Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Yet another outstanding vintage (2020) of this consistently excellent Co-Op produced Barbaresco. Aromas of red fruit, dried rose petals and anise. Flavors of bright red cherry and raspberry fruit, mint, Asian spices, minerals and orange zest. Long and earthy/smoky finish. Fantastic balance, structure and depth. Fine grained tannins and a silky texture yet still firm and powerful. So delicious now, but built to age for at least another decade. The quality consistency of this wine vintage to vintage is incredible. Outstanding value! Thanks so much for opening this one, Keith S! Happy 60th Birthday, Karyn! — a month ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2008 Cheval Blanc is one of the go-to wines of the vintage. Now at 15 years old, it has retained the energy and focus it displayed from the outset: black fruit, crushed stone, wilted violet petals and touches of forest floor cohere wonderfully in the glass. The Cabernet here is more expressive. The palate has a slight chewiness on the entry, but it "relaxes" in the glass. It shows off its delicate lattice of tannins and perhaps a bit more backbone than I have observed on previous bottles. It's very intense on the finish where, as before, the Cabernet Franc takes charge. Superb. Keep it another three to four years if you can. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Ruby with a bouquet of fruit, spices, leather, oak and rose petals. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of pepper, mint and cacao. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy sweet notes. Just starting to drink now! Will continue to age. — 3 years ago

John Tan

9.2

Praleum w SL. Smoky and broody. Preferred the 82 Poggio Antico Brunello to this.

This was a great bottle: fragrant and beautifully defined on the nose that on this occasion offered a more conspicuous graphite scent, which lent it a Pauillac-like personality. Allowing the wine to open and aerate, the traits one associates with the property emerge—wilted violets and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and mineral-laden, that suggestion of candied orange peel on the entry segueing into layers of pure red and black fruit. There is always something effortless about this Chateau Margaux and the pixelation on the finish is up there with the very best. Is it the best 1982 First Growth? No, it's not quite up there with 1982 Latour or Mouton-Rothschild, however, it is a sublime evocation of the vineyard and it will continue to give pleasure for a couple of decades yet. Tasted May 2016. RP97 — 4 years ago

Amelia Mowry, CSW

9.6

Aromas of blueberry, black currant, lavender and rose petals. Earthy graphite and savory herb favors with hints of spice and cocoa powder in the glass. Creamy and fine grain tannin finish. Could have aged for another 20 years easy. — 2 months ago

with Lou, Cristian and 1 other

Dave

9.1

This is a nice little snack. The wine pours a very pale ruby color. Cherries and rose petals on the nose. Zippy flavors of sour cherries and tart raspberries. Medium tannins, and a fairly good exit. If I had to complain, I would say there's an unduly amount of alcohol burn that gets on top of the fruit. But it's really hitting the spot.
Still listening to Neil Young. — 7 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.5

WOW!!! Beautiful ruby color with a bit of garnet around the rim. Beautiful aromas of black fruit, rose petals, vanilla and spices. Black cherry, plum, pepper spice fill the pallet. Touch of eucalyptus on the finish. Elegant and refined. Tannins are there but firmly in check. Outstanding! Thank you so much Kasey and Petey! — 4 years ago

Ericsson

9.9

The nose is profoundly layered and regal: cedar chest, humid tobacco, graphite, and dried rose petals, unfolding slowly into red currant, black tea, sandalwood, and the faintest whisper of truffle and old parchment. It’s not about intensity; it’s about dimension…

On the palate, it is seamless and sovereign. Red and black fruits are fully resolved into essence rather than flavor; currant, cherry skin, a touch of plum; all wrapped in polished leather and earth. The tannins have dissolved into silk, the acidity remains statuesque, and the finish lingers with a calm, noble persistence that feels endless rather than long.

Chateau Margaux at its absolute summit: complete, composed, and eternal; power expressed through grace, and grace sharpened by the patience of time. Do drink now. — 5 months ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.1

Rose petals, cherry, wet moss, wild berries, subtle herbs (tarragon?), flirty hint of grape, bubblegum. And that signature wild, almost over the line E&M VA. Fine tannins, very pretty. Substantially more va in one of two bottles opened. — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Classic Barolo! Medium (barely see through) ruby color. Beautiful floral (rose petals & violets) aromas along with ripe cherry/berry and herbs. Darker and dried fruits on the pallet with touches of chocolate, spices, orange zest, asphalt and smoke. Full bodied and round with soft (but well structured) tannins. Beautifully balanced, layered and harmonious. A great example of the “King,” which should only improve with additional bottle age. Thank You Keith S! Fantastic! Revisited with Keith S in November 2024. Hitting its sweet spot. Beautiful! — 3 years ago