Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2018 vintage. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (95%), with Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot. I am grateful to have met Kandice and Mark Jessup here in Blaye and taste their wines. Impressive aromatics, a panoply of black fruits, dark chocolate, and Pauillac-like lead pencil (Lynch-Bages comes to mind). Impeccable balance of succulent fruit, high quality tannins and fresh acidity. Intense, profound and very long. Amazing wine and very good value for Napa (about 105 $). Abv. 14,8%. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2019 vintage. An estate owned by the Cazes family (Lynch Bages, Haut Batailley). A blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Petit Verdot (3%). Less flashy compared to the Capbern 2019 tasted yesterday, give it some time to open up. Even with the high Merlot percentage, it has more of a dark Cabernet Sauvignon personality with black fruit and a serious, slightly severe tannic backbone. Abv. 14,5 %. — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2016 vintage. 65% Sauvignon blanc with 35% Sémillon. At the time this estate was owned by Jean-Michel Cazes (Lynch Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley), but the current owners are the Groupe Ballande (Bordeaux négociants who also own Prieuré Lichine and Baret). Exotic fruit and a hint of flowers. Round and ripe with enough acidity in this warm vintage. Good length with impressions of vanilla. Good value. — 4 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2017 | beautiful! Spicyness, smell of new wood, voleptuous, inky, lots of body/filling. Domaine from family Cazes (Lynch Bages), quite interesting. — a year ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2015 vintage. A joint venture between the Roquette (Quinta do Crasto) and Cazes (Lynch Bages) families. Only produced from the best barrels in exceptional years. Old vines of Touriga Nacional, Tina Roriz and Touriga Franca from the Douro Superior and Cima Corgo sub-regions. Black fruit and violets. Seriously powerful, but it maintains elegance, thanks to the acidity balancing the layers of fruit and ripe tannins. Long lingering finish. Impressive. Abv. 14,5 % . — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2016 vintage. The top wine from Domaine de l'Ostal in the Minervois region, owned by the Cazes family (of Lynch Bages fame). This blend of Syrah (70%), Carignan (15%), Grenache (10%) and Mourvèdre (5%) is a solid powerful effort with jammy black fruit and Provence herbs, good acidity and nice peppery length. — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

This estate was bought in 1988 buy Jean-Michel Cazes (Lynch Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley) and sold in 2017 to the Balland family (Baret). 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Aged in used Lynch Bages barrels. This 2014 is in a very good place now, but should age well for a few more years. Fresh and elegant, with typical Graves spiciness. Not the most complex but a very solid and seductive effort for the vintage. — 4 years ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Have CdP somewhat rarely now but was curious to try this both because it’s 2016 and because it’s now owned by the Cazes family of Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux and who have been extremely hospitable to us in the past. Was skeptical of the 15% labeled abv but I think this is in a great place with a bit of a chill. The fruit is quite powerful, but in a great way, and nothing is overbearing. Perfect with skirt steak off the grill. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2016 vintage. Jean-Michel Cazes (owner of famous Pauillac Cru Classé Lynch-Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley) bought this Minervois estate in 2002. This is the "grand vin", a blend of 70% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 20% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. A very spicy concentrated wine that is more about power than finesse. The colour is still deep dark red with hardly any sign of evolution. Intense spicy nose. Bold and powerful with black fruit hidden in spices. Long peppery finish. Take no prisoners. Abv. 14,5%. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2016 vintage. Domaine de l'Ostal is owned by famous Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Michel Cazes (Pauillac Cru Classé Château Lynch-Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley). We can reasonably expect him to not put his name on a bad wine, and this Estobal (the second wine of the estate, the top wine being labeled Domaine de l'Ostal Grand Vin) surely delivers. Dark red. Intense perfume of blackberry jam, rosemary and dried flowers. Mouthfilling layered jammy fruit, with good acidity, smooth tannin and good spicy length. — 4 years ago