Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

At almost 25 years old still an infant. Needs considerable time in the glass to open up. Lead pencil and cedar box, pronounced but delicate tannins. Not yet at plateau. — 12 days ago

Sam Friedland

9.2

Very nice, needed time to open. Earth, leather. Somewhat subdued a little fruit — 15 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2001 vintage. Nice fill and great cork. Opened and decanted. Expected sed but fairly minimal compared to a Cabernet-based wine. Beguiling nose. Light-medium body that had dropped any extra fat long ago. Spiced plum definitely afoot. Tasted after 15 mins open, 1 hour open, 1.5 hrs open and 8 hrs open. Remarkably consistent. Likely another half-decade at this plateau before dropping down. 10.16.24. — a month ago

Scott Kahn

9.3

Wonderfully balanced wine; deep ruby in color, dark fruit and cedar notes on the palette and perfectly integrated tannins (after 1-2 hours to open!). Moderate acidity with a long fruit-centered finish. This wine is in its prime! — 4 months ago

Ming L

9.3

Quite approachable at this young age. 30 minutes decant and it’s open for business. Aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, sweet spices, cocoa, and lightly roasted nuts. The depth of flavors and elegant medium to full body show the pedigree. If blinded, I would not be able to tell this is a Sangiovese dominant blend. Would prefer a bit more acidity. But who am I to complain. — a day ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium ruby , garnet rim, touch of terracotta rim . Slightly dusty , animal touch , with leather , spicy and herbal , soy , iodine . On the palate quite strict , grafite , slightly more red fruit , cranberry , then blackcurrant and grafite . Slightly dusty dry tannins , balanced acidity . Slightly spicy , mineral , grafite tinged finish . This needs a bit of time to open but shows quite well , slightly herbal , and perhaps lacks a little charm , but is quite classic in style if not a great 1985. From now and over the next 10 years . On the night this was probably only ahead of the 1977 , and my least favourite of the 1980s vintages . — 25 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2000 vintage. Last tasted 9.25.23 (9.2) after 1.5 hours decanted. Popped and decanted this for lunch. Great fill and solid cork. Throwing a bit of sed but less than anticipated. Meh nose. Medium body initially. Started off on the rich side of the ledger but not plush. Had some smoothness afoot. Tasted after 45 mins open, 1.75 hours open and 8 hours open. First two were unspectacular. After lounging in the decanter 8 hours, wine had firmed up, thinned out, picked up plenty of secondary flavors and had that previously missing grip. If you're gonna open this during the holidays or anytime soon, do it very very early...otherwise, it'll be a total waste. Wine has miles to go. No rush to crush but just air it out in advance properly. 10.16.24. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Medium light lemon yellow colour . Quite open and fruit driven , lemon peel , touch of seashell and ripe apple . On the palate a bit more of the citrus fruits with some brioche and ripe apple , mineral tinged finish . Very fresh and vivid . Long mineral tinged , citrus peel finish . Showing pretty young, really fresh and fruit orientated. This is still very nice now , but will obviously benefit from further aging especially in magnum . From now on, but better in 5-10 years and will last well a further 10-15 — a day ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2013 vintage. Both excellent fill and cork. Decanted with infinitesimal sed. Slightly silvery color. Tasted after 1.5 and 2.5 hours open. Medium body. Nose slightly reticent during both tastes. Black tea and eucalyptus prominent first go round with both those still present but minimized second pass. Sprinkle in some cracked black pepper and white sage for round two and we have a winner. Finish lasted over a minute and the concentration was as expected given the decent street cred. No rush to crush but open waay early/decant this if enjoying in the next handful of years. 10.24.24. — a month ago

David Peifer

9.6

First night open: 20 year old vintage— chocolate on the nose with a stone fruit finish. Tasted clean and complex with an almost immediate light evaporation in your mouth leaving you with the feeling of bubbles dissolving. Delicious. — 2 months ago