Ron Siegel

9.5

Amazing wine, so fresh at 63 yrs that kept developing in the glass with a deep, dark color, notes of berry, currant fruit, cedar, leather, earth, sweet spices, graphite & tobacco — a month ago

carl thornblade

9.5

No problems noted despite the age. Very good, but not outstanding. The nose was great at about 30 minutes-1 hour in the glass. The nose seemed to fade over the evening, but still very nice. Acidity is notable. Earthy flavors, tobacco, dried fruit. Great experience trying a 41 year old vintage! — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

+1 hour decant(some fine/chunky sediment). A splendid crimson red color. On the nose: wonderful bouquet with plum, stewed meat, cassis, sweet tobacco, funky earth, leather. Taste: silky, finessed, balanced wine with red berries/plum, coffee grounds, cedar, tobacco, and a nice peppery pencil lead long finish. YUM! Pure class in a glass. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

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. — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium ruby , quite wide garnet , terracotta rim . Quite spiced tobacco , red focused sous bois , warm spice , coffee and cacao , a little foursquare , rustic perhaps . On the palate better , quite juicy and rounded , spiced red plum , dark cherry , dry spice . This becomes more saline with time in the glass, balanced acidity and some slightly gritty tannins. This is probably in the middle of its drinking window , and will remain here over the next 5-10 years perhaps. Within the context of Haut Brion , this perhaps is just a little below par . — a month ago

Norman Gennaro

9.4

I think I preferred the 2015 but ever so slightly and as much as I struggle to believe glasses make a difference they poured the 2016 in a big cab glass and I think that distracted from the flavors that were evident in the tighter 2015 glass. — 2 months ago

Scott Kahn

9.4

Deep in color and bursting on the nose and palette. A field of violets and subtle notes of vanilla - more red than black fruit in the glass. Very soft tannins and a balanced acidity. This wine is still very young with lots of runway for aging. — 3 months ago

Robert Torretti

9.1

Nice example from a troubled era of Ducru. No cork taint, thankfully. Started a little flat on the nose but really got going with time in the glass (had been double decanted earlier in the afternoon). Served with dry aged smoked duck breast with truffled grits, duck egg, fig, honey shimeji and braised endive. — a month ago

Ron R

9.5

Crystalline in the glass. Pure presentation of citrus fruits and moderate sweetness, with lots of detail on the mid-palate. A beauty which will cellar for many years to come. — 2 months ago

with Anne-marie

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9.9

The 2016 Vieux Château Certan was picked at 40hl/ha. Layers and layers of pure black fruit billow from the glass, showing stunning delineation, tension, real mineralité and harmony. The oak is seamlessly integrated, and the aromatics just seem to "purr" with quality and class. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, perfectly judged acidity, judiciously spiced with a peacock's tail on the finish that deserves a standing applause. The greatest VCC in recent years? Without question... Until 2020. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
— 3 months ago