’s cellar at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April 24 with Andy & Tor Kenward. This library bottle I bought recently at K&L is better than what I had a Pebble. Just look at the cork!

Glorious mouth entry. Juicy, perfect, ripe fruit that shows age but it is not missing a step. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark, juicy, poached strawberries, baked rhubarb mid, dark cherries, candied raspberries to raspberry pudding. Just a touch of v/a, chocolate pudding/fudge, mocha, caramel, light, soft, sun tea, softened baking spices- cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, some fresh & dry herbs, dark, rich soils with dry leaves, evolved, dark spices w/ some palate heat, dry top soil, limestone powder, hint of mint, with & fresh florals that are; dark, red, blue & liquid violets and lavender sprinkled in, perfect acidity and perfectly balanced, softly tensioned, knitted and a refined finish that lasts two-minutes.

This bottle is in a perfect spot & as good as it gets. Perfectly stored. It has another 5 years. Liquid, velvety tannins. One of the more perfect bottles I’ve had in 5-10 years.

Photos of, my tasting at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. The retail wine shop at Spanish Bay, Andy Beckstoffer & Tor Kenward. — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%) and Shiraz (49%). Dark Ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas and flavors of cassis, blueberry, eucalyptus, black licorice, bergamot, dark chocolate, violets and blackberry. Hint of roasted nuts on the expansive finish. Wonderful purity of fruit and a very soft texture for such a young wine. Incredibly well balanced. This wine will only improve with age. Taking @Bob McDonald’s advice and investing in more of this beautiful wine and laying them down in the cellar for a decade. A great example of how Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are fantastic blending partners. Thanking you so much Keith S for sharing this wonderful bottle with us. — 2 months ago

Ericsson

9.6

This bottle is bound to make any day that much better. It’s young but composed with ample elegance and perfect balance. A true gem, even at this age. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Light gold in color.

Nice crisp nose with limes and brioche.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity and small bubbles.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing citrus, yeast, minerals, bread, green apples, herbs, earth, lemon juice and white pepper.

Long finish, tasty and elegant.

This 16 year old still feels very young, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Rich and well balanced.

I love this vintage of Dom Perignon. Complex and interesting. I've had this vintage it a few times before, and it is very consistent.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food. Good stuff.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$350. — a month ago

WC Fields

9.3

Have tasted so many vintages of this and the quality and consistency is incredible. Having drank much older vintages too the structure and age ability is impressive. — 2 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.3

Young but polished and elegant. Red and black berries, tobacco leaf, soil and mushroom, American oak on the finish. This should integrate and deepen with age — 3 months ago