David Koenen

9.0

Black cherry, rosemary, roses and warm earth, licorice, potpourri, compact structure, firewood, underbrush, black olive, thick, full, ripe. Mocha. Could use more balance. The fruit remains somewhat in the background compared to the still-robust tannins. — 7 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Drinking well that opened with air showing lots of dark cherry, berry fruit, spice, crushed rock & violet — 6 days ago

Michael Coscetta

9.3

Still outstanding at 26 years old — 13 hours ago

Eric Vishria

9.7

I mean, this is insane. Needed air. Soft tannins, wonderfully earthy. — 10 days ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Boom! From the first sip - this wine was explosive and delicious.

Dark and black fruits come out and then lend to some red fruit and while it has good depth, this wine is very smooth.

Seems like it’s in the drinking window — a month ago

Richard Baum

9.4

Tried at James Suckling — a month ago

Alan Snitow

8.9

Fair amount of new oak still — a month ago

romo

9.2

Barely moved. Some softness and pyrazine. None of the heat markers. — 20 days ago

Joe Flo

9.9

Dr. Crane dinner wine tasting ohhh baby this one was 🤯 — 12 days ago

Bruce Leboff

9.2

Nose of hibiscus and menthol. Tannins present and well balanced. A bit forward on the palate - meaning it is powerful mid palate. - finish is long but slightly off balance on the palate @Rajat Parr wouldn’t be happy - striving for balanced wine - but this one is a bit off the mark … — 19 days ago

with David

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was drinking beautifully with rich red cherry, spice, earth, mineral & violets — 8 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Classy & polished consistent with my prior notes — a month ago

Farrar Langlois

9.2

Perfectly drinkable — 23 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2021 | Red and black fruit in smell. Good acidity, smooth St Julien. — a month ago

Her Mir Tage

9.6

My Second Encounter with Clos de Tart

The first time I drank Clos de Tart was a 1999 vintage. Back then, I knew nothing about this vineyard. The wine was opened too briefly—still tight and unyielding, with a bold, muscular structure and tannins that felt a bit harsh. It wasn’t to my taste, so I soon forgot about it.

This time, I stumbled upon a 1990 vintage by chance. The label was slightly worn, but the fill level was perfect. After 30 minutes of decanting, the aromas began to emerge. By the two-hour mark, a distinct ‘rouge fragrance’drifted from the bottle—a scent often mentioned by friends who’ve drunk Jayer’s wines. I’d never experienced it myself until now.

The perfume was utterly enchanting:not overpowering, but a delicate, vintage rouge—like a blend of snow cream and the subtle powder used by women in the Republican era. It was neither vulgar nor overly flamboyant, but perfectly ambiguous, lingering on the edge of allure. Captivated, I sourced more bottles of this vintage, eager to see how the next one might unfold.

I saved a third of the bottle for the next day. While the fragrance had faded, the wine held its structure beautifully—a testament to its aging potential. This vintage is drinking flawlessly now.

On the palate, it was luxuriously rich, with a body that defied its age. The color, still a deep ruby with hints of red fruit, could pass for a 20-year-old wine. Notes of cherry, raspberry, preserved fruit, rose, and a touch of hawthorn candy’s sweet-tartness unfolded in layers. The balance was impeccable—like a hidden garden within a Suzhou courtyard, blooming in quiet harmony. The finish carried a clean, lingering sweetness.

This wine was so hauntingly beautiful that it inspired me to write my first-ever tasting note—lest I forget its magic. — 6 days ago

Paul J

9.4

1hr+ decant. Great wine and vintage. Dark cherries with subtle tar and cedar throughout. Medium plus depth and great texture. — a month ago

with Geoff and Brooke

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Medium ruby garnet , garnet rim . This has a spiced , slightly smoky red cherry , raspberry and rose notes , elegant and perfumed. On the palate this is very refined , with sweet red fruits , raspberry , cherry , light touches of sous bois , velvety tannins and bright acidity . Good density and excellent balance , good saline , mineral edged length . This is really open and aromatic , velvety , and so well balanced ,a model of elegance and purity . This just got better and better with more time in the glass . Drinking well now , though still very fruit forward not showing a lot of development, and I would imagine it will continue well over the next 10 years . — 5 days ago

Robert Ahlstrom

9.1

Lovely deep garnet, red fruit, opened up over the evening — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Drinking well with its black fruits, graphite, sweet spice, wet earth, & tobacco — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Very fresh nose of cherries, plums, light oak, licorice, spices, herbs, chocolates, tobacco, earth and minerals.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, black plums, fresh cherries, light oak, spices, chocolates, black tea, dark coffee, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot from Saint Emilion. Rich and engaging. Elegant and fruit forward with a silky soft mouthfeel.

This 8 year old Merlot is still young, but already drinking beautifully.,and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Complex and interesting. Nicely balanced and spicy. Loved smelling on it for a while.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

A blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (56% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months.

14% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$125. — 2 months ago