Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of about 57% Chardonnay, 43% Pinot Noir, pale lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with spice notes, tiny bubbles on soft mousse. On the palate flavors of apple, apricot and lemon citrus texture with notes of honey and sweet spice. Youthful, lively acidity, long finish ending with vanilla, yeasty spice and mineral notes. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened 24 hours prior and decanted for sediment before returning to the bottle; enjoyed over the course of two days. The 1981 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart brambles and plums, green bell pepper, tobacco, leather, all of the decomposing earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, mostly integrated tannins with medium+ acid, borderline high. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Overall, a wine that is a reflection upon the vintage and at 43 years of age, that’s a big compliment. The 1981 is very much alive and will likely live for a very long time. However, it is backward, rustic, and somewhat tough to love unless you’re an old-school masochist. But I’m guilty and this wine is charming despite all of its green character. Drink now and over the next 30 years probably. — 2 years ago

Loren Gesinsky

9.2

To be sure, tertiary characteristics were all that were left in the well-stored 43-year-old bottle we opened with the cork in great shape. But those tertiary characteristics, including leather, tar, and bramble, were still sting and delightful. — 3 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

I purchased this wine for $60 as a Bordeaux future offering from MacArthur’s in DC, with the hope of opening it when my younger son—born in 1982—was old enough to share it. We finally did just that this Thanksgiving, celebrating both him and the bottle.
The fill was mid-shoulder, but the family was together and it felt like the right moment. I gave it about an hour in the decanter before dinner. Early on it showed blackberries, a touch of veg, lead pencil, cedar notes and a smooth elegant finish. As the evening went on it opened a bit more, gaining some depth.
A few hours later I revisited the small amount I’d saved and found it had dried out some—but that was expected for a 43-year-old First Growth. Ultimately, it was a wonderful experience and a memorable way to share both the wine and the moment with family.
— 6 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Quite garnet colour , terracotta rim, slightly younger looking than the Lovara, very fine sediment . Slight touch of leather , then spiced cassis , sous bois , coffee, grafite . On the palate quite good sweet dark fruits , with touch of soy sauce , leather , sous bois , dry spices . Good balanced, quite fresh acidity , soft tannins . Medium length and still showing really quite well . At the end of its drinking window so drink now and over the next couple of years — 2 years ago

Akash

9.6

Very very good, also sweet — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. Last tasted 7.3.24 (9.3) and 7.23.24 (9.3). Still weird mix of pretty and ugly/grounded and flighty with medium/medium-heavy body but it works with the journey and the finish. 9.3.25. — 9 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Medium gold color. Aromas of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, apple and wet stone. Great citrus flavors, stone fruit and great minerality.
43% Tocáis Friulano, 34% Ribolla Gialla and 23% Chardonnay. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Medium Ruby color, purple hues, with aromas of ripe fruits, floral, herb and complex spice, aged 16 months in 43% new French oak. On the palate flavors of black cherry, plum and strawberry with pepper, tea, herbs, licorice and oak, soft tannins on well balanced structure. Full body, long finish, ending with spice, fruit, tobacco and floral tones. Very Nice! — 2 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

This wine is the 2008 Château Poujeaux. Moulis-en-Médoc Gironde, France. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merot and 4% Petit Verdot.

Onnthe nose there is pungent aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, stewed plums, black currant, licorice, juicy tobacco, cedar, smoke and earth.

On the palate is black cherry, blackberry, black currant, green bell pepper, licorice, dried herbs and earth.

This wine is full bodied but for its age still very young medium + acidity and medium + firm astringent tannins that gives you a long black fruit wood earthy finish. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, good wine consumed and time spent with family and friends. Have a great week ahead and stay healthy and safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 3 years ago