The vines of Lilian-Ladouys are found a stone's throw from the Graves of Cos d'Estournel and the Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. Deep Ruby red color, with inky tones, blend of mostly Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, aged in French oak for 15 months, aromas of black and blue fruit, smoky notes and soft spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with toasty oak flavors, full body with fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy menthol mineral character. — 6 months ago
1990 vintage. Wow. Whattanose. Best BDX nose I've ever had the pleasure to dip into. Trace amounts of barnyard brett overwhelmed by the Ron Burgundy traditional leather-bound books and mahogany. All that + spices galore. In its' infancy, this wine rocked a medium-heavy bod with generous baby fat and overt blue fruit. That be gone with the bod now a light-medium impression. Elegant, yet, concerted finish. Hadn't tasted this vintage in fifteen years but not removing my disclaimer of this as the best Lynch-Bages vintage ever. This is singing and swinging. More Jeff Buckley/Sam Cooke vs Ozzy/James Brown. No rush to crush as it's at the top of the bell curve and smells/tastes like it'll be there for the majority of the next decade. Drinking as desired and expected. Decanted and open for approx 4 hours. Respectable but underwhelming/less than expected amount of sed. A massive "Thank you” to Sir Bill Bender, Esq. @Bill Bender for his heavy lifting here. — 2 years ago
Everything about this wine is DARK. Deep ruby/purple color bordering on black. Aromas of black and blue fruit, Asian spices and coffee. Flavors of cooked black berry/plum/currant fruit, bakers chocolate, tar and espresso. Hint of black pepper on the long, lingering and silky finish. Extremely concentrated with lively acidity. Tannins are firm but in harmony. This is a wine you quickly take notice of. Probably at (or just past) its peak. Thanks for the wonderful gift, Petey P! — 10 days ago
Deep Ruby with aromas of blue & black fruits, sweet spice & slight mineral character. A blend of mostly Cab Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot & Cab Franc from their estate-owned Napa Valley vineyards, aged 18 months French (62%) & American oak (38%) (about 50% new). Palate, complex flavors, blackberry, plums & cherry with sweet spice, oak & tobacco notes. Well balanced with good acidity & developing tannins. Full-bodied, long finish ending with pepper & wood spice. Nice! — 8 days ago
The 2006 Haut-Bailly is a very capable Pessac-Léognan from an oft-overlooked vintage. This repeats its showing from a few months earlier with lovely blue and black fruits and violet aromas. Perhaps a mote of chimney soot here? The palate is medium-bodied with that slightly ferrous note and tobacco. This bottle is a touch creamier in texture than previous examples. This is drinking perfectly now, but there's a lot left in the tank. Tasted at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago
👃 is incredible. Black and blue fruit + olive.
Medium+ body, chewy mouthfeel. Blackberry, currant, black cherry, touch of dust, and acidity that is Corison. This is my favorite Napa Corison. Different than the ‘14s, ‘16’s, and 18’s that I love. Thanks @Cathy Corison !! — 3 years ago
Dennis Kellison
Great cab blend…really came alive after being opened an hour or so. — 15 days ago