94 WA The Ausone 2004 possesses a sensual bouquet that demands more encouragement than the Cheval Blanc. It does not quite have the same complexity or nuance of its fellow Saint Emilion, opting for plusher and arguably more...
98 RP One of the handful of candidates for wine of the vintage is the 2006 Ausone. In fact, while tasting it, I was thinking, is there any estate in Bordeaux that, since 1998, has made as many legendary wines as proprietor...
100 JS / 98+ RP Incredible nose of currants and blueberries. Flowers too. Licorice. Such purity on the nose of Cabernet Franc. Full body, incredible structure, with fabulous tannins and a long, long finish. Built out of...
96+ RP / 96 WA One can’t say enough about the amazing job that Alain Vauthier and his daughter have done at this historic property on the decomposed limestone slopes of St.-Emilion. Not surprisingly, the 2012 Ausone...
100 RP The 2010 is a more structured, masculine and steely version of the utterly compelling 2009. Tasting like black raspberry confiture with subtle notes of graphite and crushed chalk along with enormous floral notes, the...
95+ RP / 94 VM / 93 WS This tiny, 5-acre vineyard with nearly 50-year old vines produces only 4,000 bottles from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The broodingly tannic, backward 2006 is remarkably concentrated,...
20/20 JR / 98 VM / 96 WS / A truly magnificent magnum. Very sweet, rich and glorious (a word I see I wrote twice). Long, subtle and hugely enjoyable. Racy, mineral with strong graphite notes. Round and so friendly. -...
96 JS Loads of honey, maple syrup, dried apricot and spice. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, with a refined, spicy character. Pretty wine. Masses of botrytis. This is refined and long, a racy wine compared with the power and...
96 WA / 94 WS / 18 JR Tasted at Chateau Climens. A slightly lighter colour than the 2007. The nose has a tightly-coiled bouquet of tinned apricot and orange-blossom, with a hint of tangerine in the background. The palate...
100 RP / 96 JS Clinet has been on a hot streak lately and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot and...
100 WA / 100 RP / 100 JS Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cos d'Estournel features a myriad of wonderfully intense notes, including blackcurrant pastilles, redcurrant jelly, kirsch and blueberry compote with hints of rose hip...
96 WA / 96 JS / 95 WS Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 Coutet leaps from the glass with warm apple pie, dried mango, fresh straw, lemongrass, ginger and crème caramel notes. The rich, concentrated, unctuous...
95 WA / 94 JS The 2010 Coutet, a blend of 75% Sémillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle, is pale lemon-gold in color with a nose that explodes with decadent pineapple, mango and lemon meringue pie notes with...
96 DE / 95 VM / 95 RP / 95 JS / 93 WS Another wine that showed just a nudge better at the Decanter Premium tasting in New York - I'm thinking the double-decanting made the difference; a useful tip if you're looking...
90 WS A superficial, medium-weight effort, the 2002 exhibits far less sweetness and ripeness from bottle than it did from barrel. Like many 2002 right bank wines, it has dropped its fruit at an accelerated pace, resulting in...
Lots of dried cherry and ripe berry aromas. Full-bodied and round textured, with a tobacco, cedar and leather aftertaste. - Wine Spectator A muscular, tannic wine, it exhibits a powerful, rich, alcoholic finish. I would not...
16 JR A pleasant red, with berry and tobacco character. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a delicate finish. - Wine Spectator A deep garnet core with thin tawny rim. Looks quite mature for a 9-year old Cru Classe. The...
98 RP A sensational effort, Tertre Roteboeuf's 2005, along with the 2000, is one of the most profound wines made by Francois Mitjavile. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a stunning perfume of sweet black currants,...
98 JS / 96 RP A wine, with intense spice and berry character, with hints of sweet tobacco. It changes all the time from flowers to fruit and wet earth. Full-bodied, with super fine tannins and ripe fruit. It's long and...
93 WA / 93 WE / 92 WS Tasted single blind against its peers. The Chateau Rieussec 2008 should become an excellent Sauternes for the vintage. It has a floral bouquet with peach, tinned apricot and a touch of marmalade, all...