Ira Schwartz

9.2

#4-disgorged 2017, 2011 base
#5-disgorged 2016, 2010 base
#6-disgorged 2010, 2003 base
#7-disgorged 2008, 2001 base
#8-disgorged 2007, 2002 base
Amazing consistency, oxidative notes with apricots and apple cider. On the palate, green apples , sherry notes and citrus zest. What separated the bottles were the various levels of freshness. All were enjoyable but none had that “wow” factor. My rating is a composite. — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1989 vintage. Last tasted 3.28.24, 5.5.23, 4.4.23 and 12.9.22. Solid fill and cork. Recommended decanting but was denied. Mmkay. Eventually got clearance to decant after the bottle had been open for 1.25 hrs. Tasted after being open 5 mins, 45 mins and 2 hrs. Light-medium body throughout. Wine was funky and super tight initially. Had to talk a few of the “participants” down from their “this wine ain’t nothing” perch by telling them it needed at least an hour in the glass (since it hadn’t been decanted at that point). Wine threw expected sed on the decant. Started to loosen up at the 45 mins open stage and fairly exploded at the 2 hrs open (45 mins decanted) point. Dude that didn’t want to decant it gave me a wistful, regretful look at that point (since it blew the other 4 reds at the table away and was getting better) and it took waay too much willpower on my end not to say “Congrats on minimizing a fantastic wine experience, bro.” It wasn’t the best 1989 P-L specimen tasted semi-recently but feel this coulda delved into the 9.4 range without the unnecessary power trip from someone that didn’t even bring this wine to the shindig. Hopefully, this individual learned their lesson. 7.6.24. — a day ago

Tom Garland

9.3

2 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A stunning dark crimson color with little bricking. On the nose: expressive perfumed notes of dark red fruit, creme de cassis, mushrooms, floral, touch of stewed meat and cigar box. Taste: velvety, classy, fresh wine with red fruit, minerals, herbal, earth, pencil lead and a nice peppery cedar/leather medium plus finish. Sure, maybe not the depth/concentration of a classic vintage, but I can sniff/sip this wine all night. YUM! Happy Father's day to me. — 21 days ago

with Brenda

Jan de Weerd

8.9

Hmm. 🤔 wasn’t able to connect with this, expectingly great wine. Actually first direct out of the bottle it was promising. Strong oak notes with vibrant dark red fruit underneath it. But over the next hour, the oak flavors started to be integrated more but the acidity became very prominent and made the wine rather single note, diluted, lacking depth, acidic tasting. So needless to say. Disappointing experience. Maybe it was not the right day 🤔. — 5 days ago

with Tammy

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Yellow gold with copper hue, quite thin pale rim . Caramelised pineapple, saffron , vanilla , creme brûlée , quite rich and decadent. On the palate again quite rich , barley sugar , creme brûlée and saffron, just enough acidity to balance and a little alcoholic warmth . On the medium length finish , lemon rind and a touch of caramel . This is probably at peak now , just misses a little vibrancy , freshness, however successful for the vintage . Drink now and over the next 10- 15 years — 11 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened around 8pm the evening prior, double decanted and left in room temperature until service on Friday evening. In total, this was opened 24hours before service. The 1995 pours a beautiful garnet with transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate stating of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with surprisingly boozy dark fruit. Brambles, cassis, bell pepper, licorice, spearmint and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with great acidity. Overall, remarkably youthful. While it’s certainly ready to go, it will likely continue some positive evolution over the next couple of decades. Drink now with a long decant through 2045. — 13 days ago

Alan Weinberg

9.5

an old Costco buy at $84. Just the best bottle I’ve ever had of this wine. Amazing. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

This bottle was a library release from the Chave cellars. Decanted about an hour prior to service (but could have benefited from more time) and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2001 Chave rouge pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of charred blueberry pie, mushrooms, scorched earth, grilled meat, coffee, black pepper and soft baking 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 super complex. With more and more air, this really came into its own. Totally Chave. Totally Hermitage. Totally awesome. Drink now with a little patience and through 2041. — a day ago

Stephen F Laga MD

9.6

Saved in my cellar since purchasing it about 24 years ago. Deep purple color. Sooo smooth and silky. Some earthy tastes with tobacco flavors. No aftertaste. Just a little piece of heaven. 1990 vintage. — 8 days ago

Ericsson

9.7

What a wine! Perfect garnet color. Smells of clean stables, roses, dry orange peel, herbs and stone. The wine softly coats the palate with vibrant red fruit and a symphony of acidity and balance that just envelope. Amazing wine. — 3 days ago