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. — a month ago

Lauren Golanty

9.1

The 2011, absurdly good, the structure was woven and perfect, and the combination of red fruit and richness and earthiness was absolutely heaven.  — a year ago

David Kline

9.3

Tons to unwind here. Black and green olives, clay and uncooked peat, multi grain bread, pecan, black sesame, mushroom fricassee, grilled filet with beurre blanc and jus. Sage, mint, and tarragon. All cohesively woven together; immaculate. That’s just the nose. Graphite and oak pencil the initial signature, which delineates the oeuvre. The cherry life cycle, from underripe to dried expressed in black and red; still-grainy tannins supporting. Raspberry tart, briary berrries. Rooibos tea, cinnamon and clove. Impeccable.



#chateaulafonrochet #lafonrochet #saintestephe #grandcruclasséde1855 #2001bordeaux #bordeauxrouge #leftbank #misenbouteilleauchateau — 3 years ago

Ming L

9.2

A refined bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant, and forest floor, accented by hints of violet and cedar. Beautifully proportioned medium-to-full body, offering a supple texture and finely woven tannins. Finely balanced.

This second wine of Gazin has grown since I tasted it 4 years ago but remains youthful. Need to try the grand vin. — 4 months ago

Ameilia Douglas

9.6

2014 vintage. Lovely nose with cherry and plum full body. 14.5% alcohol content is visible but well woven into the structure. Lingering beautifully a minute after tasting. Strong tannin structure, 5+ years to go. Three hour decanting to fully experience the bouquet. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Solid classically styled Bordeaux. Dark currents, some mid fruits, stones, dry topsoil, dark rich earth, lead pencil shavings, tobacco, leather, soft spice, light baking spices, withering dark flowers, round acidity, nicely woven with good evolution and integration making for well balanced and smooth finish. Nice producer from this region that prices good value. Fine pair with the brisket. — 2 years ago

Roger Ray

8.9

This Australian Shiraz is vibrant with fruits of plum and dark cherry, woven between soft spice and soft supple tannins. An enjoyable Barossa wine sold through Stone House Vintners of the Hill country of Texas — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Château Chauvin – Grand Cru Classé 2010
Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷
Blend: 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Overview
A Grand Cru Classé estate on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, Château Chauvin’s 2010 vintage reflects both the power of the year and the estate’s Merlot-driven finesse. (Educational note: Saint-Émilion’s Right Bank wines are often Merlot-heavy, offering richness, depth, and long-lived structure.)

Aromas & Flavors
Plum, blackberry, and cassis at the core, layered with violet, graphite, and cigar box. Secondary notes of cedar, spice, and earthy mineral tones hint at complexity yet to fully unfold.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and concentrated, with tightly woven tannins. Decanted for over 2 hours yet still showing a firm grip — tannins remain punishing but promising. Intense fruit lingers into a long, structured finish.

Food Pairings
Best with ribeye steak, braised short ribs, or lamb shank. Also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses and truffle-infused dishes.

Verdict
An impactful, ageworthy Saint-Émilion. The 2010 Chauvin is both delicious and intense, a wine that needs time but already impresses with power and complexity. 🍷

Did You Know?
2010 was one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated vintages of the 21st century, known for firm tannins, high concentration, and exceptional aging potential — especially on the Right Bank.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
As a classified Grand Cru Classé from an iconic vintage, the 2010 Chauvin is highly collectible, with decades of life ahead. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The follow up to the 03 Brane-Cantenac. So good but still youthful now as I mentioned this 97 still is in @Paul T- Huntington Beach recent post of his 2013.

The tannins are round, softened but still meaty & somewhat tarry.

The nose is still brooding. Ripe lush, ruby, fruits of, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice with palate piercing heat, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets.

The palate is ripe, lush, juicy & floral fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries, raspberry highlights & pomegranate. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals/ash, moist, grey clay, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets, insane, waterfall acidity, woven, layered, structured, nicely tensioned with great length and a incredibly balanced, well polished finish that goes on for two to three minutes.

If you are 15-20 years plus patient w/ these bottling’s, they are one of the very best values in Napa Valley. — 2 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.6

Wow. I’m speechless. Comes charging out of the gates and doesn't let up. Melange of tropical fruit as well as cool climate fruit on the nose, exotic yet essential. Palate is so poised, beautifully balanced, with an amazing line of acid. Oak is elegantly woven through.

Precise sweetness and tartness drill into your palate. Remarkable juice! — 4 years ago