Delectable Wine

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9.6

When I tasted the 2018 Cheval Blanc from barrel, I felt that it deserved a very good score, though not one that implied potential perfection. The bottle was tasted upon opening, but I only began to pen my tasting note after 3–4 hours’ decanting. I still find the bouquet more open than many recent vintages, the ripe brambly red fruit intermingling with clove, sage and light graphite notes originating from the Cabernet components (46% of the final blend). It is a really seductive bouquet, though not as complex or as nuanced as, say, the astonishing 2016 or the impressive 2015. The palate is medium-bodied with refined tannins. A harmonious and elegant Cheval Blanc that has retained the linearity I remarked upon in barrel. So it is not a flamboyant Cheval Blanc like the Cabernet-dominated 2017, but it is a far better wine thanks to the Merlot imparting flesh and rondeur. The finish is extremely precise but never powerful, almost Burgundy-like in weight, with a lightly spiced aftertaste. As the hours pass in the decanter, it gains depth and a little more precision on the finish. This does not possess the otherworldly profundity to equal legends such as the 1934, 1964 or 2016; it is simply a wonderful Cheval Blanc to sit back and savor as a Saint-Émilion par excellence. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2021)
— 4 years ago

Raun Kupiec

9.5

Bouquet of faint new plastic garden hose. In a good way. In some way it reminded me of aspects of older Wachau Riesling. Deep reddish pink rosé colouring. Tea, honey, apricot, mint, caramel, spices, those waxy candies when you were a kid... superb. — 6 years ago

Sara

10

Great! Floral, and just dry enough. — 7 years ago

M

9.0

Lovely garnet color and earthy fruit bouquet. A medium-bodied, classic and harmonious blend of cherry, cranberry, tar, and black licorice flavors, with acidity and tannins that are perfectly suited for a variety of foods. — 8 years ago

Jeremy Bowen

9.7

Blueberry and spice bouquet. Rich and smooth palate. A great wine for a special occasion. Happy anniversary to us! Thanks Molly! — 8 years ago

Traci Onders

9.3

Big black fruit, great bouquet, dry. — 9 years ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.5

V13. Very good today, great tomorrow! Very nice cedar bouquet, deep blackberry and plum fruit with a spicy and very slight green pepper finish . Wine is really good today , but there is a slight "newness" that will eventually round out. Enjoyable dinner wine. — 10 years ago

Bryan Flewelling

8.9

All kinds of delicious dark fruit...juicy and baked blueberry. For the $ it's a knockout.--2010 vintage — 10 years ago

Paul Borys

8.9

1934 Château Margaux

Top shoulder fill. Semi-opaque at the core, almost like an old burgundy with its brownish hews. Beautiful and graceful bouquet of roses, raspberries that have been baked, very elegant and healthy nose. At first very dry, with the fruit barely hanging on for dear life, but after 15 minutes in the decanted it comes alive with sweet fruit, high acidity and just a kiss of tannin. This is very complex and sublime for about a period of 20-40 minutes, what else could you ask for from a 80 year old bottle of wine.
THANKS DAVE !!

50-5-12-13-5=85+ — 11 years ago

George Chen

9.5

Drinks better now than 61...more lushness and full bouquet. Haunting layers of flavor, beautifully extracted front to back balance is amazing!!! — 12 years ago

Max Waldron

9.0

With carignan- jammy and delicious but not obvious — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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10

The 1945 La Mission Haut-Brion from the château cellar is transcendental. It is blessed with the most beautiful bouquet you can imagine, effortless and natural, featuring woodland, red-berried fruits, a minerally quality and a faint touch of leafiness; given time to settle, it develops a lovely gamy note. The palate is medium- rather than full-bodied and sublimely balanced, upholding that effortless grace with an elegant, bittersweet, dried orange peel finish. One of the most harmonious wines I have ever consumed. Perfect. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London in September 2009. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Had older vintages, the ‘07 was released in late 2015, great but still has time to bottle age. Decant 2 hours before drinking. Tempranillo with about 15% Mazuelo (Cariñena), concentrated bouquet of berry fruits with spice. On the palate cherry and plum flavors, well balanced for a difficult vintage. Lingering, crisp and focused, tight tannins ending with a mineral character and earthy tones, a traditional Rioja. Stock up on the ‘07, there is no ‘08, but ‘09, ‘10 & ‘11 will be released Wow! 900 cases US! — 7 years ago

Chris Bensick

9.0

Our other Thanksgiving wine. A bit dried out, but a lovely bouquet. Good cork. Of the recent Leovilles, I prefer the 78 Barton, and next the 81 Las Cases. This comes in third, but not shabby at all! — 8 years ago

Raye Ackerman

9.3

Still got it. Big bouquet and full of flavor. — 8 years ago

Knox Knox

9.1

This is definitely a great bottle. High alcohol but once it opens up the bouquet is marvelous; Vanilla, baking spices, fresh berries and cream. All upfront taste... bright fruit, berries, orange notes, red apple skin, medium-high tannins but all upfront clean finish, surprisingly light body. I would recommend this wine and would be an easy seller with a decent price point. — 9 years ago

Joe Kaiser

9.1

Finally trying the 2009 Morlet Bouquet Garni the nose has a peppery earthy & the comm#es a blackberry liqueur, the palate I has a rich cassis & blackberry syrup with a couch or pencil lead or graphite and soft tannins integrating in this wine with a long finish! — 9 years ago

Peterjmaes

9.0

Excellent. Even better the second day. A lot of grip but the tannins are well integrated. — 10 years ago

Garrett Smith

Sommelier Restaurant DANIEL

9.7

Stunning immediately. Just increased in bouquet over two hours. C'est parfait — 11 years ago

Ryan Key

9.5

WOW. Awesome. Deep, rich body with a wonderful mixed berry bouquet. Would buy again and again. — 11 years ago

HH Lim

9.0

Drank on 16/12/20 at Orchard Residence. Nice bouquet with strong earth, leather flavour,. Very long finishes — 5 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Bouquet of strawberries and rhubarb, fig jam, herbal notes, saddle leather, moderate acidity, cedar box. Lovely. — 6 years ago

with Deked1

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

Coming from an exceptional vintage, the 2005 Viña Tondonia from R. Lopez de Heredia is a compelling blend of Tempranillo (75%), Garnacho (15%), Graciano and Mazuelo (10%), all sourced from their estate vineyards and aged for six years prior to bottling. This sensational wine opens with a bright bouquet of leather, cranberry, orange rind, forest floor and suggestions of black tea. Showing incredible focus and poise, this balanced Rioja is framed around flavors off leather, red cherry, teaberry, Mandarin orange and pipe tobacco that sit alongside brisk minerality, as the wine shows tremendous freshness and length through the long finish. This is an absolute stunning effort from this storied Estate and should continut to drink beautifully for years to come. Drink 2019-2035- 94 — 6 years ago

John Svoboda

9.8

Dark ruby color, with bright acidity in the glass. Sensuous bouquet of plum liqueur, blackberry and cassis. Powerful well balanced and still young fruit in the mouth, well rounded with sweetness penetrating firm tannins. Beautiful long finish that exudes a powerful elegance. A tour de force that is still years from maturity! — 7 years ago

with Rick

Joseph Locke

9.0

Mineral tasting. Good bouquet. Lacks vibrant fruit flavor — 8 years ago

Bridgette Adams

9.0

Beautiful bouquet, light notes of cherry, the smell alone makes my mouth water - dry but not overbearing still leaves your mouth happy, vanilla, silky — 9 years ago

Karen Fricke

10

Light dry crisp smooth lovely! — 10 years ago

Matt Lierz

9.5

Fruit filled nose bouquet, red cherry palate with long/strong acidic finish. — 10 years ago

Bob Busch

9.2

Bouquet where the cab franc comes right out. Love cab franc. Taste is long and delicious. Medium body. — 10 years ago

with Winston

Jay Miele

10

A nose of dried prunes, 30 second finish with minimal tannins. Nice bouquet. Drink within the next few years. — 12 years ago