Expensive but worth it. This Bordeaux is just right now. Paradigmatic Pauillac with deep brooding flavor and bitter finish. Tannins are perfectly smooth. Perfect with steak or on its own while listening to music while contemplating the meaning of life. All of the leather, earth, and tar one can expect from a fine Pauillac and under $100. — 7 months ago
Blend 95% Cabernet Sauv, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, splash Malbec and Petit Verdot, blended before being aged 24 months in American Oak, 50/50 new and second used. Deep Ruby color with aromas of black fruits, spice and hints of cedar. On the palate flavors of blackberry, raspberry and currants with licorice, cacao, vanilla and savory herbs. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and savory mineral character. Nice!
— 9 months ago
Estate is the Napa Valley property of Bordeaux producer Christian Moueix; wine is bottled at historic Napanook Vineyard. A blend of 89% Cab Sauv, 6% Cab Franc & 5% Petit Verdot, aged in 40% new French oak, dark Ruby with aromas of dark currant-like berries, tobacco and cedar. On the palate layers of ripe blackberry, black cherry and cassis with vanilla, cacao and espresso. Well balanced, fine soft integrated tannins, long finish ending with floral, fruit, mineral and slight earthy character. Needs a half dozen years in the bottle but will last 20+ years! As good as Cab gets! — 3 years ago
The 2015 Pichon Lalande has a sophisticated bouquet of blackberry, pencil shavings, black pepper and discreet touches of wild mint, all beautifully defined and focused. There is some quality Cabernet here. The palate is medium-bodied with
fine-grained tannin, superb acidity, gentle grip and satisfying tension toward the fresh, vivid finish. One of the best Pauillacs of 2015, this is a magnificent wine from Nicolas Glumineau and his team. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2019) — 6 years ago
SD 11/18/16 — 9 years ago
Jan 25, 2016--Rich, yet fine and delicate, one of the very best! Edinburgh, Scotland at the Witchery Restaurant — 9 years ago
A bit of oxidation, but otherwise, just fine. Fruit still there. 1970, 45 year old wine for our 45th Anniversary. — 10 years ago
Pale golden in the glass with fine, persistent bubbles. Aromas of green apple, orange peel, pear, and peach, layered over rich notes of brioche and toast. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and complex, with a creamy texture, energetic mousse, and toasty depth. High acidity. Vibrant and refreshing with a long, satisfying finish. Consistently well-balanced, reliably delicious. A standout non-vintage Champagne. — 9 months ago
It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.
I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.
The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.
The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.
Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.
Open in another 15-20 years.
A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.
@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas — 5 months ago
1.5 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable purplish magenta color. On the nose: very aeromatic notes of black & red berries, truffles, loamy soil, worn leather, tobacco leaf, floral, herbaceous. Taste: soft, elegant, balanced, layered mouthfeel wine with blackberry, dark plum, leather, crushed granite, dried herbs, and a spiced cedar long finish with some dusty tannins. YUM! At the start of its drinking window with 20-30 years to go, so no rush. — 7 months ago
Agree with those who describe the finesse in this reserve. Long open but worth the wait every time. apparently higher in sangiovese than other vintages and it works just fine. Really nice Antinori offering! — 5 years ago
Lovely mature redfruit aromas, still some structure, medium-bodied, long finish, very fine “off” vintage of Beaucastel!! — 7 years ago
Starting to dry out. Not fruity, not jammy, just wIne....very fine! Christmas 2016 — 9 years ago
Lingering green peppers, onions, and meat scents give way to a dense mouthfeel, closing with peppers, tobacco, spices, and dark fruits. Medium body, tight tannin. A fine Cabernet Franc to compare against. — 9 years ago
1999 vintage. Really good. Top form. — 11 years ago
Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.
The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.
We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩
It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.
It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — 5 months ago
Vivid pinkish-salmon hue with a fine stream of bubbles. Notes of strawberry, citrus peel, green apple, and brioche. Crisp acidity, a creamy mousse, and perfectly balanced dosage. Refreshing, elegant, and succulent, with a long, zesty finish. — 9 months ago
1 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark medium garnet with little bricking. On the nose: expressive perfumed nose with dark plum/cherry, currants,milk chocolate, baking spice, floral, wet forest floor, touch of roasted meat. Taste: silky, balanced, elegant wine that is singing at 20 years with dried red fruit, earth, chocolate, cedar, minerals, saline, and a spiced-tobacco-green bell pepper long finish. YUM! — 7 months ago
Fine bubbles. More complex. More depth — 10 months ago
medium + intense, developing aromas of red apples, lemon fruit drops and some redberried raspberries my streaks , nougat, vanilla, pastry, roasted nuts and a chalk, white button mushroom undergrowth.
Dry experience on the palate, high refreshing but integrated acidity, the fine beaded mousse opens up rather wild but soon mellows into a creamy and persistent and linar character cross the palate, Chalky mid palate with a tighting finish with character of red apples, tangerines and dusty chalk. balanced and serious finish, but lacks the dimension to reach the ens zone. — 4 years ago
Like opening up a box of fine cigars — 8 years ago
Of the 2 Bordeaux drinking the best tonight, but long term the Brane-Cantenac 2005 will outlive this wine by 10 years easy. While very complex, a fine touch a green is traceable.
A classic currant and forest floor nose, fall leaves abound with a spike of spice and a barely there green that while subtle is apparent.
The pleasure here is higher for its more mature tasted and feel, while the brawny 2005 is a better wine it was not as enjoyable to me and feel it will be another notch enter in 3 years, and likely 2 notches better in 5.
The elegance and feel on this wine is ready to go and will easily go another 5+ years. — 9 years ago
Smooth red wine. Not sweet but delicious! — 10 years ago
Powerful mousse, citric peel, white fruits, vibrant acidity, baking spices, chalky texture, small fine bubbles! — 12 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
I think if you read this nonsense I post, you know how I feel about this producer, past & present. This 07 is outstanding & top of its bell curve. It is so good to revisit these great vintages of Caymus Classic.
This is fresher than the 97. It is rich/lush, cassis to currents, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, classic, beautiful, Caymus Classic spice that I miss dearly in their new wines, black licorice, fudge, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, most top soil, limestone, dry herbs, dry tobacco, barrel shavings, taut leather, volcanic grey clay, dark, fresh & slightly withering flowers, violets, beautiful round acidity, balance, structure, nice tension and elegant finish that last minutes and falls on spice and evoluted earth tones.
This bottle is in fine shape. Still strong and will last another 10 years of fine drinking. Phenomenal vintage and time to enjoy. — 5 months ago