Norman

9.5

I will start by saying that Hillside Select is a great wine and suggesting otherwise sounds rediculous. That said I was hoping for more punch here and I think the 13yrs just tamed it more than I expected. It just seemed a bit muted to me and while I gave it some time/air it didn’t really open up that much more. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Something for my Wagyu Burger.

I do enjoy this producers style/craft. Also, enjoy the elegance of St. Julien. 2012 is a vintage Sofia & 1 worked harvest at Clerc Milon. So, the 2012 vintage will always be a special vintage for me, even if it was only one that was good to very good for the right terroirs and producers. Just wasn’t special like; 00, 05, 09, 10, 16 or 19 etc..

Having said all that, this Ducru is not the 2012 star of the region. It’s elegant but falls short on depth, character & umpf, which are things I have grown to expect and have experienced from this producer in many vintages.

The palate shows, soft, round & velvety M-M+ tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some of both plums, slightly baked strawberries & circling raspberries. Slightly dry tobacco w/ ash, soft leather, sandalwood, mid, dark, rounded spice, nutmeg, clove, some cinnamon & vanillin, dark most earth with clay & dry leaves, herbaceous notes, very soft & elegant graphite, a touch of of mid berry cola/licorice, dark withering flowers, red roses, nice acidity with nicely balance, good tension/structured, elegant finish that last nearly two minutes and long sets on rounded dark spice.

@EmiratesLoungeDubai — 8 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

What a wine and did not show it’s 43 year age at all. The color was very dark with no brick edge. The nose was a bit subdued but had the typical berries, herbs and meat notes that carried over to a very tasty wine. The finish was okay not super long but long enough.

I started buying Beaucastel maybe a few years before this 1978 vintage and in Parker’s reviews of the 1978 vintage was a consistent hold but he did change his mind years down the road and said it was over the hill; well not by a long shot. I constantly purchased 2 or 3 bottle of every vintage till the price was out on my reach in 2001. I also had visited the winery in about 1990. The real kicker with this vintage is the current price estimates of $150 to about $250, current vintages run $80+ and I purchased this bottle for $11.99.
— 4 years ago

with Matt and Barbara

Bob McDonald

9.7

Very dark Ruby in colour, particularly for a 20 year old red wine. Classic Margaret River Cabernet from a great vintage. Herbaceous with mulberry and dark berry aromas. Cedary. Dense on the palate - gorgeous mouth feel - Barb said viscous. Tannins largely resolved. As good as 20 year old Australian Cabernet gets and it would go on for another 5 to 10 years. Wish I had more. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon; 3% Cabernet Franc; 4% Petit Verdot. — 5 years ago

Mike R

9.7

My WOTN and @Bill Bender said it all thanks bill and @David L for being part of an amazing night — 7 years ago

with David and Bill

Katelin

9.0

Love. The aroma smells like notes of briny olives. Tannic but still smooth. — 4 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Wonderful spice and acidity, wears its 14% well. Excellent with deep dish pizza — 6 months ago

Ericsson

9.4

Probably said this before: pound for pound this is the best Napa Cab out there. This vintage specifically is riveting: bright dark fruit with incredible acidity and depth on the palate. Balanced, round tannins, medium alcohol and notes of fig and cedar on the medium plus finish. Yup, hats of to this pretty little dear in 2020. — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2002 vintage.Tasted at the Château, showing very well at 4 pm The person who opened the bottle said it was closed in the beginning, she double-decanted in the morning. A beautiful Lafite from a forgotten vintage, elegant, profound and very long. — 3 years ago

Dan Michael

9.2

Another spot on wine from Morgan, I love the back label story about his grandmother passing along the love of wine in their family. Grenache is so much about how it is grown, and the sourcing for this wine delivers great fruit. The winemaking is restrained which lets the fruit shine thru. What a lock with our Applewood smoked baby back ribs! — 5 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.1

This was quite good - and better than the 2013 Moon, which I’m pretty sure received a higher rating. Probably just past peak, however, so I wouldn’t advise hanging on to this one much longer. — 6 years ago

with Vanessa

Matt

9.5

The perceived ripeness of fruit and level of suave tannin here was surprising to me. An 88’ a couple of years ago was so elegant and finessed where this showed a surprising level of concentration. That said, beautifully mature wine, its tannins have softened immensely and wrap the mouth, silky and soft. To tertiary, earth driven, behind a bit of dried berry, currant, and plum fruit laid pipe tobacco, peat, pipe smoke, dusty earth, dried flowers, worn leather. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

The Drinking Window experts say I should drink my last 2008 Art Series Chardonnay. Delicious as always with a timeless feel about it and the thumbprint of luscious stone fruit and pear. The 2016 was just released and reviewed by Ray Jordan who is a WA Wine expert who gave it 99+ points. He said he gave the 2015 99 points yet the 2016 is a better wine and given he doesn’t give 100 he then had to give the 2016 99+ points. The 2008 is drinking beautifully. Could go on short term but why bother. — 7 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2020 vintage. With @Beth Novak . Decanted and tasted after one hour. Medium body. Nose practically leapt out of the glass with plenty to discuss. Flavors a bit more subdued but definitely present. Just enough back-end, tannic presence to hold court. This should be absolute dynamite in 3-5 years. Initial visit a bit over two years ago (9.5) and was more explosive but will cede that to the last impression getting more air time. Said then that this was my fave since the 1991 vintage and sticking by that. 1.2.26. — 6 months ago

carl thornblade

9.0

A little green in flavor (as in unripe), too acidic, but had some elements of tropical fruit, just not full and ripe. Has potential but not the best. — 2 years ago

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

9.3

One of my favorite years. Enough said. — 3 years ago

with Daniel and Michael

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.8

Big year. Not perfect but close, nothing new to be said about these wines, just happy to enjoy it once in a while. — 4 years ago

Konstantin K

9.1

Not too dry — 5 years ago

Ruben Lozano

9.2

2021 welcome — 5 years ago

Billy L.

10

🎂Birthday Wine 🍾🥂👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Best Champagne I’ve ever enjoyed!
“The Hype” is deserved! Believe the Winemaker, Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon-Chef de Cave of Louis Roederer since 1999 has said 2008 is his greatest Cristal to date! Seek out, cellar & consume all you can! Cheers, 🍾🥂 — 7 years ago