Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

First of all Kudos to Ant Hill love the wax seal over cork! Deep Ruby with aromas of dark Berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus, floral and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry, tea, vanilla and herb tones, well balanced with acidity. Firm fine tannins on a long finish ending with fruit and floral herb character. Very nice! Will age well! — a month ago

Shuhui Ng

9.2

Straw yellow, medium bodied, nose full of passionfruit and lemon. Slightly oaky, mineral but also sweet. Love it! Very value for money — a year ago

Ron R

9.2

Haven’t had this for yonks as can’t afford it any more.
Love the tasting room in Napa. But for the money, I’m a little disappointed with this. Not plush or integrated. Mocha and cedar dominate. Good tannins and acidity. Give this more time, but not worth the $150 which I paid. — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

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

Ben Lehman

9.2

This is a really good vintage for the SP68. Reminds me of why I fell in love with this wine over a decade ago. The aromatics alone just made me smile — a year ago

Ivor

9.0

Love these Peps! So purely lemon, saline fresh and minerals all over the place. Years left! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Fall is here and it’s the season I love to drink port. Dow, producing Ports for over 2 centuries. One of the first to establish its own vineyards, acquiring Senhora da Ribeira, in the remote Upper Douro, in 1890 & Bomfim, in the heart of Alto Douro, in 1896. Aromas of ripe fruits, fragrant spices and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of candied apple and jammy blackberries with cacao and honey. Firm dusty tannins, good balance, long finish. Perfect now. Tasting Sample. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed a single glass from a bottle that had been opened for over an hour. The 2015 “Gravonia” pours a deep straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with charming oxidative notes of black lemon, honeydew, tumeric, and nuts. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with a sort of waxy texture. Distinctive and delicious. Damn, I love these wines. Drink now through 2035. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Just love this wine. Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and citrus scents. On the palate ripe apricot and peach flavors with honey lemon zest. Well balanced with pleasant acidity, finishing with mineral, honey and wet stone nuances on the medium ending. Very nice! Should improve over the next few years. Nice value! — a year ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 3 years ago