Over The Rainbow

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Medium ruby garnet , garnet terracotta rim. Slightly sweet , roasted nose, with chestnut some sous bois , grafite , slight seaside hints. After a while a touch more herbal. On the palate quite stern dark fruits , mineral , grafite notes , quite dry tannin and ok balanced acidity . Reasonable length and sous bois , grafite tinged finish . This is still quite young though its appearance is slightly more advanced than the 1988 . Needs a decant and held up well over the 5 hours we had it open . Drink now and over the next 5-10 years. A little pedestrian overall and is outclassed by the superior 1988. — a month ago

Jan, Anthony and 7 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Interesting. Had the ‘89 a few months ago and thought it was on a whole other level compared to the previous ‘88.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

Interesting comparison with the 1988 @Shay A , I think the 1989 just didn’t show the complexity or persistence on the palate that the 88 showed, however aroma wise it showed more sweetness and fruit . I was also surprised that the 1989 looked a little older, colour wise, than the 1988. I would be perfectly happy to drink either on any day of the week !

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2019

The back label says 15.5% but I am digging this nonetheless. Nose has spiced dark berry fruit of pristine purity. There’s also a bit of crushed rock and fresh green herbs. In the mouth it’s so deep and flavorful. I don’t think I’d be able to say it’s over 15 if served this blind. Length for days. Delicious. — 2 months ago

Angelo Casagrande
with Angelo
Angelo, Pooneet and 20 others liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 1996

Medium lemon colour . Lovely lemon, buttered pastry nose , still so fresh and lively . Mineral with a honeysuckle note , touch of blanched almond . On the palate quite rich and complex , with high acidity and mineral , honied , brioche notes , still quite fresh though with lots of creamy lemon hints. Long mineral tinged finish . Lovely now and over the next 5-10 years . — 11 days ago

Tom, Bob and 13 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Fantastic and seemed even more mature than 13 years. Dark dark but smooth and developed. It’s a focused wine in great balance. No complaints but you can tell it was a bit below the heights for Latour. Double decanted and enjoyed over 4+ hours. — 2 months ago

Tom, Bob and 21 others liked this
GaryWEdwards

GaryWEdwards

Nice report. Thank you!!

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Medium deep ruby with ruby pink rim. Spicy cassis , dark blackberry , violets , red pepper. A touch herbaceous with tobacco and graphite. On the pallet, nice volume, ripe blackberry , dark cherry, cassis, with that herbal touch from the nose. Quite firm sweet tannin and balanced acidity . Medium length graphite and cassis tinged finish. This is still quite young but approachable, will last well over the coming 10 years or so. — 2 months ago

Tom, Shay and 10 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1985

No problems noted despite the age. Very good, but not outstanding. The nose was great at about 30 minutes-1 hour in the glass. The nose seemed to fade over the evening, but still very nice. Acidity is notable. Earthy flavors, tobacco, dried fruit. Great experience trying a 41 year old vintage! — 3 months ago

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2001

Without doubt the greatest sticky I’ve ever tasted. I nosed it for 30 mins, it was so clear and bright with tropical fruit and light stony minerality. The apricot and mango were lifted over my palate by actual angels who may’ve swiped a taste on the brief journey. Wish I could’ve sat up with a last glass all night, thank you Lenny. 🙏🏼 — 21 days ago

Daniel, Jeroen and 24 others liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

A good, solid California Cab but what’s all the fuss about? I’m seeing ratings of 98, 99, even 100 from JS. Really? No way. This is a clear case of praise crossing over into hype. Granted, still a bit young and not at its peak but after five years in the bottle and an hour of decanting it needs to be more than just fine if it wants to justify stratospheric scores. This wine compares unfavorably to Ridge Monte Bello, Stags Leap Cask 23 and other peers. It lacked sophistication and poise—where’s the promised minerality, graphite, cedar shavings, oak, leather, blackcurrant, cherry, and complex balance of fine grained tannins, fruit, acid and alcohol? Where? We chose this wine for a birthday dinner at Lawry’s Prime Rib in Beverly Hills. Not a disaster but a disappointment given our high expectations (and the high price).
— 2 months ago

Ira and "Odedi" liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Medium ruby , quite wide garnet rim, clear and bright . Cassis , blackberry , sous bois , mint , cedar , grafite , good clarity and surprisingly fruit driven still . Good volume on the palate , dark fruits , mint , good acidity and still quite gritty tannins. Saline and grafite tinged finish . Good length . Drinking very well now and over the next 5 years . For 2002 this is showing very well, classic and surprisingly elegant, a really nice surprise! — 2 months ago

Tom, Tom and 9 others liked this