That is an excellent tasting note, perfectly balanced.

I'm glad to hear the tannins are not too gritty. Perhaps the old St. Estephe rugged nature has been moderated. I expect Tom to pop a bottle immediately and post a tasting note on the evolution from the rustic into the more current, fleshy style. While I wait I will por another glass. And you, JW, co...

I forgot to give a strong second to David's post on the 1982s. It seems that there are still experienced claret lovers who are skeptical that current ripe vintages will yield similar results in time as the 82s. It will indeed take time to play out but should provide a lot of hedonistic and intellect...

Keep collecting those magnums. I would love to come to your hospice tasting if invited.

Your notes on the 95 L'Evangile has me searching online to find a few bottles. The current stage of maturity you describe makes me wish I had
a full case to enjoy over the next several years.

Hello Tom, you have given me another reason to buy another bottle of claret. Maybe an 05 or even 06 or 08 of LR. My thoughts are simply that the terroir of Bordeaux in general gives structure to the riper fruit that makes the wines more appealing in their youth. Even shifts in grape mix, new ownersh...

1995 Château Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (6/23/2012) Medium purple color(by candlelight but pretty), dark berry fruits prominent with toasty oak on nose. An almost perfect example of a structured, mature St. Estephe. Rich fruit shows through the typical hard backbone that is...

My generalization about the 83 vintage stands corrected. I enjoyed many good wines from this year in the late 90s but I can't remember having
an 83 since. The ageing ability of great claret should not really amaze me anymore but it still does.

Another example of a Malescot that is as interesting as it is good-even from a very average vintage. It will continue to be on my buy list.

I tasted the 2000 on March 5, 2011 at a d' Issan tasting. Brief notes said berried nose, evolved and balanced but robust nature suggests at least 5 to 10 more years in cellar. I gave it 4 stars plus with an eventual 5. High 90's I guess. 70%CS/30%Merlot. A definite buy along with 04 and 05. The 2003...

1989 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (6/15/2012) Rich nose of currants and integrated oak with black fruits. A dense plummy palate, a tad tart with mouthfilling earthy flavors. Great texture and developing flavors of chocolate and coffee. The hint of tartness sta...

A magnificent tasting and great notes. Are you sure the 1982 was only 97 points? And the Mesnil would have been a study in itself at this age.

Decanter's en primeur team called the right bank 2011 vintage complicated for producers with quality inconsistent. More classic and structured with alcohol readings around 13% and a good harvest of Cab. Franc helping the overall mix. They give many wines 4 stars with 5 going to C.B. and Aus. Lafleur...

1982 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (6/6/2012) Deep off purple with bright garnet rim. Decanted about 30 minutes before consuming. An immediate nostril filling,rich full nose of dried plums, black currants and cedar and every other typical adjective that has be...

I went to a Lagrange tasting in Charleston a year ago-we tasted about 8 wines. The '05 was my highest score at 93. My brief notes say dark plum
color, rich flavors and texture showing a tad of finesse. It is 46%CS, 45Mer, 9PV. Buy.

I posted a tasting note in April on the 1996 Malescot as I found the flavors, as well as the overall style unique and charming. After reading your notes on the '61 I will make it a point to buy different vintages if I can find them: the older the better of course and try them now. I have passed by t...

1998 Château Coufran - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (5/26/2012) Red brick body with garnet rim. Nose of dried plums, currants, light chocolate and mint. Medium weight that gains in texture. A spicy minerality with rich black and red fruits supported by sturdy somewhat gravelly tannins. The w...

Just getting around to reading some of the past notes since I joined. Very good job. The commentary in one's notes is just as important
as one's sensory descriptions. The knowledge of the contributors to this site makes it all great. Keep going.

The 08 Abruzzo evokes memories of the region and local cuisine. I can see it with food and casual sipping on the deck. I like this wine for
the nature you describe and it can be perfect for the right occasion.

2008 Château de Lescours - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (5/18/2012) Bright ruby red color, nose of sweet plummy fruit and flowers. A sleek elegant style on palate with old time finesse. This is consistent with the stated house style, a chateau with some history although not a...

I have never read a more disgusting account of blatant hedonism and gluttony. I just wish I had been there.

Good follow-up C2.Thanks for the info. And Chasse too.

I will be in Burgundy late November for Trois Glorieuses. After reading your notes I am ready to leave now.

A great lineup of wines and good notes-descriptive and concise. Keep them coming. When I'm not tasting at least I can read about it.

I did my job. I just posted 2 notes. For now... Jmccready

2009 Domaine Servin Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (5/11/2012) Heady nose of tropical fruits,lime and earth. Very rich on the palate with a sweet ripe flavor immediately cleansed by racy acidity. This is a very good vintage for white burgundy and whi...

Just got home from the pharmacy at 8pm and was determined to start tasting/drinking wine Saturday late afternoon. But your Burgundy post changed my thinking-hence I am working on a red myself. You are among the greatest of men, and just think how much more fun you have had on the rack than in a clos...

Your compulsive disorder makes for one helluva forum.

I tasted the 2000 Comtes several months ago and it was splendid, the best I could remember. The next day we had the Winston and it was the best Churchill I have had(it was the ''96). I will have to hunt down the 2002 if you say it's the best because the 2000 was close to perfection. Can someone desc...

Great, absolutely great! I wish you had a few more 47's (my birth year) just so I could read the notes. Jmccready

1996 Château Blason D'Issan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (4/30/2012) Beautiful mature red/amber color. A somewhat delicate nose of dried black cherries and currants that evolves after a while with a pleasant perfumey nuance. Supple and wonderful finesse, a lighter syle that is worhty of its s...

I think I have a thing for Margaux; I have both the d'Issan and the Giscours, love them both, and think they'll only get better. But the problem with reading these types of notes is it makes me want to go out and buy more. By chance has anyone tried the 09 d'Issan? I wish I had more of both of thes...

1996 Château Malescot St. Exupéry - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (4/18/2012) Bright cherry red brick color with browning rim. Dried red currant fruit aroma with hints of forest floor and earth. Medium weight on palate, hints of cherries-a wine of finesse, elegance and restraint. The tannins are...