Pinotman /// Andreas

9.6

Like a Burgh - no difference. Franken Pinot (FP). Schlepped this all the way from this super remote winery my 2nd bottle. Stumbled onto this wine because Jancis Robinson recommended this (after all she used to be the Sommelier of the Queen of England). Suitcase import. 13.5% world class - really. Roses on the nose. In the glass faint cherries, blackberries, elderberry (just bought a plant we used to make jam), red currants. Back palate hard to define Za'atar (the plant) - Screw Cap (a strange choice for such quality juice). I know this wine is inaccessible for most folks on this website - sorry. But Franken is a very interesting wine region. The soil is by the way limestone - so it is classic for Pinot. I walked the vineyards - very off the beaten path - even for Germany. — 2 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Scarlet tawny color, opaque with thin rims. Nice nose with notes of red fruit, cedar desk, dusty earth, mocha, leather saddle and some spices. Good structure with softened but present tannins. Has a nice richness to it. Guessed 86 Cos. This is better than most previous samples I’ve had of this. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Dark scarlet color. Opaque. Nice aged cab nose. Notes of black cherry, plum, leather saddle, herbs, sweet balsamic vinegar and cigar box. Rich and powerful in the mouth. Needed all of its 5 hours of decant time to open up. Very nice but just a slight step below the 90 Cos next to it. — 4 years ago

Elle Scorcho

9.2

Smoke, tar, licorice, ripe berries, plum, subtle cinnamon sticks, and mocha throughout. Thin bodied and light, but so flavorful. — 6 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Deep scarlet color, almost opaque. Sweet fruit nose. Notes of red and black fruit, spice, some wood and moist dark earth. Has great complexity in the mouth. Awesome juice, but this bottle of the 61 did not reach the superlative heights of others we've had of this. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Popped decanted and poured. Dark scarlet color. Almost opaque. Notes of dark red fruit, some mocha and tobacco, some cassis and a nice spice. Great balance of fruit and structure. Tannins mostly resolved. Good finish. Seems to be in a good drinking window. Give it more air than we got. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Mostly scarlet in color, translucent and regal. Deep nose. Notes of black cherry, blueberries, dried cranberries, some cool slate stone and some pepper. Rich and long in the mouth. Tannins fully resolved and integrated. Really nice for the vintage. In a great drinking window. — 4 years ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.4

Boxing day treat with the wife. Pretty much the quintessential "claret." Maybe slightly faded now and on a slow path away from excellent but still lots to enjoy and i love drinking a wine with some history! Had the Lafite from the same vintage and that was slightly more my taste. Paired amazing with roast pheasant. — 2 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Bright scarlet color, mostly translucent. Red fruit, gravel stone, spice, dark earth, some tobacco and some leather. Fruit is somewhat faded but still present. I think the 85 LB is moving towards being past peak, but still delivers a nice old world experience. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Deep scarlet color. Almost opaque. Exotic nose. Notes of black fruit, blueberries, slate stone, some menthol and some cranberry. Tight at first but with 4 hours of air this blossomed. Very rich. Finish last forever. But the nose on this thing is@most memorable. Great juice! — 4 years ago