Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

1985 vintage. Top shoulder fill. Cork 100% saturated so even with a Durand, some cork “splinters” afoot. Decanted with appropriate sed. Tasted 30 mins and two hours post-decant. Nose was initially tight but yielded cedar, tobacco and fudge/Tootsie Roll scents that carried over into the taste side of things at the half hour mark with some baking chocolate impressions casually tossed into the parade. At the two hour mark, the fudge diminished and an orange peel note started to creep in. Not improving but can hold tight for another 2-3 years before dropping down another notch. Drink ‘em if ya got ‘em. 11.21.25. — 25 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2012 | from magician vintner Rene Pöckl in Burgenland. Tasted blind next to Gloria 2012 Saint Julien. Easy win for Pöckl. Top notch. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2004 vintage. Decanted and tasted after two hours. Used a Durand but cork was great. Top-notch fill. Super chunky sed..like vintage port. Nose good, not great, but biggie structure and balance all there. Medium body. Not a personal fave but may hafta pick up a few more of these for those inclined to partake. There will be 2004 Insignia going steady for quite some time. 12.22.23. — 2 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.6

Simply remarkable- as it should have been for the $$$. Top notch Cali Cab. — 7 years ago

with Beth

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2013 vintage. Medium-medium heavy body. Sage and anise on the nose. In that perfect spot between youth and maturity where the spring is partially unwound, yet still measurably coiled. Dropped the baby fat and aggressive fruit overtures but toned. Ain't no rush to crush. What I would do to roll through a vertical tasting of Araujo Eisele Vineyard Syrah might end up on the police blotter. There are more demonstrative Syrahs in California such as SQN, Saxum and Kongsgaard (and they are all top-notch phenomenal in their own way) but this deserves to be in the conversation amongst the best the region has to offer. 05.05.25. — 7 months ago

Teresa DiMarco

9.2

Delicious, amazing, top notch Pinot! — 3 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.4

Very dark robe bricking on the rim. Looks at least 20 years younger. Nose of steak tartare, flint, cedar, blackcurrant and crushed flowers. Very complex and elegant in the mouth, medium light bodied and mostly melted tannins. This is top notch. And has plenty of life left. — 3 years ago

with Jose and Adriana

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

No doubt the finest Coteaux in all of Champagne, it’s particularly special to find this wine with some bottle age. From south facing 60+ year old vines in Ambonnay, 2012 is showing beautifully, drinking like a top notch red burg, perfumed, silky and pure with soft tannins and saline-mineral inflicted finale. Special wine. — 7 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 1999 | Top notch, luscious Sauternes | paired with Foie Gras | at restaurant Hofmeisterei Hirtzberger — 8 months ago

Vino Joe

9.8

Holy wow! This wine was a unique and memorable experience. It was zinging out from the first glass over the next few hours it only deepened and became more substantial. Very ripe fruit but not aged. It retained vibrancy with complex earthy notes. Absolutely fantastic vintage. Top notch. — 9 months ago