Shay A

9.5

One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.

Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.

No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now. — a month ago

Vijay Parikh

9.6

Spectacular Rousseau Charmes! Put on weight and complexity steadily over the two hour lunch! — 8 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind. Dark tawny, opaque. Powerful nose. Notes of red and black fruit, leather and cassis, dark soil. Has the funk. We're all in the same camp of where it's from so there is lots of working out who made it. I go with a 59 Latour guess. Really good today, better than a bottle we had of this earlier in the year. Thanks Stan! — 3 years ago

Ericsson

9.4

Working is always better with Champagne. Deep acidity, bright citrus notes, racy on the palate, and a lasting finish. Cheers. — 4 months ago

Jan A

9.3

From Coravin at my nephews restaurant at Sundays Italian lunch. A nice moment to check in for my bottles that I have in my cellar. Obviously way to young but drinking well nevertheless. Solid wine, potential 94-95 with some age but not the best vintage IMHO. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 "Amador County" pours a slightly hazy, pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose the wine is developing with notes of lemons, chamomile, lanolin, lime blossom, and ferrous minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium++ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and loaded with minerals. Balanced and ever so fresh. This was a killer accompaniment with our Friendsgiving lunch in the office and worked well with turkey. Drinking now through 2031. Only two 500L puncheons produced. — a year ago

C Fong

9.6

with Chichi at Los Caracoles in Barcelona. Great Rioja with dried red fruits on palate; long finish; full bodied. Tertiary flavours like leather, tobacco and some smokiness develop after decanting for a while. Paired with grilled chicken; white tuna tomato salad; smoked sardine; fish soup for lunch. SO DAMN GOOD — 3 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

Wine 6 of my birthday blind tasting. A good old guigal to finish it up 😊 always a success. I called côtes du Rhône ✌️
The nose was a bit muted at first but then these unmistakable garrigue and black olive notes kicked in. There is blackberry and cherry notes too. The palate shows a good acid drive, some savoury notes along with blackberry, some width, a good tannic wall in the rear that leaves a drying layer over a long rather savoury and salty finish with black olives and blackberry notes. It's as always, a great option. I will have another glass with lunch, roasted duck and veggies will get along quite well with it. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2000 vintage. Last tasted 9.25.23 (9.2) after 1.5 hours decanted. Popped and decanted this for lunch. Great fill and solid cork. Throwing a bit of sed but less than anticipated. Meh nose. Medium body initially. Started off on the rich side of the ledger but not plush. Had some smoothness afoot. Tasted after 45 mins open, 1.75 hours open and 8 hours open. First two were unspectacular. After lounging in the decanter 8 hours, wine had firmed up, thinned out, picked up plenty of secondary flavors and had that previously missing grip. If you're gonna open this during the holidays or anytime soon, do it very very early...otherwise, it'll be a total waste. Wine has miles to go. No rush to crush but just air it out in advance properly. 10.16.24. — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Brief notes. First of 6 had with 500 grams of Mooloolaba King Prawns for Easter Sunday lunch......a great match. The characteristic dried pear notes on nose and palate. Wonderful palate intensity and length with moderate acid. Very enjoyable. — 2 years ago