Dan R

9.0

From magnum. Sleek and focused, this has an old school feel to it. Trades weight and density for cut and structure. Distinctly floral on the nose, with crushed red berry, mint and cocoa on the palate. This can sleep a few years. Quite nice. — 16 days ago

Scott Rose

9.2

2015 vintage. Nose really reticent currently. Great deep purple hue. Bunches of blackberry and planks of cedar with a tobacco garnish on a surprisingly grippy finish. Some pleasant dark chocolate notes interspersed with plum and the aforementioned (planks of) cedar in the front and mid-palate. Needs another few years to start singing sweetly. Would score it a 9.2 if I could coax something/anything out of the nose. *edit* Took about 45 mins for subtle smoke, plum, forest floor and graphite aromas to find their way to the forefront of the bouquet. Bumped the score up to 9.2. — 3 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Oh my. This is a stunning classical right bank wine done with soil in mind. Great dark fruit meets minerality and flowers, long, elegant, and really young. This is the very best St Emilion has to offer and its a baby, will require still some 5 to 7 years to be at its best. There is no big wood here nor malolactic in barrel, its done the old fashion way and its amazingly good. Top notch stuff, buy if you can find. — 13 days ago

with Adriana

Jay Kline

9.2

It’s been about 6 months since I last tried the 2016 Virginie de Valandraud which, really isn’t a true 2nd wine of Chateau Valandraud. In fact, it’s made in the same fashion as the Grand Vin by the same team but from separate terroir. The wine pours a deep, impenetrable, glass staining ruby and there’s already a bunch of sediment coating the inside of the bottle. The nose is high intensity, with currants, tobacco, bell pepper, purple flowers, smoke, and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is generous with perfectly ripe dark fruits, tobacco, earth and baking spice. Finish is bone dry. This is a dense, extracted wine yet it remains balanced. The structure is firm but not overbearing. Great acid. While this is really good stuff now, I expect it will continue to evolve for many years to come. Check back in another 6-10 years. — 20 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Mid to dark Crimson. Initially not giving much on the nose after decanting. After some time and a lot of swirling in the glass, aromas of black currant and McBaren’s Plum Cake pipe tobacco which I used to smoke at college many decades ago. Unusually for La Dominque this is 100% Merlot with zero Cabernet Franc. Palate is still lively and fresh with a long future ahead. Supple and persistent. La Dominique is surrounded by high profile neighbours with the best parcels bordered by Cheval Blanc. Other neighbours include Figeac, Conseillante and L’Evangile. Will leave the next for 2 or 3 years. — 4 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Chateau is a 17 hectare estate located at the extreme east of the village of Saint-Emilion. A blend of about 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc with rich aromas of red fruits and cedar spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry, currants and blackberry with notes of licorice, tobacco and leather noting toasty notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit and toasty character. Very Nice. Drinking well now! — 10 days ago

Ted

9.3

Going on a 3 hour decant. This is awesome. Just a wisp of menthol, herbs, dark chocolate, dark fruit, sweet smelling flowers and maybe even a dash of licorice. TGIF!!!! — 3 days ago

with Jeni

"Odedi"

9.1

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here is a nice one from Bordeaux.

Dark inky in color with a short ruby rim.

On the nose, blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, light vanilla, spices, licorice, earth, black pepper, chocolates and tobacco leaf.

Full bodied and soft with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, blueberries, currants, vanilla, licorice, light pencil lead, spices, oak, tobacco, earth, peppercorn, herbs and light vegetables.

Tangy finish with soft tannins and cranberries.

This 4 year old Merlot is drinking very nicely now. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Rich and tangy with nice complexity.

Still very young, and need 3 to 5 years in the bottle to mature properly. Would age nicely in the next 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years. Showing good potential to become a much better wine.

I opened it up and tasted it every 30 minutes. Was ready to drink after a little over 2 hours, so take your time.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

15% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$55. — 11 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Located to the east of the village of Saint-Émilion, on one of the high points of the appellation and it extends over 20 hectares. Ch was promoted to "Saint-Emilion Grand cru classé" in 2006. A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark Ruby with ripe fruit aromas & herb notes. On the palate black cherry & raspberry, currant-like, with tobacco & cacao notes. Dusty fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral tones, drinking fine now! — 8 days ago

Dan R

9.2

From magnum. Nicely moderated Saint Emilion. Floral on the nose, violets. This has sweetish fruit and a sappy, savory finish, but manages to stay soft and harmonious, never crossing the line to heavy or cumbersome. Drinking fairly well, even from magnum. I like the restraint here. I could drink this quite often, not something I can say for many BDX. Very pretty. — 16 days ago