Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Vieux Château Palon – 2021
Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC – Right Bank, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A distinctive Right Bank Bordeaux, this cuvée flips the classic Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion script. Instead, it is crafted from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, making it unusually bold, structured, and aromatically lifted for the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and cassis dominate, with graphite, cedar, and tobacco leaf from the Cabernets. Subtle violet and peppery notes emerge from the Franc.

Mouthfeel
Firm tannins, medium-plus body, and a long, savory finish. More muscular and linear than many Montagne-Saint-Émilions, leaning toward Left Bank style but with Right Bank elegance.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, cassoulet, duck confit, aged Comté or Tomme de Savoie cheeses.

Verdict
An atypical but fascinating Montagne-Saint-Émilion that highlights Cabernet structure over Merlot plushness. For those who love Pauillac or Saint-Julien, this bottle is a bridge into the Right Bank world. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Montagne-Saint-Émilion is one of the four “satellite” appellations of Saint-Émilion, known for offering excellent value Bordeaux reds. Few estates here lean so heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes Palon stand out stylistically. — 8 days ago

Willem Booij

9.6

Clos Rougeard Le Bourg 2018 (Magnum)

Deep ruby in the glass. The bouquet is truly very fine: refined and elegant, with aromas of cassis, black cherry and plum, lifted by graphite, tobacco and a touch of violets.


On the palate, the first impression is the velvety texture. The tannins are ripe and finely grained, well integrated into a wine that balances power with elegance.

The fruit is pure and lively, supported by fresh acidity and a clear sense of minerality.

The finish is long and harmonious, with dark berries and subtle spice lingering. Already impressive today, with plenty of potential to evolve further.

For me the best Le Bourg in years! — a month ago

JKT

9.1

Wow aged nicely. Minerals floral notes followed by firm biting texture laced with mature fruit notes and long finish. — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2010 | 15 y old and still fruit, always a bit sturdy - which I like - good balanced for the long haul and now drinking perfect. If all Bordeaux would be this good… paired with a beef schnitzel and red cabbage apple mint cole slaw. — 15 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

8.9

Rated highly (wherever 93 points). I found this wine OK but not oh boy that is the white CdP i need to store. It was easy drinking now. Almond blossoms and Jasmine…. — a month ago

Mary H

9.3

Orange and acetone. Bouquet of honey and wildflowers. Beautiful perfume in the glass and still kicking after all these years. — 2 months ago

Brendan Baker

9.3

Violets, iron, raw meat, stems, blackberry, suede tannins, clipped finish, wild 😜 — 2 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. Another Castel family estate ( since 1960),and again amazing value for money. Lighter colour, and more immediately open compared to the Tour Prignac 2022 tasted alongside. Very accessible, charming, everyday Bordeaux. Abv. 14%. — a month ago

Charlie Tapp

9.2

Strawberry, red candy, plum and eucalyptus. Feminine and polished.

Drink now. — 17 days ago

Doug Powers

9.2

A little orange bricking on the edge, this lovely aromatic 25-year-old Chateauneuf seems mature and ready to drink, still shows lively acidity which nicely lifts the red fruited flavors, good weight, lingering finish, should pair beautifully with the bison ribeye I will soon be grilling!! — 2 months ago

with Jim