It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of blueberries, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates and coffee.
Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, light oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs and spices.
Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 9 year old Merlot from the great 2016 vintage in Margaux still feels young. Rich and fruit forward. Spicy and entertaining.
An easy drinking Merlot that will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.
Good by itself or with food.
A blend of 49% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (25% new) French Oak barrels for 12 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$45. — 2 months ago
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Light nose and medium in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and complex, with a very soft mouthfeel.
Showing currants, light wood, black plums, cooked cherries, spices, licorice, chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This delicious 13 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaux is starting to drink nicely now. Elegant and rich. Fruit forward and nicely balanced. Complex and interesting.
Showing more earth notes than the 2016 vintage, and a little reserved right now.
This 3rd Growth Cabernet is a good sipping wine, and will also pair nicely with BBQ Meats.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Aged in (60% new) French oak barrels for 14 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$100. — 4 months ago
Glorious mature Margaux. So perfect with our hangar steak on the bone. — 5 days ago
Definitely will buy this again! — a month ago
Alto de Cantenac Brown, 2022
Margaux (Left Bank) – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
Overview
A rare white from the Left Bank, produced by Château Cantenac Brown, a 3rd Growth estate in Margaux. Crafted from 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon, sourced from a tiny 1.8-hectare parcel planted specifically for this cuvée. Fermented in oak barrels (90% one-year-old French oak), giving it elegance and complexity in limited quantities.
Aromas & Flavors
Nose: perfumed, layered with white flowers, citrus zest, mandarin, and ripe stone fruits, accented by delicate oak spice and minerality.
Palate: vibrant and structured, unfolding flavors of lemon curd, peach skin, and hints of vanilla, with a chalky mineral lift and refined texture.
Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full-bodied, with zesty acidity, refined minerality, and a silky finish. The oak adds subtle creaminess without overpowering the freshness, resulting in a wine of tension and precision.
Winemaking & Style
Produced in extremely small quantities, this cuvée reflects the château’s dedication to expressing the terroir of Margaux through a white wine that rivals the sophistication of the region’s reds. Aged for 9 months on lees in barrel, it showcases balance, aromatic depth, and aging potential.
Food Pairing
A versatile white that shines with lobster, scallops, creamy risotto, or roast chicken with herbs. Also excellent with aged goat cheese or truffle-accented dishes.
Verdict
A luxurious and limited-production Bordeaux Blanc, blending elegance, minerality, and aromatic finesse. Age-worthy for 5–10 years, but already delightful today. A true gem for white Bordeaux lovers.
— 2 months ago
Classic Zin. Fruity and clean. — a month ago
This out of 3 Liter. Tasting great. Cranberry. — 5 months ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2005 vintage. Nice fill. Excellent cork (removed with a Durand). Good color. Decanted with a small, but respectable, amount of sed. Tasted after 2.5 hours open. Light-medium/medium body. More feminine than masculine and still throwing out plenty of blueberry, raspberry, cocoa powder notes. Some back end structure to sustain this endeavor but not demonstratively so. Should hold in this range for another 5-6 years before shedding fruit and body. Not getting any better and no markers to indicate a three decade renaissance down the road worth holding out any hope for. 09.18.25. — 15 days ago