Jay Kline

9.3

Opened and double decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1996 pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a lovely combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: cassis, brambles, horse blanket, cigar box, old leather, earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Another lovely and immensely charming Poyferré. Drink now with a decant and through 2046. — 2 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

What a wonderful surprise; this wine was fantastic and seemed like a young wine not 36 years old. The color was red rim to rim no bricking at all and I kept looking at it wondering why considering its age. The nose and taste were both very integrated with lead pencil, a lot of dark fruits and a bit of spice. What also got me was the finish, just went on forever and so very smooth. I’m sure this wine would last a few more years but why wait; drinking so great right now.

I decanted the wine about 6 PM. My wine opener just drilled a hole in the fragile cork so decanted through a tea strainer into my to-go bottle and other then the cork bits there was very little sediment. Started drinking the wine about 9 PM with NYE Dinner at Anthony’s in Haddon Height.
— 19 days ago

Will Stanley

9.4

First bottle from a case of the 2020 Gigondas village from Ch. de Saint Cosme. It could even be my first time trying Gigondas from Louis Barruol, 14th-gen winemaker here, though I do recall a memorable St Joseph from my birth year that I enjoyed around ten years ago.

This wine is strawberry pink in colour, with good clarity. The nose is shy on the first night, better second; very pretty, with fairly light aromas of blackberry, candied cherry, liquorice, wild herbs, and a hint of grilled meat.

The palate is beautifully polished, striking effortless balance between structure and clarity, sweet fruit and acidity; the tannins are mild and it has wonderful grace through the finish, like a ballroom dancer gliding across the floor. Overall this is a really pure, fresh and elegant expression of Gigondas and has none of the rusticity for which this old appellation is oft known. In fact, it bears greater similarity to old-vine Grenache from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is no bad thing. Also zero trace of heat despite the 15% abv. Very good stuff from Louis Barruol. This will age with Burgundian grace. Can’t wait to try it again – make sure to decant.
— a day ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2022 vintage. Deep dark red, with purplish rim. Very attractive nose already, with cassis, blackberries, raspberries,flowers and subtle cedar.
Midweight, with layers of succulent black and red fruits and fresh acidity, embedded in a ripe tannic structure. Great length, with a distinctive mineral touch. Not sure if it is as good as the incredible 2016, but a close contender for one of the best wines ever for this estate. Abv. 13%. It totally outperforms the Croizet Bages 2022 tasted alongside. — 4 hours ago

Scott Kahn

9.5

Beautiful wine - one that has improved with age! Deep and rich color with a bouquet of cedar in the glass. Dark and plentiful fruit, integrated albeit present tannins, and a long finish. This is best Estournel that I have sampled! — 11 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Red & black fruit showing cherry, cassis, plum with mocha, spice, leather & sweet tobacco that seems to be fully mature — 13 days ago

romo

9.1

BtG w Mary’s roasted chicken. — 15 days ago

Brad Jensen

9.4

Strong nose of cognac, plum, dates, caramelized sugar, violets and port, this is a big, bold wine. Red to amber color on a medium-to-full body this palate is intense and gently tannic. Grippy but gentle, with rich red and purple fruits, with notes of coffee, dark chocolate and menthol on a long finish. — 14 days ago

Tim L

9.9

A regal wine, among best ever tasted…2018 Bordeaux of St. Estephe, Grand Cru Classe en 1855, perfect balance big flavor deep purple. Expensive but not over-priced. — 9 days ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

Gonon always succeeds in creating stunning Syrah’s from his granite soils. Wine is amazingly alive and totally in balance. — 16 days ago