Bruce Dunbar

9.0

The ‘22 Hayne drinks beautifully right out of the gate and seems to have the pie dial to evolve for years to come. It’s super bright, with crisp acidity and a bushel of red berry flavor, rounded and dimensioned by anise, kirsch and a stony base. Loaded with flavor and character. — 5 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium lemon yellow colour. Quite waxy , buttery notes , lemon rind, apricot , mineral notes . On the palate quite rounded and rich on the palate but balanced with good acidity and saline notes . Mostly yellow fruits , lemon confit , apricot , peach , beeswax , with buttery but saline , sea spray tinged notes . Balanced alcohol and good length, good to drink now but could evolve and deliver for another 5-10 years. A different experience from the last time I had this wine , no signs of oxidation and overall a wine that shows good balance and that can age further . — 3 years ago

Ming L

9.2

The nose, though mostly primary at this stage but already seductive, shows blackberries, blueberry jam, cassis, dark roasted coffee beans, and hint of tobacco. The full body is sculptured like a long distance runner, with cool acidity carrying the fluid yet powerful strikes.
Obviously still young, but really a beautiful wine that will evolve gracefully.
Paired great with wild mushroom rice. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to the early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Medium Ruby with aromas of rich red/black fruits and spice. On the palate raspberry, cherry & black currant flavors with notes of oak. Firm tannins, well balanced ending with fruit, spice and cedar. Very nice! Tasting Sample. Has lots of room to bottle evolve. — 5 years ago

Richard List

9.6

We tackled this monster at The River Cafe over the summer. Larger formats always seem to evolve that bit better over time and this was no exception. Absolutely fantastic. — 6 years ago

Sean Thomas

9.1

I straight up love Matthiasson. This one needs a little time to open and evolve. First smell and sip was straight up cherry off the bat. After opening up...on the nose: cherry, floral, Stoney mineral, very slightly dusty. On the tongue: cherry, blueberry, blackberry, slight “forest-ish” finish. Tannins are light and it’s mouthwatering. Who makes a Napa cab at 13% alcohol? This is food wine. Paired with a bison strip, phenomenal. Any kind of lean meat will pair well with the light, well rounded tannins. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2016 Figgins Red Wine is a stunning new bottling by superstar winemaker Chris Figgins. On the nose you can really smell the Petit Verdot undertones as this shows off gorgeous blackberry compote with blueberry pie, sagebrush and green pell pepper aromas that all build marvelously in the glass. The palate is gorgeous, showing a silky texture and wonderful sense of minerality. A bright beam of salinity runs through this beautiful wine, slowly unveiling bright black cherry and Turkish coffee flavors that collide with blueberry pie and Chinese black tea flavors. Polished and layered, this is seriously good in its youth but it will evolve well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2040- 95 — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château Lynch-Bages 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A powerful, structurally driven Pauillac showing serious depth and long-term ambition, built on a 71% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot support. The wine carries muscular architecture, dark fruit density, and firm tannic authority, currently showing some youthful rough edges but clearly positioned for future greatness with proper cellaring.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, cassis liqueur, blackberry skin, graphite, cedar plank, crushed gravel, tobacco leaf, dark cocoa and subtle savory spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins, strong mid-palate grip, vibrant supporting acidity, dense core concentration, and a long, structured finish that signals serious aging capacity.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, rosemary-crusted venison, aged hard cheeses, slow-braised meats.

Verdict
A high-potential Pauillac still in its formative phase. The structure, depth, and terroir signature are undeniable, but integration will require time. A climber rather than a polished performer today, patience will be rewarded handsomely.

🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like a future star in development, powerful, slightly raw, but absolutely loaded with upside. Not a wine for instant gratification, but one that will evolve into something truly special with time. I’d happily cellar this and revisit around 2029 when the polish finally matches the horsepower. — 5 months ago

Shay A

9.5

When I purchased this five years ago, it was without a doubt the nicest bottle of Bordeaux I owned. 2001 was a good vintage for certain producers, and with Haut Brion being my favorite first growth, I wanted to have one of these with some age to see how they evolve. I slow ox’ed for 1-2hrs, consumed from bottle over the next three hours, and saved the last quarter for the next day.

Amongst quite a few first growths (and a ‘94 and ‘04 Haut Brion) this held its own. Compared to HB, it doesn’t have that brooding power and deep fruit core as intensely, but it wasn’t too far behind. More red fruit/black cherry than the dominant black I normally get with HB. Potpourri, baked black cherries, and cherry pipe tobacco showed strong on both days. No reductive funk to blow off. Faint notes of mocha, scorched earth and peppered strip, but it meshes with the cassis and grippy herbal tannic finish. What I didn’t expect was how vibrant the acidity was on both days. A beautiful example of high quality Bordeaux, and one I wish I had more of. — 4 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.3

This baby was given 3 hours in crystal. In classic ridge style the big Cali bomber came off with unexpected elegance. Red berry and supple tannins this wine would be great to watch evolve over the next 10 years. — 5 years ago

Zach Demers

9.3

Amazingly youthful still with some life left for sure even at 25 yrs. Some bricking in the glass but still appeared younger than it is. Decanted for 2+ hours but didn’t really open up and hit its stride until about hour 5. Nose was very reluctant at first, some muskiness that I thought was some slight TCA but it eventually gave way to really interesting dried or stewed red fruits, cherry cola, menthol, and a slight herbal note. Complex red fruit is still present but shifting to more tertiary qualities. Medium plus body and acidity, mouth coating and completely integrated tannins. Really fun wine to watch evolve over a night. — 6 years ago

Bruce Leboff

8.9

A bit disappointing. Strong start but fishes mid palate. Nice left bank nose. Dark fruit. A hint of cherry leather and chocolate. Tannins present but doesn’t feel like it will evolve to be a classic. — 6 years ago

with David

Joe D'Angelo

9.2

The 2016 Crozes-Hermitage is bright and vivid, with aromas of dark wild berries, fresh flowers, dark olives, white pepper and a gorgeous saline character that all takes shape as this unwinds in the glass. On the palate this is medium-bodied with a wonderful velvety texture backed by a racy core that shows a wonderful combination of acidity and minerality that leads up the the mouthwatering finish. This continues to become more compelling as it sits in the glass, and its freshness makes it appealing today, however it should go on to evolve beautifully over the course of the next decade. — 7 years ago

Tom Barras

9.1

Considered by some to be the Wine of the Vintage, the 2005 Léoville-Barton
Is a full bodied mouthful of black currants, minerals, spices, grippy tannins and enough energy to evolve for another decade. — a year ago

Nathan Renfro

9.4

@"Odedi" comments below are spot on. Gave this bottle 2 hours decant and it was drinking very well. Very approachable, a lighter Napa cab, very well balanced with just ripe dark fruit, medium plush tannins, med acidity. Drinking very well. Really enjoyable. Can’t wait to watch this evolve with many more years left. — 2 years ago

Alexandre Gillioen

9.5

One glass and I did not open the whole bottle. Still I am not disappointed. So far one of the best Chateauneuf-du-pape I had except for Rayas. I am wondering how it wilm evolve. Sor far we have dark fruits, a bit of spices and quite à long finish. I am also surprised that such a wine is pretty much unknown. — 4 years ago

William Feinstein

9.2

The wine has evolved nicely over the last few years resulting in a beautifully balanced and complex Sonoma Pinot. Rose petals, lavender and eucalyptus notes on the nose. Cranberry and sour cherries dominate the palate. Finishes with a little spice. While it is drinking well now it should continue to evolve over time. — 5 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Cigar ox nose with a mix of leather a touch of Pierre a fusille. Drinking well for a dark, cold winter night smith with lists of backbone to this wine. Years left but expect it will evolve well in the glass — 5 years ago

with David and Danielle

Bruce Leboff

9.4

Excellent wine. Some hint of cherry and sandalwood on the nose. Touch of herbs as well. Nice and well balanced on the palate with a super long finish! Gracias #riojalta I will wait on the rest of the case to see it evolve. ! — 6 years ago

with David

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.9

The 1989 Chateau D’Yquem is a stunning showing at more than 30 years of age. While this is obviously showing some signs of age, the bright acidity of the wine shows that this still has many years to go. Nutmeg, butterscotch, Meyer lemon creme brûlée and toffee aromas fill the glass and entice the senses. The palate shows serious weight and tension leading to toffee infused bananas foster, kumquat zest and roasted pineapple creme brûlée flavors that meld together in harmony. Complex and insanely delicious this wine is near perfection in the bottle. The finish to this wine is truly astounding and lasts for more than one minute. While it is gorgeous now, this will continue to evolve for the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2035- 99
— 6 years ago