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. — 14 days ago
Home with my wife — a month ago
2022 vintage. Cantemerle is always about elegance, and this exceptional vintage is no exception. Cassis, blackberries, subtle floral hints, and very delicate oak. Exemplary purity of fruit, velvety tannins and serious length. Hard to resist young, but this should age effortlessly for a few decades. The best Cantemerle I have ever tasted, and incredible value too. Abv. 13,5%. — 23 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
Always over delivers! — 4 months 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. — 4 days ago
Smooth Haut Medoc red blend, enjoyed with steak frites at Bistro du Midi, Boston — a month ago
80 percent Merlot and 20 percent Cab Franc in this vintage. Cherry and a bit of coffee on the palate. November 2024. — 15 days ago
Dark and brooding, plenty of wet earth and graphite. Dark red fruit on the nose and palate, more extracted than I’d guess from an HM, masculine with an alluring dark herbal streak. Kept going back to this. Will get better for 3-5 years still, lots of power to spare. — a month ago
Mark Farrell
Brick colored with a nose of blackberry, anise, a bit of raspberry, and slight flower bouquet maybe even potpourri. Good structure still in this wine. Tannins are still present. Definitely a more earthy, old world wine. Would pair nicely with Coq au vin. — 12 days ago