Bob McDonald

9.5

This wine screams left bank Bordeaux. The final blend is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon; 22% Merlot; and 15% Cabernet Franc. Great depth of flavour particularly for a 2nd wine. The medium + palate shows an inner core of strength and opulence which exhibits the class of the producer and the excellence of the vintage. Tertiary aromas and flavours. See last Delectable note of 2020. Very integrated, balanced and polished. Prompts the old saying in a London Club, “Just damn good claret my man”. Excellent drinking now but still 5+ years left in it. — a month ago

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9.0

The 2005 Duhart-Milon is a bit of a beast. Displays quite a dense, unforgiving pencil lead and tobacco-scented nose, and the fruit seems to take a back seat at the moment. The palate is well-balanced but undeniably brawny and rough-hewn, the kind of Pauillac you wouldn't want to meet down a dark alley at midnight. This is a bit hard going at the moment. This was an ex-château bottle served at Maison François in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, January 2023) — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The 2018 Winner of the Margaret River Cabernet Trophy at the London International Wine Challenge. This is a producer new to me in Marg River. Medium bodied but intense Tomato Leaf, Capsicum Mulberry and Black Fruits. A classic Margaret River expression of Cabernet Sauvignon in a good vintage. Ticks all the boxes - finishing with resolved tannins. Quite delicious - deserves a Gold Medal at 95 points. — 3 years ago

John Tan

9.0

Planque in London. Pretty nose with hint of dried roses. Raspberry on the palate with some potpourri flavours. Quite precise and proper. — 3 years ago

David White

9.3

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff — 4 months ago

Paul J

9.5

This was great! Reminded me of all those great Bordeaux’s we had while in London. 1hr+ decant. Purple color with maroon tones. Dominated by cedar on the nose and palate. Medium plus depth and finish, which had some olives/CDP on it. Well integrated tannins with a nice sweetness. — a year ago

with Brooke

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9.2

The 2000 Léoville-Poyferré was poured blind at Medlar restaurant, though it was pretty easy to single out. This bottle is slightly higher-toned than the previous, black fruit, melted tar and a touch of roasted chestnut, maybe displaying just a touch more Brettanomyces. The palate is medium-bodied with good depth and concentration, white pepper and thyme lending more complexity towards the finish. It does not possess the precision that has defined recent vintages, yet it has an almost bucolic charm and the substance to suggest it will give another two decades of drinking pleasure. Tasted at Medlar in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2022)
— 3 years ago

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9.3

The bottle of 2014 Pontet-Canet showed better than the previous one at the 10-Year-On tasting in London. This offers much more restraint on the nose. It's quite precise, with greater mineralité seeping through the black cherry and cassis fruit. The palate has a sorbet-fresh entry, fine tannins and a silky sheen. The oak is fully subsumed after a decade, plus there is a little more depth on the finish compared to previous showings. This is a fine example of the vintage, and bottles should drink well over the next 12 to 15 years. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Pontet-Canet dinner in Washington DC. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— a year ago

Victor Hsu

9.3

Delightfully complicated California Chard masquerading as a White Burgundy. French nose and French finish. Minerals, flint, stone and fruit—apple, pear, peach and nectarine, with an obvious but restrained layer of oak. Not overly fruity or oaky; no pineapple or butterscotch here. Paired well with the Seafood Tower, Swordfish and Black Cod at the Water Grill Santa Monica. This was a juvenile 2021 vintage, tasted in 2024. Eager to try this gem after another half decade. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Almost pitch black in colour - very dense. Barb said Liquorice and Dark Chocolate - also lashings of blackberry. Extremely rich, concentrated fruit. Possibly the richest most full bodied French dry red I’ve ever had. Interesting to compare with the Catena Zapata Malbec a week ago. The Argentinian Malbec coming from high country was more elegant. I must try more Malbec from Cahors. Made for a BBQ Steak. A silky palate finishing with very dry tannins. Bought at Hedonism in Mayfair London several years ago. I have never seen this producer available in Australia. — 3 years ago