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. — 4 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Man. I love this winemaker.

Nose is smoke and dark fruit. It’s like a warm hug from your best friend Who’s wearing a sweater.

So comforting.

As it opens you get dried roses. Library book. Amazing.

Palate is dark cherry but in a light way. Still fresh. Elegant.

Man. Such a great winemaker.

Bought from fass selections — 3 years ago

JKT

9.1

Indeed still a lively lovely old Riesling from Haubs-Barzen library release via JR, as previously noted. Color not as dark as non library wines. Wasn’t expecting a Kab can age so long and so well. Perfect for hot pot Birthday dinner for Evan. Yum. — 3 years ago

L Guerci

9.2

Always wonderful — 8 months ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Smooth. Probably the best and most descriptive term for this wine. A whole bouquet of flavors with slight cherry, dark berries, limited spices and more. An excellent wine and part of an excellent list. If you are ever in Estes Park CO, please go to Bird & Jim for the most complete dining experience. — 2 years ago

K L

9.2

This library case was a great purchase. Excellent for the money and drinking smooth. — 3 years ago

with Matt

JKT

9.2

Balance fineness and an almost velvety texture. Earthy plummy cherry notes with long finish. Yum. JR library special in 2016. One left? — 4 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Big stones, earthy, mineral, darker red currants diverging on black. Smells more angular which is the vintage for sure. Lots of herbs. Huge minty and floral. It’s very grapey but also very dusty. Gorgeous nose but def younger than the 11. Stunning though. Mushrooms on the nose. The tannins are much bigger and substantial. Juicy and clean. Needs mega air. This really came together after air. Big structure and that Margaux finesse. Amazing fruit and such an old library effect on the nose. Phenomenal. — a year ago

David Nicewicz

9.8

Truly a memorable wine experience for this perfectly stored Sassicaia. The perfume on this wine was mesmerizing - Licorice, old library, tobacco leaves, leather and spice with a touch of cassis. I nosed it for 10 min before even tasting it (praying to the wine gods that the wine was intact) - perfection on the nose in my book. The palate lived up to the nose and perfectly reflected the notes with an added touch of dried roses and a hint of graphite. Why not a 10? The finish was a tad short, but I’m splitting hairs - I bought two more bottles of this from the amazing restaurant we ate at - La Caravella - in Amalfi. An outstanding restaurant, rich history (including a 1000 year old wine cellar with 20k bottles of wine which the staff graciously offered for me to tour) and lovely chef. A must visit for any wine/food geek if you’re on the Amalfi Coast. — 3 years ago

K L

9.3

Balanced with earth and cherry. Definitely still cherry forward but more developed. A nice get from the library mystery box — 3 years ago

with Matt