Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

In the heart of the Chianti lies Estate of Sette Ponti, 15 miles northwest of the city of Arezzo, past village of San Giustino Valdarno. Has 10% Merlot, aged in French Allier barriques, deep Ruby with red fruit aromas and floral notes. On the palate blackberry, plum and cherry flavors with blossom notes, spice and fine integrated tannins. Good balance, long finish ending with some oak and mineral tones. Nice! Will age a bit! Tasting well now! — a month ago

Jack Goldenberg

9.6

On the eve of Linda’s 75th birthday we drank Margaux of the same vintage. The last time we tasted this wine was at its peak in 1988. I was pleasantly surprised that it was still delicious. Good fruit…past peak, but amazing at 75! — 3 years ago

with Linda and Rachel

David Nicewicz

9.3

Birth year Bordeaux and this has been excellent. Very old school nose of copious tobacco, forest floor and dark berries. Medium bodied but gaining intensity over the course of 2 h - tannins completely melted. Bricking is apparent on first pour but the color grows darker with time. Perfect bottle that is a little past it’s prime but fun to step back in time. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.2

Dark tawny, opaque. Nice meaty nose with notes of black fruit, moist dark soil, some menthol and some slate stone. Soft and delicate in the mouth, with no tannins or rough edges. This is at peak or just a bit past... but a nice drinker right now. Good effort for the vintage. — 4 years ago

Pooneet K

9.2

13.9% 1995 Caymus - wasn’t sure what to expect, this is drinking beautifully. A window into a past era of Napa in a great way. — 3 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Pair of 19s on our last night in Vail that will need a lot more time. No corkage allowed so all of the wines shown the past few days were off their lists. — 2 years ago

Conrad Green

9.5

A little ‘pffst’ as it opens. This is past the vigorous stage. A lovely gold color with hints of amber. On the nose some brioche, caramel, dried apricots. On the palate some hazelnut and a low hum of salinity. This is certainly mature with mid fizz level and some really lovely deep flavors. Long and complex. Drinking beautifully if you like the mature style.... with some time in glass there’s more minerality coming through and a distinct taste of oyster shells. Delicious — 4 years ago

with Bex and David

Adam Kincaid

9.2

Birthday year wine for me. So far, I’ve aged better than this bottle but it’s close! The ‘88 is slightly past its prime but still worth tasting. In the garden of earthly delights - dried figs, plums, dates, and mushrooms. Some peat and chocolate. Plenty of spice. Very fun. Happy birthday to me! — 6 months ago

with Jillian

Simon Gilligan

9.5

Amazingly found this bottle at rustic pizza, Clare Valley at a $130. Thought this might be our only chance to drink a Wendouree so grabbed it. Beautifully fresh fruited, lovely balance, crisp acidity, medium bodied. Black/red fruited with violet highlights, spice, earth, eucalypt, silky dry tannin. The longer we sat with it the leather and tannin became quite firm, perhaps overwhelming some of the earlier fruit flavours. Drunk too young but still memorable. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

The wife is making fish so I oblige with this pull. Amber gold, a bit darker than past bottles of this which I’ve had several times. Viscous and heavy in the glass. A nice nose, it doesn’t appear to come across as old on the first smells. Notes of apricot, white stone, some spice and a little citrus. Great acidity and texture in the mouth. With a few hours of air it even gets a bit chewy and more powerful in its impact. Great showing for the color. — 4 years ago