Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2020 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe dark and blue fruits: Marionberries, figs, purple flowers, bacon fat, black olives, rocky minerals and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Young, but this is another lovely vintage of Chave Saint-Joseph. Give it time. Best after 2030 and drink through 2040+. — 8 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1989 vintage. Opened but not decanted. Just got a (generous) side sample of this as I was entrenched with the weekly wine rep tastings. Tasted after 30 mins and one hour after opening. Definitely bretty (as expected) for the first tastes but that mostly dissipated by the end of the glass. Light-medium body with mostly bowed tannins initially. Longer it remained in the glass, the more the tannins came out to frolic. Still plenty of structure, fruit and front-palate intrigue (usually hidden/buried by tannins). Not improving at this point but-depending on storage and/or bottle size-still more than viable and deserving of massive respect. 01.29.25. — 11 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great showing for this wine with its red & black fruits, cherry, berry, cassis, mocha, spice, damp earth, floral & tobacco notes. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1985 was more recently acquired from the chateau and in pristine condition. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium visit with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: black currants, mixed brambles, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried purple flowers, some green bell pepper, mushrooms, leather, some ferrous earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Elegant and beautiful this was such a fun and rewarding wine to follow as the hours rolled by. A very strong showing at 40 years young and not slowing down soon. Drink now through 2040. — 9 hours ago

Jerese twitty

9.4

You have to let it breathe because it starts off too jammy. Give it some air for a more dynamic taste. Fruit forward, warm blanket. No outstanding flavor notes like pepper — 6 days ago

with Sean

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2022 vintage. Deep dark red, with purplish rim. Very attractive nose already, with cassis, blackberries, raspberries,flowers and subtle cedar.
Midweight, with layers of succulent black and red fruits and fresh acidity, embedded in a ripe tannic structure. Great length, with a distinctive mineral touch. Not sure if it is as good as the incredible 2016, but a close contender for one of the best wines ever for this estate. Abv. 13%. It totally outperforms the Croizet Bages 2022 tasted alongside. — 20 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Slightly deeper ruby with a little narrower , less garnet rim . This is quite deep and slightly more herbal on the nose, floral perhaps , a little more austere. Spicy Cassis , tobacco , herbal touches . On the palate this is slightly more velvety with a riper dark fruits , mixed with a touch of dark cherry , spice and subtler , riper tannin . Quite ripe , more polished tannin. A bit bigger and riper in style , alcohol a bit more noticeable . Quite good dark cherry , dark chocolate, cassis finish . This is a little more polished , but probably needs a little more time , better in 5 years and will last well a further 10 . Overall a good showing , a classy , polished performance — 3 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2019 | 375 ml | 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot | one hour in decanter | Cedar and pure chocolate, that mineral strictness that is typical for Saint Estephe, interesting smell, strict taste with powerfull tannins. Paired with rumpsteak and zucchini tarts. Lots of potential. — 9 days ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Gorgeous wine with a silky mouth feel. A few more years and this will be amazing! — 2 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Rich, open & expressive showing cherry, cranberry with a silky, elegant mouthfeel, spice, mineral & violet — 9 days ago