David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

We had the 2000 with the Allen Brothers Ribcap’s. Might have been the most tender cut of meat we had. Even more tender than their Bone-in Fillets. Allen Brothers is currently selling to consumers during Covid-19 as most restaurants are shut or barely open. Order online before the go back to restaurant only sales. You’ll be glad you did. You can see on their site what revered steakhouses they sell their beef etc. Cooked them in the Green Egg. 👌

Perhaps the first 2000 that I’ve opened that was truly ready. Yet, it will improve for another 5-7 years and hold for another 5-10 years properly stored.

The tannins were round and supple...like velvet. Good balance fruit & earth. The structure, tension, length and balance just hit a good stride. Dark, rich, but, muted fruits, dark chocolate, mocha powder, touch of caramel, nicely layer baking spices, dark rich earth, clay, stone, fresh, soft tobacco notes, saddle-wood, soft graphite notes with fresh & withering dark flowers. The acidity nice & round...definitely shows the strength of the vintage. The finish, well balanced-knitted, plush, velvety, flat out elegant & smooth.

Photos of, Chateau Belle-Vue, living area shot of inside the Chateau, perfect fruit ready for harvest and their barrel room. — 7 days ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Ruby in color with wide reddish/ brick rim.

Pretty nose with blueberries, plums, red currants, spices, wet leaves, oak, tobacco leaf, pencil lead, earth, black tea, thyme, light vinaigrette and black pepper. Very aromatic.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, blueberries, cranberries, currants, oak, tobacco, earth, bitter herbs, spices, wet leaves, coffee, cola, pencil lead, black tea and black pepper.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy pomegranates.

This young Merlot based Bordeaux is starting to show its potential. From a great vintage, and still has a lot of room to grow. A good quality wine.

The nose is already beautiful and I loved smelling on it for a while.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years. Still young and tight.

Still a bit unbalanced and better with food right now. I paired it with Brie cheese, olives and crackers.

A blend of 65% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. Kosher.

14% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$50. — 4 days ago

Pooneet Kant

9.0

A smidge disappointed given I’ve had many 2001 Bordeaux I quite like and separately that SJ is my favorite left bank appellation. Just a bit disjointed, with some drying tannins on the finish - definitely drink up if you have these. Still, can’t argue that this is classic Bordeaux and a great pairing with grilled hanger steak. — 4 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2015 vintage. For those who didn't know that Bordeaux can be sexy, try this. The fruit is much thicker than you'd expect, the tannins are present but well-tamed and there's an interesting minerality in the finish. Very straightforward, but what it lacks in complexity it compensates with charm. Abv. 14%. — 4 days ago

Hiroshi Tominaga

9.0

Very good, balanced and easy to drink. Bought from Hiramatsu for about ¥2,500. — 22 days ago

Willem Booij

9.2

Worth waiting for, this is classic Bordeaux and the wine is alive and kicking. The tannins are finally softened and smooth, the wine is perfect in balance. Love it! — a day ago

Douglas Renall

9.4

We’re having the last 2011 Leoville tonight. This is always a wine for celebrating with. A traditional Saint-Julien wine of the finest quality. This 2011 vintage has great purity, concentrated fruit and serious structure. Classic cassis, brambly dark fruit deliciousness and deft use of oak are masterfully woven together into a seamless #grandcruclassé I can’t wait to have a few more glasses while this rain sets in for the weekend 🍷 #saintjulien #leovillebarton #memories — 4 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

A simply glorious aged Bordeaux Blanc, shared for my big four zero, the 2004 Pavillion Blanc by Chateau Margaux is silky, opulently textured and has insanely good poise and length. Right out of the gate you are impressed with the range of aromatics from lychee and starfruit to damp earth, wild mushroom and brandy soaked pear. Once on the attack, you are surprised by the freshness imparted in this wine that now stands at sixteen years of age. The soft mouthfeel gives this an err of elegance as the wine effortlessly glides across the mid palate with a bright beam of salinity. The captivating, exceedingly long finish produces the final crescendo. One thing is clear — this beautiful Bordeaux Blanc still has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 97 — 8 days ago

Paul Jakubowski

9.5

1 hour plus decant. Dark red color. Nose contains graphite, black cherry, and some medicinal elements. Wine has more oak than expected but nice cherry fruit. Awesome texture and great depth. Medium plus finish. Not as good as the ‘12 I recently had, but still one of my favorite producers! — 8 days ago

with Brooke

Bruce Leboff

8.9

A bit disappointing. Strong start but fishes mid palate. Nice left bank nose. Dark fruit. A hint of cherry leather and chocolate. Tannins present but doesn’t feel like it will evolve to be a classic. — 9 days ago

with David