A blend of 65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 0.8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Les Forts de Latour is deep garnet-purple in color and strides confidently out of the glass with classic notes of plum preserves, warm cassis and pencil shavings with nuances of mulberries, pencil lead, Indian spices and forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate packs a lot of fruit into a very elegant, tightly knit palate, delivering expressive blackberry and spicy flavors with a firm frame of grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with a peppery kick. March 2020 Week 3, The Wine Advocate, 17th Mar 2020, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2017 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal notes of warm black plums, baked black cherries, kirsch and freshly crushed blackcurrants with hints of candied violets, cinnamon toast, Ceylon tea and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate is charged with amazing energy, featuring dynamic black and red fruits and loads of baking spice and mineral sparks, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and finishing long and fragrant. Given the intensity of fruit and structure, while this is a relatively elegant Mouton that will be approachable early on, I don’t see it as being short lived. It should give pleasure for a good 40+ years. Issue 245 End of October 2019, The Wine Advocate, 1 Nov 2019, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Rauzan-Gassies rolls out of the glass with expressive notes of baked plums, warm cassis and kirsch plus wafts of cedar chest, oolong tea and lilac. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers loads of perfumed black berry flavors with a fine-grained texture and long, pure finish. Nice! The Wine Advocate (236), 17th Mar 2020, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2014 Le Pin has a really quite lovely bouquet. Tasted alongside its "cousin" Vieux-Château-Certan, it is more exotic and outgoing, yet it maintains fine delineation and complexity with upfront blueberry and black cherry fruit, quite a noticeable menthol note emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet and embracing entry, caressing in texture thanks to the succulent tannin, though these are counterpoised by the silver bead of acidity. There is just a touch of salted licorice that pops up on the finish. To quote Alexandre Thienpont (since Jacques and Fiona had to be in Belgium), this is a "classic" Le Pin, though I feel it will be overshadowed by the 2015. Interim End of March 2017, The Wine Advocate, 1 Apr 2017, Neal Martin
The 2014 Rauzan-Gassies has a light grassy bouquet, plenty of undergrowth aromas as usual, though missing the fruité of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannin on the entry, a little angular in the mouth with some hardness on the finish. It is a frustrating wine, grasping for quality but not quite getting there. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Interim End of March, The Wine Advocate,1st Apr 2017, Neal Martin
A strong effort from this obscure estate in Margaux, the opaque dark ruby/purple-tinged 2012 Rauzan Gassies builds incrementally on the palate. Notes of licorice, camphor, forest floor, bay leaf and black currants emerge from this dense effort. Moderate tannins give the wine grip, structure and a long finish. It will benefit from a few years of bottle age and should last for 15 or more years. Wine Advocate (206), Apr 2013, Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2007 Lafite Rothschild (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot) reveals classic Lafite aromas of graphite, unsmoked cigar tobacco, black currants, cherries, and a hint of truffles. The complex aromatics are followed by a round, medium to full-bodied wine with silky tannins, an overall subtle smoky component, and a rich, round, generous, plump finish. Already evolved and delicious, it should continue to drink well for two decades. Wine Advocate (188), April 2010, Robert Parker
Beautiful, elegant red, blue and black fruits (89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot) as well as some graphite and spice notes jump from the glass of the 2005 Lafite Rothschild. Medium-bodied, with superb purity and texture, this is not a blockbuster by any means, but a meticulously made, lovely-textured Pauillac. Long and pure, this wine should drink well for 25-30 years. There is no danger in pulling the cork on it today. 219, The Wine Advocate, 29 Jun 2015, Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2003 Les Forts de la Tour possesses a dense ruby/plum/purple color in addition to notions of cold steel, lead pencil shavings, and creme de cassis. Full-bodied, opulent, heady, rich, and lush, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. Wine Advocate (188), April 2011, Robert Parker
The 2001 Petrus (2,160 cases produced) exhibits more depth and richness than any other Pomerol I tasted. Its deep saturated ruby/plum/purple color is accompanied by a tight but promising bouquet of vanilla, cherry liqueur, melted licorice, black currants, and notions of truffles and earth. Rich, full-bodied, and surprisingly thick as well as intense, there is plenty of structure underlying the wealth of fruit and extract. Give it 3-6 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following two decades as it promises to be one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage, not to mention one of the most concentrated. Wine Advocate (153), Jun 2004, Robert Parker
Like many of its peers, the 1998 has filled out spectacularly. Now in the bottle, this opaque black/purple-colored offering has increased in stature, richness, and size. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc (57% of the production was utilized), it is an extremely powerful, super-concentrated wine offering notes of roasted espresso, creme de cassis, smoke, new saddle leather, graphite, and licorice. It is massive, with awesome concentration, mouth-searing tannin levels, and a saturated flavor profile that grips the mouth with considerable intensity. This is a 50-year Mouton, but patience will be required as it will not be close to drinkability for at least a decade. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. Wine Advocate (134), Apr 2001, Robert Parker
This wine is more tightly knit, more tannic, but every bit the blockbuster concentrated effort that its younger sibling, the 1990, is. It seems to need more coaxing from the glass, but the color is virtually identical, a dense ruby/purple with no lightening at the edge. In the mouth the wine cuts a broad swath, with spectacular intensity, richness, massive concentration, and high levels of tannin, yet the wine is fabulously well-delineated and like its sibling, the 1990, has a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. It does not seem to be quite as evolved as the 1990, and my instincts suggest there is a bit more tannin, but both are as prodigious as Petrus can be. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040. Bordeaux Book (4), Jan 2003, Robert Parker
This wine remains one of the legends of Bordeaux. It has thrown off the backward, youthful style that existed during its first 25 years of life, and over the last 4-5 years has developed such secondary nuances as cedar and spice box. The creme de cassis, underlying floral note, full-bodied power, extraordinary purity, multilayered texture, and finish of over a minute are a showcase for what this Chateau accomplished in 1982. The wine is still amazingly youthful, vibrant, and pure. It appears capable of remaining fruity and vibrant in 2082! Thank God it is beginning to budge, as I would like to drink most of my supply before I kick the bucket. This is a great, still youthful wine, and, on occasion, one does understand the hierarchy of Bordeaux chateaux when you see the complexity and brilliance of this first-growth. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+ Wine Advocate (183), Jun 2009, Robert Parker
A notably ripe but still reasonably classic Pucelles nose of honeysuckle, citrus and white orchard fruit aromas, in particular pear, leads to rich, forward and wonderfully opulent medium-bodied flavors that brim with dry extract that coats the palate on the refined and impressively long finish. As it always is, this is a classy wine of finesse but with a generous side to it in 2009. Jun 01, 2012, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
The 2021 Larrivet Haut-Brion Blanc exhibits aromas of confit citrus, crisp orchard fruit and pastry cream, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive palate that's textural but tensile, concluding with a saline finish. A maturing vineyard combined with winemaking that emphasizes plenty of lees has delivered an excellent result this year. Issue 260 End of April 2022, The Wine Advocate, 29th Apr 2022, William Kelley
The 2017 Y de Yquem was picked very early from 16 August to 25 August. It was released the week prior to my visit. Side by side, the bouquet is almost identical to the 2018 with green apple and hints of yellow flower, the Sauvignon Blanc very expressive (75% of the blend). The palate is sweet and a little more viscous thanks to the additional gram of residual sugar compared to the previous vintage with hints of nectarine and apricot laced with lemongrass towards the persistent finish. Excellent. Sep 2019, Neal Martin, Vinous.com
Pale to medium gold colored, the 2007 d'Yquem delivers powerful scents of tropical fruits—dried mangoes and pineapple paste—accented by acacia honey, toasted almonds and woodsmoke with hints of chalk dust, kettle corn and lime blossom. The palate reveals one of those vintages that shape-shifts into an apparently drier style than it is, largely thanks to its uber-racy backbone of freshness and layered mineral-inspired flavors, finishing with a regal, satin-textured savoriness. Difficult to resist now, this will be one of those Rip Van Winkle vintages that can be predicted to cellar not just for decades but for generations. For number crunchers: 14.2% alcohol, 137 grams per liter residual sugar, and total acidity is 3.7 grams per liter H2SO4. Issue 244 End of August 2019, The Wine Advocate, 31 Aug 2019, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Medium gold in color, the 1999 d'Yquem has shed its puppy fat and transformed into compelling cinnamon toast, creme caramel and cashew notions with emerging notes of beurre blanc, honeycomb, ginger snaps and praline over a core of peach preserves and apple pie. The palate is softly spoken with a refreshing backbone carrying loads of delicate savory and stone fruit preserves nuances to a long, beautifully restrained finish. At the 20-year mark, this wine is in the midst of its ideal drinking window, and while I hasten to add that there is no rush to drink up, there’s also no need to delay your gratification either. The alcohol this vintage is 13.8%, while the residual sugar is 128 grams per liter, and the total acidity is 4.5 grams per liter of H2SO4. Issue 244 End of August 2019, The Wine Advocate, 31 Aug 2019, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Served from an ex-chateau bottle. The 1995 Chateau d’Yquem is moving into its secondary aroma phase. A deep golden color, it has a dense and almost Barsac-like bouquet with tangerine, apricot, acacia and melted candle wax. It displays good intensity, unfolding beautifully in the glass. The palate has a strident opening, with a slight bitter edge that lends this Yquem great tension. One can discern layers of marmalade infused with honey fruit, with a powerful, spicy finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is drinking perfectly now, but will surely age with style over many years. Tasted March 2014. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com #213, Jun 2014
A more restrained and more elegant nose features notes of the essence of red pinot fruit, anise and a plethora of pretty floral elements. Here too the medium-bodied flavors possess a caressing texture that is finer if less powerful on the youthfully austere, balanced and sneaky long finish. This is presently not quite as complex as the Mazoyères but that may well change with time in bottle. Jan 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A broad array of spice elements adds to the appeal of the wonderfully fresh wild cherry and red currant, earth and subtle sauvage nuances. The sleek, intense and caressing broad-shouldered flavors possess both good volume and muscle on the powerful, focused and moderately austere finale. This is very impressive though note that it's going to need at least a decade to resolve its firm tannins. Excellent. Jan 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A mildly reduced nose reveals only hints of spice elements and not much else. By contrast, there is both good verve and freshness to the supple and round medium-bodied flavors that retain good detail on the austere, focused and sneaky long finale. Apr 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A much more sauvage-inflected nose speaks of more deeply pitched darker berry fruit and humus-suffused earth. There is more volume and power to the nicely rich but intense broad-shouldered flavors that exude a more subtle minerality on the youthfully austere, tightly wound and built-to-age finale. This is also very good and worth your interest. Apr 10, 2023, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)
A super-fresh nose of essence of rose petal, red cherry and an abundance of spice and earth suggestions leads to vibrant, detail and solidly concentrated flavors that exude a bracing minerality on the firm and hugely long finale. This needs to develop more depth but that is a virtual certainty given the large format bottling and extended potential aging curve. Apr 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
This is aromatically very Vosne in style with its cool and airy red berry scents that are trimmed in a plethora of exotic spice, floral and hoisin nuances. There is outstanding delineation if only average density to the sleeker and more austere finale that displays first-rate length. Note that my extended suggested drinking window is for the magnum format. Apr 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
This is aromatically quite similar to the Damodes if perhaps just a touch spicier. There is more volume if less evident minerality suffusing the bigger-bodied flavors that possess focused power on the dusty, youthfully austere and lingering finale. This could also use better complexity so a few years in a cool cellar would be beneficial. Jan 10, 2024, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A moderately toasty nose freely reveals its combination of red and dark pinot fruit, pretty floral nuances and a hint of forest floor. The punchy and beautifully textured flavors are also on the lighter side while brimming with minerality on the youthfully austere finale. This is one of those wines that is surprising in that it isn't especially dense yet it packs excellent flavor authority. Jan 10, 2024, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A slightly more elegant nose primarily consists of the essence of red berries, violet, anise and smoky hints. The succulent but seriously punchy medium weight flavors possess a highly seductive texture thanks mainly to the super fine-grained tannins shaping the lightly austere, stony and impeccably well-balanced finale. This is also excellent and a wine that, while certainly ageworthy, should be approachable after only 5-ish years of keeping. Jan 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
This is also strikingly floral with its array of violet, rose petal, lavender and acacia blossom adding elegance to the super-fresh spicy and sauvage-inflected red currant aromas. There is again excellent richness and mid-palate density to the caressing yet powerful medium weight plus flavors that conclude in a borderline aggressively mineral-driven and moderately austere finish that is akin to sucking on a small pebble. This is first-rate and clearly built-to-age, indeed it's going to need at least mid-term cellaring. Jan 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A more restrained and distinctly cool nose is at once quite elegant and spicy while displaying an array of both red and dark currant, earth and violet. The dense, muscular and powerful big-bodied flavors flash plenty of minerality on the wonderfully persistent, compact, austere and serious finale. This is a classic and very tightly wound LSJ that is likely to remain that way for most of the next decade. Jan 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A distinctly earthy and overtly sauvage-suffused nose speaks of both ripe red and dark currant scents. The dense but sleek and intense medium-bodied flavors exude plenty of minerality on the strikingly persistent finale. I like the balance and overall, this too is an excellent Gevrey villages that is very much built-to-age. Jan 10, 2022, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
Here a more reserved nose reticently offers up excellent aromatic complexity with its blend of spice, earth, red cherry and plethora of floral nuances. There is almost painful intensity to the delineated, powerful and focused larger-scaled flavors that culminate in a chiseled and hugely long finish. This is really quite stylish that while it could use more depth, this very firm effort should be at a minimum excellent. Jan 10, 2022, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A restrained and intensely floral-suffused nose is reticent to the point of being brooding and only grudgingly provides glimpses of fresh dark berries and sauvage whiffs. The precise, highly energetic and tautly muscular flavors possess that wonderful sense of underlying tension that becomes even more apparent on the mineral-driven, youthfully austere and equally long finale. This is a classic and wonderfully promising Chambertin that in magnum format should age as long as anyone would reasonably care to wait. Apr 10, 2022, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)
An overtly floral-suffused nose displays notes of violet, rose petal and lavender on the spicy and cool blend of red cherry liqueur and poached plum scents. I very much like the texture of the bigger and richer if less mineral-driven flavors that offer better verve on the robust and powerful finish that is borderline rustic. Apr 10, 2022, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A much more sauvage-inflected nose speaks of earth, poached plum and soft spice wisps. The supple, round and delicious middle weight flavors also immediately tighten up to become muscular and robust on the youthfully austere and superbly long finale. This needs more depth, but it is certainly very promising. Apr 10, 2022, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)