Allen Meadows - Score: 99+ (2016 April)

The vibrant, pure, spicy, distinctly floral and unusually high-toned nose introduces big, powerful and concentrated flavors that possess almost painful intensity. This brims with palate staining extract along with plenty of minerality yet it remains regal, almost aloof and quite reserved on the hugely long finish. The focus is unbelievable and while it's hard to speak of subtle power, one can sense the vibrancy and depths of reserve that are still only hinted at now even 17 years after the vintage. As seductive as the nose is and as awe-inspiring as the flavors are, the finish lasts literally for minutes, indeed I could still taste it the next day and I've noticed that this happens every time I am fortunate to have the '99. And, difficult as it is to believe, I'm beginning to think that my score is conservative as the word 'brilliant' hardly does this masterpiece justice, in fact 'OMG' is more like it!