Jay Kline

9.4

Opened several hours prior and decanted off sediment and a portion of the cork that had broke and crumbled before returning to the bottle. The 2007 “Howell Mountain” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and very slight rim variation. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of dark fruit: black currants, blackberries, tobacco, leather, earth and gentle spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. This is firing on all cylinders right now and the structure suggests the power of the 2007 vintage is not slowing down anytime soon. Drink now with a decant and through 2037 with ease. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.3

I never would have anticipated drinking my birth year of Cheval Blanc out of a Solo cup yet, here we are. The ‘81 is ruddy still; deep garnet color with some browning towards the rim and loads of sediment. The nose shows some of the telltale green-ness of vintage but everything has found harmony: the fruit has blossomed and structure has integrated. Dark fruited with tobacco, dried purple flowers, mushrooms, herbs and soft eastern spices. Charming! No particular rush to drink these but lovely now. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistently enjoyable throughout, but best after several hours of air and through Day 3. The wine pours, a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with expressive notes of ripe and dried cherry, plums, toasted coconut, fresh dill, cedar chest, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the fruit is much more tart. The finish is long and tangy. A textbook example of old-school Rioja. Lovely. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — a month ago

Ericsson

9.3

Yes, this is liquid luxury, on a pnp, young, and off vintage (fires). Can’t wait to try one with some years on it. — 10 days ago

Scott Kahn

9.4

Deep garnet in color and sous bois on the nose. Integrated black fruit, cedar, and graphite on the palette. Absolute and and pure “yuminess” to complement truffle fries in duck fat and a NY strip! — 6 days ago

Ivan Wolpert

9.0

Inky in color, jammy, big, plums, light no tannins. Not balanced but big. Steak tasting night at home — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Decant for sediment(lots of fine/cloudy sediment) and pour. A majestic tawny dark red color. On the nose: sweet port like with dried plum/cherry, herbaceous, rich soil, mushroom, pepper. Taste: Amazing! juicy, refined, balanced, savory wine with dried cherry, black raspberry, earth, tobacco, mint, and a nice mocha baking spice medium plus finish. YUM! Still delivering at 44 years, and glad to have a few more bottles. — a month ago

with Brenda

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!! — a day ago

with Jim

Ron Siegel

9.5

Amazing wine, so fresh at 63 yrs that kept developing in the glass with a deep, dark color, notes of berry, currant fruit, cedar, leather, earth, sweet spices, graphite & tobacco — 2 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

+1 hour decant(some fine/chunky sediment). A splendid crimson red color. On the nose: wonderful bouquet with plum, stewed meat, cassis, sweet tobacco, funky earth, leather. Taste: silky, finessed, balanced wine with red berries/plum, coffee grounds, cedar, tobacco, and a nice peppery pencil lead long finish. YUM! Pure class in a glass. — a month ago

with Brenda