The 2004 Ausone has a mature bouquet with brambly red fruit, marmalade, leather and touches of cooked meat. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a little dry and more savory than expected. I feel there is something a little passé about this Ausone, indicative of the time when wines were being pushed a little hard and frankly, I much prefer more recent vintages (including the 2023 tasted alongside). (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
80 percent Merlot and 20 percent Cab Franc in this vintage. Cherry and a bit of coffee on the palate. November 2024. — 16 days ago
Absolutely delicious 🍷 so smooth and balanced — 2 months ago
The 2004 Montrose has a slightly rustic bouquet but is quite charming. It offers mainly red fruit, bacon fat, undergrowth and peaty scents, which are very Saint-Estèphe in style. The palate is medium-bodied with melted tannins. It is savory and a little dry, especially towards the finish, though there is good weight, and it is well balanced. Perfect to drink now. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
The 2016 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is consistent with previous bottles. It soars from the glass with those (to use a word I used last time) disarming array of blackberry, iris and fig aromas, but displaying a little more blue fruit than I recall. The palate is very well balanced with a velvety texture, pure with just a hint of black pepper. Interestingly, the 65% whole bunches are barely noticeable, just a guiding hand that shapes the finish. Sapid yet tender, this is an outstanding Pessac-Léognan. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Icons of Bordeaux dinner at Legacy Records in New York. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2024)
— 6 months ago
Vibrant gold/yellow color. Awesome nose filled with melons, minerality, cream, and a hint of cigarettes. Complex, unique wine. A little funk mid-palate that has some bite. Medium plus depth and medium finish. Resembles the ‘15 vintage I had. If you can find a better or more unique white for under $20 I’d like to try it. This rocks!! — a month ago
Excellent, well balanced, not too dry and not too sweet — 3 months ago
The 2004 Léoville Las Cases has a noticeable mintiness on the nose that actually complements the red fruit, though it deviates away from what you might call Saint-Julien typicité. After ten minutes, it coheres with ash and black tea aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded texture on the entry. The 2004 shows fine acidity and is lightly spiced with cracked black pepper towards the finish. A little conservative, but it acquits itself well considering the vintage. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
Joe Fischer
Deep ruby with aromas of plum, blackberry, tobacco, and must. On the bud, blueberry, stew fruits, and cedar. — 5 hours ago