David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Amazing w/ the Allen Brothers A-5 wagyu.

This is another Bordeaux producer that makes wines for the ages. I’ve waited & waited on 2000, this shows some readiness. Yet, will go another 20 plus years.

Tonight this is well balanced earth & candied fruit. In 10 years, this is candied fruit & florals.

Still medium plus tannins. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with ample skin, juicy dark cherries, poached strawberries, raspberries, dry limestone grains with powder, dark, forest floor with dry leaves, some dry herbaceousiness-bay leaf, mint, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon, hints of vanillin, mid berry cola, sandalwood to cedar shavings, used leather, pipe tobacco, anise, some mocha, sun tea, dark, red, purple flowers with a touch of blue, excellent acidity and a well knitted structure, balanced, nicely tensioned with a ripe, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Calon Segur, tasting room, barrel cellar and estate vineyard. — 8 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2008 Cheval Blanc is one of the go-to wines of the vintage. Now at 15 years old, it has retained the energy and focus it displayed from the outset: black fruit, crushed stone, wilted violet petals and touches of forest floor cohere wonderfully in the glass. The Cabernet here is more expressive. The palate has a slight chewiness on the entry, but it "relaxes" in the glass. It shows off its delicate lattice of tannins and perhaps a bit more backbone than I have observed on previous bottles. It's very intense on the finish where, as before, the Cabernet Franc takes charge. Superb. Keep it another three to four years if you can. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 4 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.3

Nose starting to bloom, dark fruit, tobacco, leather. Dark ruby. Fruit starting to mature, cassis, blackberry and black cherry. Sweet tobacco, leather, forest floor, oak. Acidity strong, tannins chalky but tight. Grippy mouthfeel. Needs air to open up a bit but still lot of time left to go. Gonna save my next bottle for at least 5 years. Nice long finish. — 9 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.7

Fleshy and big at this point with amazing tannins. Too young. Cherry 🍒 driven at this point - the classic E&M black forest herbs are there. Seems to me comparable to a GC Vosne. This is a tremendous effort and will improve over time to a glorious benchmark Pinot. I suspect my rating will go up to a 9.8+ in 5 years. What a wine! Should have bought cases! — 14 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

Since Fass is offering the 2019 as a cellar release from the winery i went back to taste the vintage. 2018, 19, 20, 21 are all excellent and different. The 18‘ is more wild and rich, the 19‘ quite elegant and the 20‘big while the 21‘ is probably my favorite a combination of 19‘ & 20‘. The 19 is classic E&M i would drink the vintage and not keep it. Light and elegant, dark cherries, lime, chalk and this hard to define E&M signature best described as black forest meadow with thyme and other herbs. I could drink this by the bucket. — 5 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Great 05 fruit with classic Bordeaux profile.

Starts with the bright, ripe fruits that 05 gave. Blackberries, black raspberries, very, dark cherries, black plum, raspberries, plum, perfect graphite for days, cedar, fresh & slightly dry tobacco, forest floor with dry leaves, perfect, dark spices, dry crushed limestone, dry river stone, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, salted caramel, dry, dark chocolate bar, steep tea with fruit, anise to black licorice, haunting herbaceous notes, saline notes, dry to moist clay, bright, mid to dark florals framed in violets, excellent acidity with amazing tension, beautifully balanced & structured, polished, wire to wire finish that lasts close to two-minutes. So round on the palate. Great with the El Salciciero ribeyes.

Corn picked today from my organic garden. Ten to fifteen plus year left. — 9 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is 93-94 this young. I was a little surprised they slotted this last in the tasting. I would have led with it. However, it didn’t end up being our last wine. Leslie was kind enough to open another.

Both plums, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of dark berry cola, nice, soft baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, grainy limestone, wet clay, dark, rich, forest floor, some dry herbs, excellent fresh & withering florals that are a combination of; dark, red, some blue and violets, nice round acidity, a smooth, elegant finish that softly structured, balanced and wire to wire smooth and elegant with a full minute finish.

Photos of; a pano of their stunning view of Pritchard Hill, Their dual sided wall of fame of bottles the staff at the estate have enjoyed and their tasting room table. They did an excellent job curating it. — 4 months ago

Raun Kupiec

8.9

Enjoyable. Opened a 2013 two weeks ago and it was disappointing. This 2015 tonight was very soft, with some well integrated tannin present and had nice black cherry and forest flavours. But I think I need to drink the rest soon. — 4 months ago

with Barbara

Sipping Fine Wine

9.8

Ruby color, slight purple edges, with aromas of red fruits, forest floor, floral and smoky spice, aged in 50% new French oak. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with cedar notes, tea, cola, black pepper, cinnamon spice and earthy herbs, very complex. Full-bodied, fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and a spicy earthy character. Needs more bottle time, will age well! Pair this with a grilled salmon or maple glazed pork chop! — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Deep Ruby with aromas of black fruits, spice and dried herbs. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currants and ripe cherry with cedar spice and forest herbs. Fine firm tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, cedar and earthy character. Good value! — a year ago