The 2004 Léoville Las Cases has a noticeable mintiness on the nose that actually complements the red fruit, though it deviates away from what you might call Saint-Julien typicité. After ten minutes, it coheres with ash and black tea aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded texture on the entry. The 2004 shows fine acidity and is lightly spiced with cracked black pepper towards the finish. A little conservative, but it acquits itself well considering the vintage. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 3. The 2021 pours, a deep ruby color with medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of black and red bramble fruit, red and purple flowers, black pepper, garrigue, dried herbs, rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the pepper plays an even greater role. The finishes long and the texture is silky smooth. The high alcohol is almost imperceptible. On Day 1, this was good but not particularly interesting (though the quality was clearly there). After significant air, this blossomed into a really compelling Gigondas; full of character! Best after 2026 and through 2036+. — 2 months ago
The 2004 Montrose has a slightly rustic bouquet but is quite charming. It offers mainly red fruit, bacon fat, undergrowth and peaty scents, which are very Saint-Estèphe in style. The palate is medium-bodied with melted tannins. It is savory and a little dry, especially towards the finish, though there is good weight, and it is well balanced. Perfect to drink now. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
The 2016 Canon has a clean and fresh nose. The fruit profile is a mixture of red and black with just a hint of black truffle and licorice (the latter a trait that I had not picked up before). The palate is medium-bodied with finer tannins than the bottle four years ago, has a little more assertiveness and grip in situ, and is perhaps firmer and prepared for long-term maturation. It's precise on the finish. I would give this another few years in bottle. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Icons of Bordeaux dinner at Legacy Records in New York. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2024)
— 6 months ago
Excellent, well balanced, not too dry and not too sweet — 4 months ago
Black fruit, pipe tobacco, garrigue and black olive. — 5 months ago
The 2004 Ausone has a mature bouquet with brambly red fruit, marmalade, leather and touches of cooked meat. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a little dry and more savory than expected. I feel there is something a little passé about this Ausone, indicative of the time when wines were being pushed a little hard and frankly, I much prefer more recent vintages (including the 2023 tasted alongside). (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
Dried strawberry, yet still rich. Hint of garrigue. Light tannins. Not a a legend by any means. But very enjoyable. — 7 months ago
Martijn
This is why they call it Oysterwater combining with fresh oysters at the sea in Cancale.
Life can be hard sometimes. — 2 months ago