Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

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. — 9 days ago

Brett Francis

8.9

A nice white Bordeaux-inspired Chardonnay. As someone who is not usually fond of Chardonnay, I found this enjoyable and accessible. — 9 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.5

Finally lost my Heitz MV virginity. One word, wow. The mint-eucalyptus was there on the nose. A very powerful wine that smelled powerful and tasted powerful. Besides the mint , hints of earth & cigar notes but clearly in the background. I was having a hard time trying to grasp how youthful and balanced the wine was on the palate. I found the fruit was on the darker side with lingering tannins. I left this in the decanter for three days. The nose really never diminished, the palate grudgingly. If I had to nitpick I felt it was lacking some of the complexity that I would have expected at this stage. — 10 months ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Found a box of this the other day in the cellar, the original Jaboulet box was damaged and so I’d moved it to a non-Jaboulet box 7-8 years ago. Further, this was the only bottle showing any real ullage (about 1.5”), so opened it first (I do have more, and will report when I open the next bottle).

Color is medium-dark ruby, some bacon fat and meaty aromas, lovely fruit still, structured has softened, long finish, but I’m sure a pristine bottle will show even better!! — 2 months ago

with Jim

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.0

1995. Lost something. But sure. In great shape and historically lovely. What a treat — 9 months ago

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9.3

The 1996 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a vintage that I have not tasted for a number of years. Matured in two-thirds new oak, it has an open and expressive bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, estuarine scents, touches of liquorice emerging with time. It is higher-toned than the 1995 with iodine evolving with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fresh acidity, quite sweet in the mouth and maybe like the 1995, just missing that complexity and terroir expression that I think has defined recent vintages from this estate. Maybe it is slightly compromised by some Merlot (25%) that was picked a but later, but still, there is a lot of pleasure to be found in this 1996. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2022)
— 2 years ago

David Walser

9.3

At our second special Caymus dinner on Sky Princess serving this wine. I’ve had lots of Caymus wines over the years. This is in line with the brand, but not what I remember from the wines from the late 70’s. As the price increased, I lost interest. It’s ok, but I feel there are better wines at the price point for the Cabernet Sauvignon. — 6 months ago

Suneal Vishnupad

9.0

Great nose with plenty of earthiness and leather/tobacco starting to develop. Bit disappointing on the palate as I found it to lack depth and finish — 6 months ago

with Kayla and Spencer

Marc Melser

9.0

We had the 2012 Vintage on 12/1-2/23. A real RRV PN with tastes of blackberry, black raspberry, baking spices and cinnamon. Medium bodied and well balanced. New World, but not overly fruity — 10 months ago

Raun Kupiec

9.0

Last nights comparison. Both were very much cherry driven fruit, but more acidic sour cherry in the 2013 at first while an almost cough drop deep cherry in the 2014. I found the 2013 had a more earthy nature while the 2014 seemed more rounded and had more deep fruit. — 3 years ago

with Barbara