Super earthy at first, but with air the fruit/earth balance is equilibrating. Loads of irony/clay notes in the nose, with dark plummy fruit. Tannins are integrating but still present. This presents more like a 20th Century right bank wine than what is usual now, with fruit and softness but no overripeness and a nice sense of restraint. — 3 months ago
1990 vintage. This was the start to the weekly tasting day with the reps. A fave guest brought this in. Was summoned to open it immediately despite having just strolled in. Grabbed the Durand and pounced. Didn't get the opportunity to see the fill but the foil, label and cork were all pristine (too little cork saturation for a 3+decade-old bottle). Screamed château reconditioned. Opened but not decanted. Good color. Great nose immediately. Tasted after 15 mins and 45 mins open. Tasted around noon but bottle needed to have been opened at prior midnight. Showed pretty well, however, with the delicate intricacies this wine is renowned for. Would have presented better with more air time but you can only control so much. 01.29.25. — 4 months ago
2017 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins. Medium-heavy body but starting to thin out slightly. Taupenot-Merme is one of the "bigger bodied" Burgs. Wanted more earth but got more spice instead. Decent compromise. Seems like another 3-4 years would find this hitting the optimal sweet spot. 8.23.24. — 10 months ago
easy, smooth. lacks the fruity acids that i love but decent blend. — 3 months ago
Really nice St. Emilion satellite wine. After 30 min the palate is ripe with red and black fruit and vegetation. The tannic bite on the back end is soft and smooth. Great QPR — 3 months ago
1985 Cru Borgeois from Bel Air Lagrave. Tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, really subtle leather. Very pretty. — 7 months ago
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections
Tough vintage only means that Aligre transcended the vintage even more than normal. Killer nose. Such pure fruit. Rhubarb city. Strawberry, plum skin, cassis, but barely cassis and gorgeous light mid to early season cherry. Smoke, mint and more. Stunning fruit clarity on the attack and terrific concentration and depth. Chewy and tannic and finish is clipped for now but just opened and needs much time to unwind but good bones. So juicy and pure. Wow. The tannins are a combo of very 13 and very aligre. I love them so much. So sappy, dry, noble and pure. This has 50 years ahead of it. — 21 hours ago