Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Blend of primarily Merlot (50%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) supported by small amounts of Petite Verdot (4%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) blended in. Dark ruby color with slight hints of purple. Aromas of graphite, blackberry, anise and forest floor. Dark berry and plum fruit flavors along with hints of mushroom, minerals and baking spices. The finish is a little tight. Medium-plus body and quite concentrated. Tannins are present but not overwhelming. This wine is quite good right now but will improve with bottle age. Outstanding value! I am looking forward to revisiting this one. — 4 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Seems to be in a perfect spot that kept developing in the glass showing rich dark berry fruit, savory spice, cedar, earth, leather, graphite & sweet tobacco — 9 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. First vintage under Lorenzetti ownership. Oak dominating initially, needs a few hours to open up. Concentrated black fruit with serious oak influence. Lots of potential, but doesn't have the charm of the 2020 today. Ab. 14,,5% — 20 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium ruby with a ruby garnet rim . Quite spicy and aromatic cassis , blackberry and grafite touches . Quite a lot more mineral on the palate , tobacco , ripe blackberry and cassis , good density , touch of mint . Nice length and richness , rounded but still pretty grippy tannins , balanced acidity . Nice grafite and tobacco tinged length . This is beginning to drink quite well but will continue to improve over the next 10 years and last well a further 10. Successful for the vintage — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

No notes taken. A good 2nd Growth from St Estephe. Savoury palate finishing dry. — 8 days ago

Adam Kincaid

9.2

Birthday year wine for me. So far, I’ve aged better than this bottle but it’s close! The ‘88 is slightly past its prime but still worth tasting. In the garden of earthly delights - dried figs, plums, dates, and mushrooms. Some peat and chocolate. Plenty of spice. Very fun. Happy birthday to me! — 3 months ago

with Jillian

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Quite floral with plummy cassis, creamy blackberry and a touch of pencil lead, crushed rocks . On the palate this has quite good freshness , ripe cassis and blackberry , but with dusty firm tannins . Mineral , seashell hints of on the good length finish . Quite richly fruited but well balanced overall . This needs more time but for 2018 is promising, balanced with good freshness . Come back in 10 -15 years and will show well a further 10 — a day ago

Christian Fischer

9.3

Beautiful wine from a few weeks ago at a great dinner in Stockholm. Dark and red fruits with subtle spices, tannins that stayed in the background and a hint of vanilla. Very enjoyable — 13 days ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.2

There are two kinds of st Joseph. This is one of the good ones. Long finish. Complex. Quite serious. — 15 days ago

Mark S.

9.0

Brick edge. Forest floor. Complexity. Chateau Simard 98 @, Vin-Calist, 241123 — 2 days ago