The 2014 Pavie is one of my preferred vintages of the decade, perhaps because the growing season put a leash on its power. It has a forward and generous nose, but there is clearly as much complexity as the Figeac that precedes it: dark berry fruit, iron filings, cedar and just a hint of tobacco. Quite involving. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, harmonious and pliant, decent acidity with a silky smooth, persistent finish. This has some way to go. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2024)
— a month ago
Great red. Great depth and balance — 15 days ago
Silky smooth tannins, dark fruit, spice, leather, tobacco — 4 months ago
1985 vintage. A nice surprise and another testimony to the ageing potential of the great 1985 vintage. Still a solid colour at 37 years old. Smoke and cedar wood, good concentration of dried fruits and spices. There is complexity and length, well worth seeking out if you like older wines. — a year ago
Nose: some Brett
Palate: vegetal. Herbal. Delicious. Bright cherry. — 25 days ago
The oldest wine that I’ve ever tasted, this 73 year-old La Tour du Pin Figeac from 1950, only the third vintage of this wine since Antoine Moueix purchased the estate from the Corbieres family in 1947. The property would later be sold to Cheval Blanc in 2008, with more than a hectare of the vineyards added to Cheval Blanc and the rest used to produce what is now La Tour du Pin. It’s possible, then, that vineyards used to make Cheval Blanc today were used in 1950 for La Tour du Pin Figeac…I digress. But this was an outstanding, emotional wine, almost impossible to believe that a half bottle of venerable Bordeaux could possess such lively and youthful character - I would have guessed a more recent, powerful vintage such as 1982 or ‘89. It’s clear that it has been stored impeccably. The nose is effusive, dark and brooding with balsamic character, dried red and black fruits, bitter chocolate and espresso, while the palate has great structure and harmony, carrying the fruit through to a long, almost austere finish. Yes, I believe this wine will continue to age well. Absolutely phenomenal stuff. — 4 months ago
The 2019 Angélus was bottled in September 2021, later than many other wines of this vintage. This is very precise on the nose, offering blackberry, dried iris petals, a little graphite and a touch of oyster shell, and the marine influence is more noticeable than before. The palate is beautifully balanced, the 40% Cabernet Franc very expressive and squarely in the driving seat. It lends this wine ample freshness and, as mentioned before, makes it stylistically quite akin to Château Figeac. Displaying fine structure toward the finish, this Angélus is full of tension thanks to a pH of 3.60 (previously, it was around pH 3.85, according to Hubert de Boüard) and comes with a very sustained finish. Seriously impressive, though it will require patience. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2022)
— 2 years ago
Lorna Hajdini
June 2022 - definitely sense the cab franc — 8 days ago