This wine is massive. Intense and deeply balsamic nose, Worcestershire sauce and iodine, very savory. Some dark berry fruit extract underneath. Dense and intensely mouthfilling. Again, little discernible fruit but copious savory flavors. Massive body. Lengthy finish. A Shrek of a wine. (But the label is awful, very ugly.)
UPDATE: Night 3, this is softer and more in balance, with more ripe fruit peeking through to balance the previously inky savoriness. Upping from 8.9 to 9.1, but for the next few years, make sure this gets plenty of air. — 2 years ago
One of the great wines from Raphet. Sadly my last btl of 2 cases where again this btl over delivered offering up copious amounts of black cherry, berry fruits with sweet almost Leroy like spices, mineral & violet. I wish I could find more wines that drink this well at this $$$. Consistent with my many prior notes — 3 years ago
Took some time to unwind & unfurl: showed copious aromas of black fruits, mocha, smoked meat notes, leading to generous mid-palate w/integrated tannins. There is clearly concentration here, great extraction without being overdone, ABV in check, pretty solid - not elegant or refined now, but has potential. A workingman’s wine. — 3 months ago
Nabbed the restaurant’s last bottle of this. Not the riserva but the regular Taurasi. Dark blackberry and plum, tobacco, copious earth, mushroom and leather. Still quite structured but drinkable. Felt like it was maybe drying out a bit at the end but could have been getting the dregs. — a year ago
The 2017 Cantenac Brown is always a strong performer in this vintage. Here, it has quite an opulent nose that you could easily mistake for a 2018 with copious black cherries and violet scents. The palate is fleshy, rounded and fairly sumptuous with pure black fruits that disguise the backbone. There is a welcome marine influence with hints of shucked oyster shells developing on the finish. Give this several years in bottle. Tasted at the Cantenac Brown vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2022)
— 2 years ago
Flinty and crisp on the nose nose and palate. A nice and typically French personality with lemon rind and copious amounts of salinity. Nice weight and texture with more brine than sweetness. Drinking well right now, but will sail on for another 7-10 years, with ease. — 6 months ago
The 2015 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is the first vintage vinified with 100% infusion, including 55% whole bunches. This has a much more intense bouquet compared to the 2014: copious blackberries, blueberry and crushed violet scents, hints of blood orange and a light cassis touch with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine density and precision, good grip, edgy tannins with clearly more mineralité percolating through the finish. Excellent. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2022)
— 2 years ago
The 2016 Angélus has an intense, powerful bouquet with copious black cherries, boysenberry, orange pith and iodine scents that threaten to overwhelm the senses. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a dash of black pepper and impressive detail and persistence on the finish. This is an outstanding Angélus that clearly requires several years in bottle to realize its full potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2020)
— 4 years ago
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The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier has aged impeccably. A dark, sumptuous wine, the 2007 is endowed with copious dark cherry, plum, gravel, bittersweet chocolate, crushed rocks, sage and lavender all meld together in this potent Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. What a terrific debut this is. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2024)
— 18 days ago