Classic left bank kosę - black current, cassis, cedar wood, a bit of pencils shavings, a gravelly undertone. Fresh, restrained, savoury, pure.
On the palate this has a very nice, smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Present tannins yet so nicely polished & juicy. Good purity of fruit - black currants, blackberries, a bit of plum. Ni e length & depth.
Exactly what I expect from a St Estephe - medium body, savoury tartness with just a touch of fruit and excellent food pairing.
From magnum — 5 days ago
2022 vintage. Owned by the Estager family since 1902. Not easy to find info, it seems to be an estate with 32 hectares of vines, planted with 50% Merlot, and equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. A bit shy on the nose.Good concentration, not very complex, a little more extracted and less refined compared to Petit Bocq 2022 tasted alongside. Good value though, and the 15% abv. goes unnoticed. — a month ago
High QPR. — 16 days ago
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. — 13 days ago
Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted to be served several hours later. The 1966 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core. This is red fruit heavy and sanguine with ferrous earth, leather, and old wood. The tannins are firm still. An almost evergreen St-Estèphe that’s iron clad and tough as nails. Better than good but at nearly 60 years old, will it ever relax? Hard to say. It would likely survive another 60 years but it’s hard to imagine it evolving a lot considering where we’re at today. So...drink now, I guess? — 25 days ago
Opened and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1996 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing and loaded with currants, pencil lead, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and super grippy; slightly bitter and earthy. A lovely, classic expression of Bordeaux and drinking well in its prime. Drink now through 2046. — 11 days ago
Tom Casagrande
Quick double decant. After 15 minutes, it’s already cookin’. Nose shows cassis, clay, a little underbrush, a slight menthol note, a little violet. Lots going on. Rich and a little macho in the mouth, like many ‘18s. There’s a fair whack of soft tannin, but it’s already drinking well. Intense and full. Not elegant, but gives you more than your money’s worth of flavor. Certainly will be better in 5 years or so. — 5 days ago