Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Blend of about 65% Cab Sauv, 25% Merlot and rest Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruit aromas and herb notes. On the palate black raspberry and blackberry, currant-like, with tobacco, leather and smoky oak notes. Fine tannins, mefium+ finish ending with fruit and earthy mineral tones, drinks well now. — 14 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2010 | Solid petit Bordeaux with good balance, warm and spicy smell. This year is a slow developer, in 375 ml tannins are phasing out, but in magnum still very obvious. Paired with chicken, haricot verts. — a year ago

Nick Heer

9.4

Supple, layered. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

One half of a double-blind, France Vs. USA 1990 vintage showdown that also included a Chateau Meyney Saint-Estephe. Both wines had great provenance and were properly cellared over the last thirty years. I opened both bottles about three hours before we got into them. Corks on both wines had held up very well but looked pretty gnarly. The Rafanelli exhibited great color, noticeable darker than the Meyney and quite a bit of sediment too which left the appearance a bit cloudy but certainly not murky. The fruit was remarkably fresh! Red and dark fruits with leather, red rope licorice, mushrooms and a heavier amount of smoke than the Meyney. Full bodied. This was remarkably tannic still! As I mentioned in my note about the Meyney, it was really hard to chose a favorite between the two. I think the Meyney had a more compelling nose but the Rafanelli had a slightly more gratifying palate. Regardless, we were all winners tonight! Sort of blown away how well this Rafanelli has aged and it has years to go before it dies. Bravo! — 5 years ago

Doug Powers

9.1

Mature aromas of redfruits and earthy notes, along with some of the famous “1980s Cordier funk,” at age 38 this still somewhat primary-fruited gem has many more years ahead of it still, though drinking beautifully tonight and has shed the drying tannins that showed in many 1986 Bordeaux, amazing bargain in the circa $15 price range, very fine!! — 2 months ago

with Jim

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2018 vintage. Last tasted 8.3.21. A little less overtly rich and smoky…slightly less body and more polish. Had I been blind tasting, woulda guessed 2015 Château Meyney. Still super smooth and über-drinkable. Starting to pick up a hint of tannic resistance. So good. — 3 years ago

Chris Sowick

9.2

Bordeaux trip. Château Grand Barrail. $50.00. Classic Right Bank Bordeaux. Smooth Merlot start, with nice tannin finish. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Chapelle de Meyney ("the Chapel of Meyney"), second wine of Chateau Meyney, one of the oldest estates in the Medoc. Deep Ruby red color, purple hues, with aromas of black fruits, herb, tobacco and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of plums and black currants with cacao and tobacco spice, on a well balanced frame. Fine tight tannins, long finish ending with fruit, earthy spice and cedar character. Starting to drink well now. — 4 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2010 | tuilé color, forrest smell, mushrooms, a vague hint of truffle, still some tannins but also a velvety taste. Love this! Dutch bottling by Jean Berger Ruremonde | Paired with a steak and kohlrabi and garlic from the oven — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2019 vintage. Château Barrail Tapon, Montagne Saint Emilion. As this is the fourth impeccable wine with amazing value mentioning "vignobles Gabriel & co" this week, it seems safe to say that it is a quality label. This one is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and it's juicy, fruity and fresh with ripe tannin and good length. Another great value at less than 7 euros. — 4 years ago