Les Celliers Saint Martin
Château Léoville Poyferré
Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
The 1982 Léoville Poyferré is a vintage that I have not seen for a while. This bottle is splendid. It is Ferrous on the nose and offers wilted rose petals, asphalt and pencil shavings, now firmly into its secondary aromatic phase yet maintaining impressive delineation and freshness. Maybe a little rustic compared to recent vintages, yet charming. The palate is very well balanced, and there is a touch of Brettanomyces that would be understandable given the warmth of the growing season. Cedar and graphite flourish toward the finish. This is at a peak now, and as I averred before, I would drink these sooner unless you have larger formats on your hands. Tasted at Burns & German's dinner to celebrate The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide book at Medlar. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 3 months ago
Château Ausone
Saint Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
The 2014 Ausone has retained that purity, pastille-like red berry fruit on the nose, with touches of clove and bay leaf, perhaps almost Burgundian in terms of its allure. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, pliant tannins that manifest its velvety texture. This might be the most seductive of any 2014 Bordeaux, fanning out beautifully towards the almost citrus-fresh finish. Gorgeous. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2024)
— a month ago
Château Beauséjour
Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
The 2009 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse has been eulogized elsewhere, but returning to this vintage after four years, it's a very good Saint-Émilion rather than a great one. It has a typically ripe and exotic bouquet with a heavy carapace of new oak that doesn't feel completely welded to the fruit. Certainly, there is immense concentration, which will appeal if that's your metric. The palate is intense and structured with layered black fruit, high-toned but lacking complexity. It has a hedonistic allure, and there is a fine grip, notwithstanding that it develops more nuance in the glass. Maybe give it another four to five years? Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 3 months ago
Domaine du Pas Saint Martin
La Pierre Frite Saumur Chenin Blanc
Some citrus, a lot of minerality and some hint off sweetness. — 6 months ago
Château Montrose
Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014
The 2014 Montrose has an engaging and complex bouquet with black fruit, a pencil box, pressed violet and warm earth scents, gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with excellent tannins that frame the mineral-rich black fruit (in fact, this is one of the most mineral-laden 2014 Left Banks I tasted.) The oak is seamlessly integrated, and the finish has real panache. Beautifully, and it's just entering its drinking window. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2024)
— a month ago
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1990
Tasting the 1990 Léoville Las Cases just a few days after the 1989, it is clear which is the best vintage…this one. It has a sublime nose of melted black fruit, tar, cedar and bay leaf that shrugs off the heat of that summer better than most others. At 33 years of age, you could just lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is clearly holding up well: beautifully defined and supple yet with typical Las-Cases backbone and depth. It builds magnificently in the glass toward a harmonious finish that reminds me of the 1985 in terms of its fleshiness. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 3 months ago
Château Martin
Saint Estephe Red Bordeaux Blend 2018
Tasty but needs more bottle age. — 4 months ago
Sean Grullon
Reliable, delicious, and reasonable. Slightly on the fruitier end of the Bordeaux spectrum - gorgeous blackberry, plum and cassis, balanced by delicious chocolate, exotic tobacco, and good spice. Good acidity provides incredible length. Always amazing for the price. — a month ago