Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Haut-Médoc
WS 88
WA 90
This uncompromising property has turned out a backward, forbiddingly tannic wine that, even in this very opulent and flamboyant vintage, will need a minimum of 10-15 years of cellaring yet keep for 40 or more years. Opaque black/purple, with notes of crushed rock, white flowers, graphite, blueberry and cassis, the wine is tight and needs to be coaxed from the glass. It is medium to full-bodied, with an excruciatingly tough-textured finish. Everything is here, and the wine is set for a long life, but it is not the least bit charming and certainly won't be for at least another decade. Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Haut-Médoc
WS 88
WA 90
This uncompromising property has turned out a backward, forbiddingly tannic wine that, even in this very opulent and flamboyant vintage, will need a minimum of 10-15 years of cellaring yet keep for 40 or more years. Opaque black/purple, with notes of crushed rock, white flowers, graphite, blueberry and cassis, the wine is tight and needs to be coaxed from the glass. It is medium to full-bodied, with an excruciatingly tough-textured finish. Everything is here, and the wine is set for a long life, but it is not the least bit charming and certainly won't be for at least another decade. Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Sauternes
WS 97
WE 98
WA 99
"Pierre Mont?gut has had some challenges since arriving at Suduiraut in 2002. But to have brought off a success like 2009, with the rapidity of the botrytis stretching this large estate‟s systems to the limit, is a real feat. His '09 continues the trend of more concentrated and sweeter wines since 1997 than previously, and, at 160 g/l, it is on a par with Rieussec. However, the resemblance ends there, and with slightly more alcohol and slightly less acidity, the structure of the Suduiraut seems softer and more frankly powerful. There is something of the 1990 in this. The usual minty and lively flavour character of Suduiraut is currently buried under all this power but you see it all there and it will be pushing progressively through during the coming months in barrel."
Bill Blatch
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Julien
WS 91
WE 93
WA 91
Extremely sexy, soft, supple and opulent, with notes of cedar, herbs, incense and black currant fruit, this is a full-bodied, generously endowed but silky Talbot to drink now and over the next 20+ years. By any standard of measurement, this is irresistible. Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux
This is the second white wine from Chateau Valandraud and famous "garagiste" Jean-Luc Thunevin. We also tasted this tropical white after our beautiful lunch at his home. With just a few hundred cases produced, this is rare stuff!
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Emilion
WS 90-93
WA 93
Sweet berry and coffee aromas follow through to a full body, with reserved yet silky tannins and a long and juicy finish. Balanced and refined. Dense. Score range: 90-93 –JS
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Pessac-Léognan
WA 91
Another impressive offering from proprietor Stephan von Neipperg, this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot displays classic notes of wet gravel as well as jammy, smoky, sweet red and black currants, raspberries and forest floor. A classic Pessac-Leognan with the lush, opulent style of 2009 well-displayed, this is a seductive, full-bodied, fleshy wine to drink over the next 10-12 years.
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Emilion
Only 800 bottles (less than 70 cases!) of this superb wine were produced by Jean-Luc Thunevin's cellarmaster, Remi Dalmasso, as his "pet project." Incredibly dark in color and made in a modernist style, the nose has intense aromas of crushed black fruits and vanilla. On the palate the flavors of dark fruit and spices are intense and powerful, but well defined and superbly balanced. Very limited quantity available!
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Côtes de Castillon
WA 91
The 2009 vintage of this stunner from the home estate of star consulting winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt is dark, almost inky in color, with ripe, dark berry fruit and new oak on the nose. It is full-bodied with excellent concentration and flavors of cassis, vanilla, and earth on the palate. Robert Parker has described the wines from this estate as "hedonistic" in past vintages and the 2009 continues that trend. We tasted many Right Bank wines that were over the top, but this was showing perfect balance with excellent length and good acidity on the finish.
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Sauternes
"Daniel Alibrand, for only his 4th vintage at this tiny Fargues estate, has produced a density and pure botrytis-induced complexity that rival with the First Growths. Very rich yet very fine." Bill Blatch
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: United States - Washington - Red Mountain
The flagship wine of the estate, the HFE Red Mountain consistently displays dense color, firm tannins, and well-defined acidity. Always a majority blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine is suitable for drinking upon release, but will reward those with the patience to age it. This wine represents all vineyard blocks farmed within the Hedges Family Estate vineyard portfolio. A true chateau-production bottling, the HFE Red Mountain is the epitome of classic style, and one that represents the Terroir of the Red Mountain AVA in a pure and elegant form. (from producer's website)