1982 Penfolds Grange Hermitage Bin 95, Australia, South Australia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1982
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$435.00USD

What a treat.  The iconic wine of Australia.  This is Syrah or Shiraz as they call it down under.  This wine is 37 years old and drinks like it is just getting to maturity.  No hint of age.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black pepper, black raspberries, some chocolate and baking spice.  On the palate, this is starting to show some layering.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying char and spice.  Great texture.  Long finish.  It probably won't improve from here but should be at this level for at least another decade.  This will work well with stews or roasts and is

2003 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$890.00USD

A gorgeous showing for this wine.  100% Grenache.  If served blind, I would have guessed Grand Cru Burgundy.  It was lighter in color and more elegant than a 2001 Dujac Close de la Roche it was served next to (and just as good).  A pale ruby/maroon in color, bright and clear.  On the palate, this has cherries, slight raspberries, baking spices and twigs.  On the palate, this has lovely cherry fruit over a bit of gravel and dry earthiness.  Wonderful liveliness and energy.  Long finish.  A very complex wine.  No hint of the hot vintage of 2003.  This seems developed but also seems like it st

2001 Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$1275.00USD

Wow.  Stunning showing and WOTN at our tasting group's annual holiday party.  This seems to be about at peak, but it also has some youth so perhaps it will get better.  Ruby in color, if a bit flat.  The nose is gorgeous with cherries, cinnamon, slight wet tobacco notes and just a bit of woodiness.

1996 Croix de Beaucaillou, France, Bordeaux, St. Julian, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1996
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is the second wine of Beaucaillou.  I have always thought that as second wines go, this is one of the best.  This is drinking beautifully right now.  Purple/ruby in color.  No real sign of it being 23 years old.  The nose is dusty with cassis, slight cedar and just a bit of tobacco.  There is also some volatile acidity.  On the palate, this is surprisingly fresh and lively.  It has a lovely texture.  Plenty of cassis fruit.  Medium tannins.  Some depth.  Moderate finish.  This drinks more youthfully than expected.  If this bottle is representative, this should easily go another ten to

1995 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estephe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1995
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$195.00USD

This was a good showing for this wine from what is a very hard and slow to mature vintage.  At age 24, however, this one seems to be about at peak.  Ruby in color with some browning.  The nose is tight but eventually shows cassis, dust and slight soy sauce.  On the palate, this again takes some time to open.  This was pop and pour, but an hour decant might have been a good idea.  Eventually, it shows cassis over a forest floor.  It unwinds in the glass showing nice layering.  Mild tannins.  Medium finish.  This should certainly drink well for the next decade.  It works better with food and

1990 Château Mouton Rothschild, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1990
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$430.00USD

This has always been a controversial style.  Perhaps it is because it was release in an excellent vintage and a ripe one at that, but is made in an older, less ripe style.  It depends on what you are looking for.  Ruby in color with some browning.  The nose is very earthy with tobacco, slight bell pepper and black cherries.  On the palate, this has light tannins, cherry fruit and some complexity.  The bell pepper returns a bit on the finish.  It is quite enjoyable but certainly not a thrill ride that Mouton can, at time, provide.  It won't get any better from here and is either at peak or a

1986 Château Clerc Milon, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1986
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This was initially very dusty on opening.  I thought there might be some TCA, but it was just bottle stink as it blew off.  After that, it kept getting better for the next couple of hours.  Ruby in color with some browning, a bit flat.  The nose had dust, cassis, dried currents and a bit of funk.  On the palate, this has slight tannins still.  Cherries and dried cherries.  Some complexity.  Probably a bit past peak but still drinking quite well.  It works better with food and was excellent with stuffed mushrooms.  This probably needs to be consumed sooner than later although it should still

1979 Château Mouton Rothschild, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1979
Score: 
82
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$425.00USD

Any time one gets a chance to drink Mouton it is special.  Even if it wasn't from a stellar vintage.  Such is the case here.  Sort of a dark brown/ruby in color.  The nose has cinnamon but not really much else going on.  On the palate, this has tart acidity.  Slight dried cherry fruit.  It does have a nice texture.  It is certainly drinkable if old.  No point waiting on these any longer.  It will work better with food.  This was consumed with a group and a couple of them really enjoyed it.  Such is wine.  

2002 Dom Pérignon Champagne P2, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$330.00USD

Yowza.  This is certainly a step up from the 2000 P2 and the regular 2002 version of this wine.  The P2 signifies that is saw about another 8 years of bottle ageing (under cork) before its final dosage.  The dosage is also less sugar than the regular version.  Just a stunning and youthful wine.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great.  It has this quality not too unlike homemade pie dough.  Not yeasty but doughy.  Also some tart lemons and minerals.  On the palate, this has a lemon candy quality with minerals underneath.  Tart lemons on the finish.  This is persistent and lengthy and see

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