Austin Hohnke

8.9

Surprisingly austere. Green, mean, and spicy. Nose is layered and complex. Tobacco leaf. This could use more time in terms of softening but I don’t see the vintage improving in any meaningful way. — 10 days ago

Matt Waring

8.9

Very nice Bordeaux with tons of black fruit, some earthy grippiness, and soft tannins making for a plush overall feel. It’s well balanced and enjoyable but not as complex as I would prefer at this price point. — a month ago

with Christine

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Merlot based Bordeaux blend. Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of blackberry, black currant and black olives. Same fruits on the palate with additional notes of graphite, dark chocolate, black pepper and baking spices. Note of strong coffee on the finish. Full body, creamy and extremely precise. Rich, velvety and nicely structured. Thank you for securing this bottle, Kase! — 2 months ago

Byron Gilstrap

9.2

Fantastic with surf and turf. — 6 days ago

Robert Ahlstrom

9.1

Deep ruby rust, dark fruits, tannin forward, full body. Very good left bank st estephe — 4 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Leans into its carbonic character, with a confectionary nose of bright cherry-plum bubble gum, loads of granite, and almost a subtle just-dug root vegetable note. In the mouth it has an initial belt of high/toned fruit, but then slims down and eases into a lean feel, with fine, chalky minerality being the last characteristic. Definitely on the lighter side but quite flavorful. Seems a little disjointed and would probably benefit from another year or so in the bottle to come together. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. Medium body. Pleasantly oily without being unctuous. Oodles of stone fruit and citrus with that anticipated and desired mineral underbelly. Finishes lighter and cleaner on the end palate than the experience thru the start, then mid-palate. Butcher’s prep. Mostly lean but just enough fat to stick with this cut consistently. In a word-revelatory. 4.10.24. — 3 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.1

Very dark rubi robe. Nose of blackcurrant, asian spices, flowers and dark fruits. Rich mouth of a full bodied but accessible and quite elegant Pauillac on a very hot vintage we dont like. Good stuff. — 5 days ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.5

An overall good wine even thow it takes a long time to opens properly.
Do not rush in driving it and give it enough decanting time. — 23 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Are there many/any better Pauillac second growths?

2003 a ripe, warm vintage.

Soften medium plus tannins. It’s Bordeaux lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum that leans into pudding, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits. Dark spice w/ palate heat, nutmeg, clove , cinnamon notes, mid berry cola, some black licorice, vanillin, dark, rich forest floor with a touch of dry leaves, lead pencil shavings, dry tobacco, sandalwood to cedar, 1/2 used leather, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry to moist, grey, volcanic clay, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with excellent; tension, structure, balance and elegant finish that goes on and on.

First wine w/ an Allen Brothers Ribcap.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, library cellar and estate vineyard. — 2 months ago