Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium lemon , light copper hue . Some light but persistent bubbles still. This is quite serious and rich on the nose , with some orange rind , walnut , touch of mushroom and meaty , soy hints . Quite rich , intense and dense on the palate but with good freshness still , long with orange rind and walnut. Perfect now and over the next 5 years or so . At Noble Rot , London , 15th Jan 2026 — 5 months ago

David White

9.3

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 — 2 years ago

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9.5

I tasted the 1982 Lynch-Bages twice within a month, both at a private dinner in London and at the château, from bottle and double-magnum on separate occasions. Both vindicate an exceptionally fine 1982, perhaps a bit overlooked in a vintage full of stars. Curiously, the bottle in Bordeaux does not fully deliver the mesmerizing freshness and energy compared to the bottle in London: pencil-lead-tinged black fruit intermixed with clove and freshly-rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, perhaps just a little austere compared to its peers. Yet, indeed, the bottle in London exudes class and composure with a detailed, mineral-driven vintage belying that year's unseasonably warm period. Superb. Tasted both in London at a private dinner and at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2023) — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The 2018 Winner of the Margaret River Cabernet Trophy at the London International Wine Challenge. This is a producer new to me in Marg River. Medium bodied but intense Tomato Leaf, Capsicum Mulberry and Black Fruits. A classic Margaret River expression of Cabernet Sauvignon in a good vintage. Ticks all the boxes - finishing with resolved tannins. Quite delicious - deserves a Gold Medal at 95 points. — 4 years ago

Riccardo L.

9.2

Wha wha weeee waaah. Teleportation straight back to burgundy - escargot under the clock tower, lunch on a bike ride of the country. Beast. Doesn’t get much better. — 5 years ago

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10

The 1945 La Mission Haut-Brion from the château cellar is transcendental. It is blessed with the most beautiful bouquet you can imagine, effortless and natural, featuring woodland, red-berried fruits, a minerally quality and a faint touch of leafiness; given time to settle, it develops a lovely gamy note. The palate is medium- rather than full-bodied and sublimely balanced, upholding that effortless grace with an elegant, bittersweet, dried orange peel finish. One of the most harmonious wines I have ever consumed. Perfect. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London in September 2009. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago

Philip Patston

9.2

One of the classic London Dry gins. Great for g and t and as martini. Quite assertive so maybe not for everyone. — 6 years ago

Vanessa

9.5

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — a year ago

with Deked1

Victor Hsu

9.3

Delightfully complicated California Chard masquerading as a White Burgundy. French nose and French finish. Minerals, flint, stone and fruit—apple, pear, peach and nectarine, with an obvious but restrained layer of oak. Not overly fruity or oaky; no pineapple or butterscotch here. Paired well with the Seafood Tower, Swordfish and Black Cod at the Water Grill Santa Monica. This was a juvenile 2021 vintage, tasted in 2024. Eager to try this gem after another half decade. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Almost pitch black in colour - very dense. Barb said Liquorice and Dark Chocolate - also lashings of blackberry. Extremely rich, concentrated fruit. Possibly the richest most full bodied French dry red I’ve ever had. Interesting to compare with the Catena Zapata Malbec a week ago. The Argentinian Malbec coming from high country was more elegant. I must try more Malbec from Cahors. Made for a BBQ Steak. A silky palate finishing with very dry tannins. Bought at Hedonism in Mayfair London several years ago. I have never seen this producer available in Australia. — 4 years ago

Andre Japiassu

9.0

Really great Zinfandel brilliant deep ruby, full body, fruity and flavors of raisins and redcurrant. Ready to drink. — 6 years ago

Michael Mugmon

9.5

Brought this home from the office before the lockdown. I carried this back from London, where this is one of the main gins they serve at the Dukes Bar for their legendary martinis. Hope I can get back there again. — 6 years ago

David Walser

9.0

Pastiche has half price wines on Wednesday’s so I went for one of their higher priced ($64) bottles. Haven’t had a Jack London Vineyard in a long time so I thought this was the time to try it. Not very complex and a tad sweet. I’m amazed that they can sell this at the $64 price on other nights. Don’t know the retail for this wine. Don’t think I would order again. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

This wine screams left bank Bordeaux. The final blend is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon; 22% Merlot; and 15% Cabernet Franc. Great depth of flavour particularly for a 2nd wine. The medium + palate shows an inner core of strength and opulence which exhibits the class of the producer and the excellence of the vintage. Tertiary aromas and flavours. See last Delectable note of 2020. Very integrated, balanced and polished. Prompts the old saying in a London Club, “Just damn good claret my man”. Excellent drinking now but still 5+ years left in it. — a year ago

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9.3

The bottle of 2014 Pontet-Canet showed better than the previous one at the 10-Year-On tasting in London. This offers much more restraint on the nose. It's quite precise, with greater mineralité seeping through the black cherry and cassis fruit. The palate has a sorbet-fresh entry, fine tannins and a silky sheen. The oak is fully subsumed after a decade, plus there is a little more depth on the finish compared to previous showings. This is a fine example of the vintage, and bottles should drink well over the next 12 to 15 years. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Pontet-Canet dinner in Washington DC. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 2 years ago

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9.0

The 2005 Duhart-Milon is a bit of a beast. Displays quite a dense, unforgiving pencil lead and tobacco-scented nose, and the fruit seems to take a back seat at the moment. The palate is well-balanced but undeniably brawny and rough-hewn, the kind of Pauillac you wouldn't want to meet down a dark alley at midnight. This is a bit hard going at the moment. This was an ex-château bottle served at Maison François in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, January 2023) — 3 years ago

John Tan

9.0

Planque in London. Pretty nose with hint of dried roses. Raspberry on the palate with some potpourri flavours. Quite precise and proper. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Pale crimson in colour. An earthy, horsey, ultra savoury nose. A light to medium weight savoury palate with dried cherry, earthy mineral flavours and light Sandy tannins. I really loved this Etna Rosso which we picked from the all Italian Wine List at the River Cafe London. Went well with a lovely fresh piece of Turbot. — 4 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.1

Opened this wine on Saturday to have with a crab cake dinner and it was okay with some citrus notes but seemed a bit closed. Had it again on Thursday evening and it just took off with plenty of lemon, peach and some flowers. The finish had a good dose of acidy which off set the sweet fruitiness. Excellent balance and very enjoyable wine. — 6 years ago

with Barbara

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9.4

The 1982 Léoville Poyferré has long been one of my favorite Saint-Julien wines, and this does not disappoint. Dark in color, it has a gorgeous bouquet of mulberry, raspberry, melted tar and rose petal aromas, and a little exoticism courtesy of a dab of fig. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and quite dense black fruit that merges with blue fruit in the latter half. There is fine backbone to this Saint-Julien, which reveals cedar and graphite toward the fresh, convincing finish. Bottles are just reaching their peak, while large formats will last many more years. Tasted blind at "Xmas" lunch in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2019)
— 7 years ago