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9.3

The 2000 Lynch-Bages is well defined on the nose with blackberry, cedar, humidor and crushed rose petals, one of the most elegant of this era. There is real pedigree here, obviously from a benevolent growing season. The palate is harmonious and framed by fine-boned tannins, the acidity well judged. It is not a powerful Lynch-Bages but has an appealing sense of symmetry and poise. Drinking beautifully now. Tasted blind at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2023) — a year ago

Mark E

9.1

Fountaingrove District — 4 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Is Merlot Monday a thing? Okay so this is only 80% Merlot (20% Cab Franc) but it is working for me. Smells like purple plums got inspired to write poetry about the cedar trees and violets blooming in their backyard (plums DO have backyards) so they naturally whipped out number two pencils, lit a pipe, and chilled out to write in situ. The plums, the pencils, the trees and flora, the birds and bees, you get all this in here. And soy sauce. I can’t explain it. Mayhaps I’ll go old-school and give it the ol’ WSET analysis:
Eye: medium ruby teasing at the beginnings of garnet at the rim. Thick slow tears.
Nose: medium plus intensity of plums, cassis, cedar, violet, tobacco and dare I say...garrigue‽ in Merlot? Who knew.
Palate: dry, medium acidity, medium fine-grained tannins, medium plus alcohol (albeit nowadays we would have to call it high as it is 14.1 so just barely high), medium body medium plus flavors echoing the nose with the added savory soy note that is quite compelling. Finish is medium plus.
It may be too late for new year resolutions but mine is now to not neglect Merlot. Merlot Monday’s it is! — 4 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2021 Fleurie Les Labourons has a very pure and pretty bouquet that blossoms in the glass: black cherries, wilted iris petals, hints of blood orange - this is wonderful. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly candied entry. It's fleshy for a Fleurie, maybe just missing the delineation on the finish that Dubois can achieve in a more benevolent season. Yet this remains a quite delicious proposition. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2023) — 2 years ago

David Kaplan

9.6

Funky, but fresh! Clean, bright low acidity on the palette that evolves with light citrus. — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2019 Pinot Noir is Walker Bay in terms of Wine of Origin rather than Hemel-en-Aarde, since much of their Pinot Noir was rejected after wildfires tainted the fruit. The majority of fruit was sourced from benevolent growers in the valley, and completely destemmed but not crushed, then matured in 24% new French oak. This has an open, quite herbal bouquet of vibrant red and black fruit, underlying sous-bois notes coming through with aeration. The well-balanced palate offers fine-grained tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Open and expressive, with a pinch of black pepper on the cohesive finish. Given the trauma suffered this vintage, this should be considered a success, not least because it still seems to bear the imprimatur of Hamilton Russell. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2021)
— 4 years ago

Caleb Krell

9.0

Lighter and fruitier than many other gsm/cote du rhone/chateauneuf du pape — 2 years ago

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9.3

The 2008 Ausone has a dark hue with just slight aging on the rim. It has an introspective nose: black fruit, melted tar, cracked black pepper and a background of dried blood/meaty scents. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins; it's a little austere for Ausone and is strict and drier than more benevolent vintages. Saline towards the finish that exerts a gentle grip. I would afford this another couple of years in bottle. Tasted at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Nikole Souder-Schale

9.0

I am very impressed, clean but flavorful! Yum! — 4 years ago

Nate Miles

9.3

This could blow up a Northern Rhone lineup. Black olive, sweet & savory feral darkness. Tom Waits or Mark Lanegan would voiceover this wine. — 4 years ago