Bob McDonald

9.5

We had this a few days ago and I misplaced my notes. Citrus mineral and intensity I recall. Probably committing infanticide drinking this now but there were good reasons to. Firstly our son and wife plus our daughter home for Christmas from New York and secondly my retirement after 53 years at McDonald Group. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

10

A physically pristine example from a well established cellar, the cork pulled clean and without so much as a hint of compromise. It was subsequently double decanted several hours in advance. The 2000 Margaux pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. The nose: developing and simply stunning. A cornucopia of cassis, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, new leather, cocoa, fine woody notes, dry gravelly earth and gorgeous baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure acting like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is forever long and impossibly silky. Sensationally balanced.

To my palate, this falls into the very small category of wines that require no additional inquest. It is utterly complete. And, when I consider the company and circumstances, perfect. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2100. — a month ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.8

Pale gold and brown hue. Aromas of caramel, creme brûlée, pineapple and orange pith.! Tropical fruits, dried apricots, burnt sugar and orange blossoms. — 2 days ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Wine 1, with rack of lamb. As my drinking history shows, Raffault is a perennial favorite. 2017 is easy access with medium weight, wild red berry fruit, tomato leaf, and earth. Drink over the next five years. Holding ‘09, ‘14, ‘15, and ‘18 with patience. — 2 days ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Always lovely and fun to try with a bit more age. Still lots of flowers and cherry but with a notably darker edge now. Dangerously drinkable while still being very interesting. Good pairing with a Christmas Eve ham from hometown bbq. — 3 days ago

Ron R

9.5

Good god. Peaking right now.
Huge aromatics on the nose. Superb weight, balance and texture. No rush to consume. Cedar and macerated black cherries transition to coffee and hints of maple. Blew me away. In raptures over this. Direct from the winery when I lived in Europe. — 9 days ago

with Mo

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium ruby , terracotta , garnet rim . Quite aromatic , with cedar , tobacco , leafy redcurrant , blackcurrant , wet earth. Slightly rounded and red fruit focused sous bois on the palate , quite high acidity , but refined and red fruit focused. Slightly green tannins , but overall reasonable mineral tinged length . This is at peak , leafy but charming — 14 days ago

Neil Valenzuela

10

Always a hit!

Medium straw color, small delicate bubbles. Aromas of citrus, apricot, eucalyptus and orange blossoms.

🏅95 Points - Robert Parker
🏅97 Points - James Suckling
🏅96 Points - Wine Spectator — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.8

Forty-plus years on, people still talk about the greatness of the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux. There are multiple factors that contribute to this and it’s fair to say that Robert Parker’s reaction played a major role in the early popularity; certainly in the States. While some may say that 1982 was merely a “good” vintage by today’s standards, I think history has proven it to be empirically special; there was just so much quality from top to bottom. And yet, even with the high praise of the vintage, the tone shifts to hushed whispers when the 1982 Mouton gets mentioned. Up until that point, the Chateau had sort of underachieved after receiving its unprecedented promotion in 1973. But in 1982, a year full of great wine, they created a legend and firmly cemented their First Growth status. Today, I’m pleased to report the plaudits for the ’82 are all warranted.

Opened and double-decanted earlier in the day. The ’82 Mouton pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core with some sediment; almost youthful when compared to many of the other older wines poured on the night. On the nose, the wine is developing still; loaded with cassis, black berries, leaf tobacco, leather, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with fabulous structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of power. A stunning wine and well in its prime…a window I expect will remain open for a longtime to come. Drink now with bacchanalian abandon and through 2082. — 16 days ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.6

Very impressive showing. Mature but still holding lots of fruit. Best red wine of an amazing evening! — 5 days ago