Stefan Dolhain

9.7

2022 vintage. A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. This biodynamic estate goes from strength to strength in the capable hands of Caroline Frey. In this exceptional vintage La Lagune honours its reputation as the finest wine in the Haut-Médoc appellation. Black fruit, flowers, cedar and subtle spices. A thick mouth feel, with layers of succulent fruit, spices, and a powerful structure of what might be the most velvety tannins ever for this estate. As usual it displays that unique aromatic and elegant character that I describe as somewhere between Margaux and Pessac-Léognan. Impressive depth and length. A strong contender for the title of best La Lagune ever. — 3 days ago

Conrad Green

9.5

What a joy. On opening the nose is spectacular and floral. After a few minutes in glass it’s settled. Leather, graphite, blood. There’s roses, delicate underbrush. Very lucid and clear. What a treat. — 8 days ago

with David

LM Segal

9.4

Dark and brooding, plenty of wet earth and graphite. Dark red fruit on the nose and palate, more extracted than I’d guess from an HM, masculine with an alluring dark herbal streak. Kept going back to this. Will get better for 3-5 years still, lots of power to spare. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2022 vintage. Cantemerle is always about elegance, and this exceptional vintage is no exception. Cassis, blackberries, subtle floral hints, and very delicate oak. Exemplary purity of fruit, velvety tannins and serious length. Hard to resist young, but this should age effortlessly for a few decades. The best Cantemerle I have ever tasted, and incredible value too. Abv. 13,5%. — 7 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1989 vintage. Top shoulder fill with 80% saturated cork. Not decanted. Excellent color. Tasted after one hour and two hours open. Dusty musty nose. Waifish Beychevelle body. Big cedar and stale cigar, sandalwood and cassis on the flavors. More stuffing than expected. Enduring, dirty finish. In a 750ml format, another 3-5 years to be gleaned at this high level. Larger format could extend out to 2035 at the latest. 11.01.24. — 7 days ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.0

This particular bottle felt a little tired… — 5 days ago

Dick Schinkel

9.3

From double Magnum!!! — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1990 vintage. Excellent fill and halfway saturated cork. Used a Durand but surmise a regular waiter's friend, wielded carefully, could have done the trick with the cork. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins, one hour and two hours. Some obvious sed but not troublesome or overtly noticeable. Original owner-château direct on original release. Super cold cellar because this was lagging noticeably behind other '90's and LB's. Bigger tannic structure (for a generally feminine-styled house) than anything save a Latour, Mouton, Ducru Left Bank property. Even more guts than Lynch-Bages or Pichon-Baron '90's currently stored above 55 or so degrees. Surprising but made sense. Light-medium body. Appropriate color. 3-4 years left in this stage unless larger format in play. Slight, fleeting burst of richness in the frontal palate and a tad brickish and then it just flowed on, without speed bumps. A little cocoa powder and cedar/tobacco. Suspect 750ml specimens not stored as cold/religiously will be showing more in the 9.0-9.1 range and farther down the backside of the bell curve. 10.26.24. — 13 days ago

JKT

9.1

First taste!? Mature with a bit of bricking but still nice solid color and bouquet of mature red fruits and earth. Velvety and enticing on palate. Excellent with Evan’s Shanghainese pork belly. 51/43/4/2 Merlot/Cab/CabFranc/Petit Verdot on label from Bernard Magrez touting same attention as his Pape Clement, and long history dating back to 1120. Importer label says 37/55/6/2 instead! (Oldest in Medoc, 1400 by house of Foix loyal to King of England. 1486 Camet new owner. 1500s by Michel de Montaigne.) — 18 days ago

Rufus King

9.2

Smooth Haut Medoc red blend, enjoyed with steak frites at Bistro du Midi, Boston — 15 days ago