Her Mir Tage

9.7

1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Ditta) – The "Great Emperor"

Appearance: The wine unfurls in the glass with a majestic, deep garnet core that gracefully fades into a wide brick-orange rim—the unmistakable heraldry of seven decades of life. It is perfectly clear and luminous, promising a profound experience.

Nose (Aroma): The aromatic profile is a walk through an ancient, sacred forest after the rain. It opens with a deep sense of humid earth, fungal truffle, and a subtle, refined smoked leather. As it opens, a beautiful core of blueberry compote and dried dark fruits emerges, intertwined with a complex tapestry of Chinese medicinal herbs and dried florals. It is both powerful and hauntingly ethereal.

Palate (Taste): The palate is a breathtaking journey into umami and complexity. True to the legend, the fruit has transformed into an intense medley of sweet preserved fruit (dried apricot, date). This is immediately met with a profound savory depth: a distinct salted Chinese preserved plum character provides a mouthwatering salinity, while a fine dusting of astragalus root powder and angelica root brings an authentic, warming medicinal bitterness that defines the wine’s regal structure. A hint of spicy dried ginger soda lingers on the mid-palate, adding a lift of unexpected freshness.

Acidity & Structure: The acidity is the heartbeat of this wine—sustained, mellow, and incredibly refined. It does not jab but rather flows continuously, carrying the dense, dried flavors across the palate with remarkable energy. The tannins have fully resolved into a silken, powdery texture, leaving nothing but harmony.

Finish: The finish is eternal, echoing with notes of dried citrus peel, forest floor, and a final whisper of sweet tobacco and herbs. A truly humbling experience; this is not merely a wine, but a living artifact of time, worthy of the title "Great Emperor." — an hour ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A solid rich Ruby red with no tawny rim. Looks way younger than 27 years. An earthy, plummy leathery perfume with same earthy, plummy and minerally medium to full bodied palate - a sweaty saddle classic old Hunter Valley style. Medium plus intensity of flavour with great persistence. Demonstrates the amazing longevity of old vine Hunter Valley Shiraz. I think you could safely drink this into the late 2020s. Honouring the Hunter Valley legend, Maurice O’Shea, who made great wine in primitive conditions In the late 1940s and 1950’s. About 15 years ago I had a 1952 Mount Pleasant Shiraz made by the great man - just medium bodied and still full of energy. — 4 years ago

Brian Don

9.2

From the MI Bday tasting, #2 of 5. Very good. — 6 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

By now everyone knows the name of Charles Lachaux, quickly becoming a Burgundy legend, and while 2017 is the vintage where Charles’ stylistic changes are known to take full effect, by 2013 such changes had already begun once he took the reigns the prior year—more judicial use of new oak, increasing amounts of whole clusters each subsequent vintage, higher and denser canopies, just to mention a few. His 2019 vintage is what did it for me. Simply incredible wines.

But at age 12, 2013 Chaumes, 50% whole cluster and 50% new oak is showing beautifully after some required air, with a seductively elegant perfume, terrific fruit density and concentration for the vintage, and a long mineral, spice and saline inflicted finale. Pre-2017, I think the Vosne bottlings are the best, but I think they need at least 10 years to absorb the oak. But now, everything’s great, even on release! — 2 months ago

Norm

9.0

Very nice red blend for the finger lakes. This particular winery specializes only in red wines. Very nice atmosphere and they are wonderful hosts that are really knowledgeable. Winetasting would think you’re drinking California reds — 4 years ago

Hum

9.2

So dense and earthy for this grape... dead ringer for high quality Cote-Rotie ... finally get to enjoy this legend! — 5 years ago

Jody Wycech

9.4

The wine is magnificent. Smells like a peach orchard. The fruit, the trees The flowers all of it. Also get pleasant but subtle notes of vanilla, citrus, ocean, and cardamom. Flavor is fresh, slightly under ripe peach (basically no sweetness), lemongrass and vanilla. Medium body but so well balanced by a refreshing acidity that matches seafood so well. I could smell this wine all day and never grow tired of it. — 8 months ago

with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Joan Ziegler

9.1

Refreshing & enjoyably min Saturday night with Rafael! — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.2

A Napa legend. — 5 years ago

Christo M

9.1

Butterrrrrr — 6 years ago