Classic mature tempranillo with plenty of Cherry and leather but for my taste the vanilla and coconut of American oak are overpowering at this stage. May be better in a couple of years — 7 years ago
The 1948 Cheval Blanc may well constitute the most unheralded legendary wine of the 20th century, in no small part because it precedes the 1947. However, after years of several mavens lionizing this vintage and after one impressive but not convincing bottle, I encountered a 1948 Cheval Blanc that frankly, blew me away. This third bottle originates from the same source as that and mirrors its performance. Deep and lucid in color, it has a quite astonishing bouquet that is high-toned and decadent: kirsch, blueberry and a hint of liquorice, all beautifully defined. But it is the power that knocks you sideways. The palate is exquisitely balanced with supple tannin, velvety in texture with a multi-layered smorgasbord of glistening red fruit towards the finish – wild strawberry, Morello cherry, and cranberry all mixed with subtle ferrous and tobacco notes. It is a wondrous Saint-Émilion that I would dearly love to compare with the 1947 one day! Tasted at a private dinner in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2018) — 7 years ago
Beautifully balanced for the style, I'd love to see this in 10yrs from now, it may show a little more VA, but there's a great noblesse to it all the same... — 8 years ago
I've had this several times but it's been a few years and this has really evolved beautifully. Still a fairly big wine but it wears it's weight with such grace. Wonderful notes of tobacco, graphite, leather and forest floor. This will last for many, many years and may actually improve over the near future but absolutely no shame in drinking now with some air. A truly memorable wine that made the evening incredibly special. — 9 years ago
2006 From winebid at 35. For half bottle. Drank may 2016. Absolutely tops. Needs 2-3 hr decant and still opens in glass. Excellent harmony and deep finish 2000 $125 from winebid. Less impressive. Needs at least 2 h breathing. Complex and sophisticated finish but still has some dusty tannin. This one would rate 9.1. I had the 2000 again in Aug 2017 and would rate it 9.4. Sophisticated but definitely needs a lot of breathing. — 9 years ago
Its okay scent is well integrated. Its taste is fruity with good acidity. However I think it may not age well with time as I tried it again next again. It wasn't as good. — 10 years ago
My 4th bottle, the best and my last, this absolutely killed it and is why I love Napa Valley Cabernet, especially #Spottswoode. 12 years old this easily has another 10 to go but is in a beautiful place right now. Open or decant for 30 minutes, though I did not decant. A deep resold color, not a sign of brick as one would expect. Shows the importance of provenance (bought from winery). A complex set or aromas and flavors of creme d'cassis, currants, sweet and sour cherries, sweet cedar, and graphite. Palate wise the textures are all in alignment, with medium to full body, ample acidity and medium grain slightly chewy tannins that may be it's only flaw. #2002 — 10 years ago
A really interesting wine. Even though I know these can be everything from black fruit dominated to more of an ash dominated type of wine, the notes here were a little bit tart and even a little on the sweeter side. Dates, sweet plums. Had a hint of tobacco, very ashy in the middle and finish. There is suggestion that this one may even be on its way down, and I definitely question that now. Left remaining 25%of bottle for 12 hours later and although the nose had markedly improved, the wine had not. This doesn't seem to be a good ager. — 6 years ago
29 May 2018. Brooklyn, NY. — 7 years ago
This may be the smoothest Hermitage I've had @ £83 it's like a pig rolling in velvet 🐷 so smooooth 😍 Great now but 97+ over next 5-20yrs 😎
🍷 Ruby w/ purple hue
👃 Cloves, Olives, thyme & piggy 💩 through blackberry w/ touch of liquorice & minerals
👄 Med+ body incredibly super smooth olive tapenade, blackberry & dark cherry - surprisingly well balanced @ this age 👍
🎯 Long dark fruit & olive pure silk finish — 8 years ago
This was slightly disappointing through still an obviously well made wine. Still a touch of oak , fruit quite deep and sweet . The finish is not as long as I was hoping. It will age ok I would imagine but the relative lack of acidity slightly worries me. Tasted on Monday 30th May, 2016 — 9 years ago
Strong full bodied. That's my style of wine. — 9 years ago
A great cab for the price. Smooth and lingers on the back palate. I may even like it better than my 2006 cab. — 10 years ago
Just had this in Bordeaux a few weeks ago. Like most wines of this vintage it took a bit of imagination to fully appreciate. It is clearly time to drink this wine, it may be on the downhill side of life. Overall a good experience for what was not noted as a premium vintage, but is a very solid wine. — 6 years ago
Color of dark purple, ruby, and a bit brown note on the rim. Nose of dark fruits, tobacco leaves, spice, and indeed some strawberry. Taste is sweet! Zest, cherry, , spice, marginal tannins come next. Quite milky. Aftertaste is also a bit spicy, tobacco leaves, and just a bit too watery. Too sweet for me but may be a good one in the party. — 6 years ago
The 1988 d'Yquem is almost identical to the bottle I tasted in 2016. This is almost Barsac-like in style on the nose with scents of barley sugar, complemented by marmalade and mandarin, fresh and vibrant with a palpable sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous texture but it is not, and has never been, as unctuous as either the 1989 or 1990. However, what the 1988 does possess is a surfeit of vitality and tension. There are layers of blood orange, quince and marmalade towards the finish that as the aromatics suggest, comes across as quite Barsac in style. Superb. Tasted at Château Batailley. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2018) — 7 years ago
Served with apps at group dinner. May be best wine of the night. Fresh and crisp. — 7 years ago
May 23, 2016 — 9 years ago
Was everything I expected and then some... Expected the elegance, the graphite, the earthiness, the black fruits, the finish (oh, the finish). But did not expect the 21 year old wine to still be so tight right out of the bottle. A 1 hour decanting improved this wine tremendously. Drank May 2016. — 9 years ago
Found this bottle tucked away and misplaced due to a move a year ago and was pretty anxious about how the bottle may have been stored over the past 12 months. Fears were put to rest soon after opening. Glorious fruit and a little dirt for good measure - so glad I found this gem. — 9 years ago
Just beginning to settle down. May revisit this vintage in 5 years. — 10 years ago
May be best I've had.... — 11 years ago
David L

YES please may I have another. — 5 years ago