May 3, 2024 - This was a very good old school left-bank adventure. Gave it 3 hours of slow ox - it opens up slowly and stays at the fresh side. Dark fruits, tobacco, forest floor...everything you would like to smell and taste. Enough structure to last for many years but at its peak now! No Wow-effect but a pretty good wine. For me the 1989 is slightly ahead...93+
April 6, 2024 - This bottle followed a rich fruit forward CA cab and this first seemed a bit too restrained and retiring. In time it was clear the first bottle was clouding the perceptions of the wine. We discovered this was a good expression of a classic Bordeaux. The fruits were blended with light smoke, vanilla and minerals. Tannins were completely tamed and smooth.
April 1, 2024 - I can claim no expertise in scoring here, but I've had enough aged Bordeaux to know that this is a good one. The cork disintegrated on the way out, but the wine was untarnished. 1 hr decant. Lovely floral notes on the nose, and all of the classic tertiary notes that one would look for in an old Bordeaux, while still retaining a some fruity notes. Soft and delicate with age, but still showing solid tannic structure and power after 34 years. Only missing the length of aromatic finish of higher end wines. Excellent value for aged Bordeaux. Highly recommended.
January 6, 2024 - Bob's cellar. Pnp, pale red, bricking but still looks really good. Violets, loganberries, slight aged forest floor funk nose. Still warm and lively, nicely tinged with age. Lovely peppery tannins open the batting, very in control. Cork in absolutely perfect condition. Will try again a few hours.
Wine is still a good rich red and solid in the glass. Aromas are cassis, kirsch, understated forest floor, tobacco tones also swirl around the glass. This is powerful and excellent. Tasting shows its strength after all these years. It's a mass of dense fruit, black cherry, cassis and damsons, underpinned by some pencil lead, tannin, tobacco and cedar. Classic 90's aged St Julien. Absolutely rock solid and superb.
December 27, 2023 - A deep ruby coloring blocking virtually all light. Deep flavorful fruit with cherry, apricot and current alongside light smoke and vanilla. Very ready to drink now not in decline but no reason to delay.
December 15, 2023 - This bottle was acquired on release and stored in good conditions, although not climate controlled. I used an Ah-so to pull the cork. The cork was very fragile and broke up in the bottle even though good care was to remove it. The wine was thoroughly decanted and allow to sit about four hours before serving. There was a lot of sediment. The wine was in good shape with dark color, and good aroma and taste. The fruit had matured but not disappeared. It was a pleasure to drink and fun to consider that it was 33 years old. It was served alongside of a 2000 Beychevelle. This bottle compared nicely but was a bit more austere. The cork situation concerns me about holding this vintage longer.
October 31, 2023 - PNP. Was showing off different styles of wine to a friend. 2010 Uccellierra Brunello Riserva, 1990 Lagrange St. Julien. 2018 Cayuse En Chamberlin. Quite an eclectic group! The Lagrange was the star, followed by the Uccellierra, Cayuse was dissappointing. The nose was what one would expect from an aged Bdx - barnyard funk. This bottle is singing. Beautiful, integrated tanins that are still noticeable. Primary black fruits - plums and blackberries. Secondary flavors of wood and ash. Long finish. Great, great example of a 1990 st. Julien.
October 15, 2023 - Formidable bouteille !!!! 70% CS,25% MER ET 5% PV.Fabuleuse complexité du bouquet qui virevolte entre cèdre,fruits noirs (cassis,sureau),réglisse,mine de crayon,menthol.L'intensité est bien présente également.La bouche confirme le diagnostic:nous sommes dans un vrai moment de dégustation:c'est soyeux,velouté,élégant sur une ossature moyenne où l'équilibre est parfait entre acidité,alcool et tanins.Belle longueur finale.Une appellation très classieuse où les crus se battent pour être et rester dans le top.Superbe échantillon !!!!
August 24, 2023 - This is the third bottle I have purchased from three different sources. They have consistently been spectacular. La Grange has always been a solid value but this particular vintage is up there with the best quality first and second growth wines… in comparison Perhaps it lacks a bit of power, but it provides more finesse.
It has the funk and mouth feel of a right Bank wine, but the perfume and subtle sweet notes like a St Julien. don’t pass this one up if you see it.
July 28, 2023 - Consumed at Flemmings, San Diego. Gave the Sommelier a sip- it was so good he waived their corkage fee. Perfect accompaniment to a Medium Rare Filet and New York Steak. Surprisingly this wine shows no signs of age, still has a bit of Tannin to brag about. I agree with the preceding comments so nothing further is needed, Should live for another 5-10 years. Yummy, Yummy I still have another 5 bottles..Lucky me.