Double decanted two nights before service. The 2004 Haut Brion pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. One the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe dark fruit: Black currants, blackberries, tobacco, pencil lead, purple flowers, gravelly earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure is very well integrated. Confirming the notes from the nose with the addition of Flintstones vitamins. The finish is long and ferrous. This continued to build in the glass and had such a fabulous nose! Drinking well now (after a lot of air) but this has a long life yet ahead, 2054 with ease. — 16 days ago
Smooth Haut Medoc red blend, enjoyed with steak frites at Bistro du Midi, Boston — a month ago
Good. Chateau La Fleur de Bouard Chardonnay 21 @8470, Pieroth, 241115 — 10 days ago
Deep ruby with aromas of plum, blackberry, tobacco, and must. On the bud, blueberry, stew fruits, and cedar. — a day ago
Typicity with a capital Typicity. Still a youngster at nine. — 23 days ago
Estate dates back to Crusades & Scottish navigator, George Smith, owner in the 18th century. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot aged in 20% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry & currant with notes of pepper, tobacco & cacao notes. Soft rich full tannins, long finish ending with fruit, earthy and mineral character, needs a little more time. — 6 days ago
Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.
From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.
This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.
Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds. — 2 days ago
First taste!? Mature with a bit of bricking but still nice solid color and bouquet of mature red fruits and earth. Velvety and enticing on palate. Excellent with Evan’s Shanghainese pork belly. 51/43/4/2 Merlot/Cab/CabFranc/Petit Verdot on label from Bernard Magrez touting same attention as his Pape Clement, and long history dating back to 1120. Importer label says 37/55/6/2 instead! (Oldest in Medoc, 1400 by house of Foix loyal to King of England. 1486 Camet new owner. 1500s by Michel de Montaigne.) — a month ago
Mark Farrell
After my rating of the wine two nights ago with the thought that it would pair well with Coq Au Vin, I couldn’t help myself and decided to cook some up. Pairing works very nicely together. — 12 days ago