Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2022 vintage. One of the Castel family estates since 1973 ( before the estate was known as Domaine de Tartuguière). With 144 hectares of vines,this is the largest contiguous vineyard in the Médoc. Vanessa Trouy has been in charge since 2002. Dark red colour. Needs a bit of time to open up, give it 15 minutes to release attractive aromas of strawberries, flowers, nutmeg and oak. Good fruit concentration in the mouth, with a solid tannic structure,fresh acidity and nice length. This will need a few years to show all its potential, and has serious ageing potential. For now decanting is recommended, pair with a good steak. Another terrific Bordeaux value. — 3 days ago

Dave

8.9

Birth year wine.
"Looks like a tricky one"... if I had a dollar for every time I heard that.
This is Chateau Latour Martillac, Graves, 1975.
This wine is slightly over the hill, but has survived 50 years. Just like me.
I'm assuming this is Cabernet, Merlot, and maybe something else. Fine, pale brick color. The nose is lively and generous with fruit, though there is a bit of grandma's basement.
The palette is driven by tertiary flavors. Mushroom, truffle, wet leaves, and pencil tend to drown out a bit of dark cherry. A little astringent. Maybe some Petit Verdot.
I wouldn't kick this out of bed for eating crackers, but I would prefer it with some lamb.
Hope you all are having an awesome Sunday!
Listening to Dexter Gordon. — 25 days ago

with Tegan

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2021 pours a deep purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe dark fruits: blackberries, dark cherry, plums, purple flowers, cocoa, organic earth and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A crowd pleaser to drink now but with enough substance to enjoy through 2036. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château LaTour de Bessan – Margaux 2022
Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A cru bourgeois property in the heart of Margaux, LaTour de Bessan showcases the elegance and structure that define the Left Bank. The 2022 vintage, shaped by a warm growing season, highlights both concentration and finesse — a reminder of how Margaux balances power with perfume.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive cassis, black cherry, and blueberry meld with notes of cedar, graphite, and violet. Subtle hints of tobacco leaf and spice linger in the background, adding Bordeaux’s signature complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and a vibrant core of acidity. Silky yet structured, showing poise on the mid-palate and a lingering, refined finish. Built to age, but already offering glimpses of charm.

Food Pairings
Ideal with classic Bordeaux fare — roast lamb, duck breast, or beef tenderloin. Also pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes and aged cheeses like Comté.

Verdict
A stylish Margaux that balances depth with elegance. While the 2022 is still young, its aromatic lift and refined structure promise rewarding evolution over the next decade. A Left Bank classic in the making. 🍷cheers! — 21 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2018 vintage. Last tasted 8.26.22 (9.3) and 7.21.21 (9.3). Medium/medium-heavy body. Slightly less end palate lift than last two encounters and tasting like it is in that proverbial "state of confusion...er...transition." Would like to taste again and will give it 3-4 years before revisiting to do this justice. Pretty unified now without side projects and ancillary rabbit holes but something tells me this has another third act of mayhem and debauchery up its' sleeve. 07.09.25. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

1997 vintage. A nice surprise in a vintage that was not highly regarded. Today, the 1997 outshined the 2000 La Tour de Bessan. Wonderful tasting with Marie-Laure Lurton, who kindly opened older vintages of La Tour de Bessan and Villegeorge. Unfortunately the 1961 Villegeorge was corked but one could tell the structure of the wine,it should be great from a good bottle. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Dark ruby/ purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite, dark chocolates, earth, vegetables and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 10 year old is drinking very nicely now, and probably drinking at its peak. However, will continue to drink nicely in the next 10 years.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so be patient.

Showing lots of earth notes with coffee and dark chocolates. Tangy and interesting.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50. — 18 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2022 vintage. Any wine that smells like roses gets my attention. In this case the roses are intertwined with spices, and it is hard to find wines this cheap that smell so nice. A delicious,uncomplicated, spicy and fruity Negrette, with a little tannic bite that can be served slightly cold. Abv. 12,5%. This organic Fronton delivers lots of pleasure and character, and it sells for a song. — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2016 | The colour has developed a Rembrandt old gold texture. Honeyed apricot in smell, perfectly balance, luscious. Paired with Foie Gras de canard. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong and fruity nose with ripe black fruits and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing cooked cherries, plums, black currants, coffee, light cedar, earth, herbs, spices, tobacco and chocolates.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot from the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Soft, elegant, and very impressive.

Rich, complex and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

This 6 year old Merlot will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Drinking it with the wine maker in the winery's cellar is always a special experience.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$100. — 5 months ago