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. — 14 days ago

Bridget Murray

9.3

A great Pinot noir with a little cat on the label. I think she’s a little fussy without food and at a high price point, but overall super enjoyable. I also don’t know how you rate anything on here below a 7. Most wine is just good ok??! — 21 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. — a month ago

with Tegan

Conrad Green

9.2

Very packed and dense. Sweet edges. Violet and tart cherry. Pure and good but needs time — 5 days ago

with Paul and Ara

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! — a month ago

Karyn Fricke

8.9

Classic Pinot with strawberries and cherry aromas. Medium tannins and medium acidity. A good value even on a restaurant menu. Nice with food. Will get again. — 3 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.0

Solid value but not a ton of energy — 5 days ago

with Sarah

Ming L

9.4

My first Clendenen Family Vineyards bottling.

It opens with apricot, baked apple, pear, and jasmine, unfolding into light vanilla, lemon curd, grapefruit zest, and just the slightest hint of Sherry. On the palate it’s warm and plush with lively acidity. Compared to ABC typically more mineral-edged style, this bottling feels more opulent, with greater emphasis on texture, offering a fuller expression while still carrying Jim Clendenen’s hallmark balance.

What a treat! — a month 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. — a month 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