Tasted three separate times, this 2006 underperformed from the bottle and was nearly impossible to penetrate. It exhibits high tannin, an austere personality, and seemingly insufficient depth or concentration to balance out the... Read More
This 1982 is still displaying a beautiful deep ruby/purple hue as well as a stunning set of aromatics consisting of blue and black fruits, loamy earth, flowers, licorice, and spice box. The wine is medium to full-bodied with sweet... Read More
While I am not convinced the 2005 Cos d'Estournel will eclipse the compelling 2003 Cos, it is unquestionably another superb classic from proprietor Michel Reybier and his brilliant winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats. Made from... Read More
The 2016 Cos d'Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts... Read More
Composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, yields for the grand vin in 2017 were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and it was aged in 60% new oak. It came in at an alcohol of 13% and an IPT... Read More
The 2018 Cos d'Estournel is composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc and has 14.59% alcohol. Aging in 50% new barriques, it has a deep purple-black color and drifts effortlessly,... Read More
The limited cuvee from the Cote Brune, the 1999 Cote Rotie La Landonne (250 cases) is prodigious. Readers lucky enough to track down a bottle or two will own a legend in the making. However, 8-9 years of cellaring are required... Read More
The star of the show is the 2012 Hermitage Les Bessards. Coming from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit, on the western edge of the appellation, it's made from 100% Syrah and spent 16 months in 70% new French... Read More
The 2008 Dom Pérignon is once again stunning. More than anything else, I am surprised by how well the 2008 drinks given all the tension and energy it holds. Then again, that is precisely what makes 2008 such a unique vintage -... Read More
I have now tasted the '99 GE some 6 times since my original review in Issue 5 and it continues to improve, indeed to the point that I have raised my score modestly. There is still a touch of new oak framing the penetrating... Read More
The 2009 Clos des Lambrays blossoms nicely on the mid-palate, with layers of sensual, inviting fruit. The 50% new oak is a touch prominent, one of the signs the 2009 may lack the density and structure to support long-term aging.... Read More
Unfurling in the glass with aromas of red berries, rose petals, sweet soil tones and orange rind, the 2019 Pommard 1er Cru Les Pezerolles is medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, with a fleshy core of fruit and a vibrant,... Read More