Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium deep ruby, medium wide garnet rim . A bid rounder and more genourously fruited than the Cantemerle , ripe blackberry , blackcurrant , but some sea spray , oyster shell notes too . Tobacco hints also. On the palate this shows a bit more rounded generous fruit and some grippy , slightly rustic, tannins (more than the Cantemerle) good fresh acidity still . More fruit at first , and a little more glycerine on the palate . Good tobacco , blackcurrant and grafite finish , slightly saline , oyster shell notes also . Good length. This is showing better than the Cantemerle , and a little more generous in terms of fruit and ripeness . Good now but will now doubt age well further over the next 10-15 years . For Sociando Mallet this is a good , really quite accomplished wine. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2003 pours a deep garnet 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 powerful notes of ripe and slightly desiccated black and red fruits: cassis, mixed brambles, dark cherry, pipe tobacco, purple flowers, leather, graphite, some earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. This is/was a rather unique vintage through Europe and yet, this is showing extremely well. Drink now with a brief decant and through 2038. — 6 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

No formal notes . Medium ruby . Bit more coffee and roasted character at first , touch of oak perhaps. Quite rich and rounded on the palate at first, good acidity , good length . More red fruit , more delicate after a while , mineral , oyster shell , mineral and leaner on the long finish . Very classic , grafite tinged . This improved with air and really gained in complexity with time . I would be tempted to leave this a little longer or give it a longer decant . No rush here , will continue well for a further 10 years . Tied as my favourite wine of the flight with the Latour. — 16 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium deep ruby , medium wide garnet rim . Quite dense blackberry, blackcurrant , grafite and earthy tobacco , a little greenness perhaps , quite strict with some spicy notes also . On the palate this has good structure and balanced acidity , earthy blackcurrant , tobacco , grafite hints . Quite classic but with enough density of fruit to cover the structure . Grippy tannins , with a cool blackcurrant , tobacco edged finish of medium length . This is drinking ok now but can go for a while still , 10 years perhaps . — 9 days ago

Vino Joe

9.3

Ran through the prior bottle but needed a little (375mL) something for the post game celebration. Nice showing here. Young but flinty rich and decent length. Dark fruit. Fly Eagles Fly!!! — a day ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.6

Soave e morbido in ingresso coglie l’essenza di Margaux. La trama tannica ancora presente e persistente declina un potenziale evolutivo enorme. Se si avrà la pazienza di attenderlo. — 5 days ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

First time trying this wine having some how missed it for years. Found it very acidic and lithe. Improved vastly with time and air but still a little lacking. Nice cherry taste. — 8 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Dar rubi robe, nose of blackcurrant, anise and limestone. Very cabernet in the mouth with the peppery register, rounded up by the ripe Merlot. Great acidity and balance, an excellent bottle just lacking a bit of complexity which is typical of the 2000 bordeaux. — 8 hours ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1985 was more recently acquired from the chateau and in pristine condition. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium visit with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: black currants, mixed brambles, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried purple flowers, some green bell pepper, mushrooms, leather, some ferrous earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Elegant and beautiful this was such a fun and rewarding wine to follow as the hours rolled by. A very strong showing at 40 years young and not slowing down soon. Drink now through 2040. — 7 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Slightly deeper ruby with a little narrower , less garnet rim . This is quite deep and slightly more herbal on the nose, floral perhaps , a little more austere. Spicy Cassis , tobacco , herbal touches . On the palate this is slightly more velvety with a riper dark fruits , mixed with a touch of dark cherry , spice and subtler , riper tannin . Quite ripe , more polished tannin. A bit bigger and riper in style , alcohol a bit more noticeable . Quite good dark cherry , dark chocolate, cassis finish . This is a little more polished , but probably needs a little more time , better in 5 years and will last well a further 10 . Overall a good showing , a classy , polished performance — 9 days ago