Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2023 vintage. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Merlot, aged 18 months in barrels ( 50% new). This beauty is from the AXA Millésimes stable (also Pichon Baron and Suduiraut in Bordeaux), and it represents excellent Pauillac value (around 45 euro). Left bank 2023 Bordeaux wines seem to be very floral ( no idea why). Dark red with purplish rim. Flowers, cassis, blackberries, cedar, and dark chocolate. Power and elegance combined. Freshness, ripe tannins, and very good length. A beautiful Pibran that is hard to resist young, but should age beautifully. Abv. 13,5% — 2 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2016 vintage. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. From an organically farmed 8,5 hectares vineyard, owned by the Bouldy family since 1951. A very fresh and elegant style of Pomerol with complexity and length. Fine value at 30 euro. Abv. 13,5%. — 10 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2019 vintage. This estate is owned by the Thomas family ( Château Reverdi, also in Listrac), and l'Ermitage was the property of their great-uncle Roger Thomas. A very high percentage of Petit Verdot (20% in this case, and in Reverdi even 30 to 35% of the blend), with 50% Merlot, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. In my blending experience, Petit Verdot tends to quickly dominate a blend, hence the peppery violet nose, with a little underlying greenness. In the mouth, it starts out as a smooth operator with a round, soft mouthfeel, until the finish where a vegetal note kicks in, making me wonder whether the Petit Verdot was fully ripe. Still, there is a lot to like about this 13,50 euro Listrac, especially in combination with some food to cover the rough edges with the cloak of charity. Abv. 14%. — 13 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

6.0

2023 vintage. No score. Another drying finish with a Diam 10 Cork. Sigh... Same for Tertio de Montrose 2020 with a Diam 10 cork. On the contrary, Aspirant de Beychevelle 2020 with a Diam 5 cork is very good. Would Diam 10 be worse than Diam 5? 🤔 — 2 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. Château Lestage, a 18 hectares vineyard in Montagne Saint-Émilion. The label states "Arthur Young vigneron", who bought the estate in 2023. This vintage was still produced by the previous Russian owner. Very ripe red and black fruit, fresh acidity, dark chocolate and soft tannin. 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Malbec. A very nice crowd pleaser for 11 euro. Abv. 14,5%. — 8 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

7.3

2019 vintage. I've tasted this before, and it was gorgeous. Unfortunately, this bottle tastes harsh and drying. Another DD (Diam disaster). Diam 10 cork. 😢 — 12 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2025 vintage. This is the final blend, still in the barrel. The first vintage for both young in-house winemaker Lucas Puyo and consultant Éric Boissenot. A very positive evolution for this extremely reliable Château, with Cabernet Sauvignon dominating the blend for the first time (60%), with 20% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. — 8 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

7.9

2022 vintage. Decent at best, if perfectly boring. Short, drying finish. Abv. 14%. — 9 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. Another good value Bordeaux around 11 euro. The tannins are a little rough, but no complaints for that price. Abv. 14%. — 11 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2020 vintage. Cru Bourgeois. A light, honest, fresh, easy drinking Bordeaux. It could do with a bit more concentration, but no complaints at 10 euro. Abv. 12,5%. According to the website they also produce 2 other ( more expensive) Listrac wines: Tradition de Lalande Cuvée Prestige and Maison Lalande ( the latter representing the best barrels, but no information on the website about the difference between those 2. They also produce a cheaper Haut-Médoc under the Château Lalande label. — 15 days ago