Tobias Linzert

9.2

Aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black plum, all very ripe and cooked, mint, vanilla, forest floor, tobacco. In taste, dry, warm, still good acidity and round tannins. It’s very smooth and balanced. Great wine! — a month ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Purpley-blues satin energy! Linear, mineral, with bright acid grounded with a touch of ripe fruit weight—dark cherries and plums—then yet again cut by pomegranate. Love it. — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

This estate was bought in 1988 buy Jean-Michel Cazes (Lynch Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley) and sold in 2017 to the Balland family (Baret). 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Aged in used Lynch Bages barrels. This 2014 is in a very good place now, but should age well for a few more years. Fresh and elegant, with typical Graves spiciness. Not the most complex but a very solid and seductive effort for the vintage. — 4 years ago

Brent Clayton

9.4

So fresh! Light brown sugar color. Loads of cocoa and spice box. Great acidity. Long finish. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2019 vintage. An estate owned by the Cazes family (Lynch Bages, Haut Batailley). A blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Petit Verdot (3%). Less flashy compared to the Capbern 2019 tasted yesterday, give it some time to open up. Even with the high Merlot percentage, it has more of a dark Cabernet Sauvignon personality with black fruit and a serious, slightly severe tannic backbone. Abv. 14,5 %. — 3 years ago

Brooke Comrie

10

Smooth but flavourful! Love this one — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

See previous notes 30 weeks ago. Very similar. Mid Lemon in colour. Citrus on the nose with grapefruit predominant. The palate is overall a little more lean than I would like - a little austere for a 7 year old Chardonnay - perhaps the grapes were picked a little too early? Still lively with that acid but could do with a little more mid palate fruit. Made by Brian Croser who used to be at Petaluma some years ago before he started Tapanappa in 2002 in conjunction with Bollinger and the Cazes Family of Lynch Bages in Pauillac. Brian was Decanters Man of the Year in 2004. — 4 years ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Have CdP somewhat rarely now but was curious to try this both because it’s 2016 and because it’s now owned by the Cazes family of Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux and who have been extremely hospitable to us in the past. Was skeptical of the 15% labeled abv but I think this is in a great place with a bit of a chill. The fruit is quite powerful, but in a great way, and nothing is overbearing. Perfect with skirt steak off the grill. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2016 vintage. 65% Sauvignon blanc with 35% Sémillon. At the time this estate was owned by Jean-Michel Cazes (Lynch Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley), but the current owners are the Groupe Ballande (Bordeaux négociants who also own Prieuré Lichine and Baret). Exotic fruit and a hint of flowers. Round and ripe with enough acidity in this warm vintage. Good length with impressions of vanilla. Good value. — 4 years ago

Nate Wall

Winemaker at Troon Vineyard

9.0

50% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache. Great texture. Berries, leather, anise. Tad of bitterness on finish, in an Italian kind of way. — 4 years ago