Mark Farrell

9.1

Brick colored with a nose of blackberry, anise, a bit of raspberry, and slight flower bouquet maybe even potpourri. Good structure still in this wine. Tannins are still present. Definitely a more earthy, old world wine. Would pair nicely with Coq au vin. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2004 Haut Brion pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. One the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe dark fruit: Black currants, blackberries, tobacco, pencil lead, purple flowers, gravelly earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure is very well integrated. Confirming the notes from the nose with the addition of Flintstones vitamins. The finish is long and ferrous. This continued to build in the glass and had such a fabulous nose! Drinking well now (after a lot of air) but this has a long life yet ahead, 2054 with ease. — 7 days ago

Matt Perlman

9.6

Spotted on a wine list for well below retail—in Las Vegas of all places! Had to pull the trigger and it didn’t disappoint. No detailed notes but it was gorgeous with tons of complexity and character. Lucky find in a sea of overpriced trophy cabs — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2022 vintage. Cantemerle is always about elegance, and this exceptional vintage is no exception. Cassis, blackberries, subtle floral hints, and very delicate oak. Exemplary purity of fruit, velvety tannins and serious length. Hard to resist young, but this should age effortlessly for a few decades. The best Cantemerle I have ever tasted, and incredible value too. Abv. 13,5%. — 16 days ago

JKT

9.1

First taste!? Mature with a bit of bricking but still nice solid color and bouquet of mature red fruits and earth. Velvety and enticing on palate. Excellent with Evan’s Shanghainese pork belly. 51/43/4/2 Merlot/Cab/CabFranc/Petit Verdot on label from Bernard Magrez touting same attention as his Pape Clement, and long history dating back to 1120. Importer label says 37/55/6/2 instead! (Oldest in Medoc, 1400 by house of Foix loyal to King of England. 1486 Camet new owner. 1500s by Michel de Montaigne.) — a month ago

Rufus King

9.2

Smooth Haut Medoc red blend, enjoyed with steak frites at Bistro du Midi, Boston — 24 days ago

LM Segal

9.4

Dark and brooding, plenty of wet earth and graphite. Dark red fruit on the nose and palate, more extracted than I’d guess from an HM, masculine with an alluring dark herbal streak. Kept going back to this. Will get better for 3-5 years still, lots of power to spare. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.8

Still celebrating that LNP win in the Qld State election. Deep crimson with a tawny meniscus. Dense and rich on nose and palate. Blackberry, mocha and dark plum as mentioned in prior notes. Very balanced with nothing protruding. At 34 years of age the oak has totally integrated when in its youth it was prominent, like many Penfolds reds. Supple mouth feel and incredible palate length. Previous notes mention that this was Wine Spectators Wine of the Year and definitely put Grange on the map in the USA. 95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unreal! 98 points. — 22 days ago

Will Stanley

9.1

This needs more time to knit together, but does show promise, even if I feel a shade less impressed than the first time trying a couple of years back. It’s initially very herbaceous, with tomato leaf and green pepper, eventually giving way to a svelte personality with plush oak and sweet fruit. Not perfect now, but should be great in four years’ time. — a day ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.0

80 percent Merlot and 20 percent Cab Franc in this vintage. Cherry and a bit of coffee on the palate. November 2024. — 9 days ago