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

Andrew McIntyre

9.2

I really enjoyed this wine. Gave it lots of air as 2019 is really too young and this improved it immensely. Typical Bordeaux nose with lots of fruit. Balanced and moreish without being overcomplicated. — 11 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

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

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium deep garnet , wider terracotta rim . Slightly more rounded , red plum , cranberry, iris, touch of menthol , anis , with sous bois and smoky, herbal touches. On the palate quite delicate , more red sous bois fruited , pretty and saline , slightly meaty notes also . Balanced quite fresh acidity , resolved tannin . Ok length , quite delicate sous bois, grafite tinged finish. This is at the end of its drinking window , though still showing well . Now and over the next 5 years . Quite charming and delicate overall , more aromatic , less austere than the other vintages. — 9 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2019 vintage. A totally different style compared to the more classic 2019 Cantenac Brown, but every bit as good. A more flashy, opulent style, flirting with overripeness, but every bit as good. — 6 days ago

Tobias Linzert

9.1

Fantastic wine with complex aromas of blackberry jam, cassis, violet, licorice, earthy and oak. Wonderfully balanced on the palate with well-integrated tannins and great length. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. This was my second time enjoying the 1990 vintage and, much like my previous experience, this was rather quiet early and then came on with the business, late. As before, a mix of red and black cassis, ripe and desiccated cherries, tobacco leaf, cedar box, old leather, damp earth, some mushrooms and baking spices. After two similar experiences, I believe this vintage needs a lot of patience and a lot of air to wake up. Without either, it will be misunderstood. Drink now through 2040+ — 6 days ago

Brad Jensen

9.5

Deep ruby color with a slight orange hue to the edges and maybe a hint of purple DEEP in the middle. Medium to full bodied, with a bold nose that features a little of everything from licorice and beautiful, silky red fruits, even some sweet jam like notes, like fig jam with vanilla, to hints of violet and deep notes of rich soil, fresh sponge cake and even some hints of fresh mint. The palate is rich and voluptuous, with dark cherry, cranberry and cassis notes, coca, violet and graphite on the finish. Silllky, perfectly integrated tannin, it’s big but light on its feet. There’s even a long meaty, iron like note that emerges and warms to the end, like a second wave, that even has some Doritos chips like notes. — 15 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