January 13, 2024 - Chiefs beat the Dolphins. So great wine!
October 12, 2023 - This leans quite traditional...even in such a ripe vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon shows prominently, even though, apparently, only 30 percent of the blend, accentuated by fleshy and velvety Merlot. Judicious oak treatment, low alcohol, quality finish. 91-92.
June 29, 2023 - Dark red. Well structured red. Red fruit, granite and graphite, licorice, savoury touch, wood finish. Classic dry tannins, medium short finish. Great with spicy food.
April 9, 2023 - Three 2018 Left Bank Wines: Tasted over a long afternoon and evening, alongside the same vintage d'Issan.
This traditionally styled, distinctively Left Bank, exceptionally well balanced, 13 abv offering, tore gaping holes in the notion that Classed Growth offerings represent higher quality by default.
Blackcurrant, pyrazines, graphite, savory herbs, and mineral ores show prominently on the bouquet and palate. Medium plus acid, medium tannin, integrating oak. Wines of the Left Bank earth, such as this, particularly from such a ripe vintage, at once satisfy, and create hope that the ancient ways will not be forgotten by all.
I scored this and the d'Issan 92 points, for very different reasons. In QPR, however, the Margaux was never in the race. Always rewarding to find such Old School gems.
February 25, 2023 - Strikingly impressive for such a warm vintage, particularly at 13 abv. It features better sense of place and rusticity than several 2018 Classed Growths. Likely to evolve and improve over the next several years. 91-92.
February 17, 2023 - Light TCA.
September 21, 2022 - Over two days. Consistent with previous note. Very young, but it comes to life after several hours of air. Strong Left Bank markers, harmonious assemblage, judicious oak treatment, 13 abv, excellent finish. Tasted alongside the 2015 La Dame de Montrose, which was marginally better, for about double the retail price.
August 30, 2022 - Opened, tasted (tight!), returned to bottle, and consumed two evenings later at cool room temp. Old-school indeed, and not very giving at this point, even with two days after air exposure. Lean, dark fruit taking a backseat to earthy, dusty, slightly smoky notes similar to those Motz described in his 7/20/2022 notes. Firm structure - both acidity and tannins.
I do generally like the style, but I'd hoped for this to open up and become a little more gregarious, and this bottle never really did.
July 20, 2022 - A special offering! Tremendous expression of place. Old School to its core. Blackcurrant, peppers, graphite, light roast coffee beans, lit cigar, molasses, black earth, discarded, creosote soaked railroad tie, and basement funk. Serious acid and tannic grip. Perfect use of oak. Very low, 13 abv, particularly by vintage standards. Drank this the day after a same vintage Gloria (St. Julien). This was the more appealing wine.