Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château Lynch-Bages 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A powerful, structurally driven Pauillac showing serious depth and long-term ambition, built on a 71% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot support. The wine carries muscular architecture, dark fruit density, and firm tannic authority, currently showing some youthful rough edges but clearly positioned for future greatness with proper cellaring.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, cassis liqueur, blackberry skin, graphite, cedar plank, crushed gravel, tobacco leaf, dark cocoa and subtle savory spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins, strong mid-palate grip, vibrant supporting acidity, dense core concentration, and a long, structured finish that signals serious aging capacity.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, rosemary-crusted venison, aged hard cheeses, slow-braised meats.

Verdict
A high-potential Pauillac still in its formative phase. The structure, depth, and terroir signature are undeniable, but integration will require time. A climber rather than a polished performer today, patience will be rewarded handsomely.

🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like a future star in development, powerful, slightly raw, but absolutely loaded with upside. Not a wine for instant gratification, but one that will evolve into something truly special with time. I’d happily cellar this and revisit around 2029 when the polish finally matches the horsepower. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Tasted twice! Blend of 71% Cab Sauv, 8% Cab Franc, 9% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot & 1% Malbec, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits, tobacco, herbs and licorice. On the palate black cherry, raspberry and blackberry flavors with espresso, mocha, oak and earthy tobacco notes. Well balanced, great mouthfeel, medium acidity, fine ripe silky tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cedar and toasty spice! Very Nice! Will age well for another decade! — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.6

71 Dinner in Mag. Fresh & energetic an amazing wine. — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantemerle 2023 – Haut-Médoc, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully expressive Left Bank blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 7%, and Cabernet Franc 4% that delivers immediate charm while retaining classic Haut-Médoc structure and aging potential. The wine shows vibrant fruit purity, polished tannins, and a well-judged touch of oak, making it approachable young yet capable of evolving gracefully over the coming decade.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, and plum layered with subtle cedar, vanilla spice, graphite, and a gentle floral lift. Fresh berry brightness carries through the palate, framed by light savory notes and a refined oak accent that enhances rather than dominates.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with supple texture and finely integrated tannins. Juicy, energetic entry with excellent balance between fruit concentration and freshness. Smooth mid-palate flow and a clean, persistent finish that stays lively and inviting.

Food Pairings
Grilled steak, roast chicken, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, charcuterie boards, aged Gruyère or Comté, and classic bistro fare. A versatile table wine that shines across a wide range of savory dishes.

🍷 Personal Pick
Cantemerle never disappoints, this is pure drinking pleasure wrapped in Bordeaux elegance. Juicy, polished, and instantly enjoyable, yet grounded with just enough structure to remind you why Haut-Médoc remains timeless. A perfect bottle when you want serious pedigree without serious effort.

Did You Know?
Château Cantemerle is classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is known for producing some of the most consistently approachable and age-worthy wines of the Médoc, often offering outstanding value relative to its pedigree. — 3 months ago

Brandie Brown

8.9

Sommelier paired with halibut/coppa! — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

71 Dinner. Elegant feel that was Lighter in color with soft cherry, orange peel & rose petal — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nice nose of blue and black fruits with light wood, spices, licorice, light earth, vegetables, herbs, tobacco leaf and dark coffee.

Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cherries, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, coffee, tobacco leaf, earth and black pepper.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins, raspberries and peppercorn.

This 7 year old Merlot from Bordeaux is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years. Complex and interesting.

I had this vintage 3 years ago, and it hasn't changed much, except that the nose has become noticeably prettier.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly so be patient.

Good by itself and better with food. I paired it with grilled picanha.

A blend of 71% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$25. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1999 vintage. Decanted and tasted after four hours. Medium/heavy body. Intense, dark color. Earthy, tannic nose. Plenty of grip and fruit and showing beautiful balance now. Not an Insignia fan but this was excellent and has plenty of quality time left. No rush to crush. 71% Cab, 21% Merlot, 6% PV, 1% Cab Franc, 1% Malbec. 3.5.24. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2018 vintage. Merlot 71%, Cabernet Franc 16%, Cabernet Sauvignon 9%, Carmenère 2%and Noir de Pressac (Malbec) 2%. The 2009 tasted yesterday was very good but I believe this 2018 is even better. Very attractive nose with red and black fruit mixed with complex spices jumping out of the glass. Layered and intense with an impressive finish. Terrific value too. Abv. 14,5 %. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

My last ‘10, wow how nicely this aged. One of Chile's finest premier wines. Dark deep Ruby, a blend of 71% Carmenère, 18% Cab Sauv and 11% Merlot, aged in 100% new French oak for 24 months. Aromas of ripe red fruit with sweet spice and earthy herbs. On the palate flavors of ripe plum, raspberry and black cherry and notes of figs, mushroom, vanilla and cacao. Complex structure, round velvet tannins, good balance, long finish ending with some herb, leather and espresso notes. Outstanding. — 5 years ago