While clearly having the grassiness and bright gooseberries of the aromatic Sauvignon Blanc and a frontal palate attack, it was subtle and maintained an elegance as compared to the big Marlborough intensity. Has the green apples and lemon. Fairly refreshing

Seems like the heightened acidity made this a more rounded and subtle Sauvignon Blanc, and over the peachy fruitiness, I did get some light creaminess, as well as the fresh minerals and wet stones. Enjoyable

A really unique wine with nose of damp hay and barnyard, even somewhat sweaty. Has that lemony bready and apricot feel on the palate, somewhat like Fino sherry. However it was the intense hit of a wet fish market on the backpalate and finish that some might find unpleasant...

A unique wine of the Pineau d’Aunis varietal, this gave a startling entry with a firm smoky savoury punch on the nose and palate, as if having freshly griddled bacon, and with time in the glass, the smoke dissipates to reveal some grassiness and sweet black fruits and even some raisins. Interesting one...

Intense and fleshy with lots of blackberries and even somewhat raisinny. Quite interesting to see such level of ripeness in a commonly-thought colder vintage, but it’s pretty nice and pleasant

Nice softness and fleshiness, yet at the same time intense, with blackberry, cassis, liquorice and grass. Tannins still mostly present to provide some structure, but it’s mostly a nice elegance. This bottle is interestingly showing up far better than a similar one I had a a pretty recent tasting...

Mostly greenish wood and coffee, as well as some redcurrants and sour cherries

Started somewhat closed and woody savoury, but later started to show green herbs and blackberries with a bit of breathing. Has a classic Left Bank black spices character and paprika on the palate. A fair length. Great!

A heightened intensity and concentration, while still having a fairly firm tannic structure. Started with cloves, pepper, and grass, the quickly got to some blackberry and cherry, and also stewed meats. Fruits persisted in the fairly long finish. Great!

Classic spicy paprika punch and a good blackberry fruit concentration, as well as the herbal grassy hue. Nice!

A very strong peppery hit up front, and reveals a concentrated mid-palate of blackberry, fern, and cassis. Would call this a pretty good and classic St Estephe, but not more than that. Apparently, that wine label makes it a firm hit with the hopelessly romantic