Château Pont Saint Martin
Château Cheval Blanc
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2018
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
Château Saint-Martin
Bordeaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
2016 vintage. Opened on 20th May 2020. Peaked at 30 to 40 mins. Leathery and moldy scent. Vanilla, floral, peppery and some spicy aftertaste. Low acidity. Medium to high tannins. Medium finish. — 5 years ago
Château Canon
Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
The 2015 Canon has a tightly wound bouquet with mineral rich black fruit, raspberry coulis, rose
petal and desiccated orange peel. It takes time to come together, but it does. The palate is well defined, very focused with fine minerality. This is discreet but beautifully balanced, clean and precise with a sense of energy and precision on the finish. It is less showy than its peers at the moment, which
explains why I am more parsimonious with my score. Yet the potential is locked inside this wine and it will aspire toward perfection with a decade in bottle.Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2019) — 6 years ago
Château Clos St. Martin
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2006
Clos St. Martin was established in 1850 and named after the neighbouring church of Saint- Martin. Clos St Martin is just 1.33 hectare and is the smallest classified growth in Saint-Émilion. An interesting lighter style Bordeaux. Dark berry fruit aromas, earthy herb spice. On the palate complex black fruit flavors and espresso notes. Soft tannins, smoky oak, medium+ finish, earthy mineral ending. Drink now. — 7 years ago
Godmé Père et Fils
Les Champs Saint Martin Extra Brut Champagne Pinot Noir 2007
Great balance of weighty fruit/non-fruit character, textural richness, and bright acidity. So open knit and generous right now. Seamless. Deep stone fruit and baked pommaceous notes, zippy ripe citrus, lacey tones of nuts, flowers, honey, and brioche. Deeply mineral throughout. So delicious and perfect accompaniment with our meal. — 8 years ago
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996
The 1996 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a vintage that I have not tasted for a number of years. Matured in two-thirds new oak, it has an open and expressive bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, estuarine scents, touches of liquorice emerging with time. It is higher-toned than the 1995 with iodine evolving with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fresh acidity, quite sweet in the mouth and maybe like the 1995, just missing that complexity and terroir expression that I think has defined recent vintages from this estate. Maybe it is slightly compromised by some Merlot (25%) that was picked a but later, but still, there is a lot of pleasure to be found in this 1996. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2022)
— 3 years ago
Château Calon-Ségur
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
The 2016 Calon-Ségur has a very concentrated, multifaceted bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, cedar and wild mint. I adore this – so involving and so intoxicating! The palate is very well balanced with succulent tannins and a fine bead of acidity, full of tension and poise. Black cherry and blueberry emerge toward the satisfying, complete finish. A gorgeous Saint-Estèphe. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château de Saint-Martin
Eternelle Favorite Rosé Blend
A bit sweeter than expected. Peach well represented. — 6 years ago
Domaine Michel Gros
Fontaine Saint Martin Monopole Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Chardonnay
Outstanding. Richer style, balanced with freshness and verve. — 6 years ago
Château Belair-Monange
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
The 2016 Belair-Monangé displays almost clinical precision on a nose of mineral-rich black cherry and raspberry fruit, plus hints of wilted violets and iris. The medium-bodied palate delivers firm grip on the entry. This is a clean, precise, correct Saint-Émilion with plenty of tension and poise toward the persistent finish. Very classy and noble. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Léoville Poyferré
Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
The 2010 Léoville-Poyferré has a very intense bouquet with blackberry, briary cedar and light estuarine/seaweed aromas that are very well defined. Pure class. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, layers of pure black fruit laced with pencil lead and a pinch of white pepper. It fans out wonderfully towards the finish, a Saint-Julien demonstrating wonderful density and precision. What an outstanding wine, perhaps less flamboyant than other vintages, one that will last decades. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Cap Saint-Martin
Premières Côtes de Blaye Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
Ligero de cuerpo — 6 years ago
Cave de Roquebrun
Les Hauts de Saint Martin St. Chinian Red Blend 2017
Fantastic wine, earthy but with a long silky finish. £8.50 in Co-Op bargain — 6 years ago
Domaine de la Ferme Saint Martin
Costancia Beaumes-de-Venise Grenache Syrah 2015
Pretty intense — 8 years ago
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The 2019 Barde-Haut is beautifully defined on the nose, very pure with precise blackberry, briary, violets and iris flower, harmonious. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled tannins, cohesive and mineral-driven; the terroir is very expressive towards the finish that lingers in the mouth. Wonderful, assured and with great potential. Tasted at the Barde-Haut vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2022)
— 3 years ago