Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at dinner. The wine pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core and a slightly orange rim with considerable variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated fruit: black currants, blackberries, plum, pipe tobacco, capsicum, pencil shavings, a touch leather, organic earth and a mix of dried herbs and some fine 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+. Really tasty stuff.

Initial conclusions: this is an old wine, likely 30-40 years old. That being said, it’s still very distinguishable as it’s showing varietal characteristics. This could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend thereof), Cabernet Franc (or a blend thereof), or Merlot (or a blend thereof). I can see this being Napa because the fruit is still showing some generosity. But there’s a lot of non-fruits there too. Regardless, this was giving Left Bank vibes so I could also see this being Bordeaux from a great vintage like 1982. And that’s my call, Cabernet Sauvignon-blend from France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe, from a classified growth like Calon-Ségur. Shucks. But I’m not mad about my choice! Old Opus One’s are tricky to differentiate. Drinking very well right now but this will live well past 2035. — a month ago

Kate

9.2

I was craving old school Merlot. Wasn’t on restaurant list. Bought this across the street at a local grocery school. Amazing that the store stocked this. — 15 hours ago

ESF

9.2

had this 10 mos ago - still rockin, and solid w/NY strips — 8 days ago

Anthony Pro

9.1

Good vintage. Well aged. — 16 days ago

Bonnie Chu

9.1

California eureka tasting — 14 days ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

8/2026. Bold , good fruit and sits well on the palate.

Mr. Friendly’s — a month ago

Frank Soldano

9.8

Love this wine! Thick long lasting legs. Bouquet rich with raspberry and blueberry, very jammy! Smoooth flavors with a rich finish, slight hints of oak and charcoal on the back end. Great wine!!! — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had this vintage several times over the last few yrs. I had it two yrs ago w/ Andy Beckstoffer & Tor Kenward. This is the weakest link I’ve had. It simply lacked the proper storage of the previous bottles I’ve had.

The color is still dark and the fruit is still intact. But this bottle has just started its plum, date, dark raisin and fig stage. Let me say again…just.

This is 13% ABV…love it. As I do with many 80’s Napa & Bordeaux’s. It does get better with each coldish coravined sip.

The tannins are well resolved and there is complete integration & evolution. Plum,s date, dark raisin & fig. Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries & dark spiced circling raspberries. Potpourri, baking spice delight-soft clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, understated caramel, dark chocolate baking bar to chocolate pudding, milk chocolate, moist herbs, hints of mushrooms, saline, dry soil/limestone powder, forest floor with leaves, used tobacco & leather, gentle graphite, moist clay, dark spice w/ mid palate heat, withering dark, red flowers, violets & lavender, round, rainfall acidity with a well balanced, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on earth & spices. — 10 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (83%) with some Merlot (11%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petite Verdot (1%) blended in. Dark ruby color. Aromas of black fruit, intense graphite and dried herbs and red/purple flowers. Flavors of black and red berries/currants/plums, dark cocoa, black licorice and woody herbs. Slight touch of vanilla on the long and expressive finish. Bright acidity and smooth tannins. Elegant, nicely structured and quite savory. Medium-plus body and well balanced. Well crafted and wonderful complexity. Best with a decant. Big hit at a business dinner. Enjoyed at Frescos in Lincoln, RI. — 13 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Insignia Masterclass

1998 Insignia
2001 Insignia
2004 Insignia
2008 Insignia
2013 Insignia
2023 Insignia

With:
David Pearson, President
Ryan Knoth, winemaker

@Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa — 24 days ago

with Brenda

Andrea Watt

9.1

Dark and earthy with blueberry and cherry over oak and cocoa powder. Rich and bold but pretty smooth for the age and size. — 25 days ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.2

Beautiful cab. Smooth and elegant. — a month ago

Rick Phillips

9.6

Like most of Philip Tongi wines, this 20 year old is just hitting it’s stride. The nose has lush bold fruits, dark plums, blackberry with a hint of licorice. Some old leather, faint earthy tobacco. Decanted for two hours found a refined texture. Smooth with some sediment, lushness is highlighted by the boldness of the flavors. The finish lingers…
— a month ago

with Letha

K. Ross

9.3

14.3% ban. It’s so good. Beautiful wine. This is a great wine to keep in the cellar. — 12 days ago

Jon Tate

9.1

Beautiful wine had at Isidore San Antonio with clients. Great big bold cab had with steak. — 12 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Heitz/Stony Hill/Haynes/Burgess
La Paulee Dinner
Guest Chef: Shota Nakajima

WINE:
1997 Heitz Martha Vineyard
2012 Heitz trailside
1987 Heitz Bella oaks
2009 Heitz Martha Vineyard
2021 Burgess blanc de blanc
2022 Haynes Corazon Chardonnay
2022 Ink Grade estate merlot
2022 Heitz Martha Vineyard cab
2023 Stony Hill Cote Rouge cab
2021 Burgess Clos Abeille cab

FOOD:
Mushroom tart, corn tempura, Dashi w/uni
Chawanmushi with crab, sweet corn
Cured Kanpachi
Cedar smoked black cod
A5 waygu
Matcha Turamisu

Home ranch, Napa — a month ago

with Brenda

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

Youthfull! Will most certainly gain several points in 10 years time. — 2 days ago

Bonnie Chu

9.0

California eureka tasting. Stills. Anger — 14 days ago

Bill Mowry

9.5

Blackberry, cherry, mocha, and vanilla. Nicely balanced with subtle tannins for a young wine. — a month ago

with Olivia

Dave Moench

9.7

West Bank golf league party — 21 days ago