While it is fashionable to criticize this wine because of its price, and the secrecy surrounding the amount produced (who really cares?), the wine is unquestionably outstanding. The 1995 boasts a dark ruby/purple color as well... Read More
A pretty, attractive Cheval Blanc, the 1995 contains a higher percentage of Merlot in the final blend than usual (50% Merlot/50% Cabernet Franc). This wine has not developed as much fat or weight as its younger sibling, the 1996,... Read More
A wine of extraordinary intensity and accessibility, the 1995 Cos d'Estournel is a sexier, more hedonistic offering than the muscular, backward 1996. Opulent, with forward aromatics (gobs of black fruits intermixed with toasty... Read More
Christian Moueix and his talented winemaking team continue to rewrite the definition of a Napa Valley reference point wine. The 1995 Dominus (6,000 cases produced from a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6%... Read More
Two stellar performances from the Jamet brothers, both the 1996 and 1995 are impressively-endowed, rich, highly-extracted yet beautifully harmonious examples of Cote Rotie. The spectacular 1995 Cote Rotie reveals an even more... Read More
The magnificent 1995 Hermitage is one of the classic Rhones of the vintage. The wine, which had just been bottled, was revealing no signs of fatigue. The color is opaque purple, and the wine is beautifully made, offering up scents... Read More
A wine of great intensity and richness, it displays classic notes of licorice, barbecue smoke, creme de cassis, cedarwood and forest floor. Full-bodied with sensational purity, a multidimensional mouthfeel and a long, voluptuous... Read More
This wine is closed, backward, and marginally less impressive than I thought from cask. It is still an outstanding l'Evangile that may prove to be longer-lived than the sumptuous 1990, but perhaps not as opulently-styled.... Read More
This is an awesome Lafleur, but it is also an amazingly backward, tannic monster that will need more cellaring than any Medoc in this vintage. The wine boasts an opaque black/purple color, as well as a closed but promising nose... Read More
The best wine ever produced at this estate. So sexy, so wonderful now--but be patient. Dark in color, ruby, inky. Blueberries, cream and vanilla character. Full-bodied, with full yet fine tannins. It literally massages your palate.... Read More
Somewhat closed and reticent after bottling, but still impressive, this 1995 possesses a dark ruby/purple color, as well as an oaky nose with classic scents of cassis, vanillin, cedar, and spice. Dense and medium to full-bodied,... Read More
Somewhat closed and reticent after bottling, but still impressive, this 1995 possesses a dark ruby/purple color, as well as an oaky nose with classic scents of cassis, vanillin, cedar, and spice. Dense and medium to full-bodied,... Read More
While not as backward as the 1996, the opaque purple-colored 1995 is a tannic, unevolved, dense, concentrated wine that will require 8-10 years of cellaring. The 1995 exhibits pain grille, blackcurrant, mineral, and subtle tobacco... Read More
At the winery, I rated the 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate one point below what I gave it in the blind tasting. Nevertheless, my notes on both tastings are nearly identical. This is another winery where the 1995 may be as strong... Read More
An explosively rich, exotic, fruity Montrose, the 1995 displays even more fat and extract than the 1996. There is less Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1995 blend, resulting in a fuller-bodied, more accessible and friendlier style. The... Read More
Medium brick colour. Intense nose of dried blackberries and cherries laced with complex aromas of coffee grounds, tobacco leaf, cumin and soy. Nice concentration of mature berry and spice fruit balanced by medium to firm, slightly... Read More
From a low-yield, hot-summer vintage, this full-bodied Syrah is still very young and tough, with a plummy, ripe character, chalk, mineral and leather notes and excellent concentration. The tannins are beginning to integrate nicely,... Read More
From a low-yield, hot-summer vintage, this full-bodied Syrah is still very young and tough, with a plummy, ripe character, chalk, mineral and leather notes and excellent concentration. The tannins are beginning to integrate nicely,... Read More
From a low-yield, hot-summer vintage, this full-bodied Syrah is still very young and tough, with a plummy, ripe character, chalk, mineral and leather notes and excellent concentration. The tannins are beginning to integrate nicely,... Read More
A stylish, elegant, more restrained style of Pichon Baron, with less obvious new oak than usual, this deep ruby/purple-colored wine offers a pure black currant-scented nose with subtle aromas of coffee and smoky toasty oak. In... Read More
An old style Pauillac, yet made with far more purity and richness than the estate's ancient vintages, this broad-shouldered, muscular, classic wine exhibits a saturated purple color, and sensationally dense, rich, concentrated,... Read More
WA 96 (8/1998): The fabulous 1995 Claret Reserve (a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot) offers an opaque ruby/purple color, and a classic creme de cassis nose intermixed with toasty new oak and minerals.... Read More
Stunning for its combination of deep fruit and classy structure. An extremely impressive, full-bodied, ripe and rich '95, filled with sweet tannins that coat the mouth, good acidity that leads to a lingering finish, and loads... Read More
Ruby-red. Blackcurrant, licorice and spicy oak on the very ripe nose. Juicy, primary and firmly built, with fresh flavors of black fruits and pepper. Finishes with serious tannins. ST
The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley is performing far better after a year of bottle age. This dark ruby/purple-colored, seductive wine offers blazingly intense aromas of cigar box, smoky oak, and jammy black currants... Read More