Ron Siegel

9.4

Classy showing red, black fruits with sweet savory spices, fine, silky tannins, saddle leather, graphite & tobacco — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Still fresh showing the classic LB character with red & black fruits, cassis, earth, saddle leather, menthol, sweet spice & cigar box — a year ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Deep tawny color with a red, scarlet center. Opaque. Earthy nose with notes of red and black fruits, leather saddle, cuban cigar and some dry brush. Silky and smooth in the mouth. In a great spot. — 3 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Classic old school style of La Mission that had a nose I could smell all night showing rich black fruits, shoe polish, smoke, with graphite, cedar, saddle leather & cigar ash. — 4 years ago

Vanessa

9.5

Cornas AOC is a small and distinctive appellation in the Northern Rhône of France. 🇫🇷 Unlike its neighboring appellations, Cornas wines must be made with 100% Syrah. 🍇 This makes it a singular expression and benchmark in the world of Syrah. 🍷🍷

This particular wine is pronounced with harmonious aromas and flavors spanning the spectrum from primary to secondary to tertiary …

Offering generous notes of blackcurrant preserves, ripe black cherry, boysenberry, violet, cured meat, peat, forest floor, dark chocolate truffle, mocha, black peppercorn, star anise, fennel, cardamom, spice box, tobacco, cigar, clove, & saddle leather. — a month ago

with Deked1

David Nicewicz

9.5

Excellent start to fall with 82’ Cos. Perfume of cassis, old library and saddle leather gives way to an unctuous palate - cassis, hoisin, bacon, animal, tobacco and the classic Cos silky tannins. Excellent wine. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A solid rich Ruby red with no tawny rim. Looks way younger than 27 years. An earthy, plummy leathery perfume with same earthy, plummy and minerally medium to full bodied palate - a sweaty saddle classic old Hunter Valley style. Medium plus intensity of flavour with great persistence. Demonstrates the amazing longevity of old vine Hunter Valley Shiraz. I think you could safely drink this into the late 2020s. Honouring the Hunter Valley legend, Maurice O’Shea, who made great wine in primitive conditions In the late 1940s and 1950’s. About 15 years ago I had a 1952 Mount Pleasant Shiraz made by the great man - just medium bodied and still full of energy. — 4 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

One of the last couple vintages from the master, and while it won’t be as legendary as the finale of 2015 (which is one to hold), the cool 2014 vintage has been managed beautifully, and allows for early drinking. After 2 hours in the decanter it’s wonderfully expressive and aromatic wafting layers of kirsch cherries, saddle leather, camphor and violets. The palate shows striking richness and an impeccable balance of elegance, ripeness and concentration, which is quite the feat in this vintage.

When you think of vintages in Rhône that are considered to be less heralded, such as 2008 for example, typicites just don’t exist for the likes of Bonneau and Rayas. (08 happens to be one of my favorites for both). Ultimately there are no bad vintages for Bonneau, just different ones. Beautiful wine. — 10 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was fresh, showing well with red, black fruits, cedar, earth, saddle leather, savory spice & tobacco — a year ago

Gregg G

9.5

Recent notes suggested this wine was declining and the fruit fading.This was cause for concern as have a few of these I’ve been patiently cellaring. Well, I’m very happy to report this bottle, a Martine’s import, was stellar. To my palate, the wine is in a perfect place. Tertiary aromas and flavors dominate. Very complex aromas of sous bois, herbs de provence, wet saddle and red fruits. The palate is vivid and lively. Extraordinary depth and length that never faded. I can’t say enough great things about this wine. There’s no chance this bottle was fading or won’t last several more years. I don’t think it can improve as it’s almost perfection right now. Simply a stunner. — 3 years ago

with Conrad