Delicate and soft. — 2 months ago
2022 vintage. This large estate is co-owned by Castel and Suntory (the group also owns Beychevelle), and this 2022 represents great value for money. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Compared to the Castel-owned Barreyres tasted alongside, Beaumont features a more black fruit personality,with more concentration and complexity,for only 1 euro more. Terrific value. — a year ago
Once part of the Beychevelle estate, this is the 2nd wine of Chateau Branaire Ducru. The grape varieties are typical Bordeaux, with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. A medium bodied wine, with plum, blackberry and cassis. The fruit is very present, with soft tannines. After 10 years in the bottle still young, but soft, and years ahead of it still. Surprisingly good quality for about 17-18 Eur. Formidable! — 6 years ago
2025 primeur vintage. — 18 days ago
1986 vintage. 5 bottles tasted for a 1986 vintage BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. This was up against other 1986's Pichon-Lalande, Beychevelle, Gruaud-Larose, Montrose and Cos. Double decanted and tasted over 5 hours. Respectable sed. Effin pop and pour now. Right right now. The clear winner. So good with balance and enough fruit without having to reach or rationalize. If you're not able to access for 7-10 years, you should be okay. Delicious. 3.14.24. — 2 years ago
2022 vintage. The smallest estate in Saint-Julien ( 0,85 hectares),founded in 1961 by André Leclerc. André was also the winemaker at Léoville Barton, and he was allowed to make his wine there. Today, wine is made as a hobby by his family and their friends, many of them working for famous Saint-Julien Crus classés. The old vines are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with 25% of Merlot. The 2022 is an impressive, classic Saint-Julien. Deep, dark red colour. Cassis, blackberries, and the most subtle touch of oak. Concentrated black fruits, embedded in a structure of ripe tannins, and good acidity. The winemaker of Beychevelle , Philippe Blanc helps out with the blending. A hidden gem ! — a month ago
Business dinner — 3 months ago
2015 vintage. This estate is owned these days by Grands Millésimes de France (also owner of Beychevelle), 50/50 owned by the big French Castel group and the Japanese Suntory. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Flirting with overripeness, but still with just enough acidity to keep the balance, this is a seductive crowdpleaser that lacks a bit of complexity. Abv. 14%. — 4 years ago
Stefan Dolhain
2021 vintage. — 18 days ago