Dr. Owen Bargreen

10

The 2005 Chateau Climens is a simply astounding Sauternes. Showing off its golden hue, the wine starts off with an intense bouquet of vanilla creme brulee, honeyed ginger, roasted pineapple and suggestions of butterscotch. The nose is so compelling and complex that it makes you constantly go back to the glass for more. The palate is exceedingly good. Honeyed ginger, lemon curd, vanilla creme brulee, apricot jelly, macadamia nut and butterscotch. The range to this wine is just insanely good as the texture of this wine borders ethereal. Stunning, captivating and simply marvelous, this is a perfect wine made by Chateau Climens and superstar winemaker Berenice Lurton. Drink 2018-2055- 100 — 2 days ago

Bill Bender

9.0

Very stoic and brooding wine. Dark and inky in the glass, creosote and black licorice. Well made but not ready for prime time. — 3 days ago

Maiki Machiela

9.3

So damn smooth...at the peak of drinkability. Velvety and strong at the same time. Kim says it’s elegant and silky smooth. — 4 days ago

with Kim

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The Cháteau Figeac is coming along beautifully and showing absolutely phenomenal after a decade in bottle. It instany begins to dazzle with its highly perfumed aromatics of ripe dark fruits which are surrounded by wet gravel, toasty oak and lovely nuances of tobacco leaf. On the palate this is displays a gorgeous supple texture with round polished tannins, which are nicely integrated. Showing a wonderful combination of power and class, this continues to impress with its mouth-watering acidity and layers of ripe blackberries, black cherries, crushed mint and roasted coffee flavors that continue to build and leave a lasting impression. Completely compelling now, the 2005 has only just begun to hit its stride, and should continue to provide years of drinking pleasure ahead. Drink 2019-2040- 95 — a day ago

Loren Grossman

Vintner Wilde Farm Wines

9.3

My go to Valentine’s Day wine! Generous and in a great place right now. — 6 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

So, what do you have after a two-hour 2016 Bordeaux tasting marathon? Answer, a 2005 second wine from a very good vintage and what we recognize as a 1st Growth producer even though it’s not with a choice steak from Alexander’s Steakhouse.

This 05 Petit Cheval is not its little brother but, it’s a close relative.

The nose reveals, ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, blackberries, plum and baked strawberries. Sweet tarry, anise, graphite, burnt charcoal, limestone minerals, wet clay, crushed dry rocks, touch of pepper, dark berry cola, herbaceous notes, pine sap, eucalyptus, bay leaf, steep black tea, dark red, withering flowers with violets.

The body is; full, round, ruby and lush. The tannins are well rounded with firmness. There is still one to decades of life ahead. The structure and tension are still a teenager. The length & balance just starting to live up to what it can be. Ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, blackberries, plum, baked strawberries with creamy raspberries haunting the palate. Sweet tarry, anise, graphite, burnt charcoal, limestone minerals, wet clay, crushed dry rocks, touch of pepper, dark berry cola, dark chocolate, light caramel, liquid mocha, light medium spice, herbaceous notes, pine sap, eucalyptus, bay leaf, steep black tea, fresh tobacco, moist clay, dark rich turned earth, dark red, withering flowers with violets. Beautifully round acidity. The glorious, sexy, full, ripe, lush, elegant, extremely balanced finish is delicious and persistent for minutes.

Photos of, the 2016 UGC banner for the US, the old Chateau Cheval Blanc, their newer modern wine making facilities and my Bone in NY Strip with Wasabi Potato Purée. 😋 — a month ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The nose here is considerably more powerful than on the ’04 or ’06. This has evolved nicely showing a darker fruit profile than the other two wines with wild blackberry cordial, peat moss, cigar ash and coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is both refined and shows a good texture and viscosity. Mocha, anise, creme de cassis, and hucklbebery flavors come to mind. I love the combination of tension and richness on the mid-palate. The Merlot in this wine seems to be shining particularly brightly. This will cellar well for another decade or more, but it is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2018-2033- 93 — a day ago

Chris England

9.3

2nd wine of Haut Brion @ £120 in top year that I grabbed as a bin end last week for £77 💥 boom - like walking down the street & not stepping in the dog 💩 result 😁

📍 Le Clarence De Haut Brion 2009

🏵 93+ points & should still improve 😉

🍇 46% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon & the rest dollops of Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc

🍷 Deep opaque ruby

👃 Flint, mineral & gravel in soggy earth through blackberry soaked in smokey oak w/ plum, cracked pencil, dark cherry, herbs, cocoa, raspberry & wet leaves

👄 Med body of smooth rich black berry/currant, dark cherry, plum & raspberry in rock minerals w/ a mocha liquorice undertone

🎯 Med+ dark & red fruit silky mineral kiss w/ a mocha liquorice spank
— 11 days ago

Doug Sayed

9.6

WOTN against five other classified growths from mostly top vintages. Deep dark fruits, cassis, and purple fruits with a substantial supporting structure and a great and lengthy finish. — 2 days ago

Frank Bradley

9.3

Still youthful, lively fruit and refined tannins. Really enjoyable glass of wine. — a day ago