| |
Inventory updated: Wed, Apr 23, 2025 05:56 PM cst
New Red Bordeaux Cellar
Today at Flickinger Wines we would like to showcase a recently acquired cellar of red wines from the Bordeaux region of France. Do not miss out on the 1990 Chateau Margaux Margaux, the 2004 Chateau Fleur Cardinale St. Emilion, the 2010 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Pessac Leognan or the 2016 Chateau Pape-Clement Pessac Leognan. Happy Hunting!!
The following are the wines remaining from the offer sent on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Please enter your desired quantities and click the 'Add' button.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Carruades de Lafite |
2002 |
Pauillac  |
$209 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 87 (4/2005): Similar to its bigger sibling, but leaner and not nearly as concentrated, as one might expect being a second wine, the 2002 Carruades reveals the Lafite fragrance of lead pencil shavings intermixed with red and black currants, plums, and a hint of cherries. Medium-bodied, with tart acidity, this is a wine to drink over the next decade.
WS 87 (3/2005): A wine with good plum and raspberry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a short finish. Good but not special. Best after 2008. 18,000 cases made.
VM 87 (6/2005): Dark ruby-red. Withdrawn aromas of currant and herbs. Dry and quite closed, with limited sweetness. Flavors of plum, leather and currant leaf show only modest ripeness. Firm acids give this wine a slight sour edge. |
|
| Ch. Ausone |
2000 |
St. Emilion |
$850 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98+ (6/2010): Two bottles were badly corked, which is certainly a scary situation for a wine where only 1,000 or so cases were produced. However, a third bottle was magical and just short of perfection. Its saturated purple color was followed by a surprisingly more evolved and open wine than I had written in my tasting note in 2003, where I predicted maturity between 2020 and 2075. This wine displays wonderful, sweet tannin and a big, sweet kiss of truffle, crushed rock, blueberry, blackberry, and licorice. Extremely rich, full-bodied, with astonishing power, precision, and delicacy, this is a sumptuous wine that should age well for 50-60 years, but in the case of the one bottle out of three that was not corked, it seemed far more evolved and forward than I suggested in my write-up in 2003.
VM 97+ (5/2003): Bright ruby-red. Profound nose melds raspberry, black cherry, mocha and minerals. Wonderfully silky and spherical, with monumental solidity and yet incredible inner-mouth perfume. This builds and builds toward the back, finishing with big but suave tannins and extraordinary minerally length. One of the two or three greatest wines I tasted on my spring trip to the Bordeaux region. Stephen Tanzer.
NM 97 (3/2018): The 2000 Ausone was tasted on no less than three occasions during March 2015, once with Pauline and Alain Vauthier. It is a great millennial Saint-emilion with intense blackberry and cassis fruit laced with cedar and violets. Less opulent than it showed in its youth, it is a perfect marriage of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The palate even at 15 years of age is quite backward and you could argue, rather glossy. Yet there is poise here that lingers in the mouth with a brilliant mineral-driven finish. It is an Ausone that will give five or six decades of drinking pleasure but will certainly repay the more patient. Tasted at a private dinner in Bordeaux.
WS 97 (3/2010): This is like a perfectly cut piece of silk fabric. Every angle is just right, every texture great. Fabulous aromas of tobacco, mineral and cool berry fruit. Full-bodied, with loads of silky tannins and a length that goes on and on. Very racy. Very sexy. Best wine I have ever had from this estate. Best after 2010. |
|
|
2005 |
St. Emilion (6X1.5L) 6-magnum Banded OWC |
$14,970 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 100 (4/2021): The 2005 Ausone is magnificent. A wine of soaring intensity and class, the 2005 dazzles from the very first taste. The aromatics alone are captivating, with notes of cinnamon, mint, crushed rocks, blood orange, mocha and incense. Graceful and stately in bearing, the 2005 boasts tremendous purity and breathtaking balance. Readers will find a stunning Saint-Émilion that is just at the beginning of what promises to be a very long drinking window that will be measured in decades. It is a towering achievement from the Vauthier family. (Drink between 2022-2055). Antonio Galloni.
WA 100 (6/2015): The 2005 Ausone is a perfect wine of the vintage. It displays crushed rock, spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity and richness, and perfect harmony among all of its component parts (acidity, tannin, wood, alcohol and extract). Still youthful, but oh, so promising, this wine should be set aside for another decade and drunk over the following 50-75 years. |
|
|
2016 |
St. Emilion |
$775 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 99 (11/2018): The 2016 Ausone is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it's quite closed at first glance, slowly unfurling to reveal the most incredible perfume of violets, chocolate-covered cherries, warm black plums, Black Forest cake and roasted nuts with suggestions of charcuterie, wood smoke and cedar chest. The medium to full-bodied palate offers a quiet intensity of flavors that grow in the mouth to unveil layer after layer of black and red berries intertwined with beautiful savory notions framed by firm yet velvety tannins, finishing with epic length and amazing energy. It practically tingles on the palate!
JD 98 (2/2019): The 2016 Château Ausone is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage and isn’t far off the thrilling 2015, although it shows a more seamless, elegant character. Loads of spice, crushed violets, floral notes and subtle oak give way to a full-bodied beauty that has thrilling cassis and black raspberry fruits, polished tannin, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. This thrilling Ausone needs 4-6 years of bottle age but will keep for 30 years or more.
VM 97+ (8/2020): The 2016 Ausone initially left me nonplussed, and so I left my glass for 10 or 15 minutes before returning to a different wine. The nose had opened up to reveal red cherries, wild strawberry, rose petals and touches of crushed stone and pencil shavings. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins and perfectly matched acidity. This is very refined and fleshy, almost Burgundian toward the finish, with just the right amount of bitterness. A brilliant wine, but it needs time. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Neal Martin.
JS 98 (1/2019): Very exotic and fascinating with dark-berry, floral and violet aromas that follow though to a full body that is tight and polished with ultra-fine and driven tannins. They really are amazing. A wine with such strength and finesse at the same time. Confident and real Ausone. A blend of 50 per cent merlot and 50 per cent cabernet franc. Better after 2025. |
|
| Ch. Bahans Haut Brion |
2003 |
Pessac Leognan Bin-Soiled Label |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 90 (3/2006): Loads of blackberry, raspberry and jam on the nose with just hints of green tobacco. Full-bodied, round and long, with fresh fruit and a clean finish. Second wine from Haut-Brion. Best after 2012. 5,000 cases made.
WA 89 (4/2006): Markedly open and ripe, the 2003 Bahans Haut-Brion offers up notes of plums, figs, and black currants in a chewy, fleshy style that begs for consumption over the next 7-8 years. |
|
| Ch. Gloria |
1982 |
St. Julien Very Top-Shoulder Fill |
$125 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 88 (12/1995): The 1982 Gloria is proving to be one of the most pleasant surprises of the vintage. Recent bottles have been beautifully rich, with classic blackcurrant fruit intertwined with scents of spice, herbs, and cedar. Full-bodied, with a lovely concentrated feel, this is the richest Gloria since the tannic 1975 and glorious 1970 (now in decline). The 1982 could have been bought for a song when released (I purchased it for $7.29 a bottle). When it was young, it was just a big ball of juicy fruit, but it has developed well. While seemingly fully mature, this wine will easily last for another 7-10 years . |
|
| Ch. Haut-Brion |
2010 |
Pessac Leognan |
$825 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 99 (3/2020): Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Haut-Brion charges out of the gate with exuberant notes of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and baked plums followed by nuances of dark chocolate, licorice and cloves. Full-bodied, the palate has lots of subtle earth and mineral accents with a firm, finely grained texture and great freshness lifting the long finish.
WS 99 (3/2013): Sappy, tongue-coating pastis, blackberry coulis and loganberry fruit starts this huge wine off, followed by a parade of licorice snap, violet, tar, black tea, roasted alder, wood spice and steeped black cherry fruit notes. A beam of pure cassis drives through this, and the finish pulls everything together with a mouthwatering brambly edge that should soften slowly over time. A riveting display of brawny power, unbridled energy and high-level terroir. Best from 2020 through 2040.
VM 98+ (8/2013): Good full ruby-red. Complex, expressive, very showy aromas and flavors of cassis, menthol, smoke and tobacco complemented by violet, milk chocolate and sweet spices. Fat, sweet and concentrated in the mouth, with an almost liqueur-like ripeness to its highly concentrated, palate-saturating flavors. Finishes ripe and savory, with huge but plush tannins and lingering notes of blueberry and minerals. Stephen Tanzer.
JS 97 (2/2013): This is very spicy with dried mushroom aromas with dark fruits and plum undertones. Sweet tobacco as well. This is full-bodied, with lots of tannins that are chewy and firm. This is muscular for HB and flexing it. Try in 2020. |
|
|
2010 |
Pessac Leognan (1.5 L) |
$1,650 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 99 (3/2020): Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Haut-Brion charges out of the gate with exuberant notes of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and baked plums followed by nuances of dark chocolate, licorice and cloves. Full-bodied, the palate has lots of subtle earth and mineral accents with a firm, finely grained texture and great freshness lifting the long finish.
WS 99 (3/2013): Sappy, tongue-coating pastis, blackberry coulis and loganberry fruit starts this huge wine off, followed by a parade of licorice snap, violet, tar, black tea, roasted alder, wood spice and steeped black cherry fruit notes. A beam of pure cassis drives through this, and the finish pulls everything together with a mouthwatering brambly edge that should soften slowly over time. A riveting display of brawny power, unbridled energy and high-level terroir. Best from 2020 through 2040.
VM 98+ (8/2013): Good full ruby-red. Complex, expressive, very showy aromas and flavors of cassis, menthol, smoke and tobacco complemented by violet, milk chocolate and sweet spices. Fat, sweet and concentrated in the mouth, with an almost liqueur-like ripeness to its highly concentrated, palate-saturating flavors. Finishes ripe and savory, with huge but plush tannins and lingering notes of blueberry and minerals. Stephen Tanzer.
JS 97 (2/2013): This is very spicy with dried mushroom aromas with dark fruits and plum undertones. Sweet tobacco as well. This is full-bodied, with lots of tannins that are chewy and firm. This is muscular for HB and flexing it. Try in 2020. |
|
| Ch. La Mission Haut Brion |
1982 |
Pessac Leognan |
$1,100 |
3 |
|
| |
JS 97 (10/2012): La Mission really does have its own character. Full body with velvety tannins with hints of berry, gravel and iodine. Some may not like the later but it tells you it’s La Mission. What a wine. Drink now.
VM 95 (7/2002): Good full medium red. Exotic yet lively aromas of roasted plum, marzipan and grilled nuts. Wonderfully dense but sappy, with grip of steel. Finishes powerfully tannic and extremely long, still with a touch of youthful austerity. A very impressive showing. Drink 2005 to 2025. (My second bottle was equally impressive but came across as even more backward and dominated by its structure.)
WA 94 (1/2013): Tasted blind at Chez Bruce in London, a bottle of impeccable provenance—the 1982 La Mission Haut Brion—has proven to be a little variable in recent years. Here, it has a gorgeous bouquet that is very well defined, with dark berry fruit, potpourri and a hint of brine. It feels a little backward at first yet soon opens up, the fruit gaining more and more intensity until peaking at around 30-40 minutes. The palate displays firm structure on the entry, quite masculine with good grip. There is a fine, earthy character to this La Mission along with class and focus. Yet I found more sophistication on the 1982 La Tour Haut-Brion served alongside. It just does not quite deliver that killer blow on the finish that would have elevated it to the realms of, say, the 1989 or 1990. It is probably at its peak now but should continue that way for many years. Tasted June 2016.
WS 94 (11/1998): Slightly rustic, but firm and youthful. Dark ruby color. Beautiful aromas of berries and stones, with a hint of black truffles. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, spicy-stony finish.--1982 Bordeaux horizontal. Best from 2000 through 2010. |
|
|
2010 |
Pessac Leognan |
$569 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 100 (3/2020): Deep garnet colored, the 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion has a commanding, profound nose of baked blackberries, boysenberries and warm cassis plus suggestions of candied violets, red roses, chocolate box, cedar chest and smoked meats with a waft of iron ore. Full-bodied, powerful and hedonic, the palate bursts with expressive black fruits and floral sparks, framed by exquisitely ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing with epic length. A real head-turner, this beauty is already very impressive, but for that full WOW experience I would give it another 3-5 years in bottle to blossom.
JS 100 (2/2013): This is crazy. The nose is so unique with the iodine, stones and currant aromas with wet earth and mushroom. Aromas like this don't usually come out until 10 years or so in the bottle. Classic nose for this estate. Full-bodied, with an amazing palate of firm yet polished tannins and a solid palate. So dense and gorgeous. It is really stunning. Try in 2020.
VM 98 (4/2020): The 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion has a very flattering bouquet with detailed red and black fruit laced with chestnut, cedar and sous-bois. This is supremely well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. There is immense depth here, more savoury than expected with chestnut once again, white pepper and a tinge of dried blood towards the finish. Outstanding. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting. Neal Martin.
WS 97 (3/2013): Intense and engaging. Despite showing lots of heft and tarry grip, the singed apple wood and alder notes are well-defined in this red, accentuating a core of roasted fig, blackberry coulis and macerated red and black currant fruit. The long, bramble-edged finish sports showy ganache and Lapsang souchong tea notes, while the structure refuses to yield until everything has finally played out. Muscular and vivacious. Best from 2019 through 2040. |
|
| Ch. Lafite Rothschild |
2016 |
Pauillac Very Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$725 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 100 (2/2019): On another level and one of the greatest young Bordeaux I’ve ever tasted, the 2016 Lafite-Rothschild is composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot raised in new oak. It takes the classic elegance and class of Lafite and turns the dial up to 11, offering a massive, heavenly array of blackcurrants, cedar pencil, graphite, tobacco, and incense aromas and flavors that soar from the glass. Deep, full-bodied, and flawlessly constructed, with perfectly integrated fruit, acidity, and tannins, this is legendary stuff all the way. It will be drinkable in 7-8 years and keep for 50-75 years or more. Along with Mouton, it’s the wine of the vintage from the Medoc. Hats off to director Eric Kohler.
JS 100 (1/2019): Incredible aromas of crushed berries, sweet tobacco and wet earth. So perfumed and gorgeous. Hot stones and cement, too. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with lots of intense tannins and a never ending finish. Juicy and flavorful. A muscular Lafite, not seen for a long time. Classssssss! Try after 2025.
WA 99 (11/2018): The 2016 Lafite Rothschild is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, with 15% of the press wine contributing to the blend this year. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly reveals the most gorgeous perfume of kirsch, lilacs, black raspberries and warm blackcurrants with underlying nuances of cigar box, rose hip tea, cloves, licorice and pencil lead plus a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied and built like a brick house with a firm yet beautifully ripe, finely pixelated tannic backbone and seamless freshness supporting the amazing intensity of black fruits and floral layers, it finishes very long and provocatively perfumed.
VM 98 (1/2019): The 2016 Lafite-Rothschild underwent three days of pre-harvest selection to pick out the clusters that you could see through, where the grapes had little pulp because of retarded maturation during the growing season. This tank represented 3% of the volume that did not even make it into the Carruades because it would have detracted from the precision. It has a beautiful bouquet, one of the most seductive in recent years, offering pure blackberry and boysenberry fruit, hints of pressed violet and India ink that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite saturated tannin that belies the backbone, and a rondeur that I was not anticipating. Referring back to my notes, it’s clear that this first growth has developed greater amplitude and perhaps sensuality in barrel. It has a sense of approachability, although it clearly has the substance to last for many years. Neal Martin.
WS 98 (3/2019): This offers the best of both sides of Pauillac, with a deep, deep well of dark currant, fig, blackberry and black cherry paste flavors forming a lush side while a series of I-beams made of graphite and iron provide the rigid structure. The two sides meld, pulling in extra sweet tobacco, smoldering cast iron, juniper and savory notes on the finish, leaving a mouthwatering feel. A real stunner. Best from 2025 through 2045. 16,000 cases made. |
|
|
2018 |
Pauillac |
$695 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 100 (3/2021): The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is blended of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot and has 13.3% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock intoxicating scents of blackcurrant cordial, baked plums and black cherry compote with an undercurrent of dark chocolate, licorice, cast-iron pan, cedar chest and fertile loam, plus a waft of pencil lead. The delicately crafted, medium-bodied palate is dripping with class, featuring layers of mineral-laced black fruits and exquisitely ripe, singularly Lafite tannins, finishing with epic length and depth. This simply stunning, delicately crafted expression of 2018 with its singularly evocative imprint of Lafite will require a good 7-8 years in bottle, then should continue to inspire awe over the following 40+ years.
JS 99 (1/2021): Wow. The aromas are so intense and refined at the same time, offering gorgeous blackcurrant, lead-pencil and orchid character. Such purity of fruit. Sleek and finely polished with a fine cut to the tannins that provide such grace and glamor. Yet, it’s got the power and structure to age for decades. On and on. Try after 2029.
JD 98 (3/2021): Checking in as a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2018 Château Lafite-Rothschild is one of those magical Lafites that offers an already up-front, complex, nuanced style yet has the class and balance to evolve for 40-50 years. As always, this wine is never about sheer power, and the 2018 offers a full-bodied, incredibly elegant and weightless style that carries textbook blackcurrant fruits, lead pencil shavings, green tobacco, cedarwood, and camphor aromas and flavors. I compared this wine to a more elegant version of the 2016 from barrel and I think that comparison still holds. Incredibly up-front and charming, and already drinkable with sweet tannins, it will unquestionably pick up more complexity and nuance over the coming 4-6 years. It should hit maturity around age 10 and evolve for 75 years or more given its perfect balance. This is a beautiful, quintessential Lafite that exudes elegance and charm.
VM 98 (3/2021): The 2018 Lafite-Rothschild is a stunning wine. Silky and floral, the 2018 offers all the signatures of the Grand Vin, but amplified by the radiance of the year. In the glass, Lafite is rich and exotic, yet it also retains tremendous vibrancy. The interplay of Merlot picked early and Cabernet Sauvignon harvested late makes for wine of extraordinary dimension, complexity and class. Graphite, dark red fruit, spice and leather linger on the huge finish. Magnificent! Antonio Galloni.
WS 97 (3/2021): Very pure, with a sleek and extremely focused beam of cassis, black cherry puree and blackberry preserves streaming through, lined along the edges with savory, sweet bay leaf and black tea details. Those extra notes assert themselves through the finish, but without intruding too much on the fruit, letting it play out over a long iron spine. Hums with precision. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2045. |
|
| Ch. Les Carmes Haut Brion |
2003 |
Pessac Leognan Nicked Label |
$99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 88 (8/2014): The final blend of 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon tipped the scales at 13.5% natural alcohol. The wine exhibits notes of unsmoked cigar tobacco, scorched earth, red and black currants, and is elegant, tasty and fully mature. It is just beginning to dry out, so consume it over the next 3-4 years.
VM 87 (8/2023): The 2003 Les Carmes Haut-Brion, now at 20 years old, is in stark contrast to the 2022 tasted alongside, far more rustic with ferrous dark berry fruit, curry leaf and rusty iron piping. It is oddly Burgundian in style, like a mature Morey-Saint-Denis. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins but very monotone and lacks amplitude on the finish. There is still an element of freshness and no dryness per se, but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Tasted at the château. (Drink between 2023-2030). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Margaux |
1990 |
Margaux Very Top-Shoulder Fill; Signs of Old Seepage |
$1,050 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (6/2009): I had this wine both in Seoul, Korea in February, and from my cellar in December, 2008, and it was remarkable how identical the wines smelled and tasted. It offers an extraordinary aromatic display of spring flowers, camphor, sweet red and black fruits, a hint of licorice, and no evidence of its 100% new oak cask aging. Round and generous with low acidity, but an opulent, full-bodied richness that is fresh with laser-like precision, this stunning wine is just beginning to reach its plateau of full maturity, where it should remain for another three decades. A sensational effort, it is one of the legendary wines made at Chateau Margaux.
VM 98 (8/2002): Full ruby-red. Wonderfully perfumed nose combines redcurrant, plum, mocha, minerals and rose petal. Plush, fat and rich, with great sweetness and class. This has utterly compelling mouthfilling richness. Finishes smooth and endless, with great breadth. This wine showed fabulous potential from barrel, but this is the first truly Outstanding bottle I've had. Drink 2005 through 2035.
WS 98 (2/2005): Full-bodied, yet racy and refined, with blackberry and licorice character. Long. It keeps getting better and better. Hard not to drink now. In fact, I would, but it will age well for decades. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Drink now.
MB [****[*]] (11/2000): As many notes as Lafite. Crop thinning was severe in 1990- 30% of the new vine grapes were culled. Also first tasted in April 1991. The usual intense purple, new oak, lean, stylish, supple. Two years later, at a Ch Margaux masterclass at Christie's: ripe, rounded, with raspberry-like aroma. Elegant. Impressive. Lovely fruit noted at the MW tasting (1994) and perfect balance (1995). Rather easy going when hemmed in by some of the New World big guns in Eigensatz's tasting of the '90s (in 1996). Later that year, also blind, noting an almost Pomerol-like texture but touch of bitterness, its bouquet developing as only Margaux should (I nearly said 'can'), and wonderful fragrance in the mouth (blind again, 1998). But rather like the Lafite '90, though very fleshy, it was unready. Not even the charm of Corinne Mentzelopoulos, and certainly not the chicken consomme, could entice it fully out of its shell (Margaux dinner at Brooks's in London, April 2000). Five months later, at Manfred Wagner's vertical in Zurich: rich, biscuity nose, great depth; sweet, fleshy, full of fruit, excellent length. I rated the '89 fractionally higher. But the '90 was very good indeed and approaching cruising altitude. Drink 2010-2025. |
|
| Ch. Pichon-Longueville Baron |
2015 |
Pauillac (3.0 L) |
$675 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98 (11/2017): Reminding me of the 1990, the 2015 Château Pichon Baron is a sensational bottle of wine made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot that spent 18 months in 80% new French oak. Boasting a deep purple color as well as awesome notes of black raspberries, toasted spices, cassis, lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf and building minerality, this full-bodied, concentrated 2015 has sweet tannin, a great texture, and a big, big finish. Pauillac all the way, with both opulence and finesse, forget bottles of 4-5 years and enjoy anytime over the following two to three decades. This is a match for the 2009, 2000, and 1990.
WA 97 (2/2018): Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pichon-Longueville Baron is enticingly scented of chocolate-covered cherries, crushed red currants and mulberries with touches of baking spices, potpourri and bay leaves plus a hint of fallen leaves. Sumptuously elegant, refreshing and medium-bodied with gorgeous, expressive, perfumed red fruits and very fine, very firm tannins, it has a persistent, perfumed finish. Its remarkable intensity, freshness and very firm frame suggest a long-lived Pichon Baron, which should cellar gracefully for 30+ years.
VM 97 (1/2019): The 2015 Pichon-Baron is a step up from the 2014, boasting an intense, multifaceted bouquet of blackberry, graphite and crushed stone that gains momentum in the glass; the purity here is deeply impressive. The medium-bodied palate delivers firm tannin cloaked in layers of graphite-infused black fruit. There is a sense of abiding symmetry to this Pauillac, and there is also tremendous length, the flavors almost refusing to let go of your senses. This is an awesome Pichon-Baron in the making, up there with the 1990, 2005 and 2009. Tasted at the Pichon-Baron vertical at the château. Neal Martin.
JS 95 (2/2018): This is a muscular edition with attractive, deeply ripe blackberries and plums set amid firm and assertively linear tannins that hold the finish long and on point. Cool-fruited finish. There’s great potential here. Try this from 2023.
WS 94 (3/2018): A juicy, well-knit style, with energetic plum and black currant compote notes that are studded with anise and black tea accents. Has a muscular edge through the finish, with brambly grip holding sway for now. There's more than enough fruit to put this away for a bit. Best from 2022 through 2035. 14,833 cases made. |
|
|
2016 |
Pauillac (3.0 L) |
$800 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 97 (2/2019): The 2016 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is beauty and is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Tasting like a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful yet sensationally pure bouquet of crème de cassis, blackberries, lead pencil shavings, and graphite, and is just about as quintessentially Pauillac as it gets. Full-bodied, fleshy and even a touch flamboyant, it has sweet tannins and a monster texture that coats the palate. Count me in as a huge fan. This fabulous wine will be relatively approachable in just 3-5 years but will age for 30 years or more.
WA 97 (11/2018): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron offers a suave and seductive nose of warm red and black currants, black plum preserves, truffles, tapenade and rose hip tea with touches of sandalwood and Chinese five spice plus a waft of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, firmly structured and packed with mineral and exotic spice-laced black fruits, it finishes very long with compelling herbal sparks.
VM 96 (1/2019): The 2016 Pichon Baron is seamless and racy from start to finish. Sensual and super-expressive, with soft contours, silky tannins and exceptional finesse, Pichon Baron is one of the more accessible wines in its peer group today. Plum, mocha, leather, spice and chocolate all build effortlessly. As outstanding as Pichon Baron is, the 2016 gives the impression it is playing things safe. It would be nice to see a little more daring and risk. Antonio Galloni.
WS 96 (3/2019): (WS #8 wine of 2019) This gushes with dark fig and black currant compote flavors backed by lively sweet tobacco and singed alder edges. Very fleshy in feel, though there's ample grip to keep this red grounded, echoing with tar and humus accents through the finish. A thumper. Best from 2025 through 2040. 13,500 cases made.
JS 99 (1/2019): The concentration and largesse of the 2016 Pichon Baron is apparent from the get-go with incredibly alluring, ripe and expansive fruit aromas in the blackberry, dark-cherry, mulberry and plum zone. Espresso and cedar, as well as a slate-like, stony mineral edge add complexity. The palate has incredible depth, drive and detail. Fine and plush tannins stretch the palate in every direction. So fresh and vivacious, this is the greatest Pichon Baron since 1989 and has a long future. Try from 2024. |
|
| Ch. Potensac |
2009 |
Medoc (1.5 L) |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 91 (11/2020): Drinking at point now, but with another decade of life ahead of it, the 2009 Château Potensac offers a classic, mature nose of red and black currants, cedary herbs, tobacco, and flowers. It shows the ripe, powerful style of the vintage yet has remarkable freshness, ripe, polished tannins, a kick of minerality, and a great finish. Beautifully done, you'll be happy if you have bottles of this in the cellar. |
|
| Ch. St. Georges |
2000 |
St. Emilion (Cote Pavie) (1.5 L) |
$125 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Talbot |
2005 |
St. Julien Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$99 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 93 (7/2013): Complex aromas of chocolate, currants, berries and sweet tobacco. Full body with fully integrated tannins that give a silky texture. Lovely tannins, fruit and acid balance. Just opening now. Drink or hold.
WS 92 (4/2008): Sweet tobacco, berry and currant aromas follow through to a full body, with soft, silky tannins and a fresh, racy aftertaste of currant and mineral. The texture of the tannins is very beautiful. Best after 2016.
NM 90 (2/2015): The Château Talbot 2005 has a very austere bouquet with antique bureau/mahogany scents infusing the tertiary black fruit. It opens nicely in the glass – certainly showing more vigour and fruit concentration than 2 or 3 years ago. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and well judged acidity, but it just lacks a little complexity and concentration on the very austere finish. Classic in style, but it just needs more brio, more presence and authority.
WA 89 (6/2015): The 2005 Talbot is dense ruby/purple, with moderately intense notes of forest floor, underbrush, and black and red currant fruit. It is slightly herbal, medium-bodied, not terribly complex, but has good sweet fruit, and a decent finish. This wine should drink well for another 15 years.
VM 92+ (10/2019): The 2005 Talbot was picked from 22 September until 10 October. Having tasted this several times, this might be the best bottle. Deeper in colour than other vintages, it offers much more fruit: blackberry, bilberry and raspberry tinged with cedar and a faint estuarine tang. These aromatics just have more substance than other vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity. It is not the most complex 2005 Saint-Julien but there is grip and matière, notes of soy and black pepper lining the finish that will benefit from another two or three years in bottle. Very fine. Tasted at the centenary Château Talbot vertical at the property. (Drink between 2021-2040) Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Troplong Mondot |
2004 |
St. Emilion |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 90 (3/2007): Aromas of blackberry, with hints of tobacco. Full-bodied, with fine tannins, good length and a delicate, fruity aftertaste. Much more refined than I remember from barrel. Caressing. Best after 2007. 5,000 cases made.
WA 89+ (6/2007): Sweet cherry, white chocolate, black currant, and crushed rock-like characteristics are present in this medium-bodied St.-Emilion. Excellent richness, spicy tannin, and hints of underbrush and herbs in the finish result in an excellent rather than brilliant Troplong-Mondot that must take a back seat to their other-worldly 2005 and impressively endowed 2006. Give it 2-4 years, and it could have Outstanding potential.
VM 89 (6/2007): Red-ruby. Raspberry, plum, licorice and mocha on the nose, plus suggestions of meat, leather and burning tobacco. Supple and smooth on entry, then a bit simple in the middle palate, with a slight mintiness emerging with aeration. This is less filled in than the promising 2006, with less verve and definition. Finishes broad but slightly dry. |
|
| Ch. Clinet |
2019 |
Pomerol |
$105 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou |
2019 |
St. Julien |
$205 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Fleur Cardinale |
2005 |
St. Emilion |
$85 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. L' Enclos |
2016 |
Pomerol |
$35 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Larrivet Haut Brion |
2000 |
Pessac-Leognan (1.5 L) |
$150 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Latour |
1990 |
Pauillac |
$925 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
|
1996 |
Pauillac |
$750 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Leoville Las Cases |
2003 |
St. Julien |
$225 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Lynch Bages |
2016 |
Pauillac |
$165 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Margaux |
1990 |
Margaux |
$1,050 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Mouton-Rothschild |
1995 |
Pauillac |
$575 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Pape-Clement |
2015 |
Pessac Leognan |
$109 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
|
2016 |
Pessac Leognan |
$99 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Pontet Canet |
2010 |
Pauillac |
$215 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte |
2001 |
Pessac Leognan |
$99 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
|
2003 |
Pessac Leognan |
$89 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux |
2003 |
Bordeaux |
$159 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
|