Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 1980 vintage in Sauternes was challenging to say the least but Chateau D’Yquem has crafted one of the shining stars of the vintage. Aromatically quite expressive, the Sauternes takes the lead with candied ginger, lychee, apricot and shades of bananas foster that all sing in unison. The palate comes off with an unusual combination of sweet and sour tones, with a strong vein of salinity that races through the core of quince, sour apricot, vanilla creme brûlée and roasted pineapple flavors. Texturally elegant, this is far less on the unctuous side of D’Yquem, but has a beautiful feeling of refinement, freshness and elegance. Still humming at the forty year mark, the 1980 D’Yquem will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another five to ten years. Drink 2020-2027- 94 — 12 days ago

Ron R

9.5

The color in the glass is a dead giveaway of the age of this sticky. Hints of charred oak and tobacco on the nose and palate, but overall, this is singing. Not overly sweet, but still presents a uncommon structure and density. — 21 days ago

with Anne-marie

Justin Hansohn

9.1

Not cloying at all. Real energy and verve with this. Had a lot of fun drinking this with food. Unexpected! — 2 days ago

Vanessa D

9.2

Deep ruby hue with garnet rim variation. Nose offers candied cassis, baked cherry, black and red licorice, molasses, black pepper, leather, baking spice, and oak notes. Spice is prominent on the palate. Medium tannins. Elegant and balanced. Long finish. Vintage 2012. ABV 14%. — 7 days ago

with Deked1

S.R.Alexander

9.1

Candied pineapple, honeycomb, green apple skin, plump and round with some clove on the finish. — 8 days ago

Delectable Wine

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10

The 1945 La Mission Haut-Brion from the château cellar is transcendental. It is blessed with the most beautiful bouquet you can imagine, effortless and natural, featuring woodland, red-berried fruits, a minerally quality and a faint touch of leafiness; given time to settle, it develops a lovely gamy note. The palate is medium- rather than full-bodied and sublimely balanced, upholding that effortless grace with an elegant, bittersweet, dried orange peel finish. One of the most harmonious wines I have ever consumed. Perfect. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London in September 2009. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 21 days ago

Mike Saviage

9.2

Tasted blind. Light gold. Complex nose. Notes of honeysuckle, grass field, lemon, beeswax and some green apple. Nice fruit in the mouth. Soft and quiet acidity and structure, even after 5 hours of air. Decent juice but the nose makes you wanting more than the body provides. Was hoping for more impact. — 19 days ago

Andrew Steffensmeier

9.4

Really drinking well. Deep fruit, nice balance. Held its own in a strong new world line up as the ringer. Plant of time left as the tannins have something time to go, but with a 5-6 hour secant was beautiful. — 6 days ago

Timothy Lynch

8.9

Think of it as an excellent house red that you wouldn’t be too offended at shelling out $18 a glass. (My....how silly its all become.) A 50% split between Merlot and Cab is how it’s presented but the Merlot certainly dominates and I suspect it’s more a 60/40 split if not 65/35 in favor of Merlot. Perhaps the wine reviews were based on barrel tastings rather than what eventually ended up in bottle. Regardless...

Paired it up with some scottadito lamb chops on a bed of braised leek and Israeli Couscous. Perfect! — 6 days ago

Delectable Wine

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10

The 1945 Haut-Brion is poured against the legendary 1945 Mouton and might just have come out on top. It is difficult to put this wine into words. Showing modest bricking, it presents a sublime bouquet of vibrant red fruit, warm gravel, wilted rose petals and a hint of earthenware. It is crystalline in terms of definition. The palate follows suit with pitch-perfect acidity, a very slight, refreshing hint of balsamic, and finely chiseled tannins. Beguiling in every way, this is a profound Haut-Brion that is absolutely flawless. Tasted at Koala's 1945 dinner. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 21 days ago