Nathan Renfro

9.1

Just received the 2021s and thought I’d open a bottle. Decanted 15 minutes. Big red fruit - cherry, plum. Lighter bodied for a cab. Fruit is overpowering and just on the edge of too ripe. Tannins are soft with a slightly grippy feel. Good value. Someone rated this 97 which seems a bit high to me. — a month ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2005 Latour is a huge wine predestined for long-term aging. Noticeably deep in color, it has a showstopping bouquet with intense black fruit, graphite and touches of dried blood and tobacco as it considers moving into its secondary phase. But that's going to be slow coming...it's in no hurry. The palate is medium-bodied and unapologetically classic in style. I notice this bottle is a little grainy in texture, the salinity perhaps heightened as it enters adulthood. The finish has a tangible sense of tension, but it remains backward and swarthy. Immense. Tasted at Woo Cheong Tea House dinner organized by Paulo Pong. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2024)
— 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

I’ve often struggled to appreciate Beaucastel, particularly when young. However, the more often I drink older Beaucastel, I find myself slowly starting to understand why these wines are so important.

Opened about two hours prior. The 2001 Beaucastel pours a pale, slightly hazy garnet with a watery rim. Medium+ viscosity with signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous. Strawberry preserves, leather, bacon fat, and some chicory. On the palate, medium tannin, medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Is this the most powerful expression of Chateauneuf du Pape? No. But it’s balanced, complex and it makes me think and I like that.

As a sort of epilogue, I was able to enjoy this bottle with someone who drinks old Beaucastel more regularly than I do. He described this bottle as being one that is in-between plentitudes; which makes sense as some of the tertiary characteristics are beginning to show themselves. Subsequently, you can drink now but this will likely enter a new dimension in the next few years. — 7 months ago

Eric Vishria

9.6

Wow wine. Nose is amazing, fruit and tannins are in a perfect place. Did this side by side with the 05 which was a mistake - the 05 tannins are still tough and inaccessible. In some ways reflective of the vintage but I worry the 05 won’t get there or there isn’t enough fruit. — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1982 vintage. Above average fill. Cork 98% saturated. Decanted and throwing a mix of chunky and sandy sed. Tasted after 15 minutes. Dark-fruited nose. Still medium body. Any overt fruit is gonzo and this specimen ended up as more muscular than remembered with notable balance. Tannic skeleton definitely in place. Least favorite 1st growth overall but this was a great showing. In a sweet spot currently and likely to hold here without drop off for another 4-5 years. 6.1.24. — a month ago

romo

9.2

PdB base cuvee killing it in a great vintage. Such clarity of place, fine tannins coat your tongue. — 8 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.8

Brilliant. This wine has been reluctant to show the prowess of a 1982 Bordeaux but has evolved recently to show itself worthy of a great vintage and appears now ready for the long haul . Such a delight right out of the gate to enjoy. For those who follow the distinct palate of William Kelley, you will know the place this wine has today — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1995 vintage. Good fill. Excellent cork with minimal saturation. Decanted and throwing a tad extra sediment…a nice mix of chunky and powdery sed. Tasted after 30 minutes and 2 hours open and decanted. Light-medium body. Dark cherry and earth in the nose. These transferred over and slapped on a fudge chocolate note on the finish. In a good place now and not improving. Would seem to hold steady in this standing for another 3-4 years. 6.6.24. — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.7

This is really something. Gorgeous lemon and minerality. Lovely soft fruit. Resolved but with beautifully balanced acidity. This is in a great place right now with signs of secondary notes but dazzling refined tension. Exceptional — 4 months ago

with Bex and David

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.3

Such a storied brand, it was a treat to finally try this. Opulent black bramble fruit with that Tuscan earthy spice on the nose. Hard to deny this was opened far too young as I imagine it would really be singing in 10 years. Lovely acidity, exquisite tannins on the finish. Next time it only makes sense to drink an aged wine of this caliber. #sassicaia — 5 months ago