2/11/2024 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Purchased from Winebid a few years ago. Fill was very good still, well into the neck. Label was worn from damp cellar presumably. Cork came out without any issue. To my shock, the wine was a beautiful ruby red, fully intact, really no bricking, wonderful earthy tones of a fully mature Bordeaux. Tasted alongside the 2002. Nothing makes me happier than when these older bottles hit.

12/2/2023 - STLMIKE wrote:

This is absolutely humming right now. Patience pays off. All these Lede’s I’ve had at about 10-12 years are phenomenal.

11/19/2022 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

This 2000 vintage is absolutely eternal. Still deep purple. No bricking whatsoever and very little sediment in the bottle. I’m shocked at the quality given its modest cost at release.

6/18/2022 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

From 750. Fabulous expression of botyris. Many decades left but tonight was an ideal night to enjoy with friends! Bravo.

2/9/2022 - STLMIKE wrote:

gorgeous bottle. Very impressed - my first experience with this label. Bought in 2016 on Winebid and sat in my cellar until now. Unfortunately haven’t seen many (if any) available in the US since. Super low production (125 cases/yr) so seems it’s not imported to the US. Hoping to see some pop up on Winebid again!

11/12/2021 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

beautiful right bank gravel notes, fruit still there but slowly fading into the earthy tones. Gorgeous nose. Color was still very vibrant for 25 years, just a tinge of bricking. Perfect time to drink if you have em. Bought 2 of these on Winebid in 2015 - had one in maybe ~2017 and was nice then but cork crumbled at a restaurant…. was prepared for disappointment tonight but pleasantly surprised. Just love me some well aged Bordeaux, bravo.

9/18/2021 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Very much alive and a joy to drink. Feels on a long plateau. Mine was procured by Lionel Dufour. Bought four of these awhile back (for a song) and this is second one I’ve had. maybe 3 years since last one and no noticeable age since then. crimson color showing some age, no noticeable flaws, well balanced. Nice to drink an enjoyable 25 year old burg with steak dinner that didn’t require a second mortgage!

8/16/2021 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

This was really solid. The Casavechia (sp?) provides a little zing when it hits the tongue. Surprisingly, this was in prime drinking condition showing little aging. After enjoying a glass, I kept it in the fridge for 3 days and it was still very good. Will keep an eye out to buy again.

12/31/2020 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

This was really hitting its stride. Enjoyed with some delicious Italian takeout for NYE. Still a baby with plenty more years ahead and potential for further improvement. Unfortunately my last bottle and haven’t seen any of this for sale since i bought it. Keeping my eyes peeled.

12/19/2020 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Ran through vinturi into decanter. nice solid balanced cab, tannins smoothed out, medium finish. got a case at auction, very discounted from the winery price. one bottle out of maybe 3-4 I’ve opened was partially oxidized (it happens). the rest seem be at plateau with at least 3-5 years left, if not more, however I don’t see it substantially improving. Glad I have several more as this makes a good stand-in cab when I don’t want to open the $$$ stuff.

3/19/2020 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Very nice find from Garagiste! At 15+ years of age this was still firmly on its plateau. Rare to find a modestly priced aged wine showing this well with. Wish I’d bought more.l!

11/21/2019 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Perfectly resolved tannins, smooth, and color remains a beautiful deep purple, firmly on the drinking plateau. In a perfect spot but should continue to hold for at least another 5 years if not more.

9/1/2019 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

75% cab/25% merlot. Bought a case last year based on well regarded vintage and <$10/bottle. Wanted a cheap "weeknight" bordeaux for when I didn't want to pop a nice bottle. Paired nicely with homemade veal chop. Still very firm tannins and but has softened considerably since a year ago when it was still rather astringent. Should continue to flesh out over next 5 years or so. Not a blockbuster, but punches the QPR ticket with room to evolve.

7/27/2019 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

great wine. shockingly young considering the more than 20 years and less than heralded vintage. Decanted at dinner while we enjoyed some cocktails 0 then enjoyed slowly with dinner with a filetto mignon and pasta amatiriciana. Could have been even better with a 3 or 4 hour decant. I believe this is the 3rd bottle I have had since acquiring this on winebid a few years ago and all have been a grand slam. One left. Will hold a few more years if I can help myself. Bravo to the winemakers at Palazzo. Could probably last another decade!

12/16/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Second time I have had this wine and it is delightful. A few more bottles left and interested to see how this develops over time. Seems to have many good years ahead.

9/24/2018 - STLMIKE wrote:

Very fresh and delightful pinot. I thought there was plenty of time left unlike previous reviewer. Have 2 left, will drink next one in 1-2 years.

7/1/2018 - STLMIKE wrote:

Lacking character, struck me as a simple bourgogne level wine. Not unpleasant but was hoping for a bit more.

7/1/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Didnt take extwnisve notes but very nice, plenty of time left. If I had another I'd wait 3-5 years or more. Room for further development.

8/16/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Bought 4 years ago at auction and while it a had a solid fill, I was a little skeptical. Finally busted it our for my birthday dinner........Hit all the right notes and in perfect harmony, well integrated, still showing adequate structure. A beautiful crimson with no browning tones.
Absolute joy to drink. Gives me faith in some other old bottles I've picked up!

6/29/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

very nicely integrated, showing some complexity and secondary characteristics, and a medium to long finish. firmly coasting on its plateau. Great time to pop one of these - at least a few more good years ahead. I'm intrigued to try some other vintages.

6/16/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

fresh, like lifting and handful of earth and gravel to my nose on a crisp spring day. this is the outcome you hope for when aging middle range bordeaux. I'd grab a few more if I could go back in time but seems a little hard to locate these days, at least in the US. I've got a couple of the 2005 Sanctus Bienfaisance in the cellar for future consumption so excited to see how that compares at some point (whenever the 2005s are finally ready!). As another commenter mentioned, my bottle also seemed to lose nuances on day 2 so I suggest you plan to consume on night 1. Was still good but lost freshness and delineation from night 1.

5/25/2018 - STLMIKE wrote:

Dusty old left bank Bordeaux, nice integrated tannins and very much intact with almost 20 years of age. An enjoyable albeit not remarkable bottle. Should have a few more good years left but no reason to wait.

3/18/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

This was nice classic left bank, plenty of life left. A decant definitely helped this open up and then it didn't last long with the ribeye steak at our Sunday family dinner.

3/13/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

enjoyable, well-balanced, integrated, and clean, plenty of time left in this bottle. Never going to be a blockbuster but a very well and pleasurable bottle while trying to keep hands off the longer term vintages like 2005

3/8/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

This was significantly better than another consumed a year or so ago (I think previous one may have been flawed in retrospect). This was lively, crisp, and young in appearance, dark ruby red with vibrant sweet fruits. layered, silky mouthfeel with modest complexity and medium finish. Had an impression that it was staunchly riding its peak. Still plenty of life but not likely to significantly improve. Drink up!

2/22/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Didn't take formal notes but this was really outstanding. Wish I had more.

2/19/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

I used a strainer which collected a large amount of very fine sediment. Decanted and returned to cleaned bottle and tasted over 4 nights - stored under vacuuvin. This was best on day 4 and could have made it at least to day 5. Can tell this was monolithic early on as the tannin are only beginning to soften. Integrated and well balanced at this point with nice fruit albeit an enjoyable but medium finish. Overall this wine is of high quality. One more bottle left and will try to wait another couple years.

2/1/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Was a little skittish based on previous review and the generally variable '03 vintage, however, this was a nice bottle. Well integrated and fairly well balanced at this time. Paired well with some homemade carbonara with vegetables. I would lean towards drinking sooner rather than later simply because the structure feels likely to outlive the fruits.

1/28/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Drank over two nights - I gave this some more time to decant than previous bottles and it paid off handsomely; really opened up, especially on night 2. Earthy, gravelly tones with still vibrant fruits shining through. moderate complexity, medium finish. This is well made, would buy more if I can find it. Still a good 5 years on this at least and may not have peaked yet.

1/27/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour, should have decanted 2-3 hours at least. Started off closed but opened up nicely over a few hours. Classic right bank profile. Definitely some room to soften, integrate, and improve over the next 5-10 years.

1/11/2018 - STLMIKE wrote:

Bottle was over the hill, brown, raisin, stewed sweetness. I had another bottle of this months back that was in much better shape (forgot to take notes). Still have 1 left - will see if that one survived.

1/5/2018 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Cork crumbled immediately and had to use the strainer, which had me concerned.....but the juice was perfectly intact! Beautiful well-integrated dark fruits - plum, blueberry, pomegranite, Sweet but not overly so. Extremely well balanced and integrated, soft flowing with a plush viscous and alluring texture. Paired perfectly with short ribs over garlic mashers. I'd suggest drinking sooner simply because of the questionable corks however this seems to be firmly on a plateau.

12/30/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

This was pretty solid. Nice typical left bank, dark dusty fruits, graphite, forest floor. Smooth, velvety texture and dark ruby color. Short/medium but satisfying finish. Not tremendous complexity. A good excuse to sample the vintage on the cheap while waiting for other bottlings to mature. Would buy again.

12/22/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Previous commenter had me spooked (they must have had a flawed bottle), ....blew away my expectations. Beautiful young ruby color, fresh, no sediment or bricking, nicely balanced with integrated tannins. Bright fruits with a hint of citrus and clove, ample complexity and long finish. In a great spot right now. Don't expect improvement but there are at least a few good years left on this plateau. One bottle left but wish Id bought more!

11/21/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Beautiful crimson red with a tinge of bricking, early softening of tannins with plenty of remaining structure. Initial dark berries transition to smoke, leather, charcoal and dust. Well balanced, nice secondary complexity, and room yet for further development. This was a step above an enjoyable 2002 vintage of this chateau that I enjoyed earlier this year. Plenty of time left on this but in a good place now.

11/17/2017 - STLMIKE wrote:

A fun experiment to try this once sleepy winemaker, but did not live up to expectations. Fruits dissipating and was lacking in structure. I'd drink up on these.

11/17/2017 - STLMIKE wrote:

No formal notes taken but this was a very good bottle. Would buy again. Plenty of time left

11/10/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Impressive wine, very surprised by vibrancy of the fruits given 20 years of age. Nice secondary complexity and a long finish. balanced and integrated. This should continue to drink well for a few more years but no reason to wait.

9/22/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

In a nice spot - opened up over a couple hours. Nice dark cherry, dusty leather and smoke. This was a couple ticks above the 1998 and 2000 vintages that I've also tasted recently. On a plateau, not expecting further development. I've got 2 more bottles I'll opt to drink in the next couple years

9/3/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

This packed a punch above its price point. Felt like the aging had done it well, I'd like to try a younger bottle for comparison. Will buy again.

8/3/2017 - STLMIKE wrote:

This was still in decent shape but probably in a graceful decline. Some bricking and fruits starting to fade. Was enjoyed with some pizza and pasta. I'd drink up sooner than later.

8/4/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Still in good shape and plenty of backbone left. Opened up nicely over the course of dinner. I'll give this a couple hour decant for the next bottle.

6/17/2017 - STLMIKE wrote:

This bottle was fabulous. Timing seemed perfect - staunchly on its plateau. Opened up nicely over dinner at The Crossing. I did not sense the volatile acidity the previous reviewer mentioned at all. Just pure deliciousness. If I had any more I'd lean toward drinking over the next few years.

1/10/2017 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Purchased a couple bottles of this after really enjoying the 2003. While this wasn't quite on par with the 2003, it was still very enjoyable. Still very much alive and ready to drink. Probably a few good years left but no reason to wait.

12/30/2016 - STLMIKE wrote:

Really solid Cab - enjoyed over 3 nights and held up considerably well. Tannins nicely smoothed out. Actually showed a little more age in the glass than a 1995 Campora I recently consumed. Still a couple years left on the plateau but time to taste one if you are sitting on them. Looking forward to trying the 1996 as well which I also picked up some of.

12/24/2016 - STLMIKE wrote:

Really impresse!. After polishing off a delicious 2006 Cliff Lede Stags Leap with the fam, wanted to keep the Napa theme. Expected a drop off after a delicious Lede Stags but thie Atticus held its own at a fraction of the cost! A solid Napa Cab all around, nice refined soft tannins, nice finish, solidly on its plateau. I've got another of this vintage and a 2007 left in the cellar. Plenty of time left on this if stored well.

12/21/2016 - STLMIKE wrote:

a bit surprised no reviews on this vintage and 0 bottles in CT storage! 1st of 3 I recently acquired. Enjoyed over 3 nights. Very much intact - beautiful deep purple, not showing its age. Fruits a bit muted, subdued. Finish medium. Seems well made but not quite knock your socks off material. I'd like to try some of the more recent vintages as I understand the facilities were updated sometime in early 2000s. No rush to finish my remaining bottles, this has at least 3-5 years of good drinking left.

12/7/2016 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Another winebid flyer turns into a gem. popped and poured - rather shocked at what little age this showed. enjoyed over 3 nights and was very youthful and even a little closed - some modest complexity but a short to medium finish. Started to open up more on day 3. My understanding is that this is 100% cabernet which is rather uncommon in Italian/French wines. 7 more bottles of this to enjoy - I honestly - if all of the bottles are in this good of shape, feel there is plenty of time ahead for this wine and room for improvement. Going to give the next one a nice long decant on opening.

9/24/2016 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Nice enjoyable merlot, however a little flabby and round. Well intact, however, seemed like it was in a slow decline. I have another bottle and will look to drink in the near term.

9/24/2016 - STLMIKE Likes this wine:

Poured from a magnum, moderate sediment. Drank over two days and remained fully intact. Smoky, dusty, leathery, classic right bank claret, fruits beginning to recede. Overall very impressed. Seems to be on a nice plateau - should be fine for drinking over the next 3-5 years but not likely to improve so no reason to wait.