Vinous (99)

It’s almost impossible to imagine that the 1985 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Storica has just celebrated its thirty-sixth birthday. It displays a brilliant ruby red color and amazing clarity in the glass, with only the slightest bricking around the rim. The bouquet alone is enough to keep you at the edge of your seat, as if opening a cedar treasure box to find dusty rose and sour cherry offset by spiced orange, crushed dried sage and just the slightest hint of animal musk. This is total class, cool-toned and poised, seeming to hover across the palate with an air of red inner florals, as tart woodland berries mix with hints of black tea and lemon oils. There’s a bolt of nervous acidity that keeps the experience remarkably fresh, but also adds a highly attractive sweet and sour note. And finally, while structured and youthful in feel, it finishes completely fresh, vibrant even, with dried currants enlivened by nuances of grapefruit and mint that linger on and on. This is an experience wine in every sense of the word, hailing from a dry and warm harvest yet exemplifying the purity of Sangiovese, as well as its ability to mature for well over three decades. The 1985 La Storica comes directly from the winery’s aging vault, and it was reconditioned with a new cork in 2000.

Wine Advocate (98)

A warm to hot vintage ideal for producing outstanding reds does not necessarily make for a great Sauternes vintage, but in the case of 1990 it did. Dry, warm winds in the autumn contributed to the level of concentration that this wine exhibits. Fortunately, a little rain in late September and early October ensured that botrytis flourished well in the end, the final factor necessary to achieve this extraordinary expression.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 1990 Château Margaux is really beginning to hit its stride at age 31, soaring from the glass with aromas of blackberries and cassis mingled with notions of licorice, cedar and violets, framed by subtle hints of vanilla and spice. Full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, it's seamless and complete, its velvety tannins and ripe acids entirely cloaked in a lavish but vibrant core of fruit. This is an especially dramatic, fleshy rendition of Margaux, yet it remains impeccably balanced and has decades of longevity ahead of it.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 1990 Petrus remains incredibly young, one of the least evolved wines of the vintage (along with Montrose and Beausejour-Duffau). This dense ruby/purple-colored effort is beginning to hint at the massive richness and full-bodied intensity lurking beneath its wall of tannin. The vintage’s sweetness, low acidity, and velvety tannins are present in abundance, and the wine is massive in the mouth as well as incredibly pure and well-delineated. I thought it would be drinkable by now, but it appears another 5-10 years will pass before it begins to reach its plateau of maturity. This wine is capable of lasting at least four more decades. An incredible achievement! Release price: ($5000.00/case)

Experience the exceptional maturity of the Rolet Arbois Pinot Noir 1985, a captivating product of fine French winemaking. Crafted by esteemed viticulturists at Maison Rolet Père & Fils, this delectable vintage originates from the Arbois appellation in Jura. This verdant region is esteemed for its unique soil composition and microclimate that cultivate distinct aromatic profiles in its wines.

Handpicked from mature vines, the Pinot Noir grapes have been nurtured on marl and limestone slopes, imparting a minerality that balances the wine's robust fruit character. After a prolonged maceration, the Rolet Arbois Pinot Noir 1985 underwent a barrel aging process, enhancing the wine's complexity and depth of flavour.

With earthy notes of wild strawberry and sour cherry playing off subtle hints of vanilla and spice, this wine embodies the supreme craftsmanship synonymous with Rolet. Indulge in the sensory journey that is the Rolet Arbois Pinot Noir 1985.

Indulge in the exquisite Rolet Arbois Poulsard Vieilles Vignes 1990, a wine crafted with the precise finesse only a seasoned connoisseur can appreciate. Artfully aged since 1990, this French gem hails from the heart of Jura's renowned Arbois AOC, reflecting the organic, rich soils and idyllic climate that characterise the region.

The producers, Domaine Rolet Père & Fils, uphold a reverenced tradition steeped in fine winemaking techniques. This spectacular example of Poulsard reflects their devotion, displaying a striking ruby-red hue and delicate cherry and redcurrant aromas, woven artfully with underlying notes of spices and old rose.

Handpicked from vines averaging 70 years of age, the grapes are meticulously vinified using time-honoured techniques, carefully ensuring the balance between the fruit's natural acidity and intense flavour. Experiencing the distinctive Rolet Arbois Poulsard Vieilles Vignes 1990 is a sensual journey mapped out by masters of the craft.

Embodying elegance and grace, Rolet Arbois Trousseau 1985 is a delectable vintage hailing from the esteemed vineyards of Rolet Père et Fils. Situated in the heart of France's Jura region, this esteemed producer crafts exquisite wines that truly encapsulate the rich terroir. The Rolet Arbois Trousseau 1985, specifically, shines with complexity and depth.

This wine features alluring characteristics of the noble Trousseau grape, delivering a subtle red fruit profile with an undercurrent of spice. Raised using traditional winemaking techniques, the Rolet Arbois Trousseau 1985 demonstrates considerable balance and structure, achieved through meticulous vinification. Ensuing from a superior growing season with favourable climatic conditions, 1985 was an impeccable year for Jura reds.

Renowned for their intricate nurturing of the vineyards, Rolet Père et Fils's commitment shines through in this exceptional Trousseau. Indulge in the remarkable sophistication of the Rolet Arbois Trousseau 1985, an undeniable testament to world-class French winemaking.

Vinous (89)

Medium red with a hint of brown. Evolved, balsamic aromas of currant, black tea and coffee grounds. Still some fruit left, as well as a brown sugar sweetness, with strong juicy acidity and firm tannins keeping the wine alive.