Ellen Clifford

9.3

I opened this on my birthday (it seemed apropos). Like its big brother (sister/horse-er?), it is a St-Émilion Grand Cru…and I tried the 2021, which, omg, I feel bad I have committed so much wine infanticide in my life…this is good now but shows SO much promise for age-ousity (new wine adjective, adverb?) Made of 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. Blackberries, tobacco, slight violet notes and toasty cedar on the nose initially, heavy twirling teases out hints of red plum. The palate starts earthy, broadening across the mid-palate to reveal juicy, juicy cassis (red and black) and a touch of dried vines that reads as enriching, not drying—inching further towards perfume on the finish. The tannins are the melt-in-your-mouth type—they make themselves known and then relax. I loved this wine. Give it air if you open it now, lots of air and twirl it like it’s the belle of the ball, but ideally, give it a little more time. I’m not sure when it will peak, but it should continue to evolve favorably over the years. — 19 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. In the glass, the wine is a white wine with a pale straw color; medium viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is youthful with powerful notes of grapefruit, lemon curd, some grassy herbal notes, and faint honeysuckle. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+, almost high acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is super long and has a luxurious texture.

Initial conclusions: this could be Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Albariño or even Chardonnay from France, the United States, Germany, or Spain. But there is something about that herbal character that just has me in Sauvignon Blanc land and the rich honeyed, juicy texture makes me think this has some Semillon in it…and it’s seen some deft oak treatment. This is a beautiful wine and I think someone was being generous at Tasting Group for the holidays.

Final conclusion: So I’m going Sauvignon Blanc based Bordeaux Blanc blend from France, from Bordeaux, from Pessac-Leognan, 2020. Wrong Bank. Well I’ll be damned! I’ve never had Cheval Blanc’s…ahem, blanc. What a wine! This can be laid down for decades but it’s already special in its youth. — 9 months ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

9.4

Way better from large format — a month ago

with Shay

Jeff Decker

9.3

Full bodied and smooth sauv Blanc that lends low acid grapefruit — 5 months ago

Edgar Martin

9.3

Nose dominated by pencil lead note and dark berries. Great energy on the palate and length — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes. My last bottle - purchased at the winery on Kangaroo Island. 100% Cabernet Franc. Herbs , Tea leaves, Charcoal, Black, fruits, a touch of caramel oak. Quite a full bodied opulent wine showing those black fruits. A product of the warm 2008 vintage in South Australia. A classy wine balancing the ripe fruit with the right amount of oak treatment. Very polished as you would expect from a $150 wine. Shows Jaques Lurton’s (Cheval Blanc) experience with the Cabernet Franc grape. — 2 years ago

James Brenner

9.2

Later sold to Cheval Blanc 1998 — 4 months ago

with Lauren

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.7

97+ - 100. Tight and packed. Also very profound and complex. Fine and long. It will blossom like a shining star. — 5 months ago

Scott C

Founder / Co-director SR Wine imports

9.8

Stunning !!! No words needed — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See several previous notes. My last of these Cuvées from Kangaroo Island South Australia and owned by the French Lurton family of Cheval Blanc fame. Savoury plum with earthy overtones. With air the aromas were almost intoxicating. Quite bold and full bodied on the palate - oak has integrated. Rich and spicy yet cleansing and moreish. Touch of camphor finishing with fine sandy tannins. — 2 years ago