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

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Haut-Bages Libéral – Red blend – 2022
Pauillac AOC – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Left Bank classicism meets modern precision. A Cabernet-dominant blend at 87% and 13% Merlot that showcases Pauillac’s hallmark structure wrapped in surprising elegance. Certified organic and biodynamic, made by Claire Villars-Lurton, one of the leading women in Bordeaux.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, plum skin, and violets with subtle tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, and cocoa. Young, fresh, and layered.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with refined tannins, balanced acidity, and a polished, seamless texture. Harmonious and structured with a delicious, lingering finish.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb, ribeye, duck breast, mushroom ragù, or aged Comté.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced, terroir-driven Pauillac that delivers finesse without sacrificing power. Delicious now, but built to evolve gracefully.

Did You Know?
Château Haut-Bages Libéral is a Fifth Growth from the 1855 Classification, situated next on to Château Latour. The “Libéral” family were 18th-century négociants who selected some of Pauillac’s best parcels, many still form the estate today. — 7 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Drinking beautifully! There’s a cool pine resin note that was very intriguing. Paired with Miyazaki Wagyu. — 8 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

This is a superstar wine in 22 and now 23. They also could not be more different. Stunning nose of ripe mid to late season cherry and a hit of kirsch. Stunning fruit clarity. Gorgeous stoniness and elegant herbs. Terrific tiny berry fruit intensity. Elite finesse and shows the silkiness of this brilliant site. The tannins are stoney and big but ripe and sweet. This doesn’t have the decadence of the 2022. Great freshness and has that chord progression fruit that is a signature of 2023. Unreal silkiness. Gorgeous wine but will be better with a few more hours of air. Oh it’s getting opulent like this site does and wow the energy is off the charts. Tannins melting into fruit. After 5-6 hours this is just insane. The energy of 23 and the opulence of 22. Genius!
— 10 months ago

Aura Novembre

9.7

Sunday burger grilling with Mimi — a year ago

Eric Vishria

9.4

Very much enjoyed. Easy. Ready to drink. — a year ago

Dave

8.9

Apparently I've had this one other time, but I don't remember the poop smell. Maybe it's not the wine! 😳
Opened this last night and the merde was strong. Tonight, the nose is very pleasant on this cheapo Bordeaux. Tastes like dark berries, herbs, a little mint and sage. It's good considering the price!
Listening to Squirrel Nut Zippers — 5 months ago

Louis Martin

9.2

Dry, strong berry aroma, cigar and smoke finish, paired well with duck liver pate. — 6 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

Great second wine here. Yes probably too young but with 2 hours in the decanter this was singing. In another couple of years 94. Super wine — 7 months ago

Vasudev Vadlamudi

9.2

Medium-high acid, citrus. Sauvignon blanc primary with some muscadet and semillon — 7 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château de Fesles – La Chapelle Vieilles Vignes Chenin Sec 2010. Anjou, Loire Valley – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A limited-edition bottling from one of Anjou’s most historic estates, this Chenin Blanc comes from old vines (“vieilles vignes”) rooted in schist soils surrounding the chapel of the domaine. Château de Fesles is renowned for producing some of the Loire’s most age-worthy Chenins, and this 2010 shows just how gracefully the grape can evolve.

Aromas & Flavors
Complex layers of baked quince, dried apricot, acacia honey, chamomile, and lanolin, underpinned by beeswax and a mineral flintiness. Secondary notes of almond and brioche hint at its decade-plus of bottle age.

Mouthfeel
Dry (“sec”) yet textured, with a medium+ body, bright acidity still intact, and a long, savory finish. The balance between freshness and maturity is remarkable, showing both vitality and evolution.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in oak and matured patiently, with low yields from old vines contributing depth and concentration. Loire Chenin’s natural high acidity is what makes wines like this so age-defiant.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roasted chicken with herbs, veal in cream sauce, or rich seafood like lobster and scallops. A natural match also for aged goat cheese (think Valençay or Crottin de Chavignol).

Verdict
A stunning example of aged Loire Chenin Blanc: vibrant, layered, and endlessly complex. Proof of why Anjou and Loire whites belong among the world’s most cellar-worthy wines. — 10 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2023 | grenache cinsault syrah — a year ago

David Valenti

9.0

Smokey and fruity. Thick and rich, rather concentrated for a Gamay. — 5 months ago

Marta Jackowska

9.6

New Years Eve dinner - which red wine to drink?! 🤔
Finally settled on an old favorite - Paul Jaboulet Hermitage.
Did not disappoint - smooth, concentrated fruits, with a hint of earthy, charcoal, tobacco.
Nice way to end our wine drinking for 2025, here’s to more great wines in 2026! 🥂 — 6 months ago

with Neville

Vitaly Domnenko

9.2

Bm+. Tm. Am. Fm. 7years. — 6 months ago

Tristan

9.0

Decent but not good value at $73 — 6 months ago

leon egozi

9.5

NY wine spectator event — 8 months ago

Michael Walker

9.9

PJW 6 pack for his visit - this is OTH, definitely some funk, Paul says wasn’t kept well, but great bones, it really grew on me as it opened - smoky, a bit of cobwebs, love it. Should seek out a ‘16 — a year ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.7

Incredible nose.still all fruit forward. — a year ago

Space

9.1

Выпит бокал в лаунже 9 мая 2025 года в Дохе. Очень достойный Grand Cru 2017 года. — a year ago