Jay Kline

9.6

At this point, with this group, a Legends dinner simply wouldn’t be appropriate without at least one bottle of Chave Hermitage.

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1994 Hermitage pours a slightly hazy garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with perfumed notes of dried brambles, dried blueberry, dried purple flowers, black olive, mushroom, espresso, leather, stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly sanguine. Delicious with the 5 Spice Cured Duck prepared with marinated Bing cherries, crispy shallot and Olathe corn polenta. It was such a pleasure to taste the ‘94 Chave next to the ‘85 Gentaz. Two Northern Rhône Legends working with their respective terroirs. Where the Gentaz was all about the aromatics of Côte Rôtie, the Chave was brought more of the power from the Hill of Hermitage. Drink now through 2056. — 2 months ago

Simone M

9.5

Delicious! Jammy, not overly acidic — 5 years ago

Donald Williams

9.2

With duck poutine and burgers, a really enjoyable wine. — 6 years ago

with Bonnie

Lily l

9.8

Very earthy flavor, great to pair with duck. — 7 years ago

Raj Harb

9.4

Decanted 60-90 min. Aromatics are in a great place right now. A punch of violet is followed by black pepper and a whiff of bell pepper. Tannins are well integrated on palate...more violets, dark berry fruit, rocks. An obvious and excellent pairing with both duck and venison. Lacked a bit of length but otherwise delicious. — 8 years ago

Genevieve Eustis

9.0

I'm a sucker for this duck — 9 years ago

Rich Friedland

9.2

Works well with shrimp and spaetzle. Nice fruit and crisp acidity to pair with a buttery dish. — 9 years ago

Jim Lyons

9.1

Another mustardy joy from the GOAT (or more like duck I suppose) — 6 months ago

Paul Barnaby

9.0

Would buy again. Light and good — 2 years ago

Karissa Reynolds

9.5

Definitely on the sweeter side. Could be too sweet depending on the person. Would by again from Duck Walk — 5 years ago

Dana Wagner

9.4

Delicious CDP. Paired as well with duck as with scallops in a buerre blanc sauce. — 6 years ago

David L

9.1

Zippy. Lime, guava, pink grapefruit, plenty of acidity. Nicely made wine. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus!

Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus.

Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different.

The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days.

The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep.

13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s.

Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
— 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château Léoville Barton 2023 – Saint-Julien, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Saint-Julien expression showing clarity, harmony, and structural polish, driven by a 77% Cabernet Sauvignon–led blend with 20% Merlot Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc as a support. The wine balances ripe fruit concentration with restraint, delivering precision, finesse, and a seamless flow from attack through finish.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, red plum, cassis, graphite, cedar, subtle baking spice, crushed stone, light tobacco and gentle floral lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with finely woven tannins, excellent balance, fresh integrated acidity, supple texture, and a long, graceful finish that feels effortless rather than forceful.

Food Pairings
Herb-crusted lamb, roasted duck breast, grilled filet mignon, mushroom risotto, aged Comté or Gruyère.

Verdict
An elegant, dependable Saint-Julien that delivers purity, structure, and drinking pleasure without excess. Refined, polished, and quietly authoritative, a wine that rewards both immediate enjoyment and patient cellaring.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the kind of wine that wins through composure and precision rather than horsepower. Easy to enjoy today, yet layered enough to keep you leaning back into the glass. Subtle sophistication done right. — 9 months ago

Steve Rura

9.3

Wow so good! Natural sparkling rosé with lotttsss of sediment. Juicy orange character makes this very drinkable. I love how inventive Portuguese wines are lately. — 4 years ago

Caitlin

9.9

Strong minerality, mild fruitiness — 6 years ago

Murray Tarvis

9.3

STWC. Sweet Black fruit and cassis aroma. Strong Ribena and blackcurrant ice cream on tip of tongue very bold tannins. Not subtle but I love this. Wonder if it ages? — 7 years ago

Martin Sher

9.0

Yes, a little hint of blueberry on the finish. — 8 years ago

Mike Saviage

10

Tasted blind. From a bottle that I’m told had a top shoulder fill. Reddish tawny color, translucent but with intensity. Port-like nose with notes of black cherries, plum, tan spices, molasses/brown sugar and some cranberry. Earthy and ethereal in the mouth. Intensively rich. Finish lasts forever. Guessed 47 Cheval Blanc. I’ve been fortunate to have this wine a few times now. It’s a freak of nature, which is very evident when sitting next to its 49 sibling. A top all time bottle for sure. — 8 years ago

John D

9.0

Very good Pinot — 9 years ago