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,...
90-93 JS / 89-91 JD / 88-92 WA / 89-91 VM An elegant and mineral red with a medium body and tight, fine tannins. Stony, with fresh red-fruit and citrus notes. Tight center-palate. Fresh and fine. Second wine. 84% merlot and...
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. -...
97 RP / 96 WS / 18.5 JR Space limitations preclude including tasting notes. 2003 is a rich, sweet vintage of powerful, full-bodied wines that possess huge levels of glycerin, alcohol, and residual sugar. - Robert...
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...
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...
90 WE This is a serious wine, tight and closed up at this stage. Around the dry core, the fruit is structured, not offering richness, but with a good, solid base of black currants. It needs time to soften. - Roger Voss,...
95 JS / 94 RP / 93 WS Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Very beautiful. Full body, with a solid core of fruit and firm tannins. Balanced and refined. This is ultra-refined. Best wine from here since 1970. One...
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...
97 JS / 95 VM / 95 AG / 93 WS / 94-96 GVWM This red shows lots of redcurrants and fresh flowers on the nose. It’s full-bodied with juicy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Needs three or four years to resolve...
91 WS / 90 RP Wonderful, dark color with a deep nose of olive, meat and fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, with loads of tannins and a fabulously long finish. From one of the hottest châteaus in Pomerol. - Wine...
96 RP / 96 WS One of the vintage's most awesome wines, L'Eglise-Clinet's 1995 has been fabulous from both cask and bottle. The color is opaque purple. The wine is closed aromatically, but it does offer a concoction of black...
94 WA / 17 JR Real class in evidence here, a wine that rather embarrassed its contemporaries at the IMW horizontal. The nose is not as immediate as other vintages, kind of creeps up on the you with its pure, ripe black...
96 RP / 95 VM / 95 DE One of the greatest wines of the vintage is, not surprisingly, from proprietor Denis Durantou. A remarkable effort in every sense, the 2006 l’Eglise Clinet is not far off the quality of the...
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,...
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...
98 WI / 97 DE / 96 VM / 95 JA / 95 WA / 18 JR The 2012 Vieux Chateau Certan is medium to deep garnet-purple colored. It charges out with impressively pure, laser-precise, and intense scents of blueberry compote,...