Second Growth
Château Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1961
1961 vintage. Ahoy there! Lower neck fill. Durand employed. Opened (not decanted) with plenty of cork splintering/crumbles despite the Durand and meticulous/slow movements. Cork stayed intact but just barely and about 80% saturated. Extensive (3-4 minutes) cleaning of the bottle lip and inch-deep, upper neck to remove fused cork residue. Tasted 45 mins, 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours after opening. Heavier body than expected given the producer. A bit of a slap in the face as it rolled in as medium/medium-heavy body which is hilarious. Nose initially a mysterious, century+ sitting room with plenty of decay, dust and past. Things shifted to soy/teriyaki sauce fairly shortly after with a little 5-10 minute fried chicken nose that vanished. Various (dark/semi-sweet) chocolates and cherry reduction sauce eventually emerged. A paced, harmonious narrative stayed constant throughout. Gorgeous experience. Didn't exactly diminish my impressions of H-B being the best first growth in BDX. It's generally the lightest and least-flashy. 1.23.26. — 4 months ago
Château Palmer
Alter Ego Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2019
Big and pretty and opened about 10-15 years too early. Second day was a huge improvement from the relatively closed nose on day 1. Can feel a bit of the alcohol on the finish. Modern and very well made - especially great Cab Sav on the finish. — a month ago
Château Gruaud Larose
Sarget de Gruaud Larose Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Pretty nose of black plums, currants, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, cola, light earth, black tea and black pepper.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, spices, chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn and licorice.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious 14 year old second wine from this Second Growth château. Fruit forward and elegant. Rich and expressive.
Although not from a great vintage, it is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next few years. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.
Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Complex and interesting. Good by itself or with food.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged for 14 months in (15% new) French Oak barrels.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$55. — 4 months ago
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
Les Tourelles de Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
After 10 years in the bottle, a decidedly savory second wine from this storied Second Growth château. Meaty, almost Northern Rhône character after uncorking. After a day in wine fridge the charcuterie notes ease a bit, blackberry, stewed cassis start to edge forward, classic #pauillac graphite and mineral notes that carry through on palate. Lovely tension on the palate and persistent fine tannins through the finish. — 5 months ago
Screaming Eagle
Second Flight Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012
1.5 hour decant(little fine sediment). A striking dark magenta color. On the nose: Inviting notes of dark berries, sandalwood, herbaceous, smoked meat, potting soil. Taste: silky, layered, balanced wine with dark plum/cherry, dried herbs, spice, and a cedar/mocha java lingering long finish. YUM!! — 2 months ago
Château Cantemerle
Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2023
Château Cantemerle 2023 – Haut-Médoc, BDX, France 🇫🇷
Overview
A beautifully expressive Left Bank blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 7%, and Cabernet Franc 4% that delivers immediate charm while retaining classic Haut-Médoc structure and aging potential. The wine shows vibrant fruit purity, polished tannins, and a well-judged touch of oak, making it approachable young yet capable of evolving gracefully over the coming decade.
Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, and plum layered with subtle cedar, vanilla spice, graphite, and a gentle floral lift. Fresh berry brightness carries through the palate, framed by light savory notes and a refined oak accent that enhances rather than dominates.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with supple texture and finely integrated tannins. Juicy, energetic entry with excellent balance between fruit concentration and freshness. Smooth mid-palate flow and a clean, persistent finish that stays lively and inviting.
Food Pairings
Grilled steak, roast chicken, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, charcuterie boards, aged Gruyère or Comté, and classic bistro fare. A versatile table wine that shines across a wide range of savory dishes.
🍷 Personal Pick
Cantemerle never disappoints, this is pure drinking pleasure wrapped in Bordeaux elegance. Juicy, polished, and instantly enjoyable, yet grounded with just enough structure to remind you why Haut-Médoc remains timeless. A perfect bottle when you want serious pedigree without serious effort.
Did You Know?
Château Cantemerle is classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is known for producing some of the most consistently approachable and age-worthy wines of the Médoc, often offering outstanding value relative to its pedigree. — 4 months ago
Lyn Farmer
This is a very well made wine drinking at its peak right now. It still has lovely primary aromas and flavors of cassis, black cherry and cedar but is now showing more tertiary notes of dried violet, forest floor, leather, mushroom and tobacco. Good balance of fruity with acidity, velvety medium tannin and full body framed by 13.5%abv. Very satisfying with beef tenderloin. — 14 days ago