Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

No specific notes but very good vintage and a classical Pauillac, ready to drink but no rush. — 25 days ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Roberto Carli

9.7

what an outstanding experience and without question one of the best wines of the year for me. This is a world class business card of what American oak can do at its best. It starts with a powerful yet elegant knows of dusty cherry, old licorice but mostly gives way to inebriating feeling of grandma‘s old spice cabinet. Something in the nose already tells you that fine fine tans are waiting for you, but the palate is overwhelmingly silky smoothness, possibly the highest combination of intense-yet-silky tannins you can find anywhere, with bright acidity and medium to light body that makes the whole thing dance. I decided to check the producer website and they recommend pairing it with cod with sauce. Luck would have it that I randomly was eating pasta filled with salt cod and tomato sauce. The pairing works well as it further rejuvenates the wine, but I would say it shines at its brightest just by itself, letting those tannins tell the story without any need to curb them down. I’m drinking from Coravin meaning I cannot decant the wine, but even the sediment tastes good. Just like those people who brag about buying burgundy in the 70s, I feel like once the ebbs and flows of trends will shift I will be bragging about buying a 26-year-old monte real gran reserva, kept 24 years at the winery, for 60 bucks, which in San Francisco wouldn’t even pay for the cost of storage  — 4 months ago

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9.3

The 1998 Vieux Château Certan saw both the Merlot and Cabernet reaching maturity early and, unusually, around the same time due to the Cabernet Franc suffering during the drought. Ergo, the blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvest was September 21 to 26 and cropped at 34hl/ha. The bouquet is far superior to the 1996, as you would expect, quite vivacious and sensual black cherry and raspberry fruit, touches of wild mint, though it becomes pretty Bretty in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, fresh and lively, with fine grip with a crunchy blackberry, tar and allspice finish. This might actually constitute the best bottle of the 1998 that I have tasted. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
— 5 months ago

Mark Rosse

9.2

Great cork. A bit of a let down after the Fonsalette. — a month ago

Christian Fischer

9.7

Wow. 1998 was a great year and this is an awesome iteration. 2nd maturation phase. Perfectly (yes, honestly) balanced flavor profile and still vibrant - not sure what we can drink next to keep going upwards - let’s see. — 3 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.5

Drank after the 1990, much more overt after the sophisticated 1990. Iron fist in a velvet glove. Still so youthful. Truly amazing wine. — 5 months ago

John Van Trijp

9.7

Bordeaux 98 is getting better and better — 7 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Seems to be in a perfect spot that kept developing in the glass showing rich dark berry fruit, savory spice, cedar, earth, leather, graphite & sweet tobacco — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.6

A wonderful expressive nose. Rich gamey fruit, black pepper, blood and deep tangy stuff. Long rich and supple. Exceptional — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Medium ruby garnet core , garnet rim . More dusty cassis , spicy blackberry , tobacco , sea spray, hot bricks. On the palate refreshing acidity and more gritty tannin , cassis , blackberry, mineral and tobacco notes . Slightly more linear on the mid palate with good balance and excellent length with mineral tobacco hints . This is drinking well now with time in the decanter , but will continue to improve over the next 5-10 years and last well a further 10-15 years. Really benefited from time in the decanter . — 5 months ago