e"A superb Chasse-Spleen. A similar hue to the Lafon-Rochet but with a wider brick red rim. The palate is more floral and feminine with good complexity: cedar, forest floor, earth - all quite lifted and perfumed from the ripe Merlot. The palate is smooth, with well-knit tannins, good acidity, though with a touch of excess alcohol that lends the wine some bitterness. But after time in the glass, it harmonizes and becomes more cohesive. Cedar and tobacco on the finish. Very focused." Neil Martin, Wine journal Tasted 2004.
Performing much better than I expected, the still fresh 2003 Figeac is not the biggest or richest wine of the vintage, but it is a vibrant St.-Emilion exhibiting a dark ruby/plum color along with a note of cedarwood and the strong Cabernet character that permeates this vineyard. Close to full maturity, this medium-bodied 2003 should drink well for another 5-7 years. Wine Advocate.August, 2014
The 2008 Cheval Blanc (55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc) is a winner from this underrated, classic vintage. Notes of forest floor, Asian plum sauce, black currants, sweet cherries and spice are followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with deep fruit, admirable purity, and a long, textured finish. There is not a hard edge to this wine, and in all likelihood, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades.
Yquem Y a very bright pale yellow dress. The first nose is infused and accompanied by notes of thyme. The second nose, fruity, is illustrated with notes of PEAR, grapefruit, pineapple. Then a third nose appears to aeration: more floral notes, but also notes of plum give much elegance to the whole. Printing olfactory General perfectly evokes the character typed there in the classic vintages (2000-2005-2006). In the mouth the attack is rather live: there is a beautiful acidity in the wine with a high roundness giving a gourmet taste sensation, a high persistence. This "Y" of character will be a vintage of long guard.
Scents of overripe red cherries, along with a boatload of toasty new oak are present in this delicate, lacy, medium-bodied St.-Emilion. A 90-point nose is followed by 82-point flavors, hence the score. This 1998 should drink well for 12-14 years.
This is an equal-part blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Good, dense fruit as well as some toasty new oak and spice jump from the glass of this dark ruby/purple-colored wine. Approachable and showing well, this 2005 is medium to full-bodied, ripe and very well-made. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
Classic Bordeaux, great nose of dark berries and earth/forrest floor. Well integrated wood. Perfect maturity, medium body, right after opening a bit restained fruit on the palate, so acidity dominates first. Much better after 2hr of aeration and the day after. Then perfect harmony, classic bordeaux lovers are looking for. Drink now or over the next 3-5 years. 91pt.
The inky/ruby/purple-colored 2001 exhibits a tight but promising nose of crushed stones, a liqueur of blackberries, cherries, and black currants, and subtle smoke and licorice in the background. Powerful, with impressive elegance, fine harmony among its elements, a multi-layered texture, it has a finish that lasts for 50+ seconds. There is considerable tannin, but it is well-integrated. Give it 3-4 years, and drink it over the next two decades. A profound effort for the vintage, it is an example of a perfectionist proprietor pushing the envelope of quality.
Deep colour, still young. Expressive nose of ripe black fruits. Same signature expression on the palate which reveals seductive fullness, fine-grained tannins and lingering fruit on the finish. A wine with breeding really beginning to reveal itself. (21-Jun-2010)
Red and blue fruit fruit and baking spices with vanilla on the nose. Blueberry with loads of oak inductors. Lots if spice. Pepper in the finish with high tannins. Could lay down well, needs time to breathe.
