Austin Hohnke

9.1

Another outstanding Picasses that is far more accessible in its youth. Open but with more muscle, austerity, and brooding fruit than the ‘14. Need to revise my other rating up rather than this down. — 3 months ago

Brett Vanderbrook

9.0

Here’s the thing: this is good wine. It’s dense, chewy, and structured. There’s a nice balance of red and black fruit, graphite, cedar, mushroom, soil, and just a touch of Brett funk. It’s fairly tannic, so probably best with food, but can still be enjoyed on its own. I would never be mad if I was offered this. I was lucky to take home an open bottle from a job tonight, but I think the price tag on this is ridiculous. — 4 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.6

Perfect splurge for quick getaway to paradise for Presidents Day. The wine is medium gold in the glass… vibrant and alive with balanced acidity. Open and generous on the palate… smooth, silken, with vibrant citrus and cream notes. A lively and lovely dinner companion at this stage of development. Happy President’s Day, y’all. — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium garnet wide watery rim . No oxidation whatsoever , really quite floral and enticing on the nose , dried strawberry raspberry fruits , truffle , spiced old wood notes . On the palate lovely freshness and elegance with those red fruit, truffle and spiced strawberry, earl grey tea notes . Good length , just slightly drying on the finish now , apart from that this wine really does show well . Very elegant and precise . If you have the bottles open over the next 5 years or so . @ Rockpool Sydney , great suggestion from the sommelier even if I did really want to stick to Australia ! — 4 months ago

Alexandre Gillioen

9.5

One glass and I did not open the whole bottle. Still I am not disappointed. So far one of the best Chateauneuf-du-pape I had except for Rayas. I am wondering how it wilm evolve. Sor far we have dark fruits, a bit of spices and quite à long finish. I am also surprised that such a wine is pretty much unknown. — 2 years ago

Kelley Raymond

9.2

I really love this wine every time - a bit smoky and Oaked, and great finish — 3 years ago

Doug Powers

9.4

Still shows some lovely primary redfruits, cassis, currants, quite tannic as well (characteristic of the 1986s I cellared), long, lingering finish, should show even better after my wife’s grilled lamb and my grilled steak come off the grill. I will say I was nervous when the final 1/8-inch of the cork severed off my old Ah-So cork puller, but not a problem!

Interesting sidebar — I purchased this upon arrival in 1989 at K&L in SF — by that time there were widespread reports of bad corks in Ducru from (at least) 1985 and 1986, so when I visited the shop I explained the situation and committed to purchasing 6 bottles, but only if I knew this batch didn’t have the cork problems — so, I said I’d pay for another bottle and we could open it together in the shop, I’d pay and also buy the other 6 bottles if it was NOT corked, and said if it was corked, then they’d pay for the opened bottle and I wouldn’t take the 6 other bottles — they agreed, we mutually tried the bottle then and there, no cork taint so I paid for 7 bottles total.

Telling the story in part because K&L has always been, IMHO, one of the classiest wine shops in the U.S., and they deserve credit agreeing to my deal (BTW, Wine Advocate had written about the cork taint issue within the preceding 3-6 months, so they were aware of the potential for it) — anyway, they’ve gotten a lot more of my business in the past 35+ years since!! — 3 months ago

with Jim

Stuart Pollack

9.9

Beautiful wine. So earthy, leathery, and powerful. This wine still has years of life left. A nearly perfect Cabernet Sauvignon blend with a Mediterranean twist. It tastes like an extremely high-end Chateauneuf-du-Pape dominated by a high-end Napa Cabernet. Perfect with my Greek lamb chops. I wish I could have left it open longer but I consumed it at my favorite BYOB Greek restaurant. If you find this wine at a reasonable price, buy it. At $90 a steal. — 4 months ago

Andrea Reyes

9.6

Soft very easy to drink — 5 months ago

with Melissa

Vino Joe

9.5

Another half bottle that delivered. Dominus is so consistent. Tight on the open. But after about 40 minutes this opened beautifully. Still so young but it is ready for the impatient. Bright fruit. Currants cherry in harmony with lots of earth. A rich wine. — 6 months ago

Stuart Pollack

9.2

Lovely Provençal Rosé, perfect for this Indian Summer day in New York’s Central Park. Light strawberry flavor matching my 3-year old Comté perfectly. Our last reminder of Summer until 2024. — 8 months ago

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9.9

The sample of 2019 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande sent to me last year was an absolute show-stopper. The bouquet needs a few minutes to open up, delivering intense black fruit, crushed stone and incense with time in the glass. Yes, the nose does remind me of Latour! The medium-bodied palate is endowed with unerring symmetry and poise. This is a powerful, multi-dimensional Pichon-Lalande, extremely precise, very deep and long. The 60% new oak is seamlessly integrated and feels just right. It reminds me of the 1996 in some ways, but with more finesse on the finish. Stunning. 14.12% alcohol (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2022)
— 2 years ago

Liz

9.0

Definitely let it open up before drinking! Takes away the bite.

Yummy, smooth. Sipping slowly to savor — 3 months ago

Michael Greene

9.4

This bottle much more open than the one a few months back. Super elegant. Red fruit. Tea. — 4 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.3

Lovely wine. Dark fruit, lots of minerality. Still needs some air to open up. Tannins still strong, matched nicely with a ribeye for dinner. — 4 months ago

Vino Joe

9.3

Not the best Haut Brion. Very tight. Lots of sediment and lots of time needed for this to even start to open up. Decanted 4+ hours. Dense and thick. Ripe dark fruit. Strong earthiness. I liked it but it never found the top gear. — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Red & black fruit with notes of cedar, leather & tobacco. Open & seems to be at its prime — 6 months ago

Brad Jensen

9.8

Holy crap this is crazy and funky and special. Fresh cut grass, licorice, fish oil, like, so crazy special. It’s been open for 24hrs and the acidity is still through the roof. Silky and fresh but with lemon rind and mouth drying freshness, this is delicious and really unique. — 6 months ago

Alan Hyde

9.2

Needed at least an hour to open up. Wasn’t good until then. Great combination of savory flavors. — 2 years ago

Heather Morren

9.0

Pretty good and didn’t make me super stuffed up. — 3 years ago