Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Happy Birthday to me!

When I tasted the 2013 & 2014 vintages upon release, I said I wouldn’t open one for 10 years. True my word. Beautiful Napa Cabernet made by Thomas Rivers Brown. Just now starting its good drinking window with another 15 years ahead and perhaps some change years beyond. — a month ago

Jason

9.2

Deep purple with light orange / brown tinge. High alcohol. Dark berry, strawberry, peppery scent. Strong punchy chocolate, moss, dark fruit flavour. Heavy body. Lingering chocolate tannin feel. Good for punchy flavour. — 3 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.6

I thought I would open another LLC tonight. The 86 is one of my favorite drinking vintages. This was classic & old school that has a burly, muscular style & is starting to enter its drinking window with many years ahead displaying black fruits, cassis, graphite, iron, leather, forest floor, brown spices & tobacco. This btl was in perfect shape showing how monumental this wine can be. — 5 years ago

Pierre Gourinchas

9.4

Just perfect — 5 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2003 Léoville-Poyferré has always been one of this infamous vintage’s success stories. Perhaps in recent years it has lost some of its vigour on the nose with black plum, brown spices, leather and that light Bovril aroma, but there is better delineation than many others. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and quite savoury. It is beginning to show some dryness and little monotony on the finish. I wonder whether its best days are behind it? Still a very decent showing however. Tasted at the Léoville-Poyferré vertical at the château with Sara Lecompte Cuvelier. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2022)
— 3 years ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2015. Double decanted by our waitress and we really enjoyed it with our meal. Spicy dark red fruit, and a solid earthy base. Velvety tannins. — 4 years ago

with Bryan

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2019 vintage. A totally different style compared to the more classic 2019 Cantenac Brown, but every bit as good. A more flashy, opulent style, flirting with overripeness, but every bit as good. — 6 months ago

Shuhui Ng

9.2

Reddish brown, dark fruits, liquorice, tobacco. Vanilla oak. Very manageable tannins! Very ready to drink after 16 years :) — 3 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2014 | Brown rim with cardinalred colour. Nice bouquet with sweet cherries, laurel, vanilla and cacao. Multi layered. Fine texture and mouthfeel after aeration, some tannins still. Good acidity and balance. Fine spicyness. Excellent drinking now. | Paired with lambs saddle and aspargus. | At restaurant Pikaar in Hilvarenbeek — 3 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Home alone, and as a result, I can return to some French faves. Regretfully, wifey tastes vomit if it’s anything other than a Napa fruit-bomb. Yes, I’m exaggerating, but you get my point...
This is on another level. 2009 was in my opinion a breakout year for this winery. With the winery renovations complete in 09, and Michel Rolland consulting on the winemaking, it’s easy to see the future state. This is a Merlot blend with double digit cab franc, and a dollop of cab sauv. I poured this pretty much at cellar temp (unusual for a typical Bdx), and it’s simply wonderful at this point.
Nose displays kirsch, nutmeg and a hint of sweet tobacco. The palate explodes with fresh black fruits, brown sugar, bold tannins, and a touch of white pepper. Judicious oak treatment allows the components and winemaking to take center-stage. A very contemporary example, which will sail on for another 15 years, minimum.
@Deborah M, your gentle nudge moved me. While I didn’t decant, I did open it 2hrs prior to tasting 🙂 — 5 years ago

with Mo