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. — 9 days ago

KD

8.9

Pale yellow with relatively intense nose of green apple, lime, beeswax, cantaloup melon and whiteflower. The medium body has less intensity than the nose and there's almost an effervescence in the front of the mouth, with a good acidity that is not overwhelming. Notes of apple, lime, apricot, melon and ginger on the palate with minerality. The finish is quite short and carries some spicy ginger. Nice wine but I was expecting more, especially after the initial wonderful nose. — 4 years ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.7

Amazing! Concentration, flavour...wow! — 2 months ago

Ericsson

9.0

Revisiting this disruptive wine as I often do. This time 24 years after it’s initial release, and much has changed since since it’s inception. The wine is still exciting, maybe for the wrong reasons, maybe for the right reasons but exciting nonetheless. It’s still a big and bold beast of a wine, no matter the vintage. — a year ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.2

Red garnet in color with brown hues showing signs of bricking. Nose - Savory and perfume vanilla aromas pop from the glass. Raspberry, forest floor and cedar notes follow. Taste: creamy and elegant and flavors well integrated; smoke plum-blueberry flavors are the initial taste. The minerals and spice of the wine are noted with flavors of vanilla and cedar following. A medium and juicy finish. A nice wine for a Sat evening. — 4 years ago

with Karin and Jill

DAL 9000

9.2

Decanted. Big Aroma of berries. Smooth initial taste of berries and cherries and plums. Then notes of vanilla and chocolate in the palate. Another winner from Arnie, we will miss you. — 5 years ago

DAL 9000

9.2

Decanted with a candle. Swirled in a decanter. Bouquet of dusty dried cherries and plums. . Initial bold fruit and dry finish before it opens up. Afterwards, the fruit moves to a dusty middle. Medium tannins. — 9 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

I think this is peaking. From a marginal year but really nice. Lots of cedar and a little roasted peanut note augmenting some nice, mellow cassis fruit on the nose. A big whack of intense flavors on initial entry, with tannins still there but softening. A teensy bit drying on the finish, but damn this is nice with grilled butterflied leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary. — 10 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.5

Drank over 3 days,
First day I paired with Mediterranean Lamb chops which had too much seasoning and overpowered the wine, my bad.
It reached peak drinking on day 3.
Great on initial pop & pour then tightened up. — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

2019 Disg- Rich, intense and with riveting energy. Selosse VO to me is a huge step up from Initial. It’s ultra complex and layered with candied citrus, rum barrels, caramel and salted nuts. There is massive structure with a simultaneous purity and weightlessness. Infinite finish. Decanted and served in Zalto Bordeaux. Fantastic. — 5 years ago