A little orange bricking on the edge, this lovely aromatic 25-year-old Chateauneuf seems mature and ready to drink, still shows lively acidity which nicely lifts the red fruited flavors, good weight, lingering finish, should pair beautifully with the bison ribeye I will soon be grilling!! — 2 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Beautiful color of dark ruby with a wide reddish rim.
Strong nose of black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, dried fruits, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.
Full bodied and soft, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, black plums, cherries, cedar, spices, dark chocolates, licorice, coffee, peppercorn, light eucalyptus, herbs, light vegetables, earth and black tea.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This 20 year old Merlot from Saint Emilion is absolutely fantastic now. Elegant, chocolatey and rich.
Drinking beautifully right out of the bottle, extracted and complex. Nicely balanced and powerful, with a great mouthfeel.
Wine Advocate 98 points.
Drinking it with the wine maker, from his personal cellar, makes it even more special for me.
Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 10 years.
Fruit forward and good by itself as a sipping wine.
A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Aged in New French oak barrels for 18 months.
94 points.
$350. — 5 months ago
Château du Tertre, Red Blend – 2018
AOC Margaux – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
5th Growth, Grand Cru Classé en 1855
Overview
A historic Margaux estate, Château du Tertre sits on a prominent gravel “tertre” (hillock) that gives the château its name. The 2018 vintage was a warm and generous year, producing wines with depth, richness, and polished tannins. The estate’s blend for the V.18 crafted Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 25%, and Petit Verdot 5%, delivering the quintessential Margaux elegance.
Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and ripe plum layered with graphite, cedar, and cigar box. Hints of violets, licorice, and cocoa weave through the bouquet, adding complexity.
Mouthfeel
Elegant yet bold: medium to full-bodied with polished and structured tannins, a silky mid-palate, and a long, harmonious finish. A wine showing its prime with youthful vibrancy and well-integrated oak.
Food Pairings
Roast lamb with herbs, beef Wellington, duck breast, Truffle risotto, porcini pasta, mushroom burgers, aged Gruyère, Manchego, or Brie de Meaux.
Verdict
The 2018 vintage is a standout for Margaux, and Château du Tertre shines with a balance of power and finesse. Dark-fruited, silky, and aromatic, this wine embodies the elegance that Margaux is celebrated for, approachable now, yet cellar-worthy for another decade.
Did You Know?
Château du Tertre shares historical ties with Château Giscours (also in Margaux), once under the same ownership. Its elevated gravel terroir provides excellent drainage, making it ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon’s deep root systems.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: For me, the 2018 du Tertre is the sweet spot, Margaux elegance meets ripe, modern Bordeaux style, without sacrificing finesse and within a reasonable price point. Cheers! — 14 days ago
Not as deliberately oxidative, but still too oxidative to be Chablis. — 6 months ago
Strawberry, red candy, plum and eucalyptus. Feminine and polished.
Drink now. — 24 days ago
Wow aged nicely. Minerals floral notes followed by firm biting texture laced with mature fruit notes and long finish. — 2 months ago
Sixteen-year south Rhône white with staying power. — 4 months ago
Freddy R. Troya
Vieux Château Palon – 2021
Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC – Right Bank, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
Overview
A distinctive Right Bank Bordeaux, this cuvée flips the classic Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion script. Instead, it is crafted from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, making it unusually bold, structured, and aromatically lifted for the appellation.
Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and cassis dominate, with graphite, cedar, and tobacco leaf from the Cabernets. Subtle violet and peppery notes emerge from the Franc.
Mouthfeel
Firm tannins, medium-plus body, and a long, savory finish. More muscular and linear than many Montagne-Saint-Émilions, leaning toward Left Bank style but with Right Bank elegance.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, cassoulet, duck confit, aged Comté or Tomme de Savoie cheeses.
Verdict
An atypical but fascinating Montagne-Saint-Émilion that highlights Cabernet structure over Merlot plushness. For those who love Pauillac or Saint-Julien, this bottle is a bridge into the Right Bank world. Cheers!
Did You Know?
Montagne-Saint-Émilion is one of the four “satellite” appellations of Saint-Émilion, known for offering excellent value Bordeaux reds. Few estates here lean so heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes Palon stand out stylistically. — 14 days ago