Les Portes De Bordeaux

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. This was my second time enjoying the 1990 vintage and, much like my previous experience, this was rather quiet early and then came on with the business, late. As before, a mix of red and black cassis, ripe and desiccated cherries, tobacco leaf, cedar box, old leather, damp earth, some mushrooms and baking spices. After two similar experiences, I believe this vintage needs a lot of patience and a lot of air to wake up. Without either, it will be misunderstood. Drink now through 2040+ — 3 days ago

Jan, Ira and 12 others liked this

Château Malescot St. Exupéry

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2019

2019 vintage. A totally different style compared to the more classic 2019 Cantenac Brown, but every bit as good. A more flashy, opulent style, flirting with overripeness, but every bit as good. — 3 days ago

Brian, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2022

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%. — 3 days ago

Hermes, Peter and 4 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

2000 vintage. Last tasted 9.25.23 (9.2) after 1.5 hours decanted. Popped and decanted this for lunch. Great fill and solid cork. Throwing a bit of sed but less than anticipated. Meh nose. Medium body initially. Started off on the rich side of the ledger but not plush. Had some smoothness afoot. Tasted after 45 mins open, 1.75 hours open and 8 hours open. First two were unspectacular. After lounging in the decanter 8 hours, wine had firmed up, thinned out, picked up plenty of secondary flavors and had that previously missing grip. If you're gonna open this during the holidays or anytime soon, do it very very early...otherwise, it'll be a total waste. Wine has miles to go. No rush to crush but just air it out in advance properly. 10.16.24. — 19 days ago

Ira, Jan and 20 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Nice long description!

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Medium ruby , hint of garnet , slight narrower rim , more garnet hue . Quite mineral , herbal tinged blackcurrant, seaside scents . Slightly aloof and austere, though this improves with time in the decanter . However on the palate this opens up with classic cedar tinged dark fruits , blackcurrant, grafite , sea shell and saline tinged. Complex , complete , classic , grafite and mineral tinged with pretty long length finish . Still slightly grippy tannins but these are well integrated and quite polished , fresh balanced acidity. This shows very well and is just coming into its prime drinking window, this also held up very well in decanter for the 4 hours we had it open , always retaining great freshness and verve. From now and over the next 10 to 15 years perhaps . — 6 days ago

Jan, Anthony and 8 others liked this
Shay A

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Had this last night (only other time was 4-5yrs ago) and both showed extremely green aromatics. Classical Lafite elegance on the palate.
Andrew Cullimore

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Yes @Shay A i think it showed better on the palate , as you say very classic Lafite , aroma was really quite discreet and austere , just wonder whether this will step up a gear with a little more time in the cellar

Château Beychevelle

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

1989 vintage. Top shoulder fill with 80% saturated cork. Not decanted. Excellent color. Tasted after one hour and two hours open. Dusty musty nose. Waifish Beychevelle body. Big cedar and stale cigar, sandalwood and cassis on the flavors. More stuffing than expected. Enduring, dirty finish. In a 750ml format, another 3-5 years to be gleaned at this high level. Larger format could extend out to 2035 at the latest. 11.01.24. — 3 days ago

Jan, Daniel and 11 others liked this

Château Guiraud

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2009

2009 vintage ( half bottle). Looks more evolved than the 2010 tasted alongside. But it is also much more complex. Intense perfume showing an abundance of noble rot, with roasted nuts, pineapple, honey, and a hint of thyme. Concentrated and layered, perfectly balanced and very long. Seems to be a notch above the 2010 today — 15 days ago

Peter, Ruud and 4 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

1990 vintage. Excellent fill and halfway saturated cork. Used a Durand but surmise a regular waiter's friend, wielded carefully, could have done the trick with the cork. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins, one hour and two hours. Some obvious sed but not troublesome or overtly noticeable. Original owner-château direct on original release. Super cold cellar because this was lagging noticeably behind other '90's and LB's. Bigger tannic structure (for a generally feminine-styled house) than anything save a Latour, Mouton, Ducru Left Bank property. Even more guts than Lynch-Bages or Pichon-Baron '90's currently stored above 55 or so degrees. Surprising but made sense. Light-medium body. Appropriate color. 3-4 years left in this stage unless larger format in play. Slight, fleeting burst of richness in the frontal palate and a tad brickish and then it just flowed on, without speed bumps. A little cocoa powder and cedar/tobacco. Suspect 750ml specimens not stored as cold/religiously will be showing more in the 9.0-9.1 range and farther down the backside of the bell curve. 10.26.24. — 9 days ago

Ira, Jan and 16 others liked this
Ron R

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Good notes, mate.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Ron R Hey there! It's been a spell.

Château Pavie

Saint-Èmilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 1999

Red currants, autumn berry, clove, baking spices, mushroom. This could keep aging. Super well balanced and it still has its acidity, tannins (imagine smooth, round river stones in terms of mouth feel), and fruit is all there.

It’s fall and the golden and red autumn leaves are gently fluttering through the air, coating the forest path before you. An elegant Irish Setter is trotting through the foliage just ahead. This dog is sooo happy you’re outside with them. This is everything. Drink this wine while petting this dog.

I had a baby this past year and I’m now back with my reviews!
#winesandwoofs
— 3 days ago

David, Jean-Philip and 4 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1997

Love this vintage for Yquem, one of my favorites in this time period along with 88, 90 and 01. Halfsie tonight to pair with the foie gras and then dessert! Nectar of the gods 😚 — 10 days ago

Yair, Jan and 11 others liked this