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 . — 9 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium deep ruby with ruby pink rim. Spicy cassis , dark blackberry , violets , red pepper. A touch herbaceous with tobacco and graphite. On the pallet, nice volume, ripe blackberry , dark cherry, cassis, with that herbal touch from the nose. Quite firm sweet tannin and balanced acidity . Medium length graphite and cassis tinged finish. This is still quite young but approachable, will last well over the coming 10 years or so. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose with blueberries, black plums, stewed cherries, raisins, figs, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cherries, spices, light wood, peppercorn, dark chocolates and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 3-year-old Zinfandel from Sonoma County is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next few years.

Showing nice complexity with a soft mouth feel. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Rich, but not 'too much'.

The alcohol is not very noticeable at this point, although it is very high, so watch out.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent. I usually like it better with a little more age.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

A good everyday wine. Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with burger and fries.

A blend of 83% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante and 4% Mixed Reds.

15% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$25. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Medium garnet ,medium terracotta rim . Quite spiced , dried fruits, tobacco , touch of caramel , warm earth . Smoky . On the palate quite sweet mix of red and dark fruits, red plum , dark cherry , spiced tobacco, hickory . Quite sweet on the finish , menthol hint, with a touch of caramel on the finish, slightly grippy tannin. This improved quite a lot in the glass , with more fruit noticeable , fills out quite well , better balance. Drink now and over the next couple of years. — 15 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

I never would have anticipated drinking my birth year of Cheval Blanc out of a Solo cup yet, here we are. The ‘81 is ruddy still; deep garnet color with some browning towards the rim and loads of sediment. The nose shows some of the telltale green-ness of vintage but everything has found harmony: the fruit has blossomed and structure has integrated. Dark fruited with tobacco, dried purple flowers, mushrooms, herbs and soft eastern spices. Charming! No particular rush to drink these but lovely now. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Deep purple , thin pink rim . Quite perfumed , floral , mint , herbaceous character , cassis and blackberry . Quite rich with sweet dark fruits on the palate , plum , cherry , blueberry , blackberry . Balanced acidity and spicy dark fruited finish , slightly meaty , medium length finish . This is needs time in order to round out the tannins , better in 5 years and will last well a further 10-15. — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium ruby centre with wide light garnet rim . This is a bit less fruit driven than I remember the last time I had this , 3 years ago or so . Nice spiced red cherry , blackcurrant , porcini , dried spices, touch smoky , dried rose and a balsamic hint . On the palate sweet red cherry , balsamic tinged blackberry , herbal and smoked black tea notes . This has very fine , velvety sweet tannins , and still quite good acidity , just balanced alcohol, I would drink this on the cooler side . The finish is medium length and with a spiced , liquorice note . This is firmly in its prime drinking window , showing some development whilst maintaining good density and ripe fruit on the palate . Drink now and over the next 5 -8 years or so . Not the most complex Cascina Francia , but incredibly enjoyable to drink now . — 18 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium ruby , quite wide garnet , terracotta rim . Quite spiced tobacco , red focused sous bois , warm spice , coffee and cacao , a little foursquare , rustic perhaps . On the palate better , quite juicy and rounded , spiced red plum , dark cherry , dry spice . This becomes more saline with time in the glass, balanced acidity and some slightly gritty tannins. This is probably in the middle of its drinking window , and will remain here over the next 5-10 years perhaps. Within the context of Haut Brion , this perhaps is just a little below par . — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Bright ruby garnet with quite narrow garnet rim . Quite closed at first with mineral , cassis , sous bois , cigar box , touch of smoke . On the palate very intense with lots of cigar box tinged cassis , blackberry , cedar , coffee. Gritty but integrated tannins , fresh acidity . Very long and complex on the finish . This is still young but is starting to show what it can do , perfectly balanced and enormously long . Precise and for Las Cases very elegant . Now and for the next 10-15 years . — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium ruby , quite thin garnet rim . Quite dense slightly deeper , meaty notes . Touches of earthy , mineral notes . Quite rich with sweet fruit , dusty cassis , blackberry, touch of toasty oak. Quite gritty tannin , and enough acidity to balance , bit of alcoholic warmth noticeable. Medium length , probably needs more time , better in 3-5 years and will last well a further 5-10 years — 3 months ago