Bob McDonald

9.2

From the Downs Club First Growth Lunch last Saturday. Very brief notes. Mid crimson in colour - some bricking at the rim. A meaty note - a lovely red fruited perfume - unmistakably first growth. Just medium weight - a lesser vintage. — 5 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.

Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$110. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium ruby garnet , narrow garnet rim . Quite deep spicy tobacco , cassis , redcurrant , grafite , smoky herbal notes on the nose. On the palate this is quite restrained and elegant , with a mix of red and dark fruits , cassis , blueberry , red currant , touch of menthol also . Good refreshing acidity and slightly gritty tannins , good length with grafite and tobacco stained finish . This is showing well and is probably at peak at the moment , no rush as it will stay here for another 8-10 years or so . — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium garnet , quite wide garnet terracotta rim . Quite mature and with mint , herbal cassis , touch of brown sugar, coffee , sous bois. On the palate this is medium bodied , sous bois , some red fruits , red plum , cassis . Quite spicy but still good volume and roundness on the palate also. Decent acidity , and some herbal touches on the good length finish . This is drinking well and will probably not improve . Now and over the next 5-10 years . — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish/ brick rim.

Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and complex.

Showing black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and light forest floor.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a fabulous 18 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Saint Julien. Rich and balanced. Elegant and fruit forward. Chocolaty and spicy.

This First wine from the 4th Growth is drinking beautifully now, and not showing that much age. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

I had the 2005 vintage not too long ago and this 2007 vintage is drinking better now. Well balanced and complex.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with a big piece of steak too.

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.

13% alcohol by volume.

93 points

$130. — a day ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Quite light garnet , wide terracotta rim . Quite a lot of smoky sous bois, with some light red fruits, sweet dry spices , touch of hickory . On the palate this is pretty evolved and has started to dry out slightly , with some some sweet red currant , dried spices, salty acidity and resolved tannin . Ok , slate tinged finish . Drink now , and probably would have been better a few years ago . — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.5

Dark red-purple color with faint orange on the rim, rich, deep currants and cassis, great acidity highlights the crispness and freshness in the nearly 40-year-old wine, for a 1986, this shows little tannic structure, long, lingering finish, outstanding!! — 2 months ago

with Jim

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium garnet , medium garnet rim . Aromatic , and slightly funky nose , with herbal, cedar , sous bois , truffle . On the palate this is slightly strict , quite high acidity , slightly gritty tannin , mix of red and dark fruits , herbal tinges , tobacco and earthy finish . Quite linear and elegant . Perhaps slightly rustic , not particularly ambitious but classic ‘gentleman’s club’ claret. Though this is showing quite a lot of tertiary character it is still drinking well , drink now and over the next 5 or so years — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Chilean Bordeaux Style blend that includes Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (20%) and Carmenere (10%). Light ruby color with a distinctive orange rim. Showing its age a bit but still quite enjoyable. Aromas of dried black cherries/berries along with hints of tobacco and wet soil. Flavors of dark chocolate, prunes, blackberries, coffee, cassis and a bit of black licorice. Nice presence of oak on the medium finish. Medium-plus texture and body. Acidity is quite present which gives this wine a bit of youthful freshness. Very interesting to try and still quite alive. Thanks so much for the bottle, Petey! — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium garnet , quite pronounced terracotta , garnet rim . This is more closed on the nose , slightly darker , less fruited , more tobacco , earthy , iodine , mineral, dry spices . On the palate more intensity with fresher acidity and grippy tannin . Darker fruits , with cherry , blackcurrant , but with a strong seaside , oyster shell componente . Good length and very elegant , slightly tannic finish . This is quite serious and restrained, more complete and complex than the 2011. Needs a bit of time to open, probably better in a 3-5 years and will show well for a further 5-10. From magnum . — 2 months ago