Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Carruades de Lafite charges out of the gate with bold scents of baked plums and boysenberries followed by hints of menthol, tobacco leaf, cloves and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a well-poised frame of ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the savory flavors, finishing with a spicy kick.
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Talbot opens with maturing scents of fruitcake, Chinese five spice and cigar box plus hints of dried mint, pencil lead and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is pleasantly spicy, with a light grip of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing savory.
It has fashioned a terrific, inky/blue/purple-hued 2005 with a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers, creme de cassis, pain grille, and blueberries. Powerful and concentrated with full-bodied richness, stunning purity.
he 2006 Suduiraut has a dried pineapple, Aszu-scented bouquet that gains intensity with aeration.The palate is medium-bodied with decent botrytised fruit, fresh and crisp with notes of bitter orange, honey and mandarin, quite saline on the edgy finish.
The 2006 Sigalas Rabaud has a curious bouquet with peach skin and lanolin aromas, perhaps just a touch of volatile acidity here giving it lift. The palate is medium-bodied with fine balance
The 2007 Lafon Rochet has a lively and fresh bouquet with scents of blackberry, woodland and cigar box—harmonious and gaining intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, crisp acidity and fine cohesion.
Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic. Beautiful on the nose, with notions of ground pepper, wild herbs, minerality and smoked plum and dark fruit, it’s medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and has plenty of tannin that comes through on the finish.
The 2005 Shiraz “Deer in the Headlights” offers a fragrant perfume of cedar, leather, lavender, pepper, and blueberry compote. Ripe, round, and deep, the wine is velvety textured with hints of chocolate emerging on the mid-palate.
The 2010 Langhe Arborina is a pure expression of Nebbiolo that opens to beautiful shades of black fruit, tar, licorice, plum and dried blackberry. There’s a noticeable softness to the tannins that drives the wine’s lush, supple finish.
The 2015 Corbin is medium garnet-purple colored with cigar box and spice box notions accenting the core of red and black plums, blackberry preserves and earthy layers plus a hint of lavender. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm, elegant and well balanced with grainy tannins, finishing lively and long.
A sumptuous, complex, Provencal-like bouquet of roasted herbs, cherries, licorice, and underbrush emerges from this dark plum/ruby-colored 2004. Tart acidity provides freshness, but the overall impression is of abundant currant and cherry fruit presented in a forward, superficial style.
A blockbuster effort, it reveals deep, chocolaty, meaty notes intermixed with blackberries, cherries, and cassis. Inky/ruby/purple-colored, with a large mouthfeel, full body, and well-integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol.
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 La Croix de Beaucaillou gives up aromas of cassis, earth, black plums, black cherries and mulberries with wafts of menthol, cigars and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is lively and earthy with firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and mineral-laced.
The more serious grand vin twin, the 2005 d’Issan, has a stunning nose of spring flowers, blackcurrant and blue/black fruits galore, and an impressively opaque dark plum/purple color. With a rich, concentrated and pure mouthfeel, wonderfully sweet tannin, full-bodied density and richness.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 La Vieille Cure has some cedary notes to begin, giving way to scents of red and black currants, blackberries and forest floor plus hints of truffles and iron ore. Full-bodied and packed with vibrant fruit, the oak still stands apart a tad in the flavor profile and structure
Shows great fruit intensity with ripe tones of dark fruit (it is aged in neutral oak). Even the wine’s appearance is slightly darker and more concentrated that neighboring wines.
The aromatics are very focused with black fruit, violets, fig and mineral scents that are very well defined. There is even a dab of mint chocolate making a surprise appearance on the aftertaste.
It offers up a luxurious aromatic display of loamy earth, new saddle leather, blackberry liqueur, charcoal, and barbecue spices. Layered, chewy, full-bodied, and opulent with extravagant richness, sweet, supple tannin, and low acidity.
A beautiful wine, once again, from this property that has been on a superb qualitative roll for several decades. Dense ruby/purple with notes of graphite, background oak, youthful crème de cassis and blackberry fruit as well as a floral underpinning, it is medium to full-bodied, textured, rich and impressive.
The deep garnet colored 2009 Larcis Ducasse sashays out of the glass with compelling scents of kirsch, dried roses, Black Forest cake and crème de cassis with hints of black tea, cigar box and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tautly structured with ripe, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
Deep garnet-black with a hint of brick, the 2006 Hillside Shiraz has pronounced notes of smoked game, hung meat, dried plums and kirsch, some cigar boxes, Chinese five spice and mocha. Structured, rich, very full and opulent on the palate is has a medium-firm level of rounded tannins and a long spicy finish.
The 2007 Talbot has a pleasant, classic nose of singed leather and game, a little muffled compared to its peers. But there is a sense of charm that I like, and it speaks of its appellation origin. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture. It lacks depth and grip but is nicely balanced with a cedar-tinged finish.
J.S. 91 pts
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Echo de Lynch Bages has plenty of black fruits on the nose with an earthy undercurrent. The medium-bodied palate is firm and a bit hard with an herbal lift on the finish.
Aromas and flavors of ripe dark fruits, garrigue, cured meats, tobacco leaf, saddle leather and hints of game. Full-bodied and beautifully concentrated, it offers a seamless, layered profile on the palate
It has an inky purple color and a stunning nose of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit as well as touches of incense and graphite. Medium to full-bodied and stunningly concentrated,
Another great wine in this vintage, the 2012 Malescot offers up tremendous level of black fruits, charcoal and intense, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, sensational purity, low acidity and ripe tannins. It is full-bodied, stunning, multidimensional, and a compelling example of this vintage.
Deep garnet-purple colored, it displays a gorgeous nose of commendable purity and intensity with notes of red and blackcurrants, freshly crushed blackberries, menthol, cinnamon stick, bacon fat and cloves. Rich and already expressive on the palate, it is nonetheless built for the long haul with firm, ripe and grainy tannins carrying the fruit to a long and layered finish.
It exhibits a dense plum/purple color along with a big, sweet bouquet of beef blood, grilled herbs, barbecue smoke, lavender, sweet cassis and kirsch and a hint of Asian soy. The wine possesses a fabulous texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel and a seamless integration of tannin, acidity and alcohol.
A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the 2008 exhibits graphite, sandalwood, black and red currant, chocolate and damp earth characteristics in its elegant, medium to full-bodied, fresh, lively personality. It is a delicious, luscious, already evolved wine.
Dense ruby/purple-colored, with copious quantities of black raspberry and cherry fruit intermixed with spicy oak, this deep, rich, medium to full-bodied 1997 possesses sweet tannin, low acidity, excellent length, and admirable concentration.
Juicy, succulent, cedary black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, herbs and spice box are very pure, authoritative and substantial. Dark ruby/purple, medium to full-bodied and delicious
Much deeper in color than other vintages, it has a mature, almost tropical mango and passion fruit nose that feels a little one-dimensional. The palate is medium-bodied and smooth on the entry, a little waxy in texture with nutmeg and dried honey notes on the mature, Tokaji-like finish.
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Clos du Marquis opens with medicinal, cherry cough syrup scents followed by a core of plum preserves and crème de cassis plus a touch of wild sage. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is coated with maturing black fruits and dried mint flavors, framed by chewy tannins and finishing with a refreshing lift.
The dense ruby/purple-colored, charming, finesse-styled 1999 Cantenac Brown offers excellent sweetness, medium body, and abundant black currant fruit intermixed with truffle, toasty oak, and subtle dried herb notes.
The 2015 la Tour Carnet is medium garnet-purple in color and has an earthy nose with red and black fruits and floral notions. The medium-bodied palate has plenty of energy with a great core of pure red and black fruits plus approachable tannins and nice freshness on the finish.