Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.6

The 2016 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is consistent with previous bottles. It soars from the glass with those (to use a word I used last time) disarming array of blackberry, iris and fig aromas, but displaying a little more blue fruit than I recall. The palate is very well balanced with a velvety texture, pure with just a hint of black pepper. Interestingly, the 65% whole bunches are barely noticeable, just a guiding hand that shapes the finish. Sapid yet tender, this is an outstanding Pessac-Léognan. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Icons of Bordeaux dinner at Legacy Records in New York. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2024)
— 15 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Youthful when 1st opened that needed some air to develop. This was polished with notes of graphite, cedar, leather, menthol, savory spice & tobacco — a month ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.6

More expressive than HB.
Very elegant, deep and austere.
At the same time it’s able to be expressive.
96-97 — 2 months ago

Marta Jackowska

9.7

Unbeatable location and excellent wine list, this one jumped off the page at us. Not surprising as it was our wine of the year in 2022. It’s back with a vengeance in 2024, into the #1 spot again. Smooth, almost creamy, with classic dark fruits (cherry), dark chocolate and earthy, leathery finish. Perfect with our Chateaubriand 👌🏼 — 3 days ago

with Neville

David Koenen

9.4

Lactic, juicy, perfumed , concentrated, mint, black cherry juice, still a baby. Powdery tannin, creamy chocolate, very seductive. — a month ago

Daron Watson

9.7

a sultry, smoky tobacco, stony, brambly drop of damson plum, black currant and cassis ~ and even tastier w grilled steaks, hassleback potatoes and sautéed wild mushrooms! — 2 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.6

It has something really unique as always. But it’s so austere this year. A wine that really will need time to be enjoyed at its fullest.
96-97 + — 2 months ago

John Van Trijp

10

This was a perfect bottle. Très Bordeaux. Impressive! — 3 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great btl. Consistent with my many prior notes — 11 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.6

Medium ruby , slighter narrower ruby / pink rim , a little less bright . Slightly deeper , darker fruits , blueberry, violets , with scorched earth , mineral and grafite . On the palate , more intensity and power perhaps , more noticeable though still velvety tannin , dark fruits , mineral , saline , fresh cigar. Lovely fresh acidity , balanced alcohol . Long saline , mineral tinged, slightly toasty finish . Needs time obviously , but will be one of the great wines from a great vintage in 20 years, just wait — 2 months ago