Jay Kline

9.2

Opened with the assistance of a Durand and decanted about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1981 Rubicon pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a combination of dried, ripe and tart, red and black fruits: mixed brambles, red and black currants, black cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, old leather, dried flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, minerals and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+ and sanguine. A rather remarkable ‘81 that seems almost evergreen when considering the color and condition of the fruit. In fact, it seemed to gain energy with air. Impressive. Drink now with a short decant and through 2041. — 12 days ago

Michael Gustafson

9.0

Peppery for me. I liked it. Bunny thought too grainy. Didn’t Ike it. At Atlas ATL — 16 days ago

with Guisela

Inseon Hwang

9.2

Black cherries and blackberries, balanced tannins and structure, minerals, slight graphite. — a month ago

William Brouwer

9.0

Enjoying this oaky, chocolate, great tannins with my brothers in Visalia. — 11 days ago

Joel Lara

9.3

Nicely balanced with fresh acidity and soft tannins that leave a slight dryness on the finish. Notes of cassis, raspberries, blackberries, and bitter chocolate on the palate with underlying hints of cloves, pepper, and black olives. Lovely, persistent finish. Went really well with dry-aged ribeye. — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.3

hour decant(decent sediment).  A still dark garnet with bricking.   On the nose:  subtle notes of dark fruit, licorice, tobacco, forest floor, herbaceous, olive brine, mocha java.  Taste:  silky, layered, creamy wine with blackberry/dark plum, tobacco, baking spice, mocha java, earth, minerals, dried herbs and a long dry finish.  YUM!! — 21 days ago

Lauren Young

9.3

Needs decanting, — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(lots of chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: subtle notes of dark fruit, sandalwood, potting soil, milk chocolate, floral. Taste: velvety, layered, concentrated mouthcoating wine with blackberry/blueberry, loamy soil, graphite, smoke, pepper, and a minerally dark chocolate dry long finish. YUM! better than 5 years ago...it's Come Together as the Beatles would say. — 14 days ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.2

Decant and pour. An amazing still dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: subtle notes of dark fruit, worn leather, herbaceous, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: savory, silky, elegant wine with some dried cherry/red plum, currants, tobacco, spice, earth, coffee grounds and a medium plus finish. YUM!!! Drinking beautifully for its age on this rain for an hour cool afternoon in Napa. — 12 days ago

with Brenda

mike cust

8.9

Good but nothing great only buy the small bottles for mid week wines — 11 days ago