Jay Kline

9.3

Opened and double decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1996 pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a lovely combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: cassis, brambles, horse blanket, cigar box, old leather, earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Another lovely and immensely charming Poyferré. Drink now with a decant and through 2046. — 6 days ago

Jan de Weerd

9.6

Highlight of the night! And a surprise to some degree. I kind off had given up on Lynch Bages. Given the high price, to me, the 2015 and 2016 were below expectation. But, boy, this 2018 rung all bells. Super concentrated, layers of evolving dark cherry, blueberry, current flavors and a superb balanced finish. All one could wish for. — 11 days ago

with Tammy

Shay A

9.1

*Color isn’t quite as dark as the picture shows*

Followed over a few days. Consistent profile.

From 375ml

Advanced caramel color with a tinge of orange. Thankfully, aromatics are as expected with orange marmalade, caramel and toffee. Viscous and weighty profile with low acidity. Faint notes of honey roasted nuts on the palate, but it’s mostly an orange marmalade, caramel and apricot dominated profile. Finish shows good length for what is considered an off-vintage, with the apricot and some bourbon vanilla. Good on its own. Drink now. — 5 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2022 vintage. Deep dark red, with purplish rim. Very attractive nose already, with cassis, blackberries, raspberries,flowers and subtle cedar.
Midweight, with layers of succulent black and red fruits and fresh acidity, embedded in a ripe tannic structure. Great length, with a distinctive mineral touch. Not sure if it is as good as the incredible 2016, but a close contender for one of the best wines ever for this estate. Abv. 13%. It totally outperforms the Croizet Bages 2022 tasted alongside. — 4 days ago

Doug Powers

9.6

Wow, violets and floral up front, quite youthful still, fruit is very, very effusive and expressive, excellent balance and acidity, long, lingering finish, great aged Pomerol, a WOW wine!! — 10 days ago

with Jim

Tim L

9.9

A regal wine, among best ever tasted…2018 Bordeaux of St. Estephe, Grand Cru Classe en 1855, perfect balance big flavor deep purple. Expensive but not over-priced. — 13 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1st monthly wine group meetup for 2025, and everyone went big tonight. Nose: dark fruit, wet forest floor, sweet spice, cedar, truffles, touch of roasted meat. Taste: silky, energetic, balanced wine with red plum/berries, minerals, damp earth, tobacco, cinnamon chocolate espresso wrapped up in an amazing medium plus finish. YUM! — 11 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2016 vintage. Cantemerle is always a good idea if you want value for money. Like many left bank Bordeaux in this great vintage, it tends to close down a bit, so give it some time in the glass or decant. The nose slowly develops after an hour, with a mix of black and red fruit, classy cedar notes, and flowers. As usual, it's all about elegance, but it doesn't lack power either. Still needs a few more years to reveal all its complexity, but very good already. Ab. 13%. — 16 days ago

Scott Kahn

9.5

Beautiful wine - one that has improved with age! Deep and rich color with a bouquet of cedar in the glass. Dark and plentiful fruit, integrated albeit present tannins, and a long finish. This is best Estournel that I have sampled! — 15 days ago

Eric Halim

9.3

On nose its dominant blackberries,some red fruits, florals, spices like pepper, oak,

On palate, wine is still tannic at first taste, gave it breathe for 60-90 minutes, mouth coating acidity, its not too bold, but it offers good structure with medium intensity. Its drinkable now, cheers everyone! — 11 hours ago