Austin Hohnke

8.9

Surprisingly austere. Green, mean, and spicy. Nose is layered and complex. Tobacco leaf. This could use more time in terms of softening but I don’t see the vintage improving in any meaningful way. — 13 days ago

Robert Ahlstrom

9.1

Deep ruby rust, dark fruits, tannin forward, full body. Very good left bank st estephe — 7 days ago

Diana Cohen

9.7

Delicious , tobacco , chocolate, smooth well balanced . Had a t cafe Boulud — a month ago

Jan A

9.3

Better on day two, needs 5+ years. Good qpr — 4 months ago

Byron Gilstrap

9.2

Fantastic with surf and turf. — 9 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.1

Very dark rubi robe. Nose of blackcurrant, asian spices, flowers and dark fruits. Rich mouth of a full bodied but accessible and quite elegant Pauillac on a very hot vintage we dont like. Good stuff. — 8 days ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Merlot based Bordeaux blend. Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of blackberry, black currant and black olives. Same fruits on the palate with additional notes of graphite, dark chocolate, black pepper and baking spices. Note of strong coffee on the finish. Full body, creamy and extremely precise. Rich, velvety and nicely structured. Thank you for securing this bottle, Kase! — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1989 vintage. Last tasted 3.28.24, 5.5.23, 4.4.23 and 12.9.22. Solid fill and cork. Recommended decanting but was denied. Mmkay. Eventually got clearance to decant after the bottle had been open for 1.25 hrs. Tasted after being open 5 mins, 45 mins and 2 hrs. Light-medium body throughout. Wine was funky and super tight initially. Had to talk a few of the “participants” down from their “this wine ain’t nothing” perch by telling them it needed at least an hour in the glass (since it hadn’t been decanted at that point). Wine threw expected sed on the decant. Started to loosen up at the 45 mins open stage and fairly exploded at the 2 hrs open (45 mins decanted) point. Dude that didn’t want to decant it gave me a wistful, regretful look at that point (since it blew the other 4 reds at the table away and was getting better) and it took waay too much willpower on my end not to say “Congrats on minimizing a fantastic wine experience, bro.” It wasn’t the best 1989 P-L specimen tasted semi-recently but feel this coulda delved into the 9.4 range without the unnecessary power trip from someone that didn’t even bring this wine to the shindig. Hopefully, this individual learned their lesson. 7.6.24. — 2 days ago

Matt Waring

8.9

Very nice Bordeaux with tons of black fruit, some earthy grippiness, and soft tannins making for a plush overall feel. It’s well balanced and enjoyable but not as complex as I would prefer at this price point. — a month ago

with Christine

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Are there many/any better Pauillac second growths?

2003 a ripe, warm vintage.

Soften medium plus tannins. It’s Bordeaux lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum that leans into pudding, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits. Dark spice w/ palate heat, nutmeg, clove , cinnamon notes, mid berry cola, some black licorice, vanillin, dark, rich forest floor with a touch of dry leaves, lead pencil shavings, dry tobacco, sandalwood to cedar, 1/2 used leather, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry to moist, grey, volcanic clay, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with excellent; tension, structure, balance and elegant finish that goes on and on.

First wine w/ an Allen Brothers Ribcap.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, library cellar and estate vineyard. — 2 months ago