Ira Schwartz

10

Wine stimulates our sense of smell and taste but in this case it also created a tidal wave of emotion. Through a tremendous act of generosity a dear friend shared this special bottle when he heard me lament I was not able to secure a bottle of wine to celebrate my mother’s 100 birthday. My friend stood the bottle up for several days. We decided it made sense to PnP. As you can see the cork was intact and the color of the wine defied its age. The excitement to take that first sniff was overwhelming for me. Old but alive scents wowed me. Lots of tobacco, leaves, leather and dried fruit. In the mouth those same scents were transferred to my palate thanks to a tsunami of acid. At about the one hour mark the wine quickly entered a death spiral. I cannot imagine another bottle of wine that will ever conjure up that amount of emotion and happiness. When I described my experience to my mom, a very broad smile came over her face. A blessing to share this experience with my mom and a privilege to taste a wine like this. — 10 days ago

with Richard

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2020 vintage. A great effort from this rather obscure Cru Classé that once was part of the immense Rauzan estate and even briefly owned by Château Palmer, before it was sold in 1980 to the legendary Lucien Lurton. Since 1992 it is managed by Denis Lurton ( one of the 10 children of Lucien). A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. The great ( and very humble) Eric Boissenot consults. Interesting fact: the Merlots were harvested very early in 3 days from September 17th until the 20th, just before the rains on the 21st, that reduced the alcoholic degree of the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that came in at 12% abv., creating a very fresh balanced blend. Dark red with purplish rim. Seductive perfume combining black cherries, cassis, flowers, cedar wood, and rosemary. Elegant and fresh, with very pure fruit, well-tamed tannin, and very good length. Abv. 13%. Very good value, an estate to watch. — 2 years ago

Mark S.

9.1

Good vintage, 15 years. Concentrated. Gentle. Matured black fruits 09 @, LGM, 241221 — 3 days ago

Roman Ochocki

9.0

Dark fruit, leather, smoke. Earthy. Very good. — 6 months ago

Stuart Pollack

9.2

An excellent value. For $31.50 a solid, brooding Merlot blend with deep black fruit flavors and tar. Is this an excellent Bordeaux? No. But it delivers true Bordeaux flavor appropriate for an everyday meal like a hamburger 🍔 or cheese. Worth buying for under $35. — 9 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2009 vintage. I had no idea that Rauzan-Ségla also produced a Haut-Medoc, from vineyards East of Arsac that fall just outside the Margaux appellation. First nose was a bit lactic, but it improved dramatically after 15 minutes. Not particularly complex but a smooth charming fully mature Bordeaux. Amazing how even simple Bordeaux wines can age that long. Abv 13%. — 2 years ago

Rufus King

9.0

Mildly astringent Margaux with fine tannin and anise notes, served at Del Frisco’s Steakhouse, Back Bay, Boston — 7 days ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.3

Great quality. Great achievement. Pure phenolic ripeness. A very well made and serious wine that can provide pleasure in the early stage but will age wonderfully 93+ — 8 months ago

David Foster

9.0

Earthy. Yum!
— 9 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2020 vintage. It's a pleasure to see that the Quié family ( also Rauzan-Gassies and Tronquoy-Lalande) is finally getting serious about quality. Easily the best wine I have ever tasted from this former perennial underachiever. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Cassis, blueberries and toasted oak. Medium-bodied, with juicy black fruit and ripe tannin. It lacks a bit of concentration in the midpalate, but the finish is unexpectedly long. Abv. 14%. — 2 years ago