Jeff Hasmann

9.3

Exquisite. Nose opens with pomegranate, ripe plum, and fresh tobacco leaf. After 30 mins in the decanter, it has evolved to dark fruit, cigar box, cedar plank, and earth. The mouthfeel is so intriguing - smooth, gripping, and lingering. The wine is great now but has a long life ahead as well. 2006 vintage on Aug 4, 2019 — 5 years ago

Chris England

9.4

A little gem recommended to me by @gabymeetswine @vilaviniteca for €66 in a lovely gift box with elastic for extra kinkyness 😁 This Ribera Del Duero is young & drinking well but will improve with age 😍 5 years a 💥 Nice Xmas gift for somebody 😉

📍 Pago de Carraovejas El Anejón 2010

🏵 94 points

🍇 94% Tempranillo, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Merlot

🍷 Opaque blackened deep ruby

👃 Rich dark cherry & blackcurrant in slight sweet cedar/oak w/ dark plum, blueberry, vanilla cocoa cream, wild raspberry, dried violets & smokey herbs (the legal kind 🤣)

👄 Med+ bodied fruit loaded explosion of creamy smooth ripe blackcurrant & dark cherry bathed in cocoa, raspberry liquorice & a hint of dry oakyness

🎯 Long touch dry dark fruit bomb 😈 leaving a purple teeth smile w/ a raspberry & blueberry liquorice slap
— 6 years ago

Kim Stanbro

9.6

2012. Christening the finished bottle box table by popping open a former occupant. Simply a perfect wine. Mustard flowers embedded in resin sent be the good folks at #trefethenfamilyvineyards — 6 years ago

with Therese, Amy and 1 other

Ty Agens

9.2

Not only is it the best wine in the box I've ever had, it's also the second best rosé I've had this summer!
If you can still find it, it will not disappoint.
Summer of 2017 (this isn't a vintage wine AFAIK). — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The Backus Vineyard is on a steep hillside in the low end of the Vaca mountains...across from Rudd Vineyards and Screaming Eagle. It's a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec. Tonight, it's showing elegant evolution. The tannins are about at the halfway point in their evolution. It has a slightly jammy character. The fruits are; ripe to dry blackberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, touch of blueberries, black raspberries & raspberries come on late, coffee grounds, spice-box, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mocha chocolate, a nice woody barrel toast comes through mid palate, black licorice anise, dry stems, black tea, dry florals & fresh violets, dry hay, rich semi-sweet black earth, dry crush brown volcanic rocks and the acidity is perfect. The wine is in a good place tonight with a 3 hour decant. The structure, balance, length and finish are outstanding. The finish goes on and on. It's; ruby, lush, thick, round, elegant with just the right amount of spice and earth. The first bottle in a set of three. I would have the next bottle in 5-8 years. Guessing, the last bottle in another 3-7 years depending on the showing of the second bottle. Sweet dark cassis nectar. — 7 years ago

David Annis

9.6

This is gorgeous. The cork disintegrated, and the bottom was black as tar. The nose is fruit and earth in that order, which was surprising. Decanted 30 minutes, which wasn't enough time for the vinegar notes to dissipate. Light color, which is slightly incongruous given the still pronounced fruits and tannins. Leather, cigar box, blackberries, oak on the finish. I was initially worried that we might have waited too long, but by the end of the bottle, I'm convinced there was no rush. This is exactly what a mature Pauillac should be. — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

I would love to put this wine in a blind tasting of all the Cult Cabernets. I wouldn't be surprised if this beat them all. It certainly would finish in the top three. Yes, this includes; Screaming Eagle, Scarecrow, Harlan etc.. It's so full, round, lush, elegant & perfectly ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, blueberries, plum, dark cherries, dark raspberries. Baking spices done just right, sweet lush rich moist dark earth, dry florals, fresh violets, spice/box, powder from crushed rocks, cocoa powder, suede style leather, a hint of stems, dead on acidity and an elegant round finish that doesn't stop. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.6

Finally have a bit of time to update my tasting notes from my visit to Napa the past few days. Did a bit of work for Montagu Wines, and enjoyed a ridiculous amount of wine, and good wine at that.

Russell Bevan is making wine at Brasswood, where we are for Montagu, so it was great meeting the larger than life man that he is. He was kind enough to share a glass of his Tin Box cab with us while we were all together and this wine represents him perfectly. This is a bold, in your face cab, that blows big fruit on the nose, and gripping tannins that want to beat you like a pulp, then let go just as soft as they were strong. Big boy cab, ladies and gentlemen. — 8 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.7

Brilliant and complex , caught at in a perfect spot, as this layered wine offers mature notes of dried flowers, leather and aged cigar box, but also incredible presence of red and dark fruits, framed by completely integrated oak spice and sweet, grainy tannins, all lengthened by juicy acidity. Brilliant! — 9 years ago

Sydney Coelho

9.7

This is my go-to brand for Malbec. I have loved this wine for several years now and every year the vintage is pretty much spot-on. Exactly what you want in a Malbec and at Kroger for $10 it fits the wallet perfectly. — 9 years ago

Marius Morosanu

9.0

This wine makes me happy. Can we say value extraordinaire. I've never heard anyone say anything but good things about this blend - especially after I show them what it is. Sure it's in a box but so will you be at one point. Get over it. It's decent - no - damn good wine. — 10 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 1982 Chateau Léoville-Barton red wine is a stunning bottling from this famed vintage in Bordeaux. Generously shared by some friends, and needing very little time in the decanter to evolve, the 1982 Léoville-Barton opens with a captivating nose of sour red cherry, cigar box with shades of white truffle and a striking herbaceousness. There is a wonderful, seamless quality to this wine that evokes a harmonious balance on the mid-palate. A bright saline streak dashes through this incredible wine. Showing a wonderfully soft mouthfeel, the wine slowly unveils layers of sour red fruits, exotic spices, red bell pepper, anise and hints of wild blackberry that all marvelously combine with the toasty oak. While absolutely delightful now, this stunning wine will has more than a decade of life left. Drink 2019-2035- 95

— 5 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.3

[Tasted on June 19, 2018 at Fiola in Washington, D.C.]

Excellent Brunello. Well structured wine with silky mouthfeel. Nicely balanced with cherry fruit, herbal notes and hints of cigar box. Noteworthy for its finesse. Paired extremely well with a great meal. Wine Spectator awarded 95 points. — 6 years ago

Craig Stanfield

9.1

Cork was in excellent shape for being a 1998. The wine is not likely to improve but it’s a solid wine now and still has life left. Medium body, medium acidity and gripping tannin but not harsh. The fruit has given way to earthier tones with a bit of Brett. There’s a singed element or perhaps tar. Stewed fruit and cigar box as well. This was seemingly better on day 2, if that is even possible (though tightly corked overnight). This I’m bumping this to the 90s. — 6 years ago

Matt Trader

9.4

2012 wasn't the best year for left bank Bordeaux, but don't tell that to Pape Clement, because they crushed it! (All puns intended) Decanted from 11-4pm before jumping in, and it could have spent even more time breathing. The nose was divine - rose water, crushed gravel, pencil box, cloves, espresso bean, and mulled black fruits. The pallet was full of focused tannins and dark rich fruit - black plum, creme de casis, red licorice, red delicious apple skin, mineral, vanilla, green bell pepper, nutmeg, and a lingering finish of dark chocolate. Absolutely a full throttle wine, and this one will age just as long as their 100 pt 2010. Also, this vintage is average only $90, compared to about $250, so it is the best value in some of the best of Bordeaux. Buy all this up while you can, try one, and hold on to them for as long as you can! Hold, and drink from 2027-2047. — 7 years ago

with Tais

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose is dark ripe fruits and beautiful purple florals. The 03 will continue it to evolve but not sure how much better it gets. The tannins are nearly completely resolved. The fruits are juicy & ripe; blackberries(nearly pancake syrup), blueberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, cooked raspberries & strawberries, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, it's got a bramble quality, black earth with a touch of crushed stones, a touch of spearmint, hint of eucalyptus, fresh purple florals, spice-box, tobacco leaf, the acidity is perfect as is; the balance, structure, length and long beautiful, velvety fruit finish. A nice follow up to the 2005 & had in the right order. — 7 years ago

Shawn R

9.4

Deep black-purple hues in the glass. Intense highly concentrated nose flashing peet moss, black fruit jam jar and a cedar edge. Ran through a Venturi sipped 15min later. Tannins are chewy and big. Wine builds slow, front of the palate hints coco dusted chocolates and dried plum. Back of the palate is the show, cigar box, singed wood accents and leather. Mouth dry finish that rolls and tickles presenting fruit, minerals and herbaceous aftertaste. Fun young, but will do better with some time in the bottle. I couldn't help myself... — 8 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

10

To me the most complex wine of the night offering a deep cerebral experience, with what I thought of as a berry bouquet garni was the 2000 Haut-Brion. The most contemplative, while also a deeply pleasurable wine, offered layers of classic Bordeaux notes of toast, coffee, currants, cassis, subtle & smokey campfire embers, cigar box...the list goes on and most of that was in the nose. The palate was texturally seamless, packed and stacked with structure that never got in the way, though you would notice it on the finish letting you know it was there.

2005 was locked up and unrelenting at first, the second go an hour later was more repenting but it was still not nudging much. A thoroughly excellent wine, but just not revealing much beyond the hints of its greatness.

#hautbrion #pessacleognan #bordeaux #wine — 8 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.2

Profound ripeness, but not overdone in any way, this mature yet lively bottle is burting with cedar, aged cigar box, sage and dried cassis aromas. On the palate, it's silky and seductive with rounded off tannins and loaded with dried fruit flavors, yet it manages to retain freshness and even offers some dusty minerality on the a back palate. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Label in bad shape from an excess humidity event in the wine cabinet. One of the most counterfeited wines in the world. More 1982 Lafite sold in China than were made!! I know this is genuine as I bought it new in 1985 at Roseville Cellars for $120 together with a 1982 Margaux drunk 6 years ago and the best wine I have ever had. This 82 Lafite had a dusty cedar cigar box nose with fading plum notes. As Jancis says A racy savoury palate with frail fruit. Cannot be more accurate than that. A total experience. — 9 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.3

A bit shy in the nose cigar box coffee starting to open up smooth and silky on the tongue with layers of spice and earth — 10 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

From magnum. Deep reddish tawny color. Almost opaque. Nice seductive nose. Notes of blackberries, cedar box, warm blueberries, a little currant and some tobacco leaf. Really nicely balanced with tannins fully resolved and integrated. In a great place and don’t think it will get much better from here, but clearly built to last. — 5 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.1

Big and tart starting off with cranberry and strawberry. The cigar box comes through so strong in the middle that you’d think someone was smoking nearby. Lots of leather and minerals present as well. The finish has chewy tannins and acid to spare. After six years I think this wine could still use a couple more years in the bottle to smooth out a bit. — 6 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.2

Fresh copious amounts of eucalyptus inhaled, as my nose is encapsulated by my glass.

First sip is elusive. Cannot quote pick which dark fruit/ deep memory I can impart in this review, so I return quickly for another.

Eucalyptus cigars, blackberry seed, tamarind, cedar, cedar, pine box and cedar!

Lingering, is the sadness of winter, in the darkness of this wine, and the acidity that is tempered by that damn lovely cedar.

A touch of heat, yet one has to get burnt every now and then, to see what lies beyond, eh?
— 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Pichon Lalande is my favorite 2nd growth with a steak. Yup...it's #SteakandClaret night to quote my buddy Gary Westby. Further, it's certainly one of my favorite producers period. I've waited for this wine to be in the bottle for 10 years before finding out definitely how good it was or wasn't. You see, the 05 Bordeaux vintage was exceptional. It's drinking right now better than 00. 00 may turn out to be better, but not for some time. The real issue was the division of scores between RP & NM. Parker had this as low as an 86 and now has it at 89. Neil Martin has been consistently at 95-96. I found it simply inexplicable that Pichon Lalande could have bombed in such a great vintage. Tonight, I know they didn't. This wine is beautiful. Although, I don't believe it will cellar as long as their some of their very best vintages and many others I've enjoyed. On the nose, bramble, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, notes of blueberries, poached strawberries, graphite, baking spices, cedar, lightly perfumed violets and dark, fresh & dry red flowers. The body is medium-medium plus, tannins nicely resolved with 10 years to be completely resolved. Fruits of; ripe blackberries, dark cherries, notes of blueberries, poached strawberries and pomegranate with a whiff of spice. There's notes of dry bramble, soft leather, fresh violets, graphite, cedar, dry stones, dark rich earth, limestone, tobacco, spice-box, vanilla, very light cinnamon & nutmeg. The finish is very long, elegant, ripe, round, smooth, good acidity and beautifully elegant...50-50 earth & fruit. I bought more bottles of this at $85 after it's was first released in futures and I do not regret it. $85 is proving to be a steal for this wine when it normally sells for between $100-$150 a bottle and higher. Might heavy up further after tonight if I find more around the same price. Oh yes...I'm with NM on the scoring. Photos of the Chateau, estate vines, newer tasting room & the Virginie de Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande. Forgive my long post, but my passion and love for this producer is profound. Producer history and notes...as I wrote in an earlier post for Pichon Baron, Pichon Baron and Lalande started as one entity. The first mention of what is now called Chateau Pichon Lalande was the creation of Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan. Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan is responsible for forming many of the top Bordeaux estates today. Pichon Lalande was given its name when Therse, the daughter of the founder received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville. Pichon Lalande was essentially managed by three women, Therese de Rauzan, Germaine de Lajus and Marie Branda de Terrefort. On the eve of his death in 1850, Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville divided the property between his five children. His three daughters received Pichon Lalande and his sons Pichon Baron. What happened next was Virginie, the wife of the Count of Lalande took over the management of the estate under the name of Comtesse de Lalande. In 1850 she commissioned the popular, architect Duphot to build a residence inspired by the Hotel de Lalande, located in Bordeaux. Without heirs, Pichon Lalande passed down from aunts to nieces. Following World War I, the Miailhe brothers, bought Pichon Lalande in 1925. They were the ones who planted even more Merlot. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the daughter of Edouard Miailhe became the new owner and general manager of Chateau Pichon Lalande in 1978. She expand the size of Chateau Pichon Lalande from 40 hectares to it's current 89 hectares. Chateau Pichon Lalande remained in the same family for more than 250 years! In fact, over three centuries, only two families have owned Pichon Lalande. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing sold Pichon Lalande to the owners of Roederer Champagnein in January 2007. This family-run company is managed by Frederic Rouzaud who owned several other wine estates in Bordeaux; Chateau Bernadotte, Chateau de Pez, Haut Beausejour and Chateau Reaut la Graviere. He sold Chateau Bernadotte in December 2012. In February, 2011, Sylvie Cazes was named the director of Chateau Pichon Lalande. She replaced Gildas d’Ollone. Sylvie Cazes was replaced in 2012 by current Director Nicolas Glumineau, who was previously at Chateau Montrose. In 2012, Pichon Lalande renovated the estate with a budget estimated at over 15 Million Euros. The new facilities included; building of a new underground barrel aging cellar and several new buildings...one that houses their new tasting room as shown. This renovation provided numerous improvements in their wine making. Most importantly, in the vinification. They created a new, triple tiered, cellar where everything moves by gravity. They also added numerous new, stainless steel, temperature controlled, double skinned vats. These new vats allow Pichon Lalande to vinify on a parcel by parcel basis as well as get much softer & gentle extractions. The 89 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Lalande is located adjacent to Chateau Latour and and across the road from Pichon Baron. The terroir of Chateau Pichon Lalande is deep gravel with clay and limestone soil and is planted to; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. — 7 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

A fantastic 2002, this lovely wine shows once more that today there aren't really bad years in Bordeaux, this Pontet Canet was well structured rich and tempting. Deep red, tempting rich multi layered nose ripe cherries, black current, coffee, cigar box, and tea leaves, full rich body, dry tannins, full of black fruit, high acidity and a long chewy finish. Was worth the wait, my score 90. Drink to 2022 — 8 years ago

DrinkBordeaux

9.4

One of the most impressive 1999 Bordeaux wines. Beautiful dark ruby color, nose was expressive from the get-go with cassis, blackberry, cigar box, leather, tobacco, and violets. Impressed with this wine's impeccable balance. Solid and silky smooth on the mid palate, impressive length in the finish. The tannins need a bit of taming, but they're not intrusive at all. Well-balanced acidity. — 8 years ago

Lori Ebenkamp

10

These little cartons are great for road trips. One equals three 5.6 ounce glasses so OBVS for a 6 hour trip you're gonna need steady two cartons to make it through listening to your husbands screemo XM radio station. He drives. Duh. But really this wine is good; i don't know what legs are in relation to wine but if I did I'd tell you how they were. It's pretty dry, and has a heavy dark fruity flavor. Kelly Flynn I know you're laughing while reading this so you should just go get you one. — 9 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

This is awesome. How often do you get a blend of vermentino, marsanne, Grenache blanc, picpoul from the U.S. With 50% skin fermentation. Almost looks like Sauternes in the glass. But the mouthfeel and balance are amazing. — 9 years ago

Christine Mortensen

9.8

Very tasty! As Lloyd put it... "It's a step above our wine in a box." :) — 11 years ago