Joe D'Angelo

9.3

The 2001 Château Haut-Brion is approaching two decades since harvest, and it is moving along nicely in its evolution. Composed of 52% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc this is displaying wonderful mature characteristics, with aromatics of dried cherries and plums, followed by dried spices, cigar box, dusty leather and meat drippings all taking shape in the glass. On the palate this is medium/full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a gorgeous velvety texture. It continues to impress as it shows excellent overall balance and finesse, ending with a long elegant finish. The class and sophistication of this legendary Château is certainly evident, however it seems as if some of the late heat spikes and temperature fluctuations from the vintage may be starting to taking a toll on its ability age with the best vintages. — 7 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.1

Is there a better wine for roast chicken than Loire cabernet franc? Rhetorical question, of course. 2011 so tight, even after two hour decant. It slowly unveils its charms, like Jo Fiennes unwinds Gwen Paltrow in the otherwise forgettable "Shakespeare in Love". Unlike that film, this has staying power. Stash away a case, it will develop beautifully over the next three decades. — 9 years ago

with Alsu

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Preliminary note: Quick coravin to check in on this sample before the weekend. Deep ruby red. On both the palate and the nose with lots of savory elements mixed in with some red berries and a little dark at the end. Some floral notes too like roses. Amazing structure and backbone. So balanced for being so young. Heavy tannins (8/10), full bodied and super long finish. Time will only help this wine and I can easily see up to another two decades from now for this wine. Killer potential and a real surprise! Can drink now with a super long decant which we will do. Drink from 2018 till 2036. 92+

Already starting to open up with some more dark berries on the nose. Also some good spices coming through on the palate. — 10 years ago

Mark Oldman

9.6

nothing better than a lil' red #wine with yer pasta. Intense, beautiful nose of red fruit and beetroot, joined by a touch of smoke. A powerful, balanced, near full-bodied Pinot which will improve for decades. — 10 years ago

Mark Royer

9.4

So young still. Great structure that will last decades. — 11 years ago

Ryan Mullins

9.8

Fantastic with decades of life left. Beautiful and well on its way to elegance. Dropping with granit — 12 years ago

with boyd and Ryan

Steve Unwin

9.6

Oh wow. Comes off like a comic book version of a napa cab. Just dump trucks of pitch black fruit. Finish is lighter and tannins are less grippy than its cabby cousins but this is so bloody delicious I can't stand it. — 13 years ago

Weijie Shi (Jay)

9.9

Hands down. Perfect Barolo in my opinion. Started to showing tertiary notes. Decades of life ahead. What a treat! — 7 years ago

Richard Sohn

8.9

Sweet up front, then lots of burn and spice. Long. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao

— 9 years ago

Scorewine

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

9.0

A lovely performer in the problematic 2012 vintage, this Saint Julien blend of 65% CS, 32% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, has a deep purple color, a tempting compressed nose full of black fruits, dark cherries, black pepper, licorice, coffee and stone notes, full rich round body, with acidity that will carry this wine for a couple of decades and a long lasting finish. My score 90, drink to 2033 — 11 years ago

Dave Chambers

9.7

One of my all-time favorite Napa producers, Cathy Corison produces wines that are always true to her style - low alcohol wines built to last for decades. This wine is no exception, even though it's her negotiant wine, purchased from Rutherford vineyards with long-term relationships where she controls the growing decisions. — 11 years ago

Scott Gargus

9.7

Delicious now, but showing little age. Could be awesome for decades still! — 13 years ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Sour blue fruit, dried sage, blood, a real freshness. Lovely savory juice with real intensity. Excellent. Decades ahead. — 7 years ago

with Bex

John Zuzek

9.5

The nose is floral with loads of brambly fruits. Still has string tannins although they have mellowed somewhat. This one could easily cellar for another couple of decades. The palate is loaded with cassis and black currants, blackberry and boysenberry. Quite dynamic. — 9 years ago

Berg

9.3

Hint of blackberry, band-aids, roses, leather, tobacco, slight asparagus. Has the big, grippy tannins of a much younger wine. Probably 2 decades easy left here. — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Now to the star of the show the launch of the 2014 - generally considered to be the best vintage since the storied 1965 (examples of the 65 Lindemans HR Burgundy still fresh and drinking superbly according to Jim Chatto). Now using up to 66% Rosehill fruit. Bright Ruby with a purple tinge. Primary fruit aromas of plum and cherry with vanillan oak and palate staining intensity. An inner core which will carry this on for decades - Halliday says as close to a 100 year old wine as you are ever likely to see. Most probably but who will be around to check? — 10 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.8

Brought by Naoko. Stunning. Still a baby. Color doesn't have a hint of brown to it. This wine has decades left. If you have more than one bottle drink it now and then save the rest. — 10 years ago

with Bong

Sam Klingberg

10

First time with Homage, and '94?! Beautiful wine that's still rippling with fruit at two decades young. — 12 years ago

Richard Jennings

10

Gorgeous, complex, cigar boxy '75 Vega Sicilia Unico, with decades to go yet, of course. — 12 years ago