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. — 2 months ago

Willie Carter

8.9

A deep yellow, almost gold color. Lively effervescence with plenty of frothing and creaminess. The nose is pure excitement with a good bit of oak and robust apples initially here. There’s a nice smoky note going on that is so pleasing. Fresh red cherries and dainty flowers abound. The smear of honey that you get is positively divine.

A terrific grower from one of my favorite Grand Cru villages, Bouzy. Such lovely Pinot Noir from there and this is no exception. Based on the 2016 vintage and composed of 70/30 PN/CH. Disgorged in May of 2021 with a dosage of 1 g/l, there is certainly that beautiful bite that I love so much from these Extra Brut champagnes. A definite streak of elegance and sophistication.

In the mouth, there’s a heft and a weight that comes as a bit of surprise, but a pleasant one. The red fruits from the nose are well represented on the palate. The finish doesn’t last long but you rectify that by pouring another glass. Very impressive. — 2 years ago

ESF

9.3

Yeah yeah, I know this is not considered a great vintage, but this is a Cracking Claret! Leaner in style and not a verbose powerhouse, it still delivers an elegant rendition of traditional Pauillac flavors. The cherry was more like kirsch liqueur, the cassis, graphite, leather, gravel, tobacco, the bay leaf... all beautifully delineated and intense. The mid palate was polished to perfection. Tannins are sturdy enough but seamless & integrated. The finish persists and invites another drink. Got these on a great deal from K&L back in the day and glad I did! In a great drinking window right now. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2000 vintage. Never a fave L-B vintage as it has always seemed a little too much sizzle and not enuff steak. FF two decades and said wine is drinking more like a Napa cab vs a BDX. Chunky and in a state of transition (discombobulated) but still medium-heavy body after two+ decades. The 2005 is more affordable and drinking better, imho, currently. Will this effort will ever round into form for dedicated L-B fans going back to the 1985 vintage? Not tasting it. Storybook fill and cork. Decanted and tasted immediately, after 30 mins and after two hours. Aggressive sed. 7.3.24. — 3 months ago

Heather Robinson

9.0

HWT - I think it’s around $70? It was light and delicious, small bubbles, but a very nice flavor. — 8 months ago

Ali Copp

9.4

$15 total wine
This is our fav reisling with spicy food!
Easy to drink. Light peach to taste with mineral undertones. Sweeter side with a slightly dry finish — 3 years ago

gen

9.7

Very fruity but not sickly sweet. Goes well with a meal but just as pleasant by itself. Would definitely buy again — 3 years ago

Donald Williams

9.5

A lovely wine with our salmon entrée. — 5 months ago

with Bonnie

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

1986 vintage. Ripped through six bottles (one corked) for a 1986 BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. All bottles appropriately aged fill and decent+ corks. Double decanted and tasted over the course of 5 hours. Mix of powdery and stubborn (non-chunky) sed amongst the 6 bottles. Light-medium body throughout. Somewhat muted experience overall. None of the bottles (with variation) shone/sung. Wine is firmly on the downside of the bell curve with best days behind it (based on the 5 + corked bottle examples). There was none of the usual P-L flavor markers but the body hung in there. Pains me to say this but drink up now unless you've got a larger format bottle. Maggie (+) would probably yield a higher score. 3.14.24. — 7 months ago

John Jaye

9.1

A fine wine with lots of fruit and mineral aspects. Can still age a bit — 3 years ago