David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Are there many/any better Pauillac second growths?

2003 a ripe, warm vintage.

Soften medium plus tannins. It’s Bordeaux lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum that leans into pudding, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits. Dark spice w/ palate heat, nutmeg, clove , cinnamon notes, mid berry cola, some black licorice, vanillin, dark, rich forest floor with a touch of dry leaves, lead pencil shavings, dry tobacco, sandalwood to cedar, 1/2 used leather, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry to moist, grey, volcanic clay, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with excellent; tension, structure, balance and elegant finish that goes on and on.

First wine w/ an Allen Brothers Ribcap.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, library cellar and estate vineyard. — 10 days ago

Conrad Green

9.7

Deep and complex. Gnarly slightly wild fruit. Earthiness, intense and yet reduced. While not the best bottle of this I’ve had it’s still pretty amazing stuff. A long life ahead — 5 days ago

with Paul, Gregg and 2 others

Victor Hsu

9.3

Smooth, round and delicious, with gentle tannins and woody, plummy spice. Lovely red Bordeaux—we could dink this all night. Still balanced after 27 years but its acids seem a bit faded. I would guess that it’s at a high plateau that may be gently dipping so my daughter Rachel, who owns this wine, needs to finish the rest of her stash within the next year. The vintage of this bottle is her birth year, and we laid down a half case along with another half case of Chateau Lynch Bages. Both bottles are now soft, special treats. We enjoyed the 1996 vintage with prime steak at the Palm Restaurant in downtown LA, celebrating her graduation from UCLA Law. Congratulations, Rachel! — 2 days ago

AHF

9.1

From half with perfect cork. Very balanced with drying tannins. Much better after two+ hour decant. — 3 days ago

Turd Ferguson

9.0

Medium body, drinks fairly light for bdx. Well balanced by age. A little gravelly/dusty. Very tasty. Pair with marinated grilled sliced tri tip. Don’t forget to pound your meat. — 2 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.6

Medium ruby , slighter narrower ruby / pink rim , a little less bright . Slightly deeper , darker fruits , blueberry, violets , with scorched earth , mineral and grafite . On the palate , more intensity and power perhaps , more noticeable though still velvety tannin , dark fruits , mineral , saline , fresh cigar. Lovely fresh acidity , balanced alcohol . Long saline , mineral tinged, slightly toasty finish . Needs time obviously , but will be one of the great wines from a great vintage in 20 years, just wait — 17 days ago

Sam Friedland

9.1

Some raspberries and cherries, a little of tannins. Was great with braised elk and king trumpet mushrooms. — 9 days ago

Jen

9.2

Quintessential old Bordeaux — 3 days ago

E. De

9.4

We both really like — 9 hours ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Youthful when 1st opened that needed some air to develop. This was polished with notes of graphite, cedar, leather, menthol, savory spice & tobacco — 3 days ago