Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1985 was more recently acquired from the chateau and in pristine condition. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium visit with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: black currants, mixed brambles, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried purple flowers, some green bell pepper, mushrooms, leather, some ferrous earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Elegant and beautiful this was such a fun and rewarding wine to follow as the hours rolled by. A very strong showing at 40 years young and not slowing down soon. Drink now through 2040. — 7 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

This was still youthful showing black currant, plum, cassis, cedar, damp earth, menthol, sweet spice & tobacco. — 22 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service. The 2005 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: black and red brambles, cassis, tobacco, green pepper, graphite, espresso, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is silky. For what it’s worth, there were a number of nice wines at the table and I kept coming back to this which, now that I think about it, also Léoville-Poyferré seems to always deliver more than expected. The 2005 is in the zone and I don’t expect it fall off anytime soon. Drink through 2045. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2020 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe dark and blue fruits: Marionberries, figs, purple flowers, bacon fat, black olives, rocky minerals and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Young, but this is another lovely vintage of Chave Saint-Joseph. Give it time. Best after 2030 and drink through 2040+. — 15 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Dark red & black fruits, polished mouth feel with spice box, earth, mocha, graphite & sweet tobacco — 7 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Great vintage for this wine with a killer nose showing red & black fruits, plum, earth, spices & violets — 4 days ago

Phil Kessling

9.0

Mag! Last of 6 that I bought back in 2014 for $15 each. What a steal and has aged so well. 100% Syrah. Dark purple, black plum. blackberry, olive tapenade, med tannins. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner which lasted a couple do hours. The 2015 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe red and dark fruit: black brambles, dark cherries, black pepper, boozy Christmas fruitcake, licorice, garrigue, leather and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with sneaky medium+ tanning that build with air. The acid is there too although I wouldn’t call it the main character. It does, however, play a strong supporting roll. Definitely a wine of texture. It has been a handful of years since my last bottle of the 2015 and it’s evolving very nicely! Secondary flavors are starting to show and everything remains balanced. Extended air did get it to freshen up a bit so I’d say this still has a long life ahead. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2035. — 5 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2022 vintage. Deep dark red, with purplish rim. Very attractive nose already, with cassis, blackberries, raspberries,flowers and subtle cedar.
Midweight, with layers of succulent black and red fruits and fresh acidity, embedded in a ripe tannic structure. Great length, with a distinctive mineral touch. Not sure if it is as good as the incredible 2016, but a close contender for one of the best wines ever for this estate. Abv. 13%. It totally outperforms the Croizet Bages 2022 tasted alongside. — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Red & black fruit showing cherry, cassis, plum with mocha, spice, leather & sweet tobacco that seems to be fully mature — a month ago