Tom Garland

9.4

First meeting of monthly wine group and everyone came to play.

Nose: areomatics draw you in with ripe dark fruit, floral, forest floor, truffles. Taste: Elegant, silky, balanced wine with cherry, smoke, toast, earth, and a medium plus plum/cedar/chocolate finish. YUM!! — 20 days ago

Ole Underthun

9.0

Perfekt til vilt — 5 days ago

Doug Powers

9.0

This CdP seems a bit more angry and wild from being opened, a touch more structure than the softer 2000 Bosquet des Papes (2001 was a more tannic vintage), solid balance, also mature, 13.5% ABV, longish finish. — 2 months ago

with Jim

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Gorgeous nose of wet stones, wet earth, wild mint and more. A scene in nature type of nose. Stunning. 9.7 nose. Palate is killer but also needs some air as it’s juicy but also angular and backwards. But as it airs it gains a sweet lemon/lime intensity and that classic Defaix oily texture. Piercingly mineral finish. Air will make my score rise I surmise. — 21 days ago

Patrick Litle

9.4

Excellent, mod. Spicy, very smooth — a month ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

A consistent performer that easily wins over palates. Each vintage more expensive than the last. — 2 months ago

Greg Koslosky

9.2

This bottle was in perfect condition has incredible balance with black and red fruits earth, spice garrigue. As good as you would hope should hold for another five years. Nice juice ! — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Dark and full of character. Very pure with gnarly undertow. Clean and pure — 25 days ago

with Paul and Ara

Jol

9.3

35 ans tanins totalement fondus Extrême douceur et légèreté Nettement supérieur au 1988
Est ce question de millesime ou de conservation ? — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Vieux Château Palon – 2021
Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC – Right Bank, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A distinctive Right Bank Bordeaux, this cuvée flips the classic Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion script. Instead, it is crafted from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, making it unusually bold, structured, and aromatically lifted for the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and cassis dominate, with graphite, cedar, and tobacco leaf from the Cabernets. Subtle violet and peppery notes emerge from the Franc.

Mouthfeel
Firm tannins, medium-plus body, and a long, savory finish. More muscular and linear than many Montagne-Saint-Émilions, leaning toward Left Bank style but with Right Bank elegance.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, cassoulet, duck confit, aged Comté or Tomme de Savoie cheeses.

Verdict
An atypical but fascinating Montagne-Saint-Émilion that highlights Cabernet structure over Merlot plushness. For those who love Pauillac or Saint-Julien, this bottle is a bridge into the Right Bank world. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Montagne-Saint-Émilion is one of the four “satellite” appellations of Saint-Émilion, known for offering excellent value Bordeaux reds. Few estates here lean so heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes Palon stand out stylistically. — 3 months ago