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Inventory updated: Tue, Jan 26, 2021 04:02 PM cst
First Growths and Co.
Flickinger Wines is delighted to showcase the very best of Bordeaux. Here is a list of in stock First Growths (plus Petrus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc and d'Yquem).
The following are the wines remaining from the offer sent on Saturday, January 2, 2021. Please enter your desired quantities and click the 'Add' button.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Ausone |
1990 |
St. Emilion  |
$599 |
2 |
|
| |
WS 92 (8/2000): Chewy, monolithic wine. Aromas of dried herbs and berries. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a tar, tobacco aftertaste. Puckers your mouth with tannins. Will improve with age.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2005. 2,150 cases made.
WA 91 (6/2009): After revealing some amber at the edge as well as copious aromas of fruitcake, crushed rocks, incense, and a weedy character, the 1990 Ausone offers up sweet, jammy fruit notes as well as a firm finish with the tell-tale crushed rock minerality that this estate often achieves. The aromatics suggest a fully mature wine, but in the mouth, the firm structure and density indicate this effort needs more time. This wine gives off mixed signals, and I suspect it will last much longer than it appears, but only time will tell. There is a lot to like here, but the 1990 is not one of the most profound Ausones, such as those made since 1998. Owners should try a bottle and make up their own minds, but I think it has another 10- to 15-year window of maximum pleasure.
VM 90 (3/2018): The 1990 Ausone is a vintage that I have tasted half a dozen times, waxing lyrical when I first tasted it way back in 2000, but then my sentiments cooling off with each encounter. It has an exotic bouquet that articulates the growing season more than the terroir – camphor and eucalyptus, quite heady and showy (some might say vulgar but that would be too pejorative.) There is a smear of chocolate on the entry, moderate acidity, fleshy and ripe but missing the complexity of its peers, espresso and dried blood tincturing the fruit on the finish. It is a pleasurable Saint-Émilion rather than a great Ausone. Tasted at the Ausone vertical in London. Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Cheval-Blanc |
1983 |
St. Emilion |
$675 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (12/1997): A classic example of Cheval Blanc's style, the 1983 continues to put on weight and develop favorably in the bottle. A saturated dark ruby color with some faint lightening at the edges exhibits less age than most right bank 1983s. The huge nose of mint, jammy black fruits, chocolate, and coffee is sensational, as well as surprisingly well-developed. The wine offers lusty, rich, unctuous fruit presented in a medium to full-bodied, low acid, concentrated, rather hedonistic style. There are no hard edges to be found, but there is plenty of tannin in the lush finish. Gorgeous for drinking now, this is a great Cheval Blanc that should continue to drink well, and possibly improve for another 20 years. The 1983 is far superior to anything Cheval Blanc has subsequently produced. It remains somewhat undervalued for its quality. |
|
|
2007 |
St. Emilion (1.5 L) ex-Negociant |
$1,099 |
6 |
|
| |
NM 94 (1/2011): Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. Very broody and peppery on the nose: ripe Cabernet Franc in excelsis, very fine definition - this has to be Lafleur. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, gritty and tertiary flavours, a touch of spice, almost curmudgeonly towards the finish - but that would be Lafleur! Hints of chestnut and cooked meat towards the finish, this remains a more masculine, Left Bank style of Cheval Blanc but it certainly has class.
VM 92 (8/2010): Bright red-ruby. Perfumed aromas of violet, licorice and smoke. Like liquid silk in the mouth, with captivating inner-mouth perfume of berries, smoky oak and flowers. The broad, dusty tannins reach the front teeth. Doesn't possess the force or dimension of a great vintage but offers the advantage of early sweetness. Not particularly backward today, but there's more to come.
WS 91 (3/2010): Starts off with loads of fresh herbs that turn to black licorice and sweet blackberry on the nose. Full-bodied, with a big, soft, velvety tannin structure. Long and caressing, with wonderful texture. Really builds on the palate. So delicious already. Best after 2012. 4,250 cases made.
WA 91 (4/2010): A strong effort in this vintage, the evolved, perfumed, purple-tinged 2007 Cheval Blanc offers complex aromas of menthol, cedarwood, mulberries, and black currants. Medium-bodied with beautiful fruit, sweet tannin, and a heady finish, this lovely wine should drink well for 10-15 years. |
|
|
2012 |
St. Emilion (1.5 L) ex-Negociant |
$1,199 |
6 |
|
| |
VM 97 (1/2016): The 2012 Cheval Blanc boasts stunning power and a vertical, imposing sense of structure that is quite rare in this vintage. Dark and almost brooding in style, the Cheval is a rare 2012 that absolutely demands cellaring. Smoke, tobacco, incense and dark spices open up with time, but the 2012 is a reticent, tannic wine that is only showing the barest hints of its ultimate potential. This is a magnificent showing and one of the clear highlights of the year. Antonio Galloni.
WA 95+ (8/2018): Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Cheval Blanc reveals lovely cassis, warm black cherries and redcurrant jelly notions with underlying hints of cedar chest, garrigue, Indian spices and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it possesses wonderful energy and freshness on the palate with a beautifully poised ethereal nature and long mineral-tinged finish. This elegantly crafted beauty should enter its drinking window in a couple of years and cellar gracefully for another 20+ years.
WS 95 (3/2015): This wine is gorgeous in all facets, offering a simultaneously loamy and creamy mouthfeel, seamless layers of red and black currant, cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a long, tobacco-fueled finish that features alluring hints of black tea and incense. The fruit and terroir shine in this broad, deep and defined style. Best from 2018 through 2030. 7,665 cases made.
JS 94 (2/2015): A Cheval Blanc with an impressive center palate of blueberries, chocolate, almonds and spices. Full body, a solid core of fruit and a long, long finish. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful wine. Seamless tannins. Needs a few years of bottle age. Better in 2017. |
|
|
2012 |
St. Emilion (3.0 L) ex-Negociant |
$2,699 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 97 (1/2016): The 2012 Cheval Blanc boasts stunning power and a vertical, imposing sense of structure that is quite rare in this vintage. Dark and almost brooding in style, the Cheval is a rare 2012 that absolutely demands cellaring. Smoke, tobacco, incense and dark spices open up with time, but the 2012 is a reticent, tannic wine that is only showing the barest hints of its ultimate potential. This is a magnificent showing and one of the clear highlights of the year. Antonio Galloni.
WA 95+ (8/2018): Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Cheval Blanc reveals lovely cassis, warm black cherries and redcurrant jelly notions with underlying hints of cedar chest, garrigue, Indian spices and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it possesses wonderful energy and freshness on the palate with a beautifully poised ethereal nature and long mineral-tinged finish. This elegantly crafted beauty should enter its drinking window in a couple of years and cellar gracefully for another 20+ years.
WS 95 (3/2015): This wine is gorgeous in all facets, offering a simultaneously loamy and creamy mouthfeel, seamless layers of red and black currant, cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a long, tobacco-fueled finish that features alluring hints of black tea and incense. The fruit and terroir shine in this broad, deep and defined style. Best from 2018 through 2030. 7,665 cases made.
JS 94 (2/2015): A Cheval Blanc with an impressive center palate of blueberries, chocolate, almonds and spices. Full body, a solid core of fruit and a long, long finish. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful wine. Seamless tannins. Needs a few years of bottle age. Better in 2017. |
|
|
2019 |
St. Emilion Futures- ETA TBD. Subject to tariffs upon arrival in USA (3X750ML) 2019 en Primeur release |
$1,465 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Haut-Brion |
1976 |
Graves Bin-Soiled Label |
$350 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 86 (1/1990): The 1976 Haut-Brion is medium ruby in color, with some amber creeping in at the edges. The wine has been fully mature since the early eighties, yet it is still drinking well. A spicy, earthy, oaky, moderately fruity bouquet offers elegance. On the palate, the wine is soft, round, medium bodied, and charming. It even seems to have put on some weight in the late eighties. However, do not push your luck; drink it over the next 4-5 years. Anticipated maturity: Now. |
|
|
1982 |
Graves Ullage 4 cm; Faded Label |
$850 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 98 (6/2016): This is a phenomenal 1982 and it remains the most drinkable of the first growths. A strong iodine character here enveloped by delicious currants, shaved chocolate and spices. Full body with super-integrated tannins and a refined texture. Wonderful balance.
VM 96 (8/2002): Good medium amber-edge red. Flamboyant aromas of smoked meat, leather, truffle and burnished oak. Intensely flavored and penetrating, with strong acids giving the flavors terrific cut and grip. I get an impression of strong cabernet tannins. Drink now through 2020. 94. My second bottle showed even more extravagantly expressive aromas of hot stones, tobacco, minerals and marzipan; a denser, silkier palate impression, with more obvious roasted Graves character; and an uncanny combination of sheer sweetness with structure and grip. I rated this wine even higher. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 95 (7/2016): Though having tasted the Haut-Brion 1982 on numerous occasions, it is still a divine Pessac-Léognan to cherish. Here at The Glasshouse restaurant, it has that lovely warm gravel on a summer's day bouquet, brown autumn leaves, bay leaf and here= a slightly more conspicuous note of black olive than I have noticed in the past. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, again a little more diffuse than its fellow 1982 First Growths, but with just as much charm. If anything, it feels a little tighter and more backward than previous examples, perhaps suggesting that bottles of excellent provenance will last many years. It is a wonderful 1982 First Growth, not a pinnacle of the vintage, but disarmingly and utterly charming. Tasted July 2014.
WS 95 (6/2001): Dark ruby red. Tobacco, roasted coffee and light raisin. Full-bodied, with soft and silky tannins and a long finish. I have always loved this wine. Drink now. |
|
|
1986 |
Pessac Leognan Hole in Capsule, Scuffed Label |
$575 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (7/1997): The 1986 Haut-Brion, which I thought should be fully mature by now, remains a backward, highly concentrated, powerful wine with more noticeable tannin than most top vintages. The wine does possesses a tell-tale smoky tobacco and sweet black currant-scented nose, in addition to subtle new oak and minerals scents. This medium to full-bodied, rich, intensely smoky wine has still not reached its plateau of maturity. It is unquestionably the wine of the vintage for Graves, and not far off the pace of the great 1986 first-growth Medocs. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015. |
|
|
1986 |
Pessac Leognan Very Heavily Water/Wetness-Stained Label; Torn Label |
$575 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (7/1997): The 1986 Haut-Brion, which I thought should be fully mature by now, remains a backward, highly concentrated, powerful wine with more noticeable tannin than most top vintages. The wine does possesses a tell-tale smoky tobacco and sweet black currant-scented nose, in addition to subtle new oak and minerals scents. This medium to full-bodied, rich, intensely smoky wine has still not reached its plateau of maturity. It is unquestionably the wine of the vintage for Graves, and not far off the pace of the great 1986 first-growth Medocs. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015. |
|
|
1986 |
Pessac Leognan Water/Wetness-Stained Label |
$575 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (7/1997): The 1986 Haut-Brion, which I thought should be fully mature by now, remains a backward, highly concentrated, powerful wine with more noticeable tannin than most top vintages. The wine does possesses a tell-tale smoky tobacco and sweet black currant-scented nose, in addition to subtle new oak and minerals scents. This medium to full-bodied, rich, intensely smoky wine has still not reached its plateau of maturity. It is unquestionably the wine of the vintage for Graves, and not far off the pace of the great 1986 first-growth Medocs. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015. |
|
|
1986 |
Pessac Leognan Water/Wetness-Stained Label; Torn Label; Faded Label |
$575 |
12 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (7/1997): The 1986 Haut-Brion, which I thought should be fully mature by now, remains a backward, highly concentrated, powerful wine with more noticeable tannin than most top vintages. The wine does possesses a tell-tale smoky tobacco and sweet black currant-scented nose, in addition to subtle new oak and minerals scents. This medium to full-bodied, rich, intensely smoky wine has still not reached its plateau of maturity. It is unquestionably the wine of the vintage for Graves, and not far off the pace of the great 1986 first-growth Medocs. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015. |
|
|
1988 |
Pessac Leognan |
$425 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (1/1993): The 1988 Haut-Brion is built along the lines of the 1966, but it is more concentrated and powerful. The dense bouquet of tobacco, ripe, black fruits and spicy oak has just begun to develop. The wine is medium-bodied, rich, and tannic, with a good inner-core of fruit. This wine will have to be cellared until the end of this century. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025. |
|
|
1995 |
Pessac Leognan Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$450 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (11/2002): It is fun to go back and forth between the 1995 and 1996, two superb vintages for Haut-Brion. The 1995 seems to have sweeter tannin and a bit more fat and seamlessness when compared to the more structured and muscular 1996. Certainly 1995 was a vintage that the brilliant administrator Jean Delmas handled flawlessly. The result is a deep ruby/purple-colored wine with a tight but promising nose of burning wood embers intermixed with vanilla, spice box, earth, mineral, sweet cherry, black currant, plum-like fruit, medium to full body, a high level of ripe but sweet tannin, and a finish that goes on for a good 40-45 seconds. This wine is just beginning to emerge from a very closed state where it was unyielding and backward. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2035.
WS 95 (12/2007): Sweet tobacco, blackberries and violets on the nose. Subtle. Full-bodied and very tight, with fantastic tannins and a long caressing finish. Wonderful texture. All in reserve still. Give this time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010.
VM 93 (6/1998): Very good deep red-ruby. Sweet, highly expressive aromas of redcurrant, hot stones, roasted plum, woodsmoke and tobacco. Fuller and more textured in the middle palate, with a chewy, tactile mouth feel that suggests strong extract and a wonderfully pliant texture. A firm mineral underpinning and sound acids frame the fruit. Expansive and seductively sweet in the mouth. Finishes very long and ripe, with thoroughly civilized tannins. |
|
|
2011 |
Pessac Leognan (3.0 L) ex-Negociant |
$2,299 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 96 (1/2014): Lots of subtle redcurrant and berry character, with flowers and sweet tobacco on the nose. Full body, super-integrated tannins and a light shaved-chocolate, berry and cedar character. A decadence and beauty to this that wakes you up. Better in 2018.
WS 95 (3/2014): This packs some serious density for the vintage, with layers of braised fig, blackberry pâte de fruit and dark currant paste, all inlaid with lively briar, tobacco leaf and roasted apple wood notes. Shows lots of energy through the finish, with the grip generating a mouthwatering feel. One of the stars of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2035.
WA 95 (4/2014): Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2011 Haut Brion has always been an excellent Pessac-Léognan, though recent encounters suggest it does not have the potential of the 2012. It has a gentle and caressing bouquet full of copious dark cherry and raspberry fruit, a touch of saddle leather and a seam of dark chocolate emanating from the oak regime, which needs more time to integrate (though it is not an Haut-Brion that is going to demand years and years in bottle). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and feels gentle in the mouth. It is very well balanced, although perhaps the oak comes through too strongly on the finish, when frankly there is no need. Nevertheless, this is a classic Pessac-Léognan - maybe "mild mannered" and a little conservative compared to more ambitious recent vintages, yet there is no doubting its class and pedigree.
NM 94 (12/2016): Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2011 Haut Brion has always been an excellent Pessac-Léognan, though recent encounters suggest it does not have the potential of the 2012. It has a gentle and caressing bouquet full of copious dark cherry and raspberry fruit, a touch of saddle leather and a seam of dark chocolate emanating from the oak regime, which needs more time to integrate (though it is not an Haut-Brion that is going to demand years and years in bottle). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and feels gentle in the mouth. It is very well balanced, although perhaps the oak comes through too strongly on the finish, when frankly there is no need. Nevertheless, this is a classic Pessac-Léognan - maybe "mild mannered" and a little conservative compared to more ambitious recent vintages, yet there is no doubting its class and pedigree.
VM 92 (7/2014): Deep ruby. Complex, soil-driven aromas of redcurrant, dark cherry and raspberry are complicated by exotic notes of Oriental spices and soy sauce. Rich, tactile and sweet, offering intense, elegant dark fruit and spice flavors lifted by a saline nuance. Finishes with sweet tannins and lingering saline and smoky notes. This is deeper and fleshier than the La Mission. Ian d'Agata. |
|
|
2013 |
Pessac Leognan Very Lightly Scuffed Label |
$375 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (10/2016): The 2013 Haut Brion has perhaps a little more complexity on the nose compared to the 2013 La Mission Haut-Brion at the moment. There is more depth and plenty of attractive fruit: cranberry, wild strawberry, hickory and a scintilla of scorched earth that becomes quite peaty with time. It is well defined and shows impressive focus. The palate is very well balanced with tensile tannin, a keen thread of acidity, lively in the mouth with more weight and presence than La Mission, though perhaps without quite the same precision at the moment. It still cuts away just a little short on the finish, but this is a decent Haut-Brion that may pull ahead of its "sibling" with bottle age. |
|
|
2013 |
Pessac Leognan |
$399 |
17 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (10/2016): The 2013 Haut Brion has perhaps a little more complexity on the nose compared to the 2013 La Mission Haut-Brion at the moment. There is more depth and plenty of attractive fruit: cranberry, wild strawberry, hickory and a scintilla of scorched earth that becomes quite peaty with time. It is well defined and shows impressive focus. The palate is very well balanced with tensile tannin, a keen thread of acidity, lively in the mouth with more weight and presence than La Mission, though perhaps without quite the same precision at the moment. It still cuts away just a little short on the finish, but this is a decent Haut-Brion that may pull ahead of its "sibling" with bottle age. |
|
|
2014 |
Pessac Leognan (6.0 L) ex-Negociant |
$3,450 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 97 (2/2017): One of the stars of the vintage, the 2014 Haut-Brion is an exceptionally beautiful and vivid wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, tobacco and menthol are some of the notes that run through the 2014. Just as it did from barrel, the 2014 boasts tons of opulence, intensity and richness. Dried flowers, tobacco, menthol, licorice and smoke wrap around the huge, baritone-inflected finish. Readers should not be in any rush with the 2014, as it is likely to require a number of years before it even starts to drink well. The blend is 50 % Merlot, 39 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 11 % Cabernet Franc. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (11/2017): The flagship 2014 Haut Brion is a beauty that packs more flavor, intensity, and depth than just about every other wine in the vintage. A blend of 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc that was harvest between the 11th of September and the 10th of October, it offers a classic bouquet of blackcurrants, wood smoke, lead pencil shavings, chocolate, and tobacco leaf. With full-bodied richness, a plump, layered texture, sweet tannin, and a great finish, it’s a gem in the vintage that can be enjoyed anytime over the coming two to three decades.
WA 96 (3/2017): The 2014 Haut Brion is a blend of 50% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 39% Cabernet Sauvignon picked between 11 September and 10 October, cropped at 42.9 hectoliters per hectare and raised in 70% new oak. As I observed when I made the comparison in barrel, the Haut Brion exudes more red fruit than La Mission Haut Brion, adorned with wild strawberry, bilberry, tobacco and again, just that hint of menthol in the background. The palate is very fresh and taut on the entry. The acidity is very nicely pitched and there is a touch of marmalade and blood orange that is tangible at the back of the mouth. There is real frisson to this Haut Brion, not quite as seductive and as smooth as its sibling over the road, but very persistent in the mouth. I noticed that over 15 to 20 minutes that the Haut Brion just gained more and more complexity, putting a small distance between itself and La Mission, as if determined to mock my opinion in barrel that La Mission would have the upper hand! Be my guest. Haut Brion has an inch, just an inch ahead of its "rival" sibling.
WS 96 (3/2017): Loaded with warm tar, singed juniper, plum reduction and cassis notes that are perfectly melded, giving this a remarkably supple edge. The finish lets tobacco, bay leaf and incense accents glide in. Shows lovely mouthfeel and superior refinement overall. Best from 2020 through 2035. 10,800 cases made.
JS 97 (2/2017): Beautifully perfumed with rose petals, violets and currant bush. Full body, very silky tannins and bright acidity. Tannins are super fine-grained. Goes on for minutes. Racy and refined. Persistent. Drink in 2025. |
|
| Ch. Lafite Rothschild |
1977 |
Pauillac (6x1.5L) |
$6,600 |
2 |
|
| |
WS 87 (11/1991): Full of lively cranberry, raspberry and herb flavors, with smoky accents and very firm acidity. Very good wine from an unheralded vintage. Drink now through 2000.--Lafite Rothschild vertical.
MB [*] (9/1989): Could be a dashed sight worse. An effort at fragrance and flavour but dry, lean and tart. Not worth pursuing even out of curiosity. |
|
|
1988 |
Pauillac (1.5 L) ex-Negociant |
$2,499 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 94 (10/1994): Broodingly backward and in need of considerable bottle age, the 1988 is a classic expression of Lafite. This deeply-colored wine exhibits the tell-tale Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, minerals, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward, yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild may well turn out to be the wine of the vintage! Anticipated maturity: 2000-2035.
WS 94 (12/2008): Beautiful and subtle on the nose, with mineral, berry, licorice and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a pretty balance of fruit and mint. Long and caressing. Real claret here. Everyone talks about 1989, but this is very close in quality. '88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now.
MB [**[**]] (6/2000): It is not only unpleasant but self-defeating to taste young wine from the cask in cold glasses in a cold cellar; and with relatively tough wines like the '88s, even more difficult. My more useful notes therefore stem from the mid-1990s, the first detailed note being made at a tasting I organised and conducted in March 1995 at the millionaires' retreat in the Bahamas, Lyford Cay. The Lafite, in magnums, crsip, blackcurrant aroma. On the palate surprisingly agreeable (for a tough vintage), and less severly tannic than expected. Fleshy but unready of course. Next an austere bottle in 1997, then, at Penning-Rowsell's '10-year' tasting of first gorwths, fairly deep; a fragrant, mild tea, well-developed nose; sweet, 'rather strange flavour.' and soft tannins. Most recently, at a Bordeaux Club dinner (decanted at 5.45pm, severed around 8.30pm): very deep, opaque core; attractive, very vanillin nose; surprisingly sweet, lean, with good flavour and masked tannin. At it's best, say, 2010-2025.
NM 88 (2/2012): Tasted at the IMW Lafite seminar in London. It is several years since I last tasted the 1988 and at 23-years of age it has a very classic, autumnal, leafy, dusty bouquet with dried herbs dominating the aromatics. It is well defined with fine lift and offering a subtle note of orange blossom and mint with continued aeration. The palate is well balanced with dusty black fruit; a tertiary Lafite-Rothschild that is fully mature with a dry, rather masculine finish that is persistent but missing some joie-de-vivre. The 1988 appears to be in decline, perhaps with the exception of larger formats. |
|
|
1988 |
Pauillac Base Neck Fill |
$799 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94 (10/1994): Broodingly backward and in need of considerable bottle age, the 1988 is a classic expression of Lafite. This deeply-colored wine exhibits the tell-tale Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, minerals, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward, yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild may well turn out to be the wine of the vintage! Anticipated maturity: 2000-2035.
WS 94 (12/2008): Beautiful and subtle on the nose, with mineral, berry, licorice and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a pretty balance of fruit and mint. Long and caressing. Real claret here. Everyone talks about 1989, but this is very close in quality. '88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now.
MB [**[**]] (6/2000): It is not only unpleasant but self-defeating to taste young wine from the cask in cold glasses in a cold cellar; and with relatively tough wines like the '88s, even more difficult. My more useful notes therefore stem from the mid-1990s, the first detailed note being made at a tasting I organised and conducted in March 1995 at the millionaires' retreat in the Bahamas, Lyford Cay. The Lafite, in magnums, crsip, blackcurrant aroma. On the palate surprisingly agreeable (for a tough vintage), and less severly tannic than expected. Fleshy but unready of course. Next an austere bottle in 1997, then, at Penning-Rowsell's '10-year' tasting of first gorwths, fairly deep; a fragrant, mild tea, well-developed nose; sweet, 'rather strange flavour.' and soft tannins. Most recently, at a Bordeaux Club dinner (decanted at 5.45pm, severed around 8.30pm): very deep, opaque core; attractive, very vanillin nose; surprisingly sweet, lean, with good flavour and masked tannin. At it's best, say, 2010-2025.
NM 88 (2/2012): Tasted at the IMW Lafite seminar in London. It is several years since I last tasted the 1988 and at 23-years of age it has a very classic, autumnal, leafy, dusty bouquet with dried herbs dominating the aromatics. It is well defined with fine lift and offering a subtle note of orange blossom and mint with continued aeration. The palate is well balanced with dusty black fruit; a tertiary Lafite-Rothschild that is fully mature with a dry, rather masculine finish that is persistent but missing some joie-de-vivre. The 1988 appears to be in decline, perhaps with the exception of larger formats. |
|
|
1989 |
Pauillac |
$760 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 93 (12/2009): Subtle, yet rich and decadent, offering meat, sweet berry and fresh leather on the nose. Full and very soft, with velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. This has so much ripe fruit. Reserved and firm, this is turning to a very fine and shy Lafite. This is fresh and structured, but still holding back. I wouldn't wait, though.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now.
WA 90 (2/1997): As I suspected, the 1989 and 1990 vintages of Lafite-Rothschild have gone dormant. Both wines were among the more closed, backward examples in my blind tasting. The 1989 Lafite is also Outstanding, but closed, with the tannin more elevated, and the wine so stubbornly reticent as to make evaluation almost impossible. Lafite's 1989 was far more easy to taste and understand several years ago. It appears to have gone completely to sleep. This medium ruby-colored, medium-bodied wine reveals new oak in the nose, and a spicy finish. It is a quintessentially elegant, restrained, understated style of Lafite. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025. |
|
|
1995 |
Pauillac Very Lightly Scuffed Label |
$749 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 98 (6/2016): I pulled this lone bottle out of my cellar at the last minute to remind some Italian vintners of the great quality of the 1995 Bordeaux vintage. They seem to be finally opening up! What a red with incredible depth and finesse. Cedar, cigar box and toabaaco character with currants and fresh tobacco undertones. It's full-bodied yet tight and dense. Precision. So refined and intense. Such freshness and beauty. Drink or hold.
WS 96 (7/2007): Intense aromas of blackberries, black licorice and currants, with mineral undertones. Full-bodied, with a solid core of tannins and a long, silky finish. Still holding back, but is concentrated and powerful. The 1996 is always talked about, but I think this is superior and will be in the future.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 20,000 cases made.
WA 95 (2/1998): The 1995 Lafite-Rothschild (only one-third of the harvest made it into the final blend) is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. The wine was showing spectacularly well when I tasted it in November, 1997. It exhibits a dark ruby purple color, and a sweet, powdered mineral, smoky, weedy cassis-scented nose. Beautiful sweetness of fruit is present in this medium-bodied, tightly-knit, but gloriously pure, well-delineated Lafite. The 1995 is not as powerful or as massive as the 1996, but it is beautifully made with Outstanding credentials, in addition to remarkable promise. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2028.
VM 93+ (6/1998): Dark ruby-red. Sappy, expressive aromas of cherry, plum, minerals, woodsmoke and game, plus an exotic suggestion of baked apple. Rather subtle on the attack, then quickly expands to fill the mouth. A big, deep, very rich vintage for Lafite, unusually generous at this early stage and extremely long on the aftertaste. But went into a shell with aeration, and showed a hint of tobacco leaf vegetility. Finishing notes of coconut, woodsmoke and tobacco add flavor interest. Stephen Tanzer.
NM 93-95 (1/2000): Tasted several times: still closed when tasted blind in 2001, feminine in 2003 when it was just lacking that degree of complexity for a truly great Lafite. Then at the CECWINE vertical in September 2004. A moderate ruby hue. Very fresh, floral nose. Quite minerally, becoming dominated by cassis with aeration with a touch of mocha. The palate is feminine, elegant with a citrus freshness and good acidity. Medium-bodied. Light-weight for a First Growth and lacking persistency and length on the finish. A featherweight Lafite. Finally at the Lafite vertical in December 2005. A very deep garnet core. The nose is still very masculine: pencil lead, blackberry, black cherry and a touch of smoke. Much more typicity than the 2000. The palate has good structure, excellent acidity. Very minerally, liquorice and burnt toast. Very fine definition and good weight. Superb balance and poise. This is an archetypal Lafite this is just getting into its stride. Fresh, crisp finish with a touch of green pepper from the Cabernet Franc. |
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|
1995 |
Pauillac Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$749 |
1 |
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| |
JS 98 (6/2016): I pulled this lone bottle out of my cellar at the last minute to remind some Italian vintners of the great quality of the 1995 Bordeaux vintage. They seem to be finally opening up! What a red with incredible depth and finesse. Cedar, cigar box and toabaaco character with currants and fresh tobacco undertones. It's full-bodied yet tight and dense. Precision. So refined and intense. Such freshness and beauty. Drink or hold.
WS 96 (7/2007): Intense aromas of blackberries, black licorice and currants, with mineral undertones. Full-bodied, with a solid core of tannins and a long, silky finish. Still holding back, but is concentrated and powerful. The 1996 is always talked about, but I think this is superior and will be in the future.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 20,000 cases made.
WA 95 (2/1998): The 1995 Lafite-Rothschild (only one-third of the harvest made it into the final blend) is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. The wine was showing spectacularly well when I tasted it in November, 1997. It exhibits a dark ruby purple color, and a sweet, powdered mineral, smoky, weedy cassis-scented nose. Beautiful sweetness of fruit is present in this medium-bodied, tightly-knit, but gloriously pure, well-delineated Lafite. The 1995 is not as powerful or as massive as the 1996, but it is beautifully made with Outstanding credentials, in addition to remarkable promise. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2028.
VM 93+ (6/1998): Dark ruby-red. Sappy, expressive aromas of cherry, plum, minerals, woodsmoke and game, plus an exotic suggestion of baked apple. Rather subtle on the attack, then quickly expands to fill the mouth. A big, deep, very rich vintage for Lafite, unusually generous at this early stage and extremely long on the aftertaste. But went into a shell with aeration, and showed a hint of tobacco leaf vegetility. Finishing notes of coconut, woodsmoke and tobacco add flavor interest. Stephen Tanzer.
NM 93-95 (1/2000): Tasted several times: still closed when tasted blind in 2001, feminine in 2003 when it was just lacking that degree of complexity for a truly great Lafite. Then at the CECWINE vertical in September 2004. A moderate ruby hue. Very fresh, floral nose. Quite minerally, becoming dominated by cassis with aeration with a touch of mocha. The palate is feminine, elegant with a citrus freshness and good acidity. Medium-bodied. Light-weight for a First Growth and lacking persistency and length on the finish. A featherweight Lafite. Finally at the Lafite vertical in December 2005. A very deep garnet core. The nose is still very masculine: pencil lead, blackberry, black cherry and a touch of smoke. Much more typicity than the 2000. The palate has good structure, excellent acidity. Very minerally, liquorice and burnt toast. Very fine definition and good weight. Superb balance and poise. This is an archetypal Lafite this is just getting into its stride. Fresh, crisp finish with a touch of green pepper from the Cabernet Franc. |
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| Ch. Latour |
1999 |
Pauillac |
$475 |
6 |
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WA 94 (4/2002): Readers looking for a modern day version of Latour's magnificent 1962 or 1971 should check out the sensational 1999 Latour. It is a big, concentrated offering, exhibiting a dense ruby/purple color, and a classic nose of minerals, black currants, leather, and vanilla. The wine is long, ripe, and medium-bodied, with high levels of sweet tannin. This surprisingly full, concentrated 1999 should be drinkable in 5-6 years; it will last for three decades.
WS 93 (12/2009): Focused and fresh, with milk chocolate and berry aromas. Subtle and refined on the nose. Full-bodied and very elegant, featuring a solid core of ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. So much finesse here. Still tight, needing time in the bottle to open. No longer big, this is in just the right proportions for the vintage.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Best after 2012. 13,330 cases made.
VM 93 (5/2002): Full red-ruby. High-pitched aromas of red- and blackcurrant, minerals and leather. Wonderfully harmonious in the mouth, with compelling sweetness of fruit but also superb grip. A lush, rich wine that already displays impressive inner-mouth perfume. Finishes with broad, essentially gentle tannins. Doesn't quite possess the grip or thrust of the '01, but this is wine-of-the-vintage material. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2011 |
Pauillac (6.0 L) ex-Negociant |
$5,499 |
2 |
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WS 96 (3/2014): This has a gorgeous core of steeped plum, boysenberry and black currant coulis flavors, backed by a prominent graphite note that drives through the lengthy finish, where extra hints of anise and sweet tobacco flitter in the background. Regal. Best from 2018 through 2035. 5,835 cases made.
JS 95 (1/2014): The nose is complex, featuring smoke, meat and hints of wood, with currants, olives and berries underneath. Full body with super-velvety tannins. The strong acidity gives the wine an edginess. Love the spicy, subtly fruity finish. Steely. Try in 2020.
NM 94-96 (5/2012): The Grand Vin is a blend of 84.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot, representing 34% of the crop. The nose demands coaxing from the glass with introspective dark berry fruit, mineral, graphite and just a hint of cedar. The palate is classic Latour with tensile tannins in the driving seat and the fruit residing in the passenger. It has finely tuned acidity that lends it freshness and tension. There is superb minerality towards the finish but it retains that strictness and focus without blinking. If you love Latour, you will love the 2011.
WA 93-95 (4/2012): A blend of 84.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot, the 2011 Latour represents only 34% of the crop. It hit 13.1% natural alcohol. One of the vintage's most compelling wines, it possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet, open-knit personality with ripe tannin, superb intensity, good purity and harmony, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and lots of crushed rock, floral and black as well as blue fruit notes in addition to hints of ink and forest floor. This beautifully rich, savory Latour will be surprisingly drinkable in 4-5 years, and should age easily for two decades or more.
VM 91+ (7/2014): Inky purple. Closed nose hints at blackcurrant, flint, violet and cedar. On the palate, dark berry and flint flavors are complicated by graphite and cedar. A lovely, very pure, lighter-styled Latour, but the mounting tannins are big and brawny, and the long finish is mouthcoatingly dry. Another 2011 red that currently lacks the flesh to stand up to its tannic spine. Forget about it in the cellar for at least another five years. Ian d'Agata. |
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| Ch. Margaux |
1988 |
Margaux Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$300 |
2 |
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WS 95 (12/2013): This has both sinew and flesh, with taut dried red currant, blackberry and plum skin notes that are forced to expand outward as the core of black tea, charcoal, plum paste and dark humus fills in quickly behind them. The charcoal-tinged grip carries the finish, with more bass than treble at first, but there's perfume here as well. Seriously long and the most overlooked of the truly great vintages here.—Non-blind Château Margaux vertical (December 2013). Drink now through 2025.
MB [**[**]] (11/2000): Tasting at the chateau in April 1989, Paul Pontallier informed us that the vines, from July 1988 were under stress which slowed their maturity. The vat sample was opaque, with intense violet rim; fragrant with fruit and spicy new oak. It was bottled late August- early September 1990 and I next tasted it mid-October. Still very spicy but lovely. At Manfred Wagner's first vertical in 1997, the '88, a double magnum (which we drank in our 'light lunch' break) had what I call an 'Italianate' nose, still very spicy and oaky; fairly sweet, a big, fruity, tannic wine. The following July it was Penning-Rowsell's turn, this time alongside its peers: crisp fruit, developing a scent which reminded me of a wet retriever after a day on the moors (actually I don't shoot, but was brought up on the now notorious Saddleworth Moor in Yorkshire). Delicious on the palate, with an interesting texture. I happened to be at Margaux, with friends, at vintage time, September 1998, lunching at a long table with the pickers. However, our simple but hearty fare was craftily supplemented with bottles of the '88. Though unready, with loads of grip, it 'went down a treat'. Most recently, noted at Wagner's second Margaux vertical: still pretty deep; crisp and fragrant, its nose this time reminding me not of damp dogs but thoroughbred stables (I don't ride these days either; but you know what I mean). What did surprise me was that it was softer and more fragrant than I had expected, though lean and astringent after the '89. Nevertheless, a very good wine with considerable length, and future. Possibly 5-star when fully mature. Try 2010-2020.
JS 93 (1/2011): Mineral and blueberry skin and flowers on the nose. It's full-bodied with minerals and silky tannins. Dusty and very pretty. Refined finish. I remember this being harder but it's finally coming around.
WA 93 (10/2016): The 1988 Chateau Margaux is a wine that was always overshadowed by the succeeding pair of vintages and like many 1988s, appeared rather conservative and lacked flair. However, I was gobsmacked by the performance of this wine at 28 years of age. Deep and clean in color, the bouquet is quintessentially Chateau Margaux with blackberry, potpourri, cedar and violets. It has wonderful clarity. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh as a daisy on the entry with a killer line of acidity that offsets those vibrant black and red fruits. There is energy here, vivacity, as if this Château Margaux suddenly realized its true potential after all these years. While it does not possess the length of the 1989 or 1990, there is such pleasure bound into this wine that you care little about that. Maybe I underestimated this wine for many years or perhaps it is a simple case of a "late bloomer." While the 1988 might not belong in the top echelons of releases from this First Growth, it might be considered the undiscovered gem of that prosperous decade for the chateau. |
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2011 |
Margaux (6.0 L) ex-Negociant |
$4,500 |
1 |
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WS 94 (3/2014): This has a restrained core of steeped plum, blackberry and anise, studded with tobacco and roasted cedar notes. The structure is silky but persistent, with an almost-succulent feel through the finish, while warm bergamot, singed cedar, vanilla and sanguine hints define the finish. Discreet today, but shows the balance and precision to unfold slowly with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2030.
JS 94 (1/2014): Fabulous aromas of flowers with hints of strawberries and currants. Extremely aromatic. This is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a racy finish. It is very finely structured but chewy and austere. I like the tension to this. Try in 2018.
WA 93 (4/2014): The renowned Chateau Margaux's 2011 boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, sweet, supple, well-integrated tannins, medium body, and the elegance and nobility expected from a great first-growth. Although it is not as powerful or concentrated as the 2009 or 2010 (no 2011s are), it possesses finesse, elegance, purity and suppleness. The wine is surprisingly approachable already yet should keep for 15-20 years.
VM 91+ (7/2014): Deep ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, herbs and licorice. Spicy and taut, with dark fruit and herb flavors offering decent flesh and grip; seems to be shutting down. Finishes long and smooth: this really is a considerable step up from the Pavillon Rouge. I like this wine's tension but hope that it develops more sweetness of fruit and length with another five or six years in the cellar. Ian d'Agata. |
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| Ch. Petrus |
2001 |
Pomerol |
$2,600 |
1 |
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| WA 95 (6/2004): The 2001 Petrus (2,160 cases produced) exhibits more depth and richness than any other Pomerol I tasted. Its deep saturated ruby/plum/purple color is accompanied by a tight but promising bouquet of vanilla, cherry liqueur, melted licorice, black currants, and notions of truffles and earth. Rich, full-bodied, and surprisingly thick as well as intense, there is plenty of structure underlying the wealth of fruit and extract. Give it 3-6 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following two decades as it promises to be one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage, not to mention one of the most concentrated. |
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| | Bordeaux White |
| Ch. d' Yquem |
1988 |
Sauternes (375 ML) |
$225 |
1 |
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WA 99 (8/1993): Millionaires will have considerable fun comparing the evolution of the 1988 d'Yquem with the 1986. Both are super-rich, honeyed, botrytised wines. The 1988 exhibits a deeper color, as well as a more evolved, richer, and more complex bouquet. Aromas of melted butter, honeyed fruits, spicy nuts, and toasty new oak explode upward from the glass. The 1988 d'Yquem displays more richness and unctuosity than any young d'Yquem I have tasted. It should have 40-60 years of positive evolution, although one suspects that much of the production will be consumed within the next 4-5 years. If my instincts are correct, this is the most profound d'Yquem since the legendary 1959. It may not prove as timeless as the 1975, but I believe it to be even more concentrated. Anticipated maturity: 1998-2050. Last tasted, 7/93.
VM 96 (5/2018): The 1988 d'Yquem is almost identical to the bottle I tasted in 2016. This is almost Barsac-like in style on the nose with scents of barley sugar, complemented by marmalade and mandarin, fresh and vibrant with a palpable sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous texture but it is not, and has never been, as unctuous as either the 1989 or 1990. However, what the 1988 does possess is a surfeit of vitality and tension. There are layers of blood orange, quince and marmalade towards the finish that as the aromatics suggest, comes across as quite Barsac in style. Superb. Tasted at Château Batailley.
WS 94 (7/2014): Broad and soft, with creamed apricot, mango, date, honey, caramel and marzipan notes, all framed by toasted brioche and musk accents. The flattering finish lets orange curd and flan details glide through. A touch shy on tension, but shows lovely range. Drink now through 2030. 6,500 cases made. |
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1988 |
Sauternes |
$389 |
2 |
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WA 99 (8/1993): Millionaires will have considerable fun comparing the evolution of the 1988 d'Yquem with the 1986. Both are super-rich, honeyed, botrytised wines. The 1988 exhibits a deeper color, as well as a more evolved, richer, and more complex bouquet. Aromas of melted butter, honeyed fruits, spicy nuts, and toasty new oak explode upward from the glass. The 1988 d'Yquem displays more richness and unctuosity than any young d'Yquem I have tasted. It should have 40-60 years of positive evolution, although one suspects that much of the production will be consumed within the next 4-5 years. If my instincts are correct, this is the most profound d'Yquem since the legendary 1959. It may not prove as timeless as the 1975, but I believe it to be even more concentrated. Anticipated maturity: 1998-2050. Last tasted, 7/93.
VM 96 (5/2018): The 1988 d'Yquem is almost identical to the bottle I tasted in 2016. This is almost Barsac-like in style on the nose with scents of barley sugar, complemented by marmalade and mandarin, fresh and vibrant with a palpable sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous texture but it is not, and has never been, as unctuous as either the 1989 or 1990. However, what the 1988 does possess is a surfeit of vitality and tension. There are layers of blood orange, quince and marmalade towards the finish that as the aromatics suggest, comes across as quite Barsac in style. Superb. Tasted at Château Batailley.
WS 94 (7/2014): Broad and soft, with creamed apricot, mango, date, honey, caramel and marzipan notes, all framed by toasted brioche and musk accents. The flattering finish lets orange curd and flan details glide through. A touch shy on tension, but shows lovely range. Drink now through 2030. 6,500 cases made. |
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1990 |
Sauternes |
$390 |
1 |
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WA 99 (4/1999): 1990: An extraordinary effort, Yquem's 1990 is a rich and fabulously superb, sweet wine. This wine also possesses lots of elegance and finesse. The wine's medium gold color is accompanied by an exceptionally sweet nose of honeyed tropical fruits, peaches, coconut, and apricots. High quality, subtle toasty oak is well-integrated. The wine is massive on the palate, with layers of intensely ripe botrytis-tinged, exceptionally sweet fruit. Surprisingly well-integrated acidity, and a seamless, full-bodied power and richness have created a wine of remarkable harmony and purity. Certainly it is one of the richest Yquems I have ever tasted, with 50-100 years of potential longevity. An awesome Yquem! Anticipated maturity: 2003-2050+.
NM 96 (6/2011): Tasted at the Grand Cru Classe opening dinner at Haut-Brion. Still a glorious Yquem when you can find a good bottle, this one has a stunning bouquet with honey, candied orange peel and white flowers, extravagant and showy. The palate is viscous on the entry, very complex with that acidity perfectly in tandem with the mellifluous, pure, honeyed fruit. It just seems to expand in the mouth. Superb. Decadent.
WS 95 (8/2000): Truly superb. Yellow with a gold hue. Intense spice, honey and dried orange peel aromas.Full-bodied, very sweet and very alive. Vibrant Sauternes that goes on and on on the palate. Doesn't get much better than this. Beautiful now,but wait.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 18,750 cases made.
VM 94+ (8/1998): Full-blown aromas of caramel, toffee, honey, white chocolate and damp earth; slightly Tokaj-like. Hugely concentrated and layered in the mouth; extraordinary sweetness cut by harmonious acidity. As with the best vintages of Yquem, the finish goes on for a minute or more. Stains, and stuns, the palate. A huge wine, surprisingly extravagant on the nose (earlier bottles have been far more restrained) but completely unevolved and a bit musclebound on the palate. May ultimately merit a higher score. Stephen Tanzer.
MB [*****] (12/1998): Picking 28 September- 10 October. Bottles in 1994. The biggest crop since 1893. The first opportunity that I, and a group of international wine writers, had to taste the wine was just prior to its release in April 1997. It already had a rich golden colour. The next thing I noticed was a surprising touch of caramel on the nose, then on the finish, with a hint of what I now just refer to as noisette. Overall impressive, powerful, yet only 13% alcohol. Later that autumn,m at a Decanter tasting (blind) of 16 1990s, I confess I did not rate it as highly as some of the others. Nothing like a glimpse of the label! But a year later, the 122nd wine of Rodenstock's Yquem marathon tasting, sandwiched between the '83 and '01 at the closing dinner, it was sheer perfection. Shortly afterwards Anthony Barton served the '90 at a luncheon at Ch. Langoa and in December it featured as one of the Wine Spectator's 'top 10' wines of the year. An amalgam of my most recent notes: Limipid yellow-gold,; perfect richness and ripeness on the nose; 'classic'; very sweet, full, fleshy, velvety, richly flavoured, perfect balance. 'Perfect now, yet great future'. |
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1994 |
Sauternes |
$275 |
3 |
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| WS 87 (5/2000): A very good but not Outstanding Yquem. Yellow-gold color. Intense aromas of petrol, spice and honey, with dried apricot. Full-bodied, very sweet, with a green apple and honey character; petrol character comes through on the finish. Better with age. Best after 2005. |
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|
1999 |
Sauternes (375 ML) |
$175 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (4/2005): Space limitations preclude including tasting notes. |
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2013 |
Sauternes (375 ML) ex-Negociant |
$193.99 |
36 |
|
| |
WS 98 (1/2016): Lightly toasted marshmallow and macadamia nut aromas lead the way, followed by incredibly juicy mirabelle plum, green fig, and glazed pear and peach flavors. As big as this is, there are still plenty of honeysuckle, quinine and chamomile notes kicking the finish into yet another gear. This has purity and length to burn, which it will for a couple of generations. Best from 2020 through 2050. 6,665 cases made.
JS 98 (2/2016): Bright aromas of sliced mango, papaya, botrytis, and lemon follow through to a full body, medium sweet and phenolic palate that gives the wine structure and beauty. Electric acidity and freshness yet an impressive energy and length. A severe selection was made. 40% of the production was destined to the grand vin. About 80,000 bottles made. This is 70% semillion and 30% sauvignon. Better in 2018.
NM 95-97 (4/2014): Firstly, you notice the color, which is a touch deeper than recent vintages at this stage. The bouquet is quite honeyed and rich for Yquem at this early juncture, with subtle scents of peach skin, white flowers, and a puff of chalk and frangipane. The palate is viscous on the entry, all about the texture at first, coating the mouth with luscious botrytized fruit. There are touches of Seville orange marmalade, fresh apricot, a hint of spice and passion fruit. This is imbued with impressive depth and weight, perhaps an Yquem that is determined to make an impression after last year-s absence. It might not possess the finesse of a top flight Yquem, but it has immense power and persistency.
VM 94-96 (4/2014): The 2013 d'Yquem is rich, honeyed and voluptuous in the glass, but never excessively heavy. Crème brulee, candied lemon, apricot jam, orange marmalade, sweet spices and almond paste meld together in a Sauternes built on class and finesse What a gorgeous wine this is. Antonio Galloni. |
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| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Haut-Brion |
2013 |
Pessac Leognan Scuffed Label |
$350 |
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2013 |
Pessac Leognan Lightly Scuffed Label |
$365 |
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| Ch. Lafite Rothschild |
1997 |
Pauillac |
$650 |
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1998 |
Pauillac |
$795 |
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1998 |
Pauillac Thank you note written on Bottle |
$795 |
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| Ch. Latour |
2004 |
Pauillac |
$550 |
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| Ch. Mouton-Rothschild |
1995 |
Pauillac |
$565 |
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1993 |
Pauillac (USA Label) |
$425 |
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| | Bordeaux White |
| Ch. d' Yquem |
2001 |
Sauternes (375 ML) |
$309 |
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