Inseon Hwang

9.5

Inky, black pepper, licorice, minerally finish. Young but will be amazing. — 6 days ago

Frank Soldano

9.5

Drinking the 2016 in 2024. Deep rich color. Very nice legs. Earthy with leather notes bouquet. Very easy drinking. Deep ripe fruit with a slightly sweet finish. Low tannins. — 8 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

2020 vintage. Just okay for the price. Medium body. No middle palate or finish to speak of. Front-loaded. Perhaps next vintage. I believe this is the inaugural vintage. Tough year to start up the engine.From some little concern in France known as Smith-Haut-Lafitte. 5.9.24. — 5 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 07 Bordeaux’s have turned out better than critically reviewed young for many quality producers. I became aware of that in 2014 when I had the 07 Smith Haut-Lafitte at the property with beef stroganoff prepared by their chef at lunch. I wouldn’t hold the 07’s as long as I would hold many other vintages but drinking beautifully now.

Nose show’s floral, slightly ruby to baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, mixed dark berry cola, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals.

The palate/mouthfeel is ruby, lush and pretty. Crazy beautiful. Blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, a touch of purple fruits, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, candied tarriness, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, saline, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, dry soil, dry river stones, crushed rocks, mixed dark berry & cherry cola, red licorice, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals. Beautiful acidity. The lush finish is well balanced, nice structure even mix of fruit & earth and lasts two-minutes.

Great pair with the Allen Brothers Cowgirl Bone-in Ribeye.

Photos of Chateau Pape Clement’s magnificent property. — a year ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium yellow with a touch of yellow gold, wide watery rim . Beeswax, cut grass, peaches and cream, lemon rind , grapefruit and a touch of toastiness. On the palete quite intense with that grassy note, peach , confit lemon, good acidity and good length. Quite round but the richness is counted by the acidic backbone. Fresh and vibrant with balanced alcohol . This is drinking well now , but will continue at this level for the next 10 years or so. — 9 days ago

Aravind A

9.4

Needed an hour, but yum. — 2 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.8

The best of the best. Nuanced, precise and so delicately delicious. Fresh and bright with precisely served portions of dark cherry and cassis, leather drenched in cuban tobacco and edged in uplifting minerality. Needless to say to say, this bottle went way too fast. — 7 months ago

with Tammy

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Estate dates back to Crusades & Scottish navigator, George Smith, owner in the 18th century. Followed by M. Duffour-Dubergier, Mayor of Bordeaux, then Louis Eschenauer, a famous wine shipper. In 1990, Daniel & Florence Cathiard now own estate. Blend of 60% Cab Sauv & 40% Merlot, dark berry aromas, herbs and earthy spice. On the complex palate flavors of cherry and currant with pepper, tobacco and cacao notes. Soft ripe tannins, long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. — 17 days ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Pop and pour. A beautiful dark ruby red color. On the nose: very aeromatic with dark fruit, herbaceous, some funky earth, leather and touch of mint. Taste: dark cherry, chocolate espresso, spice, tar, little bit of green veggie, and a medium dry finish with a slight still there tannic kick. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Shay A

9.4

This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.

Decanted an hour. Acquired during a visit to Melka a few years back. Last bottle of a 3-pack, and poured next to a 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc. 100%SB and 100% barrel fermented. This was the SB that opened my eyes to how good SB could be 5-6yrs ago. The tropical aromatics (pineapple, lots of guava, white peach) alongside such a rich yet balanced palate (glycerin like, oak only noticeable in texture, not taste). Lemon cream with a puckering finish.

As an aside, I know these “super SauvBlancs” have become popular. Melka must be at the forefront thanks to involvement in V29, DANA, Lail, Melka, ADAMVS, and countless others from the Atelier Melka team. — a year ago