Nicholas Cotton

10

With Jay and Ted — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a dull purple/garnet color with a translucent core and significant rim variation, moving towards a rust color. The wine has medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, dried blackberries, dried red and purple flowers, old leather bound books, tobacco, a touch of menthol, some earth, old wood and a sprinkle of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Super high quality but a touch thin.

Initial conclusions: Due to the observable characteristics of color, rim variation, sediment, smell and flavor, I think this wine has significant age; 30+ years. However, this is still very alive and showing more than enough markers to give an indication of place. Subsequently, this could be a Cabernet-based blend or a Tempranillo-based blend from the United States, France, or Spain. For me, I’m getting new French oak vibes instead of American so I’m eliminating Spain. I also think this leans more towards its fruit than its structure and since this comes across a little on the thin side, I’m going to say this comes from a tougher vintage. My final conclusion is this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the USA, Napa, 1981. Wow! This showed really well.

It never ceases to amaze me how analogous the 1981 vintage was in both Napa and Bordeaux. I find it equally amazing how well that vintage has held up; particularly when considering its poor reputation, mostly based on the prevailing thought at the time. From my perspective, well stored examples are not going to fall off of a cliff but I would drink now through 2031. — 2 months ago

Daniel De Nadai

9.0

Round, sweet, little salty in the end — 3 months ago

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

9.4

This Opus is polished with aromas of blackberry and spice. On the palate it’s rich, with velvety tannins, dark fruit, cocoa, and a hint of espresso. The finish is long and flavorful. — 2 months ago

with Daniel and Michael

Ericsson

9.6

Magnum, still tasting incredibly balanced. Dark cherry, plum and cassis predominate but secondary notes of leather and mocha quickly follow. The acidity is palpable. The finish is long with setting flavors of ripe dark fruit. — 2 months ago

Jack Krawczyk

9.4

took about 45 min for first signs of life but opened into a solid mexican cocoa nib and cedar — 2 months ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.3

2016 out of magnum. Cigar box. Ripe tannins. Beautiful. — 2 months ago

Brian S

9.4

New release but showing so much promise. Getting a lot of red fruit, minerals, and well integrated oak. Beauty! — 2 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.5

Wine of the night and more. An incredible example of how good Morgon can be. Complexity, length, structure, and the rest. — 2 months ago

with Sarah

Sipping Fine Wine

9.8

Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 32 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels. Deep Ruby with pronounced aromas of red/black fruits, with hints of cedar, floral, oak, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of concentrated ripe blackberry, cherry and raspberry preserves, pepper spice, leather and earthy cacao. Fine soft savory tannins, well balanced, long finish, great structure ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy mineral character. Outstanding! — 2 months ago