The 2016 Château Marquis d’Alesme hasn’t budged a bit since I last tasted it around four years ago. It remains a stoic, savoury Margaux with a herbaceous character and underlying inky, tangy fruit. It’s still quite shy, scarcely changing on the second night, and probably much too young still for enjoying.
Back goes the case with a big ‘do not touch’ stamp – probably for another four years.
May 2025 — a month ago
The US is now their #1 export market. You would be surprised at what some producers spend on labels. It is more than you think. All those countries, languages and different requirements for what needs to be written on them.
I think this is in a dumb faze or just closed down.
The nose is muted and not all that revealing. Soft blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries with powdery raspberries. Clayish soils, some clove, dark earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood and dark withering flowers.
The palate is a little flat..showing stubbornness. Ripe but dullish; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries & raspberries. Dry clayish soils, dry top soil, limestone minerals, dark spice, clove, dark, rich earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood that falls into cedar, soft tobacco with dark withering flowers and violets, its acidity is very good, the finish while balanced, polished, somewhat elegant, lacks some complexity today and lasts a minute.
I would reserve a full assessment of this one tasting it again in 5+ years. It is in need of further evolution. — 2 months ago
Bruised apple, ripe pineapple, chamomile, white lilies, smokey, a hint of flint stone. Luscious and sophisticated, we really loved this wine. Looking forward to tasting other vintages. — 7 days ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Fruity nose of blueberries, currants, plums, tobacco leaf, cedar, licorice, light vanilla and black pepper.
Medium plus in body and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with black currants, blueberries, plums, cooked cherries, spices, light cedar, licorice, chocolates, dark coffee, herbs and black peppers.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Merlot blend from Saint Estephe. Rich, smooth and elegant.
This second wine from the Third Growth Chateau is showing nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.
Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.
This 10 year old is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
A great sipping wine. Plush and fruit forward.
A blend of 57% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 17 months in (50% new) French Oak barrels.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$60. — a month ago
Nicely made and well aged, tasting good especially with food — 19 days ago
Mother’s day lunch.
Not a vintage we like but this one is excellent. Dark rubi robe, no signs of aging. Nose of asphalt, cedar, anise and blackcurrant. Very elegant fruit tannin and a bit of wood tannin to shed still, would be better with less. An extracted wine done with lots of wood but balanced and elegant same time. We liked it a lot. Increased the score after the last couple of glasses we got around 8 hours later. — a month ago
Mazf mazin carlos fdz — a month ago
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections
Tough vintage only means that Aligre transcended the vintage even more than normal. Killer nose. Such pure fruit. Rhubarb city. Strawberry, plum skin, cassis, but barely cassis and gorgeous light mid to early season cherry. Smoke, mint and more. Stunning fruit clarity on the attack and terrific concentration and depth. Chewy and tannic and finish is clipped for now but just opened and needs much time to unwind but good bones. So juicy and pure. Wow. The tannins are a combo of very 13 and very aligre. I love them so much. So sappy, dry, noble and pure. This has 50 years ahead of it. — 10 days ago