Jay Kline

9.3

This is the “Le Hameau” bottling which was launched (along with “Les Plantes” and “Le Plateau”) in 2019. Le Hameau isolates a unique expression of their holdings, approximately 20 acres of vineyards planted to almost half Cabernet Sauvignon and half Merlot. What’s particularly conspicuous about Le Hameau is the élevage: most of it is aged in amphorae with the remaining, almost a third, on French Oak. The results are delicious.

Opened and decanted about 90min prior to service. The 2020 “Le Hameau” pours a deep purple/ruby color with an impenetrable core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, plum, Morello cherry, grilled fennel, savory notes of thyme and soft baking spice. On the palate, the wine is dry and medium+ across the board. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts forever and it’s right here where you encounter the silky elegance of Margaux. Make no mistake, this is a powerful wine and yet, there is impeccable balance of fruit and non-fruits. Enjoy a bottle now to experience its exuberant youth but I expect a very long life; 2050+. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2001 vintage. Margaux made at Durfort-Vivens selected by The Wine Society. A very good effort with still a solid colour, nice fruit and flowers, a gentle medium-bodied Margaux from an underrated vintage. — 2 years ago

Robert Leopardi

9.1

C. Da Silva Five Crown Fine Douro Port of the 1946 Vintage.
My research indicates that it is either an old LBV or an old Tawny. C. Da Silva was founded in 1862 and it looks like they used the Five Crowns name for both styles of port. The port in this bottle was very tawny like! It was also somewhat cloudy due to age. The port was sound, though. Lots of sweet candy. Alcohol was dominant but it really tasted like a really old tawny (which it was). This was not an expensive wine to start with so it was fun to drink after the 1926 Durfort Vivens. — 10 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2020 vintage. Opened and tasted over the course of an hour. Medium/medium heavy body. Nose both riper and bigger than last handful of vintages. Salinity, Graham cracker, hibiscus, camphor and blueberry all prominent up front. Finely-grained tannins afoot and started to relax the defenses after approx a half hour after opening. Serious and well made. Not a casual Margaux to attempt a PNP with. 10.02.24. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2018 vintage. 85% Cab, 10% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc and 2% PV. One of the highest % of Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine that I can remember. 14% ABV. Tapenade, smoke and ripe, dark plum nose. Medium body. Softens up somewhat on the finish. Wine (and not just this vintage) occasionally drinks like 2nd growth Durfort-Vivens in Margaux with Mount Eden Vineyards having slightly more body. I need to compare the last three vintages of each all together. Spooky. 4.20.23. — 2 years ago

Jennifer Ann Salyer

9.4

Secret Wine Finds — 10 years ago

with Chris

ESF

9.2

2nd label but still pretty classy: tons of character & Left Bank flair: cherries & red currants, cigar box, vanilla, cassis, some herbaceousness, palate was delicious w/red fruit & cassis galore, silky, finely integrated tannins, nice weight and balance. Length on finish is the only giveaway this is not classified growth. Overdelivers for price point. Safeway Steal — 9 months ago

Roman Ochocki

9.5

Fantastic. Very deep, mature: leather, smoke, tobacco, oak. Very dry, high acidity. — a year ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Deep. Plums. Earth. Lightly vegetal.
Showing it’s Biodynamicism. Drinking beautifully. — 4 years ago

Oscar Ixco

8.9

Well balanced and smooth - at The Hobbit — 10 years ago