Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2022 vintage. The 2022 vintage is a gift of ( a very challenging) nature, and this is another testimony to the greatness of the vintage. Succulent red fruit, spices, coffee and dark chocolate, embedded in a silky tannin structure,balanced by fresh acidity. I've tasted many vintages of this very reliable estate,and this seems to be the best ever. Abv. 14%. — 5 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2020 vintage. Teneral Cellars, Estate Mourvèdre, Wilderotter Vineyard, Amador County. Extremely light colour, looks like a Jura Trousseau, surprising for Mourvèdre, due to a very soft pressing. Beautiful nose with delicate red fruit (raspberries, strawberries), roses and subtle spices. Very elegant and velvety, light on its feet without being thin. A very nice surprise. Abv. 13,9%. Great value for California standards, 39 dollars on the website — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2022 vintage. Pedesclaux becomes better and better, and that is also reflected in the second wine. Fleur de Pedesclaux is usually dominated by Merlot, but this 2022 is 49% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Therefore, it shows a more typical Pauillac character than before, with black fruit (cassis, blackberries), some smokiness, a powerful structure, and serious length. Abv. 14%. Even better the next day. Should age beautifully. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.6

2020 vintage. Decent, if unexciting. — 16 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2022 vintage. A relatively new estate ( first vintage 1972, and bought in 1993 by Belgian MD Gaëtan Lagneaux, who sadly passed away at the age of 50 in 2012). His son Adrien has directed the estate ever since, and I believe his father would have been proud of him tasting this 2022. I don't know the exact blend for this vintage, but the vineyard is planted with 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. A little less colour compared to Coutelin-Merville tasted alongside , but more refined in both nose and taste. Abv. 13,5 %.
. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

The 2016 Couvent des Jacobins starts to deliver, even if it is nowhere near its peak. Long time in the shadow of the excellent 2015, it shows now that it is in the same league. Totally outperforming fellow Cru Classé Château Laroze 2016 tasted alongside, with more depth and freshness. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2022 vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) dominates, blended with 31% of Merlot and 4% of Petit Verdot. Malleret has a very long history, and it has been in the hands of the same family for 150 years. In this exceptional vintage, Malleret is a sheer beauty. Deep, dense dark red with purplish rim. Blackberries, cassis, flowers and very subtle oak. Seriously concentrated, with layers of black fruit and delicate spices, embedded in a firm structure of velvety tannins, balanced by fresh acidity. Long, fresh finish. A lovely wine that sells for a song. Abv. 13,5%. Stéphane Derononcourt consults. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2020 vintage. Apparently 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. From the Meffre family, one of the rare (15%) Pauillacs that is not a Cru Classé. Black and red fruit with a mineral graphite touch. Well-balanced, ripe and fresh. Very good value. Ab. 13,5 %. — 16 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2022 vintage. Owned by the Estager family since 1902. Not easy to find info, it seems to be an estate with 32 hectares of vines, planted with 50% Merlot, and equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. A bit shy on the nose.Good concentration, not very complex, a little more extracted and less refined compared to Petit Bocq 2022 tasted alongside. Good value though, and the 15% abv. goes unnoticed. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2016 vintage. 62% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark red with some orange evolution on the rim. Raspberries and cedar wood , with truffles lurking in the background. Medium-bodied, with slightly jammy red fruit. The tannins are not as velvety as both the 2020 and 2022, but still there is a good balance,complexity and length. Maybe closing down a bit, the future will tell. However, I don't see this ever reaching the level of the 2020 and certainly not 2022. Outperformed by the 2016 Couvent des Jacobins tasted alongside.
Abv. 13,5%. — a month ago