Ed Chin

9.3

There is a vibrancy you noticed right away with a fine bead of bubbles. It is quite youthful and a few years of aging will help the wine meld together a bit better. Drink it now if you need to as it won’t disappoint. — 9 months ago

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9.4

The 2021 Barbaresco is impressive. Intensely aromatic and explosive, the straight Barbaresco shows why 2021 is such a pedigreed vintage. Spice, lavender, sage and mint meld into a core of blue/purplish fruit. A gorgeous, overachieving wine, the 2021 just needs time in bottle. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2024)
— 2 years ago

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9.2

The 2018 Barolo Le Coste di Monforte is a gentle, surprisingly open-knit wine from a site where Barolos tend to show quite a bit more muscle. Then again, this is 2018. Effusive floral and spice aromatics meld into a core of sweet red-fleshed fruit. Orange peel, cinnamon and rose petal lift the bright, vibrant finish very nicely. The 2018 is impeccably done. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2022)
— 4 years ago

Penny Wild-perkowski

9.2

1997. Stewed prunes. Sweet almost too sweet but will meld with food. — 5 years ago

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9.9

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard emerges mostly from upper blocks on this site, a striking hillside that faces Colgin, where the steep exposure can yield wines of tremendous pedigree. That is exactly what comes through here. Inky red/purplish fruit, spice, rose petal, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco meld together effortlessly, with silky tannins that wrap it all up. Bold and luscious, but with tremendous nuance, the Melanson Cabernet is a total stunner in 2018. As I have written in the past, farming here has improved tremendously in recent years. This is another superb example of the quality that this site is capable of. Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown gave the 2018 a relatively short 10 days on the skins. I imagine he thought the site would take care of the rest. It's hard to argue with that. The 2018 is off the charts great. Don't miss it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2006 ‘Pedestal’ is a sinfully good warm vintage Merlot by superstar enological consultant Michel Rolland that is drinking marvelously at now thirteen years of age. Following a long decant, the Merlot slowly unveils ripe black currants that combine with sandalwood, cigar ash and Turkish coffee aromatics that meld together in the glass. The palate has tremendous freshness and verve considering its age, as this silky wine effortlessly glide across the mid-palate. Still showing serious power and concentration, the ‘Pedestal’ leads with a deep core of dark fruits that mingle with suggestions of milk chocolate, pipe tobacco, leather and anise flavors that sing in harmony. Fantastic now, this beautiful wine has at least another decade of life left. Drink 2019-2028- 94 — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2004 Dom Perignon Champagne is sinfully good at fifteen years of age. Showing off its downright sexy golden hue, the wine evolves quickly once in the glass displaying a dazzling array of aromatics, from orchard fruits to peat moss and toasty brioche as well as shades of salted Marcona almond that all nicely meld together. The palate yields a wonderful combination of richness and tension. There is a lovely ripe, almost unctuous texture to this aged Champagne. Flavors of salted macadamia nut, ripe pear, kumquat zest and shades of Shiitake mushroom with lighter biscuit undertones all combine brilliantly. This is a satisfying, downright hedonistic champagne that will be extremely long-lived. Drink 2019-2040- 97 — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château LaTour de Bessan – Margaux 2022
Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A cru bourgeois property in the heart of Margaux, LaTour de Bessan showcases the elegance and structure that define the Left Bank. The 2022 vintage, shaped by a warm growing season, highlights both concentration and finesse — a reminder of how Margaux balances power with perfume.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive cassis, black cherry, and blueberry meld with notes of cedar, graphite, and violet. Subtle hints of tobacco leaf and spice linger in the background, adding Bordeaux’s signature complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and a vibrant core of acidity. Silky yet structured, showing poise on the mid-palate and a lingering, refined finish. Built to age, but already offering glimpses of charm.

Food Pairings
Ideal with classic Bordeaux fare — roast lamb, duck breast, or beef tenderloin. Also pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes and aged cheeses like Comté.

Verdict
A stylish Margaux that balances depth with elegance. While the 2022 is still young, its aromatic lift and refined structure promise rewarding evolution over the next decade. A Left Bank classic in the making. 🍷cheers! — 9 months ago

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9.4

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier has aged impeccably. A dark, sumptuous wine, the 2007 is endowed with copious dark cherry, plum, gravel, bittersweet chocolate, crushed rocks, sage and lavender all meld together in this potent Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. What a terrific debut this is. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2024)
— 2 years ago

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9.4

The 2017 Barbaresco Ronchi is darker, richer and more potent than the straight bottling, but ultimately the two wines aren't as different as they have been or should be. I imagine at least some of that is attributable to the vintage. Black cherry, smoke, tobacco, licorice and leather all meld together nicely. The heat of the vintage is a bit more evident here, but is also nicely balanced. The 2017 finishes with notable substance and power. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 4 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The new release by FIGGINS coming from the 2020 vintage is utterly fantastic now in its playful youth. Once on the nose this takes on layers of lemon zest and honey, alongside baking spices, ginger and shades of damp earth that all meld in the glass. The palate reveals just a kiss of sweetness with lemon cake, marzipan, quince and stony undertones. Seriously esteemed and bright in its youth, this has another decade to go. Drink 2021-2031- 93 — 5 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

One of the finest sites in all of SLB. Always needs age. What a nose. Just dizzying. 2018 is so good in the so called “B” villages. Nose is deep. It’s floral. Dark red roses and violets. Late season cherry fruit and also black cherries. Almost kirsch in it’s intensity. What a palate. A monster. Nuanced, clear and detailed. So deep, so fresh, so concentrated. Amazing purity and sappy red and black cherries. Powerful and also elegant. Sappy. Such nice acid and freshness has an electricity to it despite its ripeness. Wow. Exhilarating is the best word. Terrific inner mouth aromas and sweet, ripe velvety and substantial tannins. The mineral drive throughout this wine is amazing right now but some of that will meld into fruit as this ages. This needs 5 years and then oh boy. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2017 Orin Swift ‘Abstract’ Red Wine is another fantastic bottling from this storied Napa producer. A blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah, this was aged for eight months in a combination of French and American Oak (27% new) The ‘Abstract’ leads with graphite and mocha with tar and black olive tapenade aromas that impress in the glass. The classy texture impresses here on the palate as the wine yields a really good combination of poise and weight. Layers of cassis, creosote and wild blackberry cobbler flavors meld with the milk chocolate untones towards the back end . Enjoy this impressive, hedonistic wine over the next seven plus years. Drink 2019-2027- 93 — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Château de Lamarque “Héritiers des Marquis d’Evry” 2021
Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
This vintage is a classic Bordeaux blend—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot—sourced from a historic Haut-Médoc château with roots stretching back to the 15th century. It’s the “second wine” of Château de Lamarque, offering approachability while retaining estate quality. The appellation’s gravelly terroir and structured style are evident in every sip.
 

Aromas & Flavors
Rippling with blackcurrant and cassis, the wine is wreathed in cedar, tobacco, and earthy undertones. On the palate, dense fruit and toast meld with a hint of spice—classic left-bank elegance with that savory Médoc streak.
 

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with refined tannins and vibrant acidity. A balanced structure makes it satisfying now, while promising graceful evolution over the next 5–10 years.
 

Winemaking Notes
The estate cultivates a blend of vines: roughly 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Fermentation occurs in hidden concrete vats, followed by aging—with about 25% in new French oak barrels.
 

Food Pairing
Perfectly paired with robust fare: beef steaks, roast lamb, silverside, game, and dishes enveloped in rich, savory sauces.


Verdict
A solid Haut-Médoc “second wine” that mirrors the terroir and tradition of Château de Lamarque at a more accessible level—classic, savory, and beautifully balanced. Cheers!
— 10 months ago

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9.2

The 2006 Lafleur is a vintage that I have not encountered for a little while. It is similar to how it tasted at a decade old with wild strawberry, blackberry and hints of cooked meat on the nose, still pretty backward and needing time to meld fully. The palate is medium-bodied with still a slightly coarse entry that I don't think would be accepted by Baptiste Guinaudeau today, slightly tarry toward a dense and somewhat muscular finish. Maybe it's just missing Lafleur's usual charm? Yet it's still an impressive Pomerol that requires more cellaring. Tasted at 67 Pall Mall for The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide dinner. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 2 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.9

Attractive mocha, smoke, plum, graphite and tar notes meld together gracefully.. the essence of Maremma warmth and resonance in its open, supple personality. Layers of dark red and black fruit build to an effortless, textured finish. - Vinous — 5 years ago

MaJ CappS

8.9

Smells of scone spices.

Medium bodied with a bright fruits leads me to believe this is strong on the Grenache - cherry preserves, pepper, tobacco, chop stick tannins (bamboo) and grape jolly rancher acidity.
May need another couple years to fully meld.
— 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

Made by superstar winemaker, Randy Dunn, of Dunn Vineyards, the 2017 ‘Feather’ by Long Shadows is a masterful effort from this exciting warmer vintage in Washington. Once on the nose there is a lovely round core of toasty oak that wraps around the rich dark fruits, sagebrush and chocolate fudge aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, revealing a round and generous mouthfeel. The seamless effect created mid-palate is utterly fantastic. Black currants and blackberry cordial dance with shades of Black Forest Cake and espresso bean on this highly complex palate. This finishes long with dark fruits and a beam of minerality. While enticing to savor now, the 2017 ‘Feather’ will have a long life ahead of it. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to afford a two hour decant prior to enjoying. Drink 2021-2040- 95 — 6 years ago

.

9.1

Earthy, slightly savory notes meld with black fruit and espresso on the palate. The finish is mildly tangy, with suggestions of black cherry and underbrush. No hurry on these, as they have both the structure and the acidity to continue aging well. This bottle showed best after 2+ hours of air. — 7 years ago

Brian Hearty

8.9

2014. Bretty and cherry meld together well. — 7 years ago

with Paul