The 2016 Montrose is a supremely gifted Saint-Estèphe. Very harmonious and precise on the nose, faint hints of mocha and freshly rolled tobacco are behind those floral scents, black rather than red fruit. The palate has very fine tannins, extraordinarily harmonious with a nigh-perfect line of acidity. There is a subtle crescendo that leaves you utterly smitten by its charms, a touch of graphite on the finish. I just have the feeling that this might close up for a while. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Icons of Bordeaux dinner at Legacy Records in New York. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2024)
— 7 months ago
#kosherWineSunday
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Strong nose with mediterranean spices and chocolate notes.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry and fruit forward on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing blackberries, cooked plums, spices, light cedar, chocolates, coffee, light vanilla, tobacco, herbs, earth, peppercorn, cardamom and licorice.
Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 9 year old Petite Sirah from Israel is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel.
Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.
Good right out of the bottle, but much better after a couple of hours. Alcohol is well integrated by now.
Rich, concentrated and extracted. Drinks like a high end California red.
Fruit forward, and in your face kind of wine. Not for the faint of heart.
Petite Sirah grapes were aged in oak barrels for 18 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$62 (current vintage). — 2 years ago
It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff — 3 days ago
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and petit Verdot.
Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, blueberry, blackberry, cherry, cassis, toasted oak, vanilla. On the palate, mirrors the nose, dark berries, cassis, vanilla, bay leaf, cocoa, minerals in the finish. Long finish of jammy berries, cocoa and minerals. — 6 months ago
Perfect blend great boutique black cherries and toasted cedar. — 7 months ago
Blueberry, cocoa nib, and graphite. Dark and bold with strong tannins that could maybe still use time to soften. — 5 months ago
Deep lemon with aromas of stone fruit, floral, spice and citrus, under went sur lie and French oak aging. On the palate apple flavors of melon and pear, with Meyer lemon zest, vanilla and toasty notes. Nice balance with bright acidity on long creamy finish, savory with citrus, spicy oak and mineral ending, very nice! — 6 months ago
The 2010 La Conseillante has been spellbinding since I first tasted it from barrel. It has an intense nose with black plum, cedar and graphite. It is vibrant and compelling with scents of camphor intertwined. Wonderful delineation; there are layers of aromatic complexity. The palate is beautifully knit with a touch of black pepper and thyme filtering through the black fruit. It retains so much energy on the finish as it fans out with class and verve. Magnificent. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Icons of Bordeaux dinner at Legacy Records in New York. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2024)
— 7 months ago
David Burke
Very complex for a white and delicious! — 9 days ago