Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/348953
{ SOMMjournal.com } 65 Fred Dame, Fred Dame, MS, VP of Prestige Accounts, Southern Wine & Spirits. Gregory Walter, Editor and Publisher, Pinot Report. Marcus Garcia, Sommelier, The French Club, San Francisco (formerly with Fleur de Lys). Anthony Dias Blue, Editor in Chief, The SOMM Journal and Executive Director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition. 1995 Silky and crisp, ripe and juicy with tangy cherry and smooth, lush mouth feel; cloudy but showing no fla- vor decadence; racy, elegant and long; starting to fade a bit, but still vibrant. Dr. Hepp: "Very elegant and complex yet not too alcoholic." Marcus Garcia: "Bright, focused, savory and vibrant." 13.7% alcohol. 93 points Drink now–2017. 1996 Dense, rich and intense with black cherry and pure, racy acidity; long ripe flavors of plum, cherry and spice; deep, earthy and showing mushrooms and forest floor. Fred Dame: "Dried red plum, a touch of tar; earthy and seductive." Marcus Garcia: "Sandalwood, allspice, licorice, cherry cobbler." 13.7% alcohol. 92 Drink now–2019. 1999 Jammy, sweet cherry, cola, out-of-balance; burnt rubber. Marcus Garcia: "Redux—a reductive bottle; disjointed." Fred Dame: "Overripe, a lack of balance." (NOTE: I tried another bottle of the same vintage two weeks later and the result was the same.) 13.5% alcohol. 88 Drink now–2017. 2002 Ripe, intense, big, rich and luscious with deep flavors of plum, black cherry and cassis; vanilla and toast, rich and very long. Dr. Hepp: "Mature tannins give good balance, very rich and creamy." Greg Walter: "Rich, deep, lush cherry flavors with spice and cola." Fred Dame: "Good clarity, fraise, black tea. Be patient." 14.0% alcohol. 94 Drink now–2024. 2004 Huge, lush and generous; Bing cherry and sweet plum; sweet and layered with power and elegance; juicy and generous. Greg Walter: "Oak, mouthfilling, slutty tex - ture, long finish; this is a crowd pleaser!" Marcus Garcia: "Toast and jam; balanced, expressive, explosive and com- plete; a classic!" 14.1% alcohol. 97 Drink 2016–2026. 2007 Smooth and ripe with cherry and sweet oak; juicy long and rich; a hint of oxidation. Fred Dame: "Tight acidity, touch of heat, tannins not yet integrated; like a lake behind a dam waiting to burst out; be patient." Greg Walter: "Feels dried out fruit-wise; maybe some whole cluster gone amok." 13.8% alcohol. 91 Drink now–2018. 2009 Rich, lush, juicy and ripe with a long finish and intense flavors; all elements are in sync; precise and long. Marcus Garcia: "this wine is exotic and expressive, spicy, perfect." Fred Dame: "Might outlive us all; real winemak - ing craftsmanship." 13.7% alcohol. 98 Drink now–2030. 2010 Bright and ripe, juicy and racy; savory, generous with black cherry and earth; forward and ripe, lively, earthy with notes of black tea and sweet berries. Dr. Hepp: "Tannins and acidity give it a backbone; perfect, but needs more time to balance." Greg Walter: "Ripe, lush, cherry flavors with spice and graham cracker notes." 14.1% alcohol. 95 Drink now–2024. New releases of this wine are now about $80. On the secondary market the going price for the older vintages will be around $150 or more.