Bordeaux night: The complete opposite of the Beychevelle, but equally lovable. GPL to me represents the archetypal workhorse Bordeaux, and in good vintages they can possess serious depth as was the case here. Not as silky as the Beychevelle alongside but much more structure and tension holding the wine together.
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A mature classic nose. Cassis, some saddle leather, bricks, bell pepper and roses. At this point it's fully mature and in the zone for me. There aren't any particular aspects of this wine that stand out; rather everything is in concert with a pretty seamless sense of clarity and focus that is laudable. A lovely mix of mature fruit, savory and soil. Everything is in harmony here. It's not a blockbuster, but it's at its apogee and offering a ton of contemplative pleasure. Medium long finish with a little '95 austerity that I kind of dig. Drink up. It's delicious right now.
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A friend brought this to dinner tonight. Wow!! A great example of a Bordeaux. The fruit was fantastic. The texture divine. The finish was fantastic. Many years left in this vintage. I think the 2023 end of drinkability is wrong. I would say 2033. I really really really enjoyed this wine tonight. Thanks to Ed for bringing it!!
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Couldn't quite compete with the best wines tonight and severely outshone by the '95 Beychevelle drunk alongside. Still, this was lovely in a lighter style with complex notes of tobacco and smoky gravel.
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No detailed notes during dinner, Deep tawny with pale rim. Black current and cherry fruit with cedar notes on the palate. Some tannins still present. Very good finish.
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Decanted 2 hours prior to drinking. Deep, virtually opaque garnet-red color. Intense and moderately complex nose of cedar, tobacco, red clay, red fruits, Asian spices, and hot metal. Very full and slightly tannic on the palate though the tannins were quite ripe and fine, giving the wine a very nice palate impression. The palate, though, was not quite as complex as the nose and the finish was a tad short and drying. I have had better and poorer examples of this wine over the years, all from the same case and stored in my cellar since release.
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This has really settled down and finally is in its prime drinking window. Blackcurrent, plum, and forest floor notes are prominent with some floral hints of violet appearing. The palate is robust with the tannic backbone typical of 1995 left bankers. However, the tannin has integrated with everything well balanced. The finish is still a little light, but in harmony and pushing 30 seconds. I would hope more time will address this. This should keep going for the next 3 decades. An hour or two in the decanter is perfectly sufficient.
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Decanted & tasted within 1 hour. Deep purple with mahogany edge. Initially restrained but developing a floral, spicy aroma with blackcurrant, cherry and smoke and earth on the palate. Long finish of softening tannin and kept giving over 4 hours. Not quite the concentration of the greatest years, but very good. On this showing, should hold its form for a while and maybe even improve a bit.
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Old Guys Lunch (The Minikahda Club, Mpls): Very dark red/purple. This had been decanted and slow ox'd for several hours. Drank a glass over 45 minutes. Well the nose on this is totally rocking, there's an immense perfume of leather, cassis, violets and wood spices with an earthy back drop. The palate is like many '95's and more about the structure and back bone, cassis, hints of blueberry, oak spice, tobacco, and more rustic. Full bodied, the tannins have some edge, and this comes off darn well, but oh my if it lived up to that nose. The nose is a 96, the palate 92 to 93, all together it's 93+pts, maybe it stretches to 94pts.
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Tom's btl at our recent "Old Guys" lunch. CV,LS,TS,JV, SP + guest (he's everywhere) scribe KB. Fantastic snowy afternoon at Leo's cozy Club! This showed up in a decanter & beautifully ready to go. The nose was one of the biggest I've ever encountered. Awash in a captivating floral perfume. Kevin, thought violets. Amazing aromas in my Reidel Burg glass and the wine's most intriguing aspect. The palate showed the slight leanness often found in the '95 vintage but still was incredibly elegant and enjoyable. Nice fruit & richness w/o the flesh of a riper vintage. I loved this wine and believe even though it was our last wine of the day, all was gone. Most times, you don't want your btl to be last in the lineup as a unless its amazing like this GPL, it won't get the attention you hope for. This did! Thanks Tom!
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Nose: hoisin sauce, leather, forrest floor Notes: started drinking after opening for one hour, at this stage its not quite ready yet as the nose is still dominated by excessive alcohol. While some signs of secondary notes are coming out I couldn't feel much fruit in the wine which makes this a little hard to swallow. Unfortunately I'm unable to say much positive things about this wine. In my mind GPL would make a decent fifth growth wine, usually quite straightforward and not that complicated, nevertheless I do not think they can be considered in the so called super second bracket as they are just not quite there yet. I maintain my judgement on them and feel that at their current price point there are much better alternatives. Although this wine doesn't feel old at all but I doubt if further aging can give much improvements to the wine. Rating: 86 Drink: now +
This was the follow up to a 1976 Ducru-Beaucaillou, which was a major disappointment. This GPL displayed richness and elegance. Medium to full-bodied, ripe cassis, and earth scented with grippy yet integrated tannins….wonderful texture and finish. Drinking beautifully.
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Classic left bank bouquet, very promising. The palate is generous, filled with cedar, graphite, raspberries, pencil shavings and currant, all makings of an excellent Pauillac. Good fresh acidity. Tannins are present but the ample fruit prevents this from being one the tannic and difficult 1995 left banks for the first couple of hours in a carafe, after that tannin is accentuated and begins to override fruit. This was 92 points for the first two hours, after that very 1995 left bank. If I had another bottle, I would decant the wine into a bottle to postpone the negative effect of aeration.
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Remarkable for its age. Bitter/sweet dark cherries, liquorice and violets dominate the flavours. This is followed with subtle hints of tobacco, spice and orange. It has fine silky texture and an acidity that brightens the whole experience of the wine. It finishes with soft, yet lingering tannins, suggesting perhaps another ten years or so of good drinking.
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Last tasted 14 months ago, this is progressing nicely and needing less aeration, and now an hour or two in the decanter is perfectly adequate. 1995 wines are always going to display a robust tannic spine, but as this matures and the tannin sweetens, it is losing the harshness on the palate and now has a pleasant mouthfeel. The taste profile is consistent with blackcurrant, plum, earth and forest floor on the nose and palate, but some delicate violet notes are appearing. The finish is lengthy and excellently balanced, but the tannin is prominent and perhaps not to everybody's taste. This is contuing to evolve and should be drinking for 30 years or more.
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Decanted for 1.5 hours and drank over the entire evening. Presenting a dark inky purple color with a slight amber rim. Showing a broad and complex nose with a core of dark black fruit, jam, cassis, and currant. Tertiary notes of soft leather, brine, underbrush and roasted fruit. The wine is medium to full bodied with well integrated silky tannins and a long, winding, and mouth filling finish.
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Just a hint of brick red. Sweet tobacco, cinnamon, herbs and candy apple. After 3 hours it starts with cherry, raspberry, cola and a moderately tart finish
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Best bottle yet. Starting to be ready. Classic softened Pauillac with great cassis nose and flavour. Good levels of concentration. Best after 2 hour decant.
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Graphite, hints of leather, black fruit. Loved the nose! In the mouth - whilst good, was also a bit underwhelming. Think this could do with 5 years more at least. I like GPL and have quite a stash of various vintages, but PLL/Lynch Bages it is not.
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Very dark red/purple color. Opened about an hour before pouring. Siggy and Jennie's bottle. Drank a couple glasses over an hour plus. Now these are really beginning to show nicely. I've found the '95 GPL to have been showing generally well, especially for a '95, but this appears to be coming into it's own now. With minimal air, this was a giving classically styled Pauillac off the bat. Pretty dark fruits, more subtle potpourri, pencil and leather notes abound. This is full bodied, with some scorched earth and tannins that are slightly austere. Really nice with our steaks at Tado, pre-show for George Thorogood.
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Classic Pauillac! Deep garnet color, clear. Big nose upfront with tobacco, earth, dark cherry and currants, leather....keeps going. The palate is more of the same with some wet gravel and the earthiness fading into wild mushrooms. Sift tannins and acidity are still carrying this forward another 5-8 years. Long enjoyable finish. Happy to have another 10 bottles.
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PnP. Beautiful nose, so Pauillac and Latour-ish like. Tobacco, leather, and oyster shells. Vibrant acidity with some tannins still hanging around, firm mid-palate. Good complexity and long finish. Burnt cigarettes with touch of oaks lingering on forever. Similar to last year’s bottle, excellent showing today. Ready and will last for years.
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Nose of red currants, leather, and tobacco leaf. Palate shows layers of red currant, tart red cherry, and gravel followed by a rush of acidity and silty earth. Tobacco, dried currant, and wet stones on the finish with long, smooth, resolved tannins, clay, earth, and a touch of oak at the very end. Peak drinking!
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Mature aromas of blackcurrant, plum, tobacco, leather. Wine is balanced with structured tannins. Taste of red fruits, tobacco, earth. Finish is long. Very good, still will benefit from some 5 years in cellar. To drink now needs decanting for 2-3 hours.
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Some of the edges of this wine have actually started softening up. Great rich mature fruit, solid structured tannins. Red fruit, cedar, herbs, lots of mineral and iron. This is really quite lovely. Feels like what qualifies as an old school BDX these days. Drinking very well now and for the next 10-15 years at least. 1+ hour of air probably helps.
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Excellent bottles. Beautiful garnet color with a mature brick rim. The nose is classic GPL: cassis, cedar and a touch of tobacco. So traditional. Medium bodied palate that is at peak. Maybe lacks a little stuffing but that is nitpicking. Not a superstar but a classic glass of excellent Pauillac. (93)
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Second time of tasting this year and it just keeps getting better, (recently acquired Zalto glasses may have pushed it that little bit further!) A lot of the left bank wines from 1995 are starting to lose the tell tale tannic profile and are starting to live up to the accolades on release. To be honest I had resigned myself that the vintage while excellent, would always display this robust character. However, suddenly this has started to integrate and is starting to be far more readily approachable. The nose is full of ripe fruit and there is now a good mouthfeel with the tannin sweetening and great balance. The finish is 40+ seconds and has great depth. This is drinking well now with a few hours in the decanter, but should continue to develop and be drinking for at least the next two decades.
I've had this wine twice this week with similar impressions. Red/blue fruits, cassis and currants. Notes of minerality, leather and tobacco. IMO this wine is at its peak and should be drunk now. It can be poured from the bottle, but does gets better after decanting for 1.5-2hrs, at which point the fruit becomes more prominent. Classic and delicious mature Pauillac character.
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This is in its drinking window, and is very approachable, albeit with 6 hours of decanting. It has a deep mature nose with blackcurrant, and plum prominent. It has a great mouthfeel and has lost a lot its previous austerity. The palate is complex and has still retained a steely tannic backbone but in complete balance. Likewise the finish is is in perfect balance to the very end (40+ seconds). I am perfectly comfortable with drinking this as it really is firing on all cylinders with sufficient aeration, but it is going to stay here for the next couple of decades.
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Classic Pauillac, cassis nose, a touch earth, still young. Needed 2 hours in the decanter to open up, possibly 3. Ripe fruit, still young and still a bit of tannin. Cassis dominated but this probably need another 5-10 years yet. No rush.
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Crimson in color with bricking at the edge of the glass. 13% ABV. Fantastic nose of red fruits, leather, cigar box and cedar. Medium body, warm and supple. Perfect balance of tannins, acids and fruit. Black currants, plums, tobacco and earth on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with silky tannins in spades. I've been guilty of drinking many 95's too early but this Grand Puy Lacoste seems to be in a really good spot. Tremendous Bordeaux from a polarizing vintage. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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Zoom tasting with the wine group - Bordeaux vs. Cali Cabs (Zoom): Medium-deep ruby; aromatic tertiary nose with forest floor, mulch, tobacco, leather, black fruits; palate is full bodied, excellent complexity and balance, tannins integrated but still providing some structure, medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol (13%), balance of red and black fruits with tertiary forest floor complexity; finish is medium-plus length. A classic Pauillac, at early maturity but with a decade on this plateau. 93 In comparison with the california cabs tasted alongside, this can seem at times austere, but I think it's pretty much as expected for this chateau. Day 2: The last half glass held up well. Classical Pauillac.
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Nose of black berry, cassis, and dry earth, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, at peak-time to enjoy is now, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, lovely secondary flavors reward you cellar efforts, easy to sip and savor down to the last drop, and a long, lovely finish and aftertaste. Photo uploaded.
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Decanted two hours. Lovely mature Pauillac with full body of integrated acid and tannins, tobacco, leather, dried redcurrant. I don't see this improving but should be good for a few more years.
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Decanted around 45 mins and drunk with roast ribeye. Part of a case bought en primeur and cellared at home since. Quite delicious. Healthy sweet cassis aroma with lots of underlying complexity and a good follow-through. Bits of tobacco and earthiness but overall just a pleasure to drink. This bottle was in a very good place at the moment.
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Drank with Leoville Barton 1995. Open for 2 hours. Cedar on the nose. This one has cherries, cedar, and leather on the palate. A little softer than LB with fine tannins and a long finish. Similar to note from 5 years ago but has softened on the palate. Good claret but not extraordinary. Don’t think this will improve much either.
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I opened a 1995 Grand Puy Lacoste last night, and it was fantastic. Beautiful, savory, cool-fruited cabernet, but in no way austere. Tannins resolved, leafy aromatics, smooth and delicious. This has improved a lot since my last bottle several years ago and today it is brilliant stuff, the quintessence of old school Pauillac. Already terrific, but if more bottle age unleashes further depth, this wine could become a legend.
Bouquet filled with pencil shavings and cassis, the palate is consistent with the nose and adds black pepper, graphite and liquorice, very complex, a lot of concentration yet elegant and resolved, medium bodied with fresh acidity and long multi-dimensional aftertaste, in a beautiful place right now but will last, this is everything a classic Pauillac should be, simply excellent.
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Nose of leather, currant, and earthy cherries. with lightly smoky meaty notes. Waves of complex red fruit, roses, and gravel are pulled together with strong tobacco leaf. Light white pepper leads into old oak, silt, quartz, shale riding across a long finish of gentle, elongated tannins.
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Wonderful Pauillac, worth waiting to open the first bottle of my case till now. Held in professional cellar till today, the bottle was in perfect conditions, cork was perfect. The moment you open the bottle to decant (abundant sediment) you smell the wine and you know this is going to be great. Classic mature Pauillac as I love. This was a beauty. Maybe not extremely complex now, but a pleasure to drink. Ready now and will hold for more years if stored properly
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PnP. ABV 13%. It has been years since last bottle. Subtle nose but clean. Notes of flowers, oyster shells and mints. Still some tannins around but relatively fine tannins. Vibrant acidity. Good complexity and length. Touch of pencil shavings and burnt cigarettes at finish, classic Pauillac. Drinking now but could still improve. Excellent showing and great value during EP. kept a glass for the 2nd day, this actually continued to improve with impeccable balance, impressive!
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This is a wine consistent in its delivery, and is certainly in its drinking window. Extended aeration is essential, and anyone who pops and pours will be underwhelmed. The vintage as a whole is coming into its own for the top left bank wines, albeit with a classic tannic backbone. This is certainly up there with the best from the year and really is only surpassed by the 1982 and 1990 of the pre millennial years from the estate. The taste profile is consistent with my notes from 5 months ago. Without doubt this is still in development, but with extended decanting can be enjoyed now without guilt.
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As LIFEBREATH points out, this needs a good decant. Hard and astringent at first, this opens up nicely. It is still a child of the vintage and will never be voluptuous, but it offers engaging complexity with rich, tart cherries, cedar and tobacco, and a generous finish. Good stuff. Bricking with loads of sediment. Drink now through 2028.
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Either low-level TCA or too much VA or both. This bottle was sharp and volatile and short and showed very little fruit. Did not improve with food or 3+ hours of air.
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Lovely nose, well integrated tannins, acidity, fruit, spice and earth. Lovely sense of Pauillac terroir. Nicely mature and drinking well. Needs an hour in the decanter to open up, for tannins to recede and sweetness to emerge. Definitely has the classic, somewhat austere structure of the 95 vintage, but the fruit and sweetness is there with exposure to air. Please do the wine and yourself a favor - don’t PNP! Give it a nice decant.
Maybe an off bottle, had next to a 2008 Saxum Heartstone, 85 Gruaud Larose, 82 La Lagune, and 95 LMHB and it was clearly the inferior bottle. The nose was a 94+ wine but the palate wasn't giving, as it was tight and tannic with light notes of blueberries, moist earth, and pencil shavings.
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On the nose - earthy, cedar wood, pencil shaving, fresh mint, plum and blackcurrant.
Palate is similar to nose, more fruit characters along with two hours breathing in bottle.
The wine is elegant and harmonious, balanced black/red fruits with round tannins without the overpowering earthiness that you sometimes get from some Pauillac.
The wine seems rather asleep at the first taste, I will definitely decant the next bottle.
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This wine needs a long decant, should have been great but no decanter was available and we opened and let sit in glasses for awhile and still was not open. heavy graphite, fruit not there anymore, have one more bottle and will consume soon, would have given it higher marks if it was tasted fairly. had it with pot au feu, so well suited.
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As with a lot of the left bank wines from the year, this is ready to drink. It still needs a few hours in the decanter, to show it at its best. The nose is deep with aromas of plum, black cherry, tobacco and musty leather with floral background notes, primarily of violet. The palate is showing secondary characteristics and is deep with the tannin, now sweetened, and showing excellent balance and acidity. The finish is lengthy, but does lack depth at this stage. This is still in evolvement, but is very enjoyable to consume now, but has a structure to be drinking for the next 3 decades. 95+
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This was tasted blind. The cork gave some cause for concern (to those who looked at it as it would not have been blind to me if I had seen the cork) as it had almost begun the leak.
A very muted nose - light cellar muskiness with a minute hint of fruit with oak and leather. Nose 3/10\
This was a pnp and was very smooth from the first moment. While it had great integration and smoothness, there is acidity in the backbone. In fact, except for the smoothness, I thought this was an Italian Cab due to the acidity. Clearly the age shows through with garnet beginning to show.
I would drink these up if I had more. Probably ideal for a 25 year old now. HL 2 FD 2
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The fill was into the neck and the cork was pristine; popped and poured at the end of Christmas Eve dinner. Younger appearance than the 95 Pichon Lalande, which was served immediately prior. A bit more reticent on the nose, with classic scents of cedar cassis, tobacco, grilled meat, crushed stone and Forrest floor. Much firmer than the Pichon Lalande, with a less generous texture, but great depth and focus on the long finish. In hindsight, this would have benefited from two hours of air; I should have known we would finish the Pichon Lalande!
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Popped and poured last nite for Austin's 24th bday/born in 1995. Barnyard and earth on the nose. Color indicates a mature wine. Still good black fruit, on the lean side but still with good concentration and power. There's cigar box, lead pencil, forest floor and cedar here. Quite a nice wine, but it ain't getting any better. Drink up (wish I had more...)
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Firm, crisp and bright red fruits with a stoic nature create the backbone of the wine. Very classic in nature, the wine is firm, tannic, full-bodied and crunchy with a tannic bite. With its tobacco, cedar, cigar box, forest floor, herb and red berry perfume, the wine is more interesting on the nose than the palate. Giving this a few hours of air will help, but the nature of 1995 vintage is strong here.
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Similar to notes prior to mine a fine and delicious wine. No sign of age only elegance. Hard to predict the future of this wine, I have a second down stairs but easily several more years. I followed the do not decant from an earlier note and just opened and let stand about 90 minutes prior to consumption. Dinner for 6, everyone loved it.
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Black fruit with good weight, better length, ending with a slightly rugged finish with almost all tannins softened, or at least close. Not the most complex of wines, but certainly enjoyable.
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Stunning bottle - so complex, completely mature with uncommon equilibrium. Meaty, iron ore, mocha, leather, dark berry fruit. Supple texture, but its a classic Bordeaux tannic structure. Classic Paulliac that convinces (in a major way) through balance, proportion, and sheer refinement.
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For Bastille Day, popped and poured at my favorite French bistro in DC, La Piquette. The '95 Grand Puy Lacoste probably falls into the "if I only knew then what I know now" category. When I first started becoming interested in wine, the '95 Bordeaux were still in stores, and I only wish I'd bought a full case or two of this 20-some years ago. Just an outstanding bottle, with all the hallmarks of a great aged Pauillac. Drinking beautifully now, but seemingky in no danger of imminent decline.
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Stunning Bordeaux consumed during Bastille day festivities. Opulent, lots of depth and after 25 years is still going strong. Dense earth floor, cranberries on nose. Long finish. Incredibly satisfying.
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Very different wine from last night - which is the real 95 GPL? Last night's was packed full of currant, mineral, violet, pencil - plush and dazzling. Tonight's wasn't bad, but less vibrant currant and much more pencil without some of the exciting nuance or dazzling depth from prior.
From magnum, the 1995 GPL is showing absolutely brilliantly. Beautifully fresh nose, full of vibrant blackcurrant, blueberry fruit accented by fresh violet and pencil notes. Perfectly ripe palate and totally delicious. Should have a long life ahead.
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Having checked my previous note of nearly a year ago, this has definitely accelerated its development over this period, and is, with of a lot of the leading 1995's, really starting to hit its stride. This is beginning to up there with the 1982 and 1990, and is remarkably similar in style. The nose has taken on a maturity and is still deep with fruit, but full of musty leather. It is full of blackcurrant, plum, black cherry, and cedar with floral background notes, primarily of violet. The palate is deep and complex, with a harsh tannin, but which has now softened sufficiently to be almost smooth and very well balanced. The finish does not yet quite manage to match the rest of the experience, but another year or two should rectify this. It seems at almost 25 years of age the 1995's are finally starting to realise the initial plaudits on release,. 96+
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Lovely claret. Had a good long decant. Herbal, mature, tar, tobacco. Great delicate, old school wine. Dry with a long finish. Really excellent restrained wine. Ready to drink with a good aeration time. No rush.
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Popped and poured. Medium garnet color. Nose of cassis, red currant, cedar, tobacco, floral notes. Deliciously accessible layers of currant, leather, and grippy concentrated plum fruit coursing on the palate with surprising richness despite a lithe frame. Moderate acidity and palpable but softened tannin leading to a long finish of crunchy red fruit, tobacco, and a hint of green leaf. Full of life and with definite upside, this wine is in buoyant adolescence.
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Classic 1995 Bordeaux, soft, drinking perfectly, tertiary notes (leather) but lots of primary fruit. This is in its prime drinking window and will go on for years. It is quite full bodied, silky generous fruit, very typical GPL. Still plenty of structure to provide grip and interest.
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Tasted blind at a Commanderie event. The most complete wine of the night, shows again what a great QPR-overachiever GPL is. Wonderful nose of mature Medoc with wet forest floor, pine, dark fruit, spices, barnyard, Very good structure for a 2007. Kudos. 94+
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PnP Clear edge, ruby leading to a garnet core. The nose is incredibly intoxicating. A mix of ripe red and black fruit, new leather, with a touch of pencil shavings. Definitely some ripeness here. This is unbelievable on the palate. Medium body, moderate acidity and just a touch of dusty tannin. Loads of fruit lead to a extended hedonistic finish. Not what I’d call a classic Bordeaux but wow, this is delicious and still incredibly young. It will be hard to resist opening anytime soon, but some more time in the cellar should bring out more nuance. Long life ahead, 15+ years easily.
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Dark red fruited with an abundance of herbal notes and a touch of tobacco and cedar. Very good acidity, with nicely integrated tannins. Drinking well now albeit younger than its age. No rush to drink. If there's a quibble with this wine, it's that the green notes are perhaps a bit too prominent, obscuring the bright fruit underneath.
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot.
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Dark ruby in color. Strong aromas of cedar, pencil lead, cassis and hint of scorched earth. Brawny and masculine palate shows rich and ripe dark fruits, leather, graphite, medium acidity, resolved tannins and a very long and cedar/tobacco perfumed finish.
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In a very good spot. Can easily age another decade or two, but not sure that will necessarily improve the wine - just alter it. I would expect it to stay at or close to peak for years. Great wine.
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The mini Latour I like to call due to its stylistical and aromatic similarity. Very compact still after 23 years. Lots of blue fruit, forest floor, good mid plate volume and finish. On the closed side still. Decant for 1-2h.
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The next installment in Jay’s attempt to convert me to BDX. Not as successful as the 79 Haut Bailly. This is deep and dark with cedar, blue-Black fruits like black currants, herbal. Classic cab profile. Dark and savory on the palate. Solid but doesn’t move me.
Side by side a great 2000 GPL (scored 95), decanted for 2 hours. This looked less developed then the millennial version, quite inky still. It also came across as younger in my opinion during consumption - still quite fruit forward (blueberries mainly) compared to the 2000. Felt a bit more extracted compared to the effortless 2000. Very good wine but just a bit less interesting then its 2000 counterpart. On the margin I would be inclined to give it a few years in bottle. Drink 2020-2040
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From 75cl, exquisite cork, decanted 1 hour. A massive Pauillac – blind I would have guessed a mature Lynch Bages from a good year, perhaps 1990/1995/1996? Basically as noted on 04.12.2016, but softer, richer, more mellow, very mature and on the blackberry rather than blackcurrant fruit spectrum. The texture is thicker and more chewy than I expected. Will surely fade away gracefully over the next 10-20 years, but I'm not sad to have drunk my final bottle in its prime. 92P
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Perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious wine at first. Almost half a bottle was left and revisited some 2-2½ hours later where it had begun to loose some of its immense charm. This could hint towards a peak, but only time will show. Start consuming.
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Last bottle was a big disappointment. This bottle was lovely. Nice fruit, cedar, lead pencil, classic Pauillac. Nice balance of tannins and acidity. Solid 92
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Compared to the previous bottle i had in 2016, 2 extra years of ageing has allowed it to come into its own. Had it alongside the 95 Pape Clement and this was the consensus winner.
Nice dark and red fruit with some cedar and graphite. Tannins well resolved. Finely balanced so this does not come across as flabby.
1 more bottle left and will try to be patient.
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6th of 12, opened 30 minutes, perfect cork and level, agree with nearly every word of DJHammond's note below, this is a wine which transcends the vintage which is often slightly too austere and intellectual with its vibrant fruit in the mid palate giving it a generosity and grace missing in many other 95s (as yet...cf LLC!). I have a hunch that the 96 will be even better once its current rather closed phase is resolved, the 01 runs it close and I have high hopes for the 2000 in five years time when I'll start to look at it! VF (18.5).
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1995 Bordeaux (Piccolino, Exchange Square, London): Again some gravelly mineral on the nose, underlying red-toned fruit, touch of spice. Medium bodied, red fruited, cedar, balanced acidity, medium-good length finish.
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I have tasted this on a fairly regular basis over the last couple of years, and it is definitely ready to be enjoyed now, but is definitely going to continue to improve and move to the stages of full maturity. Along with the fabulous 1982 and 1990, it is probably the best example of this estate of the last 40 years in its drinking window. The nose is full of blackcurrent and cherry with background hints of violet. The palate initially is very developed, but mid palate it is still in evolvement. It concludes with a very promising finish of 30 seconds plus. If you have a few bottles start to enjoy this now with lots of time in the decanter, but this is going to mirror the 1990 and just keep improving and have the structure to last for decades.
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This was lovely. The best showing of this wine thus far. There is still significant red and dark fruits (though receding) with hints of cedar. Tannins are still present but entirely unobtrusive. Moderate acidity and alcohol but I think this is at its early peak, where it should stay for the next 10 or so years before eventually entering into a slow and long ( but still enjoyable) decline.
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Representative of Pauillac. Accustomed notes of tobacco, cedar, lead pencil and leather. Tannin still present at a desirable level. This wine exhibits masculinity and has some more aging potential. Agree with Englishman response that it misses a particular element so that it will never reach greatness. Very enjoyable however.
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A lot more primary than previous bottle. Dark red. Lovely nose. Dark and red fruit and cassis. Tannins there but resolving. Based on this showing, Should last till 2030 easily...
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Lovely composure here; blackcurrant, cedar, leather, smoke, the slightest touch of herbaceousness elevating and freshening the wine. This is great; simply a classic Pauillac if perhaps without the breadth and drive of a top cru. But this was a small pour at a walk around, so I didn't have the benefit of following this over the evening 94ish.
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What a lovely Pauillac! I have to say this was a very satisfying wine & drinking very well. Notes of black cherry, cassis, leather and cedar. How lovely are some of the 1995s coming along and drinking right now?
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Fill into neck. Deep ruby in glass, lighter at rim. Double decanted and left open two hours. Drinking well now. Certainly has the balance, tannin and acidity to last 30+ years.
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Still very fresh but drinking really well. The nose has perfectly ripe cassis, some leather, cedar and graphite. Fruit is crisp and detailed in the mouth. There's tannic chew and depth and length are good. I love the wine's balance and lick of bright acidity.
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New Years Eve (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red/purple color. Slow-O for about 2 hours. Drank 1+ glass over 3 hours. The nose stars here and it really is pretty and classic with a wonderful mix of funk, earth, pencil, and black fruits. One of the those noses you can just smell all night. Now I wish the palate could back that up better. It isn't bad by any means, but it shows the austerity that so many of the '95's do. I have had this when it was more open, and perhaps a decant would have assisted, but really after 3 hours in glass it should have improved if it was going to happen. The palate has scorched earth, more brooding black fruits, some earth, a bit if sharpness along with an astringent tannins. We drank this alongside a '97 Etude Cab which surprisingly had a very similar nose - that over time was even more similar. In the end I favored the Etude slightly with its fruit profile being more enjoyable. 91+pts.
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Drinking well, but still with lots of room for further evolvement, the wine at 12.5% is an old style Bordeaux. Led by a wonderfully perfumed nose of cherry and blackberry, I concur with other comments that you could savour the aromas all night. The palate presents an old fashioned meeting of deep fruit with robust tannin. The finish is balanced and lengthy. The wine, as with the majority of 1995s as a whole, is going to continue to improve and let the palate catch up with the nose and shed tannin, but this is already nearly up there with its siblings from 1982 and 1990. Do decant for a few hours at this stage.
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12.5% alcohol. Fantastic showing. A textbook Bordeaux from a strong vintage. Dark red color, not showing age at all. Gorgeous nose of cassis, pencil lead, tobacco, and forest floor. In the mouth, seamless and expansive, with great purity of fruit and load of complexity. Sturdy but gentle mouth feel. Just awesome. A
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A classic wine. Cassis, plum and all the fruit in the back seat. Velvet and slightly dry on the finish. PNP or let it open. Wish I’d bought more than one case.
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Brown, sort of paler garnet; tootsie roll, earth, forest floor wet leaves, cigar, old cassis hints, blask-ish red and black fruit; granite minerals with decent finish. Dry, M+ acid, with resolved M Tannins, steered me to '95 left bank Bordeaux. Blind at Brian's.
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Better than a previous bottle. Still some leafiness but good, dense cassis fruit. 1995 Matt fruit, not an opulent vintage. Good, typical Pauillac and years left but for me not yet living up to its stellar reputation on the two showings I've had of it so far.
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Cassis, cedar, plum, raspberry, spice, oak, licorice, tobacco, sweet and balanced tannins, excellent concentration and classic structure, finishes like the best of the 90’s Bordeaux and text book wine making for this era
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It took an hour and a half in the decanter to open up. But when it did, it was glorious. Definitely no longer in its primary phase. mainly red fruits, some cedar and leather. Many years to go.
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Decanted and drank over three hours. This bottle seemed a bit lighter and less structured than the other. It was delicious but nothing really jumped out at me.
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Monthly Wine Group: Bordeaux 2005 and Older (Lela, Bloomington MN): Small pour. Wow, this was singing - and I loved dit. This might have been the best showing for this to date. Really a wonderful nose with gorgeous potpourri, dried berry fruits, leather, red fruits, very pretty, fine tobacco leaf, quite long and focused. Fantastic. REally glad I've got a few of these -0 they'll drink great now or hold for 10-15 years easily. 93+pts.
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I have tasted this 3 times over the last 12 months and its evolvement has been dramatic. Decanted for a couple of hours, it is now firmly in its prime drinking window and seems to improve with each tasting and for me is now matching the 1982 and 1990. Packed full of cassis and red berries the nose is incredibly heady with aromas. The fruit continues on the palate where the tannin has sufficiently sweetened to provide a balanced smoothness. The finish is long and satisfying. There still remains a slight residual sourness to resolve but it is inconsequential to the overall enjoyment. I hope that this rapid transformation over the last months perhaps indicates that other 1995's might soon start to be entering their drinking window.
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Medium ruby red. Classic nose of dark currants, forest floor, pencil lead, cedar and violets. Elegant, medium bodied palate shows perfect integration of sweet black small fruits, hint of leather, good acidity, no evidence of tannins, fully absorbed oak and a long perfumed, cedar filled finish.
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Poker night - Bordeaux single blind - 95 GPL, 01 Ausone, 11 The Lovers, 03 Margaux and etc.: Intense cassis driven nose, blueberry, caramel, a hint of vanilla, blue flowers, lead pencil, a hint of cedar and earth. Excellent concentration, fully integrated polished palate, nicely integrated tannins and a long sweet cassis driven finish. My guess is the 90 Mouton. Assaf calls it the 02 Mouton which is an excellent guess. What a pleasant surprise! A beautiful claret at the youthful peak! It is drinking like a good vintage Mouton. @ $100 in the current auction market, I can’t recommend this enough!
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First bottle from a case. Big blast of cassis on the nose. tastes resolved, full of cassis charm, though a hint of something green and stalky on the finish marred this a little. I wondered if at first it was slighly corked but I don't think so. Try another soon.
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HDH auction tasting at Tru (Chicago, IL): Seriously solid Bordeaux. About as classical as it comes. Light touch of herbaceousness on the nose, with some leather and a light bit of plum as well. The palate is very potent, showing plenty of really alluring graphite. There's a moderate hint of dirt, but no funk or animale at all -- this is very, very clean. Lovely acid, I have to guess this is just entering into its long plateau of drinkability.
From 75cl, perfect cork, decanted 90 minutes (which it needed to tone down the initially aggressive tannins). Superb, complex, fully mature Pauillac: Fresh blood, cedar, dark spice and fruit on the nose; full-bodied entry and wonderful mid-palate with ripe black fruit (from blackcurrant to blackberry, with some heavy forest floor notes); long resonant aftertaste. Perfect with roast beef, which I left a couple of minutes too long in the oven. Next time: There Will Be Blood! 93P
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“Bordeaux 1959 – 2014 (blind)”, flight 5, wine 1. The wine was medium ruby in colour, with watery edges, and offered red and dark fruit, spices, tobacco, mushroom and mild earthy notes on the nose. On the palate the wine showed red and dark fruit, spices, cedar and tobacco, with good, fresh acidity, fine, ripe, medium-plus tannin and superb length. The medium-bodied wine was balanced and drank very well. It seemed to be in a good place. Great Cabernet.
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Drank this wine about two months apart. First bottle open 30-45 minutes, second decanted and opened 3 hours later. Decanting makes a huge difference... between a lovely bottle and something that seemed astringent and fruitless. Lesson learned to be diligent and decant.
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5th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, up a couple of gears since my April bottle, remarkably youthful colour, lovely nuanced secondary flavours developing on nose and palate, grip, balance, yummy! VF (18.5).
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The Arts Club Version of the 1976 Judgement of Paris, With Steven Spurrier (The Arts Club, London): After 4 corked bottles the Arts Club sommelier finally stuck a healthy one. Very consistent to the wine we drunk 2 years ago (Papes 91) still a bit shy but at least the tannins are now softer and definitely the time in bottle has helped .A few sharp edges still but it didn't feel like the complete wine we were expected. Still very good and definitely wasn't helped by the comparison vs the Monte Bello 1995 (Papies 93-94) we had side by side. Also having recently tried Cos 95 (Papies - 94) this feels like the didn't get all the stars aligned in 1995. 91
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GMs - 1995 Bordeaux Tasting: Cedar, tobacco, cocoa and pencil shavings. The palate has great fruit presence, with plenty of lift and approachability. Still has a good structural element and has a good number of years left to develop. A really strong showing for this wine.
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Tasted only 4 months ago but has improved yet again and is pushing towards a 96. Approaching full maturity and bursting with cherry fruits this lingers on the palate with a gentle but firm delicacy.
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Next to the '95 Gazin, this is more reticent, shy on the nose. Still some tannins around mid-palate, not really integrated yet. Drying Mid-palate, this maybe a concern as it seems to show up on most of my previous notes too. Classic Pauillac, pencil shaving and burnt tobacco. Not as approachable as the Gazin but with more complexity and length. Should last for years. Tasting the wine from new Gabriel glass.
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From 75cl, perfect cork. Much riper, sweeter, broader, fatter than expected. The nose is obviously Médoc, clearly old-world, but the palate is very rich (more blackberry then blackcurrant), super-pure, smooth and glycerine-buffered (and as an accompaniment to lamb lacks the palate-cleansing qualities I'd hoped for). Much better on its own with fresh bread and butter afterwards. Would have been better with beef... No hurry, good for 20 years. 91-(93)P
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Opened the last of my bottles and was amazed by how fresh and young it still tasted. Whilst the colour was starting to go and there was quite a heavy sediment, the wine itself was beautifully structured with form tannins and lots of ripe fruit. It opened up after 24 hours and had softened slightly. If I had any left, I would leave them for another 2 years at least.
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This has really opened up since last year and is now starting to drink beautifully. It is bursting with berry fruits and nicely balanced with a lingering finish.
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4th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, previous notes since 08 fine - youthful garnet, even some purple on rim; correct cassis driven Pauillac with a touch of tobacco and graphite, classy if not particularly complex; medium bodied with attractive roundness, long and persistent, quality cassis like fruit, nicely made if a tad too simple for better than F, may yet develop more nuance but I wouldn't bet on it....the 96 has more potential and the 01 and 02 is higher on the pleasure factor pro tem.
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The night it was opened, it was part of a 1995/1996 Bordeaux tasting and it showed beautifully next to its 1996 counterpart, and was the stronger of the pair. It didn't lose anything on the second night when I had the one remaining glass. The fruit is lush but kept in check by the tobacco notes, tannins, and acidity. There is pure pleasure in drinking it now.
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Pop & pour. A touch tight at first (& cold from cellar) but with air & warmth it opened up nicely over 30 min. 20-year old earthy wine with some soft fruits. The drink window is shorter than what's listed above.
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This wine seems to be getting younger as it ages, like some other wines from 1995. The nose wasn't revealing much more than the primary fruit. There's some tobacco and clove, but little development of cedar or leather. The palate revealed more of the wine's potential, with lots of intensity on the attack. There is excellent concentration and density. There is still a formidable wall of tannins, even after 20 years. A medium-plus finish, with good acidity. Overall, this is austere with lots of structure. This is still nowhere near its peak, and I wouldn't be surprised if took 5 years to reach it. I would hold this for awhile while it gets past this awkward phase.
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Very classic Bdx and classic Pauillac - pulled the cork and left in bottle (recorked) and consumed over 4 days. When pulling the cork the most spellbinding scent filled the room and I knew I was in for a treat. This is ready to drink now but will hold another decade easily. If you like more fruit no need to wait, if you prefer for more leather/tobacco notes to dominate then wait or give it a (lengthy) decant. This chateau always delivers for me with classical, not overworked wine where the terroir is allowed to come through. 13% not too heavy either. Lovely.
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Such a great standard. Light red in color, and not the most giving of noses. But beautiful plum, raspberry and and cedar flavors. A bit of a California ringer in its youth, this has evolved with secondaries like tobacco that really show the class. Not a superstar but so right!
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The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; splash decanted. A bit funky on the nose, with notes of barnyard and horse saddle; I usually don't encounter these brett-type aromas with GPL. Medium-bodied, with decent depth; a bit flabby on the finish. I've had much better bottles of the 95 GPL.
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Ripe but understated. Nose is gorgeous with cherries, cedar and tobacco and the palate does not disappoint with the same and a beautifully long and satisfying finish. Has plenty of longevity but so good now. Drank this on Christmas Day with filet mignon - perfectly matched.
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Christmas Eve with Family (Dave's, Mpls): Very dark/purple red color. Decanted for 3 hours and drank 2 glasses over 3 hours plus. Lots of nice dark fruit here on the nose, cassis, black raspberry, oak spice, horse barn, earth. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, youthful, dusty firm tannins, very earthy, funk, saddle leather, graphite, long. This is drinking better than recent bottles, the air helps. This is one of the somewhat more austere '95's; hopefully this will integrate further over the next 5 years.
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More restrained nose than the 1996, but classic cassis, hints of leather and tobacco. Lighter on the palate as well. Good wine, but just not as complex or interesting as the 1996 or the 2000.
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Even better than last bottle 1 year ago. Deep nose of mature cab, roses, plums and very little tertiary aromas. Not as much herbs and cedar as I normally find in Pauillac, but than again Lacoste is quite different from Lynch Bages and Latour, my reference points in Pauillac. Anyway, the palate is still a bit hard to start with, but after 1 hour in decanter, it softens up and is really delicious. Lovely with a steak and lovely on its own.
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°°° Bordeaux 1995 °°°: Clear garnet in color. Nose shows leather, coffee, red berries but at the same time some green notes. Very balanced wine with a good length and plenty of power. I really enjoyed this wine. Drink now - 2035
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Still showing a youthful color, with cassis, cedar and tobacco opening up the perfume. The wine combines old school, rustic charm with some of the softness found in the modern age, ending on a note of crunchy cassis. Still young, it's fun to drink now, but will be better with time.
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Took to Ruths Chris Very short decant but showed well. Entering drinking window, beautiful Pauillac nose balanced with nice fruit soft tannins. May improve with more cellaring but drinking nicely now
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Stellar Night of Bordeaux; 5/15/2015-5/17/2015 (NYC): My first try of the 95 GPL and I was impressed. The bouquet is quite evolved, showing lovely tobacco and cassis and loam, with a round, medium-bodied palate. Cooling, with quintessential cabernet sauvignon notes of leafiness, black tea and capsicum. Long dry finish. Wonderfully poised between youth and maturity. Loved it. 93 pts with upside.
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Old Bordeaux with Patrick back in town (Fabio's, NYC): Really glad I have a couple of bottles of this in the cellar, but based on this showing I won't need to touch them for a decade or two at least. This still seems very primary, with lots of dense, youthful dark fruited flavours tinged with graphite and cedar wood, and a lot of tannin clamping down on the back end. It eases up a little with air and becomes more fragrant, but right now it's more about potential.
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This may come off better on its own but with its table mates the tannin knocked this down a few notches. I guess 20 years is not enough, yet :) Id wait till 2020.
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Brought to a get together with some very fine wines (https://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=28020). Slow O-ed two hours. For me this is a classic BDX nose with cassis, tobacco, a little cedar and dirt. Good mix of dark fruits and leather, and dirt with everything nicely integrated. Have one more bottle and would have not problem holding on to it for the next 5-7 years though you won't be disappointed opening this today.
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A Decadent Night of 1990's Napa Cabs and Bordeaux (Chez Dalluge, MN): Very dark red/purple color. 2 hr slow-O, no decant. Drank 1 glass over 4 hours. Lots of dark black fruits, cassis, black plum, and hints of black raspberry and subtle wood on the nose; The palate is dense and chewy, very tart black fruits, cassis, tart plum, and some firmer tannins.
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Misplaced my notes on this wine, but I recall vividly that it had a fantastic nose and was very solid and smooth on the palate. Fruit was still going strong. Clearly in its drinking window.
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A tobacco store with the wooden native American guiding us through the side door to the leather shop. Cassis and cedar combine with the forest floor spice cake and progress to a beautifully balanced, pure, so smooth 95 where the old school is the best school. The epitome of excellence for Bordeaux in the 90's.
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Westchester Wine School: Haut Medoc - Terrior & Vintage: Drank from magnum at WWS haut medoc tasting. I've had this wine from magnum recently and my notes are consistent. I loved this wine a few months ago and I loved it just as much, if not more this evening. This wine had a wonderfully generous nose, lots of barnyard, cedar, black fruit, tobacco and leather. Medium bodied, fairly resolved tannins, prevalent dark fruits but also many tertiary notes (leather, tar, cedar, green pepper, forest floor) very well-structured and concentrated wine. An excellent example of a nicely aged Pauillac that's in a great place right now. Great structure, wonderful balance and complexity, finely delineated lines and great finish. However, perhaps the wine's best feature was it's fabulous exemplary Bordeaux nose. Great wine, and plenty of life ahead. Wish I had more...
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Still somehow tannic. Decent balance, not as acidic as previous bottle. Good but not great wine, probably won't improve much from here onward with 20 years bottle age. (B)
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Dark garnet. Deep flavors, licorice, black cherries, tobacco. Good length and balance. Needs 45 minutes in a decanter to open up. Quite tight upon pulling the cork. A nice tannic edge makes this wine perfect with a sizzling steak served with a green pepper sauce.
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Lovely detailed and multilayered nose. Beginning tertiary aromas. Does need a 2 hour decant to blossom. Medium weight on the palate. Slightly green and very fresh. Great persistant finish. Clean and classic!
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MASTER AIS BORDEAUX; 10/22/2014-11/30/2014 (HOTEL WESTIN PALACE MILANO): Degustato alla cieca. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon - 20% Merlot - 5% Cabernet Franc) 66% legno nuovo. Connotazione più densa, toni vegetali, foglie di pomodoro e goudron. Si avverte un senso di rovere secco, quasi segatura. Non manca la componente terpenica e floreale, ma sia un minore senso di fusione tra gli elementi, rispetto a Haut-Bailly. In bocca entra fluido, fine e a fuoco. Carnoso, ma non concentrato; ha più succo che polpa. A centro bocca regala il meglio di sé, quando acidità e sale creano una freschezza gustosa, supportata dalla dolcezza e succosità della componente fenolica a piena maturazione. Tannino sodo e grintoso che rende il finale un pò asciugante e assottigliato. Buona bevuta da pasto.
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Raid Len's Cellar #1: Herb, tobacco, ash and light raspberry. Good freshness to the palate, this is fairly classic in nature with its restrained fruit and good structure. Still quite tight at this stage but I like it for what it is and its potential.
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2014 French Wine Dinner Party (Harrison, NY): Drank at Pollack dinner party, matched vs 1996 L'Evangile. Both from magnum. This wine had a wonderfully generous nose, lots of barnyard, funk, black fruit and leather. Medium bodied, fairly resolved tannins, prevalent dark fruits but also many tertiary notes (leather, tar, cedar, green pepper, forest floor) very well-structured and concentrated wine. An excellent example of a nicely aged Pauillac that's in a great place right now. Great structure, wonderful complexity, finely delineated lines and great finish. However, perhaps the wine's best feature was it's fabulous exemplary Bordeaux nose. Great wine, and plenty of life ahead. Wish I had more...
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Slightly funky nose, good palate with red and black fruit that gives it a decent balance, but very primal. The wine faded after just a few hours in the glass, overall, drinks well right out of the bottle, but likely won't improve, drink up.
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Shy nose. Notes of wood, oyster shell, wet earth, and oak. slightly edgy with fresh acidity level. Chalky tannins with dry mid-palate. Decent length. No hurry to drink this but probably won't improve much.
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5 Decades of Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste, with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London): Dark red in colour. Nose is a bit shy and having followed the excellent 96 (papies 95) it proved a poor relation. Tannic wine, a touch green at time ( got the wrong end of the 95 vintage?) and a bit sharp, edgy. Good wine but time has not helped in our view to iron out the rough edges. 91 at best and we worry abt its longevity.
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Fresh, crisp, with perhaps a bit too much brightness in the fruit, as the cranberries are running over the darker berries. Tannic, earthy and crunchy, give this time and it might flesh out. But at close to 20 years of age, it is probably what it is when it comes to style and personality...
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Mahogany red in appearance. Poised, mature bouquet filled with red cherry, burnt leather, wet earth, cedar and hint of truffle. Well integrated and delivering the enjoyment of a matured claret. Soft touch on the palate, with refreshing acidity accompanying the plummy, earthy, smokey notes. Great bottle. If the finish could be longer, it'd be impeccable. Cheers
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Pleasant, correct, classic flavor profile. Finely resolving tannins; long finish, slightly drying. More structure than fruit, though; not quite in balance. Similar impression from previous tastings, all from perfectly-stored half-bottles.
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a sensational wine drinking beautifully at the moment - perhaps the best 1995 I have had the pleasure of drinking - full of character with the fruit and tannins wonderfully integrated - drink now or keep for the medium term
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Color: med dark red Nose: decanted for an hour, v powerful, strong cassis, rich, this wine has a nose of a 5 yr old gpl, classic pauillac nose
Palate: medium bodied, balanced but not overly complex, still tannic, taste like a young wine, wow this has 20 years left at least, a very nice GPL but with many years ahead, Gpl are build to last! Rated 93+ as this baby will improve with age
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Dunkle farbe. Mittlere bis kräftige Struktur, vielschichtig und spannend. Traditioneller Pauillac von fabelhafter Rasse. Typische Cabernetnoten und ein Hauch Minze. Ist ein Traum. 95/100
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From 75cl, perfect cork, no seepage. Decanted 60 minutes, but it barely needed it, being ready to roll from the first minute. Very ripe, cedary Pauillac, sweet dark fruits (blackberry rather than blackcurrant); quite inky texture. The finish shows some open-grained, ripe tannins and an unexpected flush of sweaty tobacco. (Remember smoking roll-ups?) This is as deliciously good as Médoc gets without launching into stellar (textural, layered taste) heights. Delicious now, will probably improve for 5-10 years, and maybe even reach for the stars. (91)-93P
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Color is still deep ruby with very little bricking, very youthful color; nose is deep and complex but somewhat reserved right now, strong core of black fruits with interesting hints of mint and menthol, slightly reduced?; palate is full bodied, has strong core of tannins throughout, juicy black fruits, fresh streak of acidity in the early-mid palate; finish is balanced and medium-long. This is overall an impenetrable wine which barely shows age and needs likely 10 years to even integrate a bit more and come out of its shell. We shall see what air does for it. Very promising, great acidity. 92-93++ Update: Even 30 minutes of air and it starts to come out of its shell a bit more. No longer reduced on nose, denser juicy blackberry and now some blackcurrant on the nose, fabulous hint of mint to give it freshness; palate approachable but still very young. Potential for 93-95 in the future if it develops a bit more intensity and complexity in the next decade, which I think it will. Update: 2 hours air- opening up, but still so, so young. Very nice, balanced.
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dark ruby, strong cassis nose, less mature than the '96, starts to open up after 1/2 hour, enjoyable after 2 hours, cranberries, liquorice on the palate, tannins still blocking a balanced richness in flavor and harmony this wine should have in 5+ years of more cellaring. Had this back in the bottle for 4 days with stopper in the fridge. Slightly oxidised but smoother on the palate. my guess: potential for 96 but 93 for now.
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Drinking beautifully in early maturity. Cedar, cigar and olive with hints of green pepper and currant. Lush in the mouth with tannins still very apparent on the finish. Great elegance and balance.
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Hasn't budged much over the past couple of years. Plenty of cedar and cassis to the nose. It is dense and chewy in the mouth with good depth of flavour. Tannins still hold a strong grip over the fruit and there is some flora and sweet tobacco flavours left in the mouth once the wine is swallowed.
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A quintessential Pauillac, drinking at its peak. This spent two hours in the decanter, and emerged aromatic, lush, long and balanced. A gorgeous wine; no hurry to consume.
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with KC strip...(dinner w wertz). P&P. garnet color, just a hint of bricking. nice aromas of cassis, nutmeg, underbrush. Great texture, fills the mouth with dried fruit flavors and fine tannins. Long finish Improved with time in the glass. Very solid wine.
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Jeroboam Club 1995 Bordeaux (Bordeaux Quay): v deep colour, almost as dark as Las Cases. Lovely fine grained nose, tightly wound fruit. Rich again with fine grained tannins giving lift and balance. Excellent length. A real food wine.
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Classic claret, though a touch austere and stinky on opening. Medium garnet color that precedes a nose filled with black current and graphite. Savory mouth-feel that builds upon itself. Very balanced with a good finish. A bit husky but classically proportioned. Grows and opens with air. Very nice. (92)
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Great balance and perfect Bordeaux qualities. Still a bit of tannin on the finish, but the middle is really smooth, and the nose has good earth, fruit, and minerals.
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Classic nose of cedar, blackcurrant and a touch of green bell pepper. A bit stringent, with fine tannins and good balance but the fruit is very cool. Elegant but rather stingy. I would drink this sooner rather than later.
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Just in a great spot. Classic Pauillac dusty floor, leather, tobacco nose, nicley layered bright red fruit. well balanced, and now, sadly gone. Definitely enjoyed the experience and expect that at least 3000 others will as well!
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nose was still very fresh and the colour was a still nice garnett colour with no browning on the edges. decanted for 1.5hrs(could have used 3hrs i think) classic bordeaux flavours but still a bit harsh on the finish but a very enjoyable wine
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Used the whole night to slowly open up. Initially a slightly thin and linear wine. The fruit eventually became somewhat deeper and sweeter, but still a rustic wine that lacks complexity. In need of more cellaring, but will never be a really interesting bottle.
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Double decanted. Drinking beautifully. Sweet, sexy fruit with lush acidity and tannins in balance, and a very very long finish. Classic Pauillac. Brilliant.
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Popped and poured. This wine is showing a bit better than previous bottle. Nice nose, forward and aromatic. Fully mature and delicious, seems to be more complex than previous experience for this wine. Slight acidity emerges at the end of the 2 hours dinner. 93-94 pts.
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Popped and poured. Expressive aromatics at first, with notes of tobacco, cassis, roasted herbs, and a hint of truffle, but gradually closed down. Medium bodied, with good centration and depth, but a bit austere on the finish, and lacking in terms of texture. Similar to a bottle tasted one year ago; I'll air on the side of optimism, and say this one needs more time. Revisit 2015.
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The Big Sendoff; 9/15/2012-9/16/2012 (The Home of Dave L): This was showing very well but somewhat overshadowed but several wines in the lineup. Somewhat closed nose of red fruits with some currants and cassis, flint, bell pepper, and cedar. Palate was well polished and refined—somewhat “narrow” with cassis and cedar and prominent tannins. Lengthy finish of mocha, flint and bright red fruits. Polished and focused, needs quite a bit more time though accessible enough now. 93-94
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classic Pauillac...sometimes that's a great thing and sometimes maybe not what I was looking for...this for me took a while to open and broaden and lose a slightly sour taste...guess I wanted a bigger, fruitier new world style cab....with time more open and giving more...Sue who is no big fan of Bdx actually thought it very nice, so probably best to go with her superior palate
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From 75cl, perfect cork, only reddened at very end. Decanted 90 minutes; it softened a little but would have been ready to roll straight out of the bottle. Superb, quintessential Pauillac. Substantial body and sweetness, in perfect balance with spice-box, blackcurrant, cedar, lead pencil, oak... all the good stuff you hope for but - alas - don't always get. Wonderfully long, resonant finish. A beauty, youthful still but if you have more than one bottle, do try it in its buff, radiant prime. 94(+)P
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Very good Bordeaux, classic Pauillac with cedar, berries on the nose. This took quite some time to open up and was worth the wait (probably close to 90 minutes). There was no signs of age, wine was very bright and absolutely no setiment.
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Dinner at Home (Vancouver, BC): Matt opened this in the morning and slow-ox’d for 10 hours. The nose here was beautiful and classic and everything you would want from a teenage Pauillac. Pronounced notes of pencil shavings, blackcurrant, plums and cigar box with a touch of sweet funk. This profile carries onto the palate where on the entry the tannins seem soft and supple but towards the finish they gain grip and firmness and remind you that this is far from mature. Plenty of acidity to match the tannins and pure blackcurrant flavours and there’s a nice sweetness on the palate that adds to the complexity. This is great to drink now with proper aeration but another 5+ years should allow this beauty to offer even more. Excellent. 92+
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Dinner at Devin and Emily's (Vancouver, BC): Popped in the morning and slow-ox'd for 10 hours. Fantastic nose showing the typical Pauillac characteristics one would expect. Lots of pencil shavings, graphite, and rich cassis up front along with saddle leather, dark plums, some spicy clove and black pepper, and a touch of fresh mint. Plenty more lead pencil shavings and cassis carry through onto the palate, along with some red cherries, cigar box, spicy black pepper and clove, and a hint of tart rhubarb. Long length finish ending on notes of red cherries and cloves. Great balance, with lots of crisp acidity complimenting the dusty tannins. This clearly still needs plenty of time in the cellar, but it's far from a crime to open this up now with a long decant as it continues to creep toward it's prime drinking window. Fantastic.
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Dark crimson in color, very little sign of aging. Notes of raspberry, plum, leather, and cedar. Not very Pauillac like with sweet tannins and medium-bodied. Very well balance but seems to lack complexity of a great Pauillac. This was quite a distant behind the Ducru Beaucaillou 1995 I had last week, but still very enjoyable. Drinking well now. First bottle of a case bought during EP. 92 Pts.
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This seemed like it's in a late adolescent phase. The nose is really just starting to develop, but the palate is nicely balanced. Very enjoyable now, I'll hold off another couple of years before I have another, hoping the nose fills out a bit more.
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Korken in gutem Zustand; sichtbar kaum Alterungszeichen; an der Nase typischer Pauillac, leichte Stallnote, viel Kirsch- und Johannisbeerfrucht, etwas Graphit, Schokolade; Tabak, Kräuter; am Gaumen mit mittlerem Körper, feinem, seidigem Tannin, guter Säure, sehr langem Abgang; kühler und eleganter Wein, der gewinnt, je länger er offen ist.
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Wine dinner in Hong Kong: Similar to the Palmer but better on the palate. Very round - glycerol. Lovely balance. Nicely developed tannins. Improved well in the glass.
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Took the cork out and got a distinct hint of wet cardboard, thought it was destined for the cooking pot. After an hour or so it mellowed out into a fairly present, if not stunning, claret however. Hopefully the next one will have aged better.
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Would have been a great wine if not preceded by Unico, La Mondote, La Chapelle and 2 other big hitters, still very ellegant and plesant, medium bodied, soft tannins good nose, classic Bordeaux.
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This bottle had hints of the power I've been pining for in this wine. The nose at first had more of a kirsch liqueur thing going, but then faded some. It's got terrific balance but again I was hoping for more power in the mouth. Slightly astringent and moderately acidic. I'm optimistic that a few more years will help this flesh out.
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Bright dark intense red. Dark red fruit, wood, olives and mineral notes. The palate is bright, energetic, just then right combinations of acidity and sweet fruit, very fine tannins barely notable. Long balanced finish. Everything a Bordeaux should be. Ready to drink if you like Bordeaux on the young side but has many years of development ahead.
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Dark crimson, limited signs of colouring at the rim. Intense and typical nose of Haut Medoc: cassis, hint of green pepper, cedar wood, smokey. Medium alcohol, high acidity, long length. Very well made wine, will last for at least 5 more years
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Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Lots of dense black fruit aromas followed by highly structured black fruit on the palate. Trace hints of licorice and tobacco. I felt this needs some more time for the tannins to resolve, and I hope the fruit hold steady until that happens.
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Bottle 4 of the week. Brilliant - excellent Pauillac. Beautiful bordeax nose of dark cherries and lead pencil, full bodied, tannis nicely developing and a long finish. This was my wine of the week. It still has a lot of life in it and should get better w/ more time in the bottle.
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Aromas of licorice and cherries, tobacco. Dark purple in color to the edge. Loads of fruit, good tannin backing, licorice, smoke, tobacco, chocolate, black cherries, long palate, great body. A full bodied, rich wine, balanced, with years to go until it is completely mature. This will improve with age, 3 - 5 years. Wonderful glass of Bordeaux.
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What a lovely wine. Had with rack of lamb and it was a perfect match. Wonderful nose. Was ready to drink. Nice body. It was very balanced. A little cedar, smoke. Dark fruit. What a wonderful vintage. The last of six bottles.
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Intensive, clear garnet in color. Nose of dried berries and coffee. Smooth but still dry tannins. Lots of dark berries. Nice wine now at the beginning of its drinking window. Drink - 2030
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The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; opened about 2 hours prior to service and consumed over the following 2 hours. A youthful appearance with no bricking. Surpsingly, this was quite closed aromatically, reluctantly offering up notes of crushed dark fruits, gravel and hints of fennel. Medium-bodied, but slightly angular on the palate, and less round and generous than previous examples. Disappointing, but perhaps this wine is going through a dumb phase.
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Bottle 6 out of the case purchased on release . This just keeps getting better and better. It took it about 1 hour to open up and start singing. I don't know how much better this will get. Classic Pauillac cedar and lead pencil notes. Drink now and enjoy.
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Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste (The Ledbury, London): Closed at first, opens out to show pure red fruit, floral notes, gravelly minerals. Medium bodied,lighter than 96, quite elegant if not so deep, with a savoury red fruit and minerally finish - slightly firm still. Very good. ****
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Equilibrium. Classic Paulliac - pencil shavings, very classy (and balanced within the fruit) oak handling - a touch of farmyard (possibly also a whiff of sewage). Very fine grained tannins. This very cabernet wine is certainly ready but should have a further 20 years of positive evolution. Excellent pin point definition. Fragrant fennel seed top notes. sweet herbal and earthy currants and a touch of licorice. This is outstanding wine that is aging well. Drunk in memory of Lulu, the best cat in the whole world.
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1995 Bordeaux Retrospect: Alcohol :: 13% I suspected this has heat damage as the aromas and flavors profile just don’t seems right, dominated with soy-sauce.. hmm…. Light brown rim. The nose display sweeter tone than the 1st two wines with barnyard, menthol, pencil leads and also heavy soy sauce note in the background which is clearly not something that is attractive…. Quite elegance on the palate, rich and expansive, good depth and long juicy finish. This is certainly a very good wine but some stew fruits distracted the overall drinking pleasure. What a shame.
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Glorious full bouquet. More muted on the palate, but wonderfully balanced and coherent, nothing showy - just really enjoyable, "together" and mature Claret.
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A little restrained upon opening, and perhaps I did not allow the wine to breathe long enough. It opened a little more after an hour or so. More muted than my previous bottle, with pencil lead and graphite. Tannins provide a light dusting on the palate. The acidity was exceptionally well resolved. I think this vintage has a lot of life left. When drinking from a properly stored bottle, this is one of the best Pauillacs I've had. Tonight's bottle was very enjoyable but a little muted.
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2nd bottle: let it sit and decant for nearly and hour - made all the difference. excellent silky finish with an almost savory flavor on the back end. great wine!
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Not a ton on the nose and a bit restrained. Popped and poured. Graphite and some cediar and moderate fruit with mostly resolved tannin....pleasant for sure but not necessariy singing...not sure this wine will ever be a star...I think the 96 just has more zip and star power
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A bit dumb on opening and slightly tannic, but after 2 hours in a decanter it opened up and was very good. Great structure with good tannins and firm acidity, plenty of length on the palate and a classic Boredeaux nose. No sign of ageing, colour still good and if this bottle is typical, plenty of life yet. Only drank half the decanter that evening and I saved the rest until the next evening. Then it had opened up a treat and for me was 100% classic well-aged Claret. Will not open another bottle for at least 6-12 months as I think it could get even better.
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Ruby Nose: coffee, dark chocolate, plum, cassis Palate: dark cherry, lean and beautifully tannic and acidic, ripe blackberry, very long finish. Licorice and anis. Sexy feminine. Great wine
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This wine is from BBR, stored in very good condition so it tastes younger than it should be. Plum and blackcurrent, complex and powerful but very clean and pure. Feel like drinking Ch. Latour.
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Drank with Dan & Kim at Dovetail for Denise's Birthday. Decanted 1/2 hour before dinner and then during dinner. Drinking very well, dark garnet color; typical Pauillac nose.
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Pop'd & poured; tight at first, not showing much. But then opened up, revealing fruit and got much better over 1.5 hours. Give it more cellar time or a multi-hour decant.
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(Drank at Bern's Steakhouse, Tampa.) Ready to roll after only 20 minutes in the decanter. It's immediately generous with the spices on the nose. Dark berries, cassis, and leather predominate thereafter. Despite the openness, the tannins that clamp down on the back end show that this has many years (certainly better than a decade) of peak time left. The combination of fruit intensity, measured spice, class, structure, and good length all combine to make a near-masterpiece.
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Impressive wine, decanted for 2 hours, and have a rich nose of cassis, blackberries, black cherries and some vanilla, chocolate. Quite smooth on the palate, with a medium finish. Pairs quite well with chicken. Still quite young, and will last for at least one more decade.
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The nose is comprised of sweet cassis, threaded with tobacco leaf and shavings of lead pencil. There still quite a rigid, graphite spine around which plush fruits and sweet cedar gather. This wine was a little hard in its youth but is now drinking particularly well.
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A sublime wine, drinking beautifully after a few hours in the decanter. Sweet, sexy fruit with lush acidity and tannins in balance, and a very very long finish. Classic Pauillac. Brilliant.
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Awesome wine. Tar, earth, plums, raspberry, cherry. Flowers, and melted licorice. This wine is still a bit closed and could use another year or two in the bottle. Needs to decant a couple hours now. Beautiful and elegant.
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Medium to full bodied. Soft, supple dark fruits. Mushrooms and earth. Great complexity. Tannins still noticeable, and I'm sure this will continue to improve.
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Dense, complete aromas of cassis, saddle leather, cedar, graphite and a touch of green bean casserole, all exquisitely melded and complementary. Wonderful texture and poise on the palate. The powerful finish is fresh, fruit laden, gravelly and precise. A finely controlled wine that is both concentrated and refined. More of everything when compared to the 1996, this will grow in stature over the next two decades.
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Opened about 2 hours before serving. Quite youthful appearance, but the bouquet is beginning to blossom, offering up scents of cassis, currants, earth and anise. Great mouthfeel, concentration, and delineation; the table absolutely loved this one! Perhaps a notch above the '96 at this point, but both of these wines are modern day classics.
A wonderful bordeaux. Lots of great smokey earth - chocolate, black currant and wonderful tobacco overtones. Fruit was still there especially on the finish although it's not overly tannic and feels really balanced in your mouth. It was decanted for 45 minutes and got better over the following 45. Usually I find GPLs a bit round and flat but this one was lovely
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This was a bit muted, more Left Bank. The bouquet has developed nicely over the last 14 years, becoming a textbook Bordeaux, but the palate still needs time. This tastes like tannins to me, thought the texture is smooth, not hard. Tonight it seemed a bit shy next to the Right Bankers, so I'll give this an A-.
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Bordeaux 95 vs 96 with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London): Side by side 95vs96 @ Handfors's Tasting with Richard Brazier. Most people at the tasting , incl Richard, really liked the 95 and 96 GPL. I found them nothing special and had no favorite between them. Very classic style. Closed and tannic. Not for me Like all classic style 95s (and 96s) it needs some more time... 5yrs min
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Decanted 2 hours. Deep garnet color. Muted, somewhat green nose with llittle of the complexity and interest I noted a few years ago. Also rather green on the palate. Perhaps it's just going through a dumb phase. The cork was perfect and this bottle came from the same case I bought on future. Stored in my cellar since release.
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This wine was decanted for three plus hours. Cedar and oak onthe nose with a hint of baked cherries and red fruit. Tannins had smoothed out but the wine never came together. Col the end of the night,just dried out tannor was medium red and was a mag. Definitely not over the hill but lacked a punch that I would have expected. Toward the end of the night, just dried out .
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Drank at 160blue, decanted about 1.5 hours prior to drinking. Terrific nose- lead pencil, sweet & sour red fruit. Very elegant in the mouth, showing nice layering. The acid/tannin combo still keep this tight and relatively lean, I found myself wishing for more fat. All in all a very nice wine, I hope a few more years soften it a little more.
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At Wijn Antiquariaat (blind tasting) GPL vertical with 1975, 1985, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2003. Complex and powerful wine. Good fruit and tannins. Nice long lingering finish. More 'attractive' than 1996 at the moment. Drink now - 2025. Probably best around 2015.
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This had a very nice mature nose. Mouthfeel was smooth with some fine tannin. Taste was suprisingly lacking in the midpalate with very little fruit. Aftertaste was again very nice and quite long. I bought this earlier this year, so I'm not certain about the provenance. As a whole this wine was nice, but I cannot give a score in the nineties because of the faded fruit.
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At Cuts with Kurt and Brett: 97 YQuem to start and end; 03 Cuvee Indigene, 95 GPL, 01 Cheval (too young), and 05 "M." The GPL was luscious. Fully integrated and perfectly structured, lots of cedar, earth and stewed fruit. Decanted only for 30 minutes. I would say it is in the sweet spot right now, and went online this morning to secure a few more.
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Amazing bottle. Opened for about an hour and then decanted at the table for about another hour. Was still closed when poured but opened up after about 10 or so in the glass. Very complex and classic GPL. Cassis, earth, lead pencil, leather. Just a wonderful bottle and sad that it was my only one. Would suggest decanting longer as it got better with more air. Definitely has much more time to it but is drinking very well right now.
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Birthday tasting @ Roel's (Netherlands): Civilised, modest though multilayered and complex bouquet. Well dosed and concentrated, very good balance and harmony. Bright, clean and very young, tilting from primary to secondary characteristics. Perfectly ripe and juicy tannines, lots of fresh, crunchy fruit. Velvety throughout the finish, oak plays a wonderful supportive role. Complete and complex wine that will gain in points after a few more years in the cellar. My guess: top-notch Bdx from a recent cool year, 2004?... Guess not.... What a surprise and what a wonderful wine, full of promise. 18+/20
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A little closed initially, it opened up over a couple of hours. I think this is hitting optimum drinkability. The tannins are still present but in good balance with the fruit. The cedar box and lead pencil are also well integrated with the fruit. This wine evolved throughout the evening with no signs of decline after ~3 hrs.
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Had with Coq au Vin and it was dark, full bodied, thick - had a nice finish- fruit was still quite evident - I think this wine will last for several more years - I will try it again in about 18 months
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Opened about 1 hour before dinner. Good fill; the cork was sound. Youthful appearance, with a purple core turning to ruby at the edge. The bouquet is still rather primary, offering up scents of cassis, licorice, leather and spice. Medium to full bodied, with a nice velvety character, great concentration, and a long finish. Good structure, and will continue to improve for at least a decade. Quite similar to the '82 at 14 years of age.
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A very nice wine, but a little disappointing given some of the other comments and my very high expectations. Nose was a little tight (after 2 hours of decanting) and the wine was well balanced but lacked an intensity of fruit that I had expected. Consequently I am not sure if it would improve greatly with more aging.
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No notes taken, though major point was it's still too young or needs 5-6 hours of decanting. I'll wait at least 5 more years to open the next one. Smelled and tasted very good, just needs more time.
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I agree completely with Parker on this wine. However, I do not see how it could get much better than it was last evening. It is wonderfully rich, concentrated, unctious and balanced with loads of jammy black fruit..
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Fairly tight and tannic even after lots of air. This had a nose of tomato ketchup, showing some secondary funk, decent balance and a nice but short cherry finish. A little tough to drink now, but still showing potential. Another disappointing '95, although this bottle may have been a bit off. With J&K at our house.
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Drank with JJ's birthday dinner at Chez Panisse. Delicious and elegant. Cassis, blackberry, pencil shavings, cigar box, aged oak. Medium -full bodied. Moderate acidity. Rich but not overbearing, and surprisingly food friendly. Smooth, with soft, silky tannins. Wonderfully long and persistent finish. A treat.
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Rich and powerful. Full of cassis and full-bodied. Ripe and ready for the raves to follow.This classic cassis delight is elegant and exacting in its ability to imprint on your memory.
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Tasted perhaps too young. Was decanted by staff at Wolfgang's. Seemed like there was a beginning and an end with no middle. Won't touch another until 2012-2013.
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Informal Tasting in Richfield. Classic Pauillac, leaf, cigar box and cassis on the nose. Cassis dominated palate, with nicely integrated oak. Rich and concentrated, with lovely freshness, clarity and focus. Silky, plush tannins. This is just about coming into its drinking window and is absolutely lovely.
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Double decanted and drank 1.5 hours later at a restaurant. Fragrant jammy yet floral bouquet of currant, graphite and a hint of well integrated oak. Delicious baked dry cherry cobbler on the palate. Elegant wine with a smooth finish. Seemed shy compared to the 2001 Staglin (93) that was poured next. Classic bordeaux.
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An old stand buy-just bought another case at auction at a reasonable price, this purple and black beauty has a powerful nose of cassis, blackberry and licorice. Full-bodied this richly concentrated wine drinks beautifully always.
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A beautiful, classic Pauillac. Drinking very well. Great extraction and sweetness. Had over six hours in the decanter. The wine is still very young but very very beautiful.
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Dinner with Andy B., Chris D., Jay K. No extensive notes taken. Decanted for an hour, served with beef dinner. Wine is well settled, not too many tannins. A clear Bordeaux off the nose and on the tongue. Well balanced and smooth.
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Almost opaque in color with a perfume reminiscent of cassis, tobacco, cedar and spice. Tannic, concentrated and young. There is a hard spine to this Bordeaux that will hopefully fade with time.
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Had with dinner at Toscanini in Jamaica, a must for lunch or dinner in the Ocho Rios area. Outstanding bordeaux, especially for Pauillac lovers. Complex nose of cedar, resin, and dark fruits. In the mouth, jam fruit and cedar flavors. Soft, rich and elegent with a finish that lingers. Low acidity. Wine was from my cellar. There wine list is fair at best. Bring your own wine, if possible.
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Decanted 4 hours before drinking. Color was a deep brick red with some purple. Elegant but powerful nose of violets, cassis, some oak and plums. My wife noted that there was no tobacco or earthiness, surprising, to her, for Paulliac. Noted 'elegant' again on the palate. Flavors of blackberries, some tar, and rich cabernet fruit. Ripe fruit, silky tannins and good acidity on the finish. Drinking beautifully now and seems to have everything for a long, very enjoyable drinking window.
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Decanted for a few hours now. Deep red color, with a hint of brown. Great paulliac nose of pencil shavings, cassis, a bit of cedar. Medium-bodied with relatively high acidity this has good powerful fruit without any sweetness. The tannins are still slightly hard on the finish, but my overall impression is that this is a very good wine in a slightly lean style, best suited to be drunk with food. I have 10 more, I'll open them over the next 10 years or so.
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With BBQ pork tenderloin. Dark, bright red with no fade to the rim. Very pleasing Bordeaux nose - somewhat less expressive than last week's 95 Cos d'Estournal. In the mouth - firmer, more masculine than the Cos - tannins nicely integrated. This was very nice. Ready to go. Enjoy!
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This wine is the reason I love to drink Bordeaux. Textbook Pauillac. Decanted 1 hour before serving. Deep red color. Looked very youthful, as there was no browing around the edges. Complex nose of currants, plums, cocoa, and cedar. Medium bodied and perfectly balanced: not at all acidic, with soft, velvety tannins. More currants, plums, and wood, with a beam of chocolate. 45 second finish. I couldn't imagine this wine getting any better with additional age.
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Good dark colour without bricking. Lovely complex aroma of dark fruits and earth. Nicely integrated with blackcurrant, plum and a bit of wood showing through on the palate. A little low on acid for my taste, the tannins are quite smooth now - I had expected a bit of toughness. The finish is shorter than I would like. A nice wine with a good nose, but doesn't have the stuff that gets me going.
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BLIND 1995 Bordeaux etc...: Served BLIND (though this was one of my contributions). Tight nose. Dark fruit, earth. There's something herbal underneath the fruit. Big tannins. Quite traditional in style. Very nice. My favorite wine of the flight.
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Fruity red currant and raspberry, softer and fuller on entry than the Clerc '96, almost rounding and most certainly ready to go. We couldn't have picked a better time to showcase this wine IMHO, it shows sexy elegance and the softening of age at which we all aspire to taste our Bordeaux's by. The richness of silky Merlot dominates this left bank wine with sweet plummy fruit and minerality. The acidity was low, the tannin factor was gripping and somewhat charged, yet not in any way obtrusive. A full flavoured classically elegant wine yet a bit abrupt in the finish. I'd drink these sooner rather than later.
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$38.70 retail, after discount, upon release. Very apprachable and enjoyable wine. Solid for the $$. Dark fruits, a nice bit of earth and light cedar notes. Color fading nicely. I think this is showing well now - indeed, better and less tannic than I would have thought. I have a couple more bottles and will probably open another in a year or two.
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3/29/2024 - melvinyeowq wrote: 94 Points
Bordeaux night: The complete opposite of the Beychevelle, but equally lovable. GPL to me represents the archetypal workhorse Bordeaux, and in good vintages they can possess serious depth as was the case here. Not as silky as the Beychevelle alongside but much more structure and tension holding the wine together.
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1/27/2024 - cct wrote: 94 Points
A mature classic nose. Cassis, some saddle leather, bricks, bell pepper and roses. At this point it's fully mature and in the zone for me. There aren't any particular aspects of this wine that stand out; rather everything is in concert with a pretty seamless sense of clarity and focus that is laudable. A lovely mix of mature fruit, savory and soil. Everything is in harmony here. It's not a blockbuster, but it's at its apogee and offering a ton of contemplative pleasure. Medium long finish with a little '95 austerity that I kind of dig. Drink up. It's delicious right now.
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1/1/2024 - fjcott@gmail.com wrote: 94 Points
Stunning bottle of wine . Vibrant structure, perfumed, beautifully textured with classic bordeaux flavors
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12/31/2023 - Idefix Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully.
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11/23/2023 - parkline_wine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really good, needed 1.5 hours of air to show though. Could go decades longer. Fresh!
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11/19/2023 - grandvin100 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still strong tannins, but nice sweetness, red berries, cedar notes... Reminiscent of St Julien with Pauillac character. Very nice wine.
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11/19/2023 - A&C Likes this wine: 96 Points
A friend brought this to dinner tonight. Wow!! A great example of a Bordeaux. The fruit was fantastic. The texture divine. The finish was fantastic. Many years left in this vintage. I think the 2023 end of drinkability is wrong. I would say 2033. I really really really enjoyed this wine tonight. Thanks to Ed for bringing it!!
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11/11/2023 - dream wrote: 90 Points
Couldn't quite compete with the best wines tonight and severely outshone by the '95 Beychevelle drunk alongside. Still, this was lovely in a lighter style with complex notes of tobacco and smoky gravel.
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6/30/2023 - Milos Likes this wine: 91 Points
No detailed notes during dinner, Deep tawny with pale rim. Black current and cherry fruit with cedar notes on the palate. Some tannins still present. Very good finish.
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6/18/2023 - jamieanderson3956@gmail.com wrote:
For our 41 st Annie
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3/20/2023 - tomandlu wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 2 hours prior to drinking. Deep, virtually opaque garnet-red color. Intense and moderately complex nose of cedar, tobacco, red clay, red fruits, Asian spices, and hot metal. Very full and slightly tannic on the palate though the tannins were quite ripe and fine, giving the wine a very nice palate impression. The palate, though, was not quite as complex as the nose and the finish was a tad short and drying. I have had better and poorer examples of this wine over the years, all from the same case and stored in my cellar since release.
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3/15/2023 - djhammond Likes this wine: 94 Points
This has really settled down and finally is in its prime drinking window. Blackcurrent, plum, and forest floor notes are prominent with some floral hints of violet appearing. The palate is robust with the tannic backbone typical of 1995 left bankers. However, the tannin has integrated with everything well balanced. The finish is still a little light, but in harmony and pushing 30 seconds. I would hope more time will address this. This should keep going for the next 3 decades. An hour or two in the decanter is perfectly sufficient.
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2/3/2023 - Buddy318 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really great right now. Wish I hadn’t drunk the first eight bottles earlier.
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1/14/2023 - Horichdaslicht Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted & tasted within 1 hour. Deep purple with mahogany edge. Initially restrained but developing a floral, spicy aroma with blackcurrant, cherry and smoke and earth on the palate. Long finish of softening tannin and kept giving over 4 hours. Not quite the concentration of the greatest years, but very good. On this showing, should hold its form for a while and maybe even improve a bit.
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1/14/2023 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Delicious, showing some bricking and signs of age but the red fruit it still there. Not quite on the level of 2000 but worth of the GPL name
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12/15/2022 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Old Guys Lunch (The Minikahda Club, Mpls): Very dark red/purple. This had been decanted and slow ox'd for several hours. Drank a glass over 45 minutes. Well the nose on this is totally rocking, there's an immense perfume of leather, cassis, violets and wood spices with an earthy back drop. The palate is like many '95's and more about the structure and back bone, cassis, hints of blueberry, oak spice, tobacco, and more rustic. Full bodied, the tannins have some edge, and this comes off darn well, but oh my if it lived up to that nose. The nose is a 96, the palate 92 to 93, all together it's 93+pts, maybe it stretches to 94pts.
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12/15/2022 - chablis28 wrote: 94 Points
Tom's btl at our recent "Old Guys" lunch. CV,LS,TS,JV, SP + guest (he's everywhere) scribe KB. Fantastic snowy afternoon at Leo's cozy Club! This showed up in a decanter & beautifully ready to go. The nose was one of the biggest I've ever encountered. Awash in a captivating floral perfume. Kevin, thought violets. Amazing aromas in my Reidel Burg glass and the wine's most intriguing aspect. The palate showed the slight leanness often found in the '95 vintage but still was incredibly elegant and enjoyable. Nice fruit & richness w/o the flesh of a riper vintage. I loved this wine and believe even though it was our last wine of the day, all was gone. Most times, you don't want your btl to be last in the lineup as a unless its amazing like this GPL, it won't get the attention you hope for. This did! Thanks Tom!
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12/2/2022 - TWSA Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Nose: hoisin sauce, leather, forrest floor
Notes: started drinking after opening for one hour, at this stage its not quite ready yet as the nose is still dominated by excessive alcohol. While some signs of secondary notes are coming out I couldn't feel much fruit in the wine which makes this a little hard to swallow. Unfortunately I'm unable to say much positive things about this wine. In my mind GPL would make a decent fifth growth wine, usually quite straightforward and not that complicated, nevertheless I do not think they can be considered in the so called super second bracket as they are just not quite there yet. I maintain my judgement on them and feel that at their current price point there are much better alternatives. Although this wine doesn't feel old at all but I doubt if further aging can give much improvements to the wine.
Rating: 86
Drink: now +
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11/25/2022 - The Wine Monkeys Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was the follow up to a 1976 Ducru-Beaucaillou, which was a major disappointment. This GPL displayed richness and elegance. Medium to full-bodied, ripe cassis, and earth scented with grippy yet integrated tannins….wonderful texture and finish. Drinking beautifully.
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10/21/2022 - Lype Likes this wine:
Classic left bank bouquet, very promising. The palate is generous, filled with cedar, graphite, raspberries, pencil shavings and currant, all makings of an excellent Pauillac. Good fresh acidity. Tannins are present but the ample fruit prevents this from being one the tannic and difficult 1995 left banks for the first couple of hours in a carafe, after that tannin is accentuated and begins to override fruit. This was 92 points for the first two hours, after that very 1995 left bank. If I had another bottle, I would decant the wine into a bottle to postpone the negative effect of aeration.
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10/8/2022 - Bert Camem Likes this wine: 93 Points
Remarkable for its age. Bitter/sweet dark cherries, liquorice and violets dominate the flavours. This is followed with subtle hints of tobacco, spice and orange. It has fine silky texture and an acidity that brightens the whole experience of the wine. It finishes with soft, yet lingering tannins, suggesting perhaps another ten years or so of good drinking.
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8/24/2022 - djhammond Likes this wine: 94 Points
Last tasted 14 months ago, this is progressing nicely and needing less aeration, and now an hour or two in the decanter is perfectly adequate. 1995 wines are always going to display a robust tannic spine, but as this matures and the tannin sweetens, it is losing the harshness on the palate and now has a pleasant mouthfeel. The taste profile is consistent with blackcurrant, plum, earth and forest floor on the nose and palate, but some delicate violet notes are appearing. The finish is lengthy and excellently balanced, but the tannin is prominent and perhaps not to everybody's taste. This is contuing to evolve and should be drinking for 30 years or more.
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8/21/2022 - JSLevine05 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hours and drank over the entire evening. Presenting a dark inky purple color with a slight amber rim. Showing a broad and complex nose with a core of dark black fruit, jam, cassis, and currant. Tertiary notes of soft leather, brine, underbrush and roasted fruit. The wine is medium to full bodied with well integrated silky tannins and a long, winding, and mouth filling finish.
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7/23/2022 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just a hint of brick red. Sweet tobacco, cinnamon, herbs and candy apple. After 3 hours it starts with cherry, raspberry, cola and a moderately tart finish
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5/22/2022 - kevin h wrote: 92 Points
Best bottle yet. Starting to be ready. Classic softened Pauillac with great cassis nose and flavour. Good levels of concentration. Best after 2 hour decant.
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5/6/2022 - asparagus Likes this wine: 93 Points
Graphite, hints of leather, black fruit. Loved the nose! In the mouth - whilst good, was also a bit underwhelming. Think this could do with 5 years more at least. I like GPL and have quite a stash of various vintages, but PLL/Lynch Bages it is not.
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4/30/2022 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Very dark red/purple color. Opened about an hour before pouring. Siggy and Jennie's bottle. Drank a couple glasses over an hour plus. Now these are really beginning to show nicely. I've found the '95 GPL to have been showing generally well, especially for a '95, but this appears to be coming into it's own now. With minimal air, this was a giving classically styled Pauillac off the bat. Pretty dark fruits, more subtle potpourri, pencil and leather notes abound. This is full bodied, with some scorched earth and tannins that are slightly austere. Really nice with our steaks at Tado, pre-show for George Thorogood.
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1/11/2022 - grub94 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Classic Pauillac! Deep garnet color, clear. Big nose upfront with tobacco, earth, dark cherry and currants, leather....keeps going. The palate is more of the same with some wet gravel and the earthiness fading into wild mushrooms. Sift tannins and acidity are still carrying this forward another 5-8 years. Long enjoyable finish. Happy to have another 10 bottles.
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1/1/2022 - Caciolo wrote:
Excellent right now . Can easily go another 5 years
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12/4/2021 - pclin wrote: 95 Points
PnP. Beautiful nose, so Pauillac and Latour-ish like. Tobacco, leather, and oyster shells. Vibrant acidity with some tannins still hanging around, firm mid-palate. Good complexity and long finish. Burnt cigarettes with touch of oaks lingering on forever. Similar to last year’s bottle, excellent showing today. Ready and will last for years.
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11/15/2021 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 96 Points
Nose of red currants, leather, and tobacco leaf. Palate shows layers of red currant, tart red cherry, and gravel followed by a rush of acidity and silty earth. Tobacco, dried currant, and wet stones on the finish with long, smooth, resolved tannins, clay, earth, and a touch of oak at the very end. Peak drinking!
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11/12/2021 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Getting the gang together @ Wus (plus birthdays!) (Wu's Wonton King): Another '95 in the line-up and also drinking quite nicely. It's classic older Bordeaux. More library.
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10/23/2021 - HRT wrote:
Incredible for a 26 year old wine. Rich, powerful, and strong structure showing this still has years left.
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9/25/2021 - leachriscellar wrote: 89 Points
Ruby/brick color. Earthy aromas of leather, forest floor. Cranberry, orange peel with cherry on the finish but it does fade.
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9/15/2021 - Livonietisr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Mature aromas of blackcurrant, plum, tobacco, leather. Wine is balanced with structured tannins. Taste of red fruits, tobacco, earth. Finish is long. Very good, still will benefit from some 5 years in cellar. To drink now needs decanting for 2-3 hours.
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8/10/2021 - MRichman wrote:
Some of the edges of this wine have actually started softening up. Great rich mature fruit, solid structured tannins. Red fruit, cedar, herbs, lots of mineral and iron. This is really quite lovely. Feels like what qualifies as an old school BDX these days. Drinking very well now and for the next 10-15 years at least. 1+ hour of air probably helps.
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8/2/2021 - dbkitc wrote: 93 Points
Excellent bottles. Beautiful garnet color with a mature brick rim. The nose is classic GPL: cassis, cedar and a touch of tobacco. So traditional. Medium bodied palate that is at peak. Maybe lacks a little stuffing but that is nitpicking. Not a superstar but a classic glass of excellent Pauillac. (93)
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6/30/2021 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
Second time of tasting this year and it just keeps getting better, (recently acquired Zalto glasses may have pushed it that little bit further!) A lot of the left bank wines from 1995 are starting to lose the tell tale tannic profile and are starting to live up to the accolades on release. To be honest I had resigned myself that the vintage while excellent, would always display this robust character. However, suddenly this has started to integrate and is starting to be far more readily approachable. The nose is full of ripe fruit and there is now a good mouthfeel with the tannin sweetening and great balance. The finish is 40+ seconds and has great depth. This is drinking well now with a few hours in the decanter, but should continue to develop and be drinking for at least the next two decades.
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4/9/2021 - Doubleten Likes this wine: 93 Points
I've had this wine twice this week with similar impressions. Red/blue fruits, cassis and currants. Notes of minerality, leather and tobacco. IMO this wine is at its peak and should be drunk now. It can be poured from the bottle, but does gets better after decanting for 1.5-2hrs, at which point the fruit becomes more prominent. Classic and delicious mature Pauillac character.
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2/17/2021 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is in its drinking window, and is very approachable, albeit with 6 hours of decanting. It has a deep mature nose with blackcurrant, and plum prominent. It has a great mouthfeel and has lost a lot its previous austerity. The palate is complex and has still retained a steely tannic backbone but in complete balance. Likewise the finish is is in perfect balance to the very end (40+ seconds). I am perfectly comfortable with drinking this as it really is firing on all cylinders with sufficient aeration, but it is going to stay here for the next couple of decades.
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1/14/2021 - Vinterest Angus wrote: 90 Points
From magnum. Closed at this point and in this format, and didnt offer much drinking pleasure at all. a great shame.
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1/1/2021 - kevin h wrote: 91 Points
Classic Pauillac, cassis nose, a touch earth, still young. Needed 2 hours in the decanter to open up, possibly 3. Ripe fruit, still young and still a bit of tannin. Cassis dominated but this probably need another 5-10 years yet. No rush.
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12/26/2020 - tomlee wrote: 94 Points
Crimson in color with bricking at the edge of the glass. 13% ABV. Fantastic nose of red fruits, leather, cigar box and cedar. Medium body, warm and supple. Perfect balance of tannins, acids and fruit. Black currants, plums, tobacco and earth on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with silky tannins in spades. I've been guilty of drinking many 95's too early but this Grand Puy Lacoste seems to be in a really good spot. Tremendous Bordeaux from a polarizing vintage. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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12/15/2020 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Zoom tasting with the wine group - Bordeaux vs. Cali Cabs (Zoom): Medium-deep ruby; aromatic tertiary nose with forest floor, mulch, tobacco, leather, black fruits; palate is full bodied, excellent complexity and balance, tannins integrated but still providing some structure, medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol (13%), balance of red and black fruits with tertiary forest floor complexity; finish is medium-plus length. A classic Pauillac, at early maturity but with a decade on this plateau. 93
In comparison with the california cabs tasted alongside, this can seem at times austere, but I think it's pretty much as expected for this chateau.
Day 2: The last half glass held up well. Classical Pauillac.
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12/8/2020 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of black berry, cassis, and dry earth, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, at peak-time to enjoy is now, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, lovely secondary flavors reward you cellar efforts, easy to sip and savor down to the last drop, and a long, lovely finish and aftertaste. Photo uploaded.
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11/13/2020 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted two hours. Lovely mature Pauillac with full body of integrated acid and tannins, tobacco, leather, dried redcurrant. I don't see this improving but should be good for a few more years.
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10/17/2020 - Theophilus Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted around 45 mins and drunk with roast ribeye. Part of a case bought en primeur and cellared at home since. Quite delicious. Healthy sweet cassis aroma with lots of underlying complexity and a good follow-through. Bits of tobacco and earthiness but overall just a pleasure to drink. This bottle was in a very good place at the moment.
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10/11/2020 - davergny Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank with Leoville Barton 1995.
Open for 2 hours. Cedar on the nose. This one has cherries, cedar, and leather on the palate. A little softer than LB with fine tannins and a long finish. Similar to note from 5 years ago but has softened on the palate. Good claret but not extraordinary. Don’t think this will improve much either.
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10/7/2020 - redzins Likes this wine: 92 Points
25 years of wedding bliss
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9/3/2020 - grossie Likes this wine: 90 Points
Soft and a bit sweet with a honey character typical of the vintage. Drink soon
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8/23/2020 - TonyCanova Likes this wine: 95 Points
Everything this wine should be and still so young at 25 years old.
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8/23/2020 - Diane (LI) wrote:
Has been consistently very good for the past several years. Doesn’t have the harsh tannins that affect many 1995s. Textbook Pauilliac.
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7/23/2020 - blanquito wrote:
I opened a 1995 Grand Puy Lacoste last night, and it was fantastic. Beautiful, savory, cool-fruited cabernet, but in no way austere. Tannins resolved, leafy aromatics, smooth and delicious. This has improved a lot since my last bottle several years ago and today it is brilliant stuff, the quintessence of old school Pauillac. Already terrific, but if more bottle age unleashes further depth, this wine could become a legend.
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7/15/2020 - millej Likes this wine:
Opened for Bastille Day with some disappointing d'Artagnan Wagyu Flank steak and steamed broccolli.
textbook classic claret. Cassis? Check. Cedar? Check.
On first decanting the 1995 tannins still predominate but it gradually and steadily smooths out and is drinking very nicely at the 2 hour mark.
Enjoying this and happy to have a few more bottles.
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6/27/2020 - Lype Likes this wine:
Bouquet filled with pencil shavings and cassis, the palate is consistent with the nose and adds black pepper, graphite and liquorice, very complex, a lot of concentration yet elegant and resolved, medium bodied with fresh acidity and long multi-dimensional aftertaste, in a beautiful place right now but will last, this is everything a classic Pauillac should be, simply excellent.
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6/20/2020 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nose of leather, currant, and earthy cherries. with lightly smoky meaty notes. Waves of complex red fruit, roses, and gravel are pulled together with strong tobacco leaf. Light white pepper leads into old oak, silt, quartz, shale riding across a long finish of gentle, elongated tannins.
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6/13/2020 - RED AND BLACK wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful Pauillac, worth waiting to open the first bottle of my case till now. Held in professional cellar till today, the bottle was in perfect conditions, cork was perfect. The moment you open the bottle to decant (abundant sediment) you smell the wine and you know this is going to be great. Classic mature Pauillac as I love. This was a beauty. Maybe not extremely complex now, but a pleasure to drink. Ready now and will hold for more years if stored properly
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6/12/2020 - pclin wrote: 95 Points
PnP. ABV 13%. It has been years since last bottle. Subtle nose but clean. Notes of flowers, oyster shells and mints. Still some tannins around but relatively fine tannins. Vibrant acidity. Good complexity and length. Touch of pencil shavings and burnt cigarettes at finish, classic Pauillac. Drinking now but could still improve. Excellent showing and great value during EP. kept a glass for the 2nd day, this actually continued to improve with impeccable balance, impressive!
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6/3/2020 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is a wine consistent in its delivery, and is certainly in its drinking window. Extended aeration is essential, and anyone who pops and pours will be underwhelmed. The vintage as a whole is coming into its own for the top left bank wines, albeit with a classic tannic backbone. This is certainly up there with the best from the year and really is only surpassed by the 1982 and 1990 of the pre millennial years from the estate. The taste profile is consistent with my notes from 5 months ago. Without doubt this is still in development, but with extended decanting can be enjoyed now without guilt.
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5/10/2020 - Frank Schneider wrote: 94 Points
Thats bordeaux ! Not the smooth side. The more rustic side. Fine tannin. But tannin ! Medium body. Lovely juice with forest and leather.
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5/3/2020 - mjdixon Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tasted against 99 Lafite & Mouton...all preferred Grand Puy!
Wonderful wine!
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4/28/2020 - Lipsman wrote: 94 Points
As LIFEBREATH points out, this needs a good decant. Hard and astringent at first, this opens up nicely. It is still a child of the vintage and will never be voluptuous, but it offers engaging complexity with rich, tart cherries, cedar and tobacco, and a generous finish. Good stuff. Bricking with loads of sediment. Drink now through 2028.
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4/19/2020 - coremill wrote: flawed
Either low-level TCA or too much VA or both. This bottle was sharp and volatile and short and showed very little fruit. Did not improve with food or 3+ hours of air.
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3/23/2020 - lifebreath wrote: 93 Points
Lovely nose, well integrated tannins, acidity, fruit, spice and earth. Lovely sense of Pauillac terroir. Nicely mature and drinking well. Needs an hour in the decanter to open up, for tannins to recede and sweetness to emerge. Definitely has the classic, somewhat austere structure of the 95 vintage, but the fruit and sweetness is there with exposure to air. Please do the wine and yourself a favor - don’t PNP! Give it a nice decant.
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3/23/2020 - D'Yquembe Mutumbo wrote: 91 Points
Maybe an off bottle, had next to a 2008 Saxum Heartstone, 85 Gruaud Larose, 82 La Lagune, and 95 LMHB and it was clearly the inferior bottle. The nose was a 94+ wine but the palate wasn't giving, as it was tight and tannic with light notes of blueberries, moist earth, and pencil shavings.
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3/19/2020 - I1bearup Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic nose and light on the weight. Tannins were fading but still drinking really nicely!
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3/2/2020 - Joey Hunter Likes this wine: 90 Points
On the nose - earthy, cedar wood, pencil shaving, fresh mint, plum and blackcurrant.
Palate is similar to nose, more fruit characters along with two hours breathing in bottle.
The wine is elegant and harmonious, balanced black/red fruits with round tannins without the overpowering earthiness that you sometimes get from some Pauillac.
The wine seems rather asleep at the first taste, I will definitely decant the next bottle.
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1/26/2020 - JAKE1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine needs a long decant, should have been great but no decanter was available and we opened and let sit in glasses for awhile and still was not open. heavy graphite, fruit not there anymore, have one more bottle and will consume soon, would have given it higher marks if it was tasted fairly. had it with pot au feu, so well suited.
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1/23/2020 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
As with a lot of the left bank wines from the year, this is ready to drink. It still needs a few hours in the decanter, to show it at its best. The nose is deep with aromas of plum, black cherry, tobacco and musty leather with floral background notes, primarily of violet. The palate is showing secondary characteristics and is deep with the tannin, now sweetened, and showing excellent balance and acidity. The finish is lengthy, but does lack depth at this stage. This is still in evolvement, but is very enjoyable to consume now, but has a structure to be drinking for the next 3 decades. 95+
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1/18/2020 - cab blends wrote: 92 Points
This was tasted blind. The cork gave some cause for concern (to those who looked at it as it would not have been blind to me if I had seen the cork) as it had almost begun the leak.
A very muted nose - light cellar muskiness with a minute hint of fruit with oak and leather. Nose 3/10\
This was a pnp and was very smooth from the first moment. While it had great integration and smoothness, there is acidity in the backbone. In fact, except for the smoothness, I thought this was an Italian Cab due to the acidity. Clearly the age shows through with garnet beginning to show.
I would drink these up if I had more. Probably ideal for a 25 year old now.
HL 2 FD 2
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12/24/2019 - tbabes wrote: 92 Points
The fill was into the neck and the cork was pristine; popped and poured at the end of Christmas Eve dinner. Younger appearance than the 95 Pichon Lalande, which was served immediately prior. A bit more reticent on the nose, with classic scents of cedar cassis, tobacco, grilled meat, crushed stone and Forrest floor. Much firmer than the Pichon Lalande, with a less generous texture, but great depth and focus on the long finish. In hindsight, this would have benefited from two hours of air; I should have known we would finish the Pichon Lalande!
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12/22/2019 - cephomer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and poured last nite for Austin's 24th bday/born in 1995. Barnyard and earth on the nose. Color indicates a mature wine. Still good black fruit, on the lean side but still with good concentration and power. There's cigar box, lead pencil, forest floor and cedar here. Quite a nice wine, but it ain't getting any better. Drink up (wish I had more...)
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9/30/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Firm, crisp and bright red fruits with a stoic nature create the backbone of the wine. Very classic in nature, the wine is firm, tannic, full-bodied and crunchy with a tannic bite. With its tobacco, cedar, cigar box, forest floor, herb and red berry perfume, the wine is more interesting on the nose than the palate. Giving this a few hours of air will help, but the nature of 1995 vintage is strong here.
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9/28/2019 - joedv8s Likes this wine: 94 Points
Similar to notes prior to mine a fine and delicious wine. No sign of age only elegance. Hard to predict the future of this wine, I have a second down stairs but easily several more years. I followed the do not decant from an earlier note and just opened and let stand about 90 minutes prior to consumption. Dinner for 6, everyone loved it.
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9/7/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Black fruit with good weight, better length, ending with a slightly rugged finish with almost all tannins softened, or at least close. Not the most complex of wines, but certainly enjoyable.
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7/28/2019 - dankgummy Likes this wine: 94 Points
30 min decant and ready for prime time. Long finish, great nose, relative bargain. Love love love
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7/25/2019 - Marc wrote: 96 Points
Stunning bottle - so complex, completely mature with uncommon equilibrium. Meaty, iron ore, mocha, leather, dark berry fruit. Supple texture, but its a classic Bordeaux tannic structure. Classic Paulliac that convinces (in a major way) through balance, proportion, and sheer refinement.
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7/14/2019 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine: 95 Points
For Bastille Day, popped and poured at my favorite French bistro in DC, La Piquette. The '95 Grand Puy Lacoste probably falls into the "if I only knew then what I know now" category. When I first started becoming interested in wine, the '95 Bordeaux were still in stores, and I only wish I'd bought a full case or two of this 20-some years ago. Just an outstanding bottle, with all the hallmarks of a great aged Pauillac. Drinking beautifully now, but seemingky in no danger of imminent decline.
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7/14/2019 - napasoutherner wrote: 95 Points
Stunning Bordeaux consumed during Bastille day festivities. Opulent, lots of depth and after 25 years is still going strong. Dense earth floor, cranberries on nose. Long finish. Incredibly satisfying.
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6/20/2019 - englishman's claret wrote: 92 Points
Very different wine from last night - which is the real 95 GPL? Last night's was packed full of currant, mineral, violet, pencil - plush and dazzling. Tonight's wasn't bad, but less vibrant currant and much more pencil without some of the exciting nuance or dazzling depth from prior.
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6/19/2019 - mattiasjansson wrote: 92 Points
Grand-Puy-Lacoste tasting (Gordon’s): From magnum
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6/19/2019 - englishman's claret wrote: 95 Points
From magnum, the 1995 GPL is showing absolutely brilliantly. Beautifully fresh nose, full of vibrant blackcurrant, blueberry fruit accented by fresh violet and pencil notes. Perfectly ripe palate and totally delicious. Should have a long life ahead.
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5/9/2019 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
Having checked my previous note of nearly a year ago, this has definitely accelerated its development over this period, and is, with of a lot of the leading 1995's, really starting to hit its stride. This is beginning to up there with the 1982 and 1990, and is remarkably similar in style. The nose has taken on a maturity and is still deep with fruit, but full of musty leather. It is full of blackcurrant, plum, black cherry, and cedar with floral background notes, primarily of violet. The palate is deep and complex, with a harsh tannin, but which has now softened sufficiently to be almost smooth and very well balanced. The finish does not yet quite manage to match the rest of the experience, but another year or two should rectify this. It seems at almost 25 years of age the 1995's are finally starting to realise the initial plaudits on release,. 96+
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4/19/2019 - MRichman wrote:
Lovely claret. Had a good long decant. Herbal, mature, tar, tobacco. Great delicate, old school wine. Dry with a long finish. Really excellent restrained wine. Ready to drink with a good aeration time. No rush.
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3/2/2019 - DougLee wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Medium garnet color. Nose of cassis, red currant, cedar, tobacco, floral notes. Deliciously accessible layers of currant, leather, and grippy concentrated plum fruit coursing on the palate with surprising richness despite a lithe frame. Moderate acidity and palpable but softened tannin leading to a long finish of crunchy red fruit, tobacco, and a hint of green leaf. Full of life and with definite upside, this wine is in buoyant adolescence.
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2/26/2019 - Philip67 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Classic 1995 Bordeaux, soft, drinking perfectly, tertiary notes (leather) but lots of primary fruit. This is in its prime drinking window and will go on for years. It is quite full bodied, silky generous fruit, very typical GPL. Still plenty of structure to provide grip and interest.
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2/18/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 94 Points
Tasted blind at a Commanderie event. The most complete wine of the night, shows again what a great QPR-overachiever GPL is. Wonderful nose of mature Medoc with wet forest floor, pine, dark fruit, spices, barnyard, Very good structure for a 2007. Kudos. 94+
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2/17/2019 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
PnP
Clear edge, ruby leading to a garnet core.
The nose is incredibly intoxicating. A mix of ripe red and black fruit, new leather, with a touch of pencil shavings. Definitely some ripeness here.
This is unbelievable on the palate. Medium body, moderate acidity and just a touch of dusty tannin. Loads of fruit lead to a extended hedonistic finish.
Not what I’d call a classic Bordeaux but wow, this is delicious and still incredibly young.
It will be hard to resist opening anytime soon, but some more time in the cellar should bring out more nuance. Long life ahead, 15+ years easily.
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2/14/2019 - CMN wrote:
Dark red fruited with an abundance of herbal notes and a touch of tobacco and cedar. Very good acidity, with nicely integrated tannins. Drinking well now albeit younger than its age. No rush to drink. If there's a quibble with this wine, it's that the green notes are perhaps a bit too prominent, obscuring the bright fruit underneath.
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot.
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2/8/2019 - devraj Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark ruby in color. Strong aromas of cedar, pencil lead, cassis and hint of scorched earth. Brawny and masculine palate shows rich and ripe dark fruits, leather, graphite, medium acidity, resolved tannins and a very long and cedar/tobacco perfumed finish.
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2/5/2019 - Honeyburst Likes this wine: 93 Points
In a very good spot. Can easily age another decade or two, but not sure that will necessarily improve the wine - just alter it. I would expect it to stay at or close to peak for years. Great wine.
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1/14/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 93 Points
The mini Latour I like to call due to its stylistical and aromatic similarity. Very compact still after 23 years. Lots of blue fruit, forest floor, good mid plate volume and finish. On the closed side still. Decant for 1-2h.
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1/7/2019 - LWI wrote: 92 Points
Typical nose, angular in the mouth at first. Needed a good 5 hours to soften, and became a mellowish and interesting wine.
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12/23/2018 - Seth Rosenberg wrote: 90 Points
The next installment in Jay’s attempt to convert me to BDX. Not as successful as the 79 Haut Bailly. This is deep and dark with cedar, blue-Black fruits like black currants, herbal. Classic cab profile. Dark and savory on the palate. Solid but doesn’t move me.
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12/22/2018 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 92 Points
Side by side a great 2000 GPL (scored 95), decanted for 2 hours. This looked less developed then the millennial version, quite inky still. It also came across as younger in my opinion during consumption - still quite fruit forward (blueberries mainly) compared to the 2000. Felt a bit more extracted compared to the effortless 2000. Very good wine but just a bit less interesting then its 2000 counterpart. On the margin I would be inclined to give it a few years in bottle. Drink 2020-2040
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12/21/2018 - jcorsico wrote: 90 Points
I have a case of this wine and recently opened four bottles. Funky, earthy, leather, some fruit, and quite enjoyable.
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12/8/2018 - honest bob wrote: 92 Points
From 75cl, exquisite cork, decanted 1 hour. A massive Pauillac – blind I would have guessed a mature Lynch Bages from a good year, perhaps 1990/1995/1996? Basically as noted on 04.12.2016, but softer, richer, more mellow, very mature and on the blackberry rather than blackcurrant fruit spectrum. The texture is thicker and more chewy than I expected. Will surely fade away gracefully over the next 10-20 years, but I'm not sad to have drunk my final bottle in its prime. 92P
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11/25/2018 - grossie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking very well. Soft, round, good fruit. Might be starting to fade.
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10/28/2018 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely, great depth of flavor while feeling deceptively light on the palate. Held up over 2 days. Ready to go.
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10/27/2018 - MRichman wrote:
Very good and ready to drink with a long decant. Not up to the 1996 quality but still a really nice wine.
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10/24/2018 - Honeyburst Likes this wine: 93 Points
Perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious wine at first. Almost half a bottle was left and revisited some 2-2½ hours later where it had begun to loose some of its immense charm. This could hint towards a peak, but only time will show. Start consuming.
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9/1/2018 - Bigtuna Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last bottle was a big disappointment. This bottle was lovely. Nice fruit, cedar, lead pencil, classic Pauillac. Nice balance of tannins and acidity. Solid 92
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8/24/2018 - heymamalow Likes this wine: 93 Points
Compared to the previous bottle i had in 2016, 2 extra years of ageing has allowed it to come into its own. Had it alongside the 95 Pape Clement and this was the consensus winner.
Nice dark and red fruit with some cedar and graphite. Tannins well resolved. Finely balanced so this does not come across as flabby.
1 more bottle left and will try to be patient.
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8/4/2018 - Bigtuna wrote: 88 Points
Disappointing bottle - cork good, wine thin and uninspiring. Definitely and off bottle compared to every other bottle opened from the same case. 88
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7/15/2018 - liber Likes this wine: 95 Points
6th of 12, opened 30 minutes, perfect cork and level, agree with nearly every word of DJHammond's note below, this is a wine which transcends the vintage which is often slightly too austere and intellectual with its vibrant fruit in the mid palate giving it a generosity and grace missing in many other 95s (as yet...cf LLC!). I have a hunch that the 96 will be even better once its current rather closed phase is resolved, the 01 runs it close and I have high hopes for the 2000 in five years time when I'll start to look at it! VF (18.5).
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7/12/2018 - Paul D wrote: 90 Points
1995 Bordeaux (Piccolino, Exchange Square, London): Again some gravelly mineral on the nose, underlying red-toned fruit, touch of spice. Medium bodied, red fruited, cedar, balanced acidity, medium-good length finish.
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7/12/2018 - SimonG wrote: 91 Points
1995 Bordeaux: Nicely blackcurrant and sandlewood nose. Same on the attack. Quite cool and poised. Open and showing a little ankle. Promising. ****
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7/12/2018 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
I have tasted this on a fairly regular basis over the last couple of years, and it is definitely ready to be enjoyed now, but is definitely going to continue to improve and move to the stages of full maturity. Along with the fabulous 1982 and 1990, it is probably the best example of this estate of the last 40 years in its drinking window. The nose is full of blackcurrent and cherry with background hints of violet. The palate initially is very developed, but mid palate it is still in evolvement. It concludes with a very promising finish of 30 seconds plus. If you have a few bottles start to enjoy this now with lots of time in the decanter, but this is going to mirror the 1990 and just keep improving and have the structure to last for decades.
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7/9/2018 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful.
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4/17/2018 - asparagus Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was lovely. The best showing of this wine thus far. There is still significant red and dark fruits (though receding) with hints of cedar. Tannins are still present but entirely unobtrusive. Moderate acidity and alcohol but I think this is at its early peak, where it should stay for the next 10 or so years before eventually entering into a slow and long ( but still enjoyable) decline.
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3/5/2018 - dbenglis Likes this wine: 91 Points
Representative of Pauillac. Accustomed notes of tobacco, cedar, lead pencil and leather. Tannin still present at a desirable level. This wine exhibits masculinity and has some more aging potential. Agree with Englishman response that it misses a particular element so that it will never reach greatness. Very enjoyable however.
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2/20/2018 - Ricky99 wrote: 94 Points
Awesome glass of wine.. drank with the 96 and 97... this was the fav of the group closely followed by the 96... plenty left here
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2/18/2018 - Bigtuna Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP, consumed over the next four hours. Classic Pauillac, balanced, drinking very well. 92
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2/14/2018 - asparagus wrote: 92 Points
A lot more primary than previous bottle. Dark red. Lovely nose. Dark and red fruit and cassis. Tannins there but resolving. Based on this showing, Should last till 2030 easily...
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2/13/2018 - englishman's claret wrote:
Lovely composure here; blackcurrant, cedar, leather, smoke, the slightest touch of herbaceousness elevating and freshening the wine. This is great; simply a classic Pauillac if perhaps without the breadth and drive of a top cru. But this was a small pour at a walk around, so I didn't have the benefit of following this over the evening 94ish.
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2/12/2018 - englishmen’s claret Likes this wine: 93 Points
Skinner Wine Auction Preview:
What a lovely Pauillac! I have to say this was a very satisfying wine & drinking very well. Notes of black cherry, cassis, leather and cedar. How lovely are some of the 1995s coming along and drinking right now?
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2/4/2018 - ArtF Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fill into neck. Deep ruby in glass, lighter at rim. Double decanted and left open two hours. Drinking well now. Certainly has the balance, tannin and acidity to last 30+ years.
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2/2/2018 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
Still very fresh but drinking really well. The nose has perfectly ripe cassis, some leather, cedar and graphite. Fruit is crisp and detailed in the mouth. There's tannic chew and depth and length are good. I love the wine's balance and lick of bright acidity.
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1/26/2018 - TOTOM wrote: 93 Points
18sec finish
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1/3/2018 - BordeauxBoy wrote: 92 Points
Tasted Blind...no surprises. Nice bottle of left bank BDX. Ready to drink now.
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12/31/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
New Years Eve (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red/purple color. Slow-O for about 2 hours. Drank 1+ glass over 3 hours. The nose stars here and it really is pretty and classic with a wonderful mix of funk, earth, pencil, and black fruits. One of the those noses you can just smell all night. Now I wish the palate could back that up better. It isn't bad by any means, but it shows the austerity that so many of the '95's do. I have had this when it was more open, and perhaps a decant would have assisted, but really after 3 hours in glass it should have improved if it was going to happen. The palate has scorched earth, more brooding black fruits, some earth, a bit if sharpness along with an astringent tannins. We drank this alongside a '97 Etude Cab which surprisingly had a very similar nose - that over time was even more
similar. In the end I favored the Etude slightly with its fruit profile being more enjoyable. 91+pts.
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12/6/2017 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking well, but still with lots of room for further evolvement, the wine at 12.5% is an old style Bordeaux. Led by a wonderfully perfumed nose of cherry and blackberry, I concur with other comments that you could savour the aromas all night. The palate presents an old fashioned meeting of deep fruit with robust tannin. The finish is balanced and lengthy. The wine, as with the majority of 1995s as a whole, is going to continue to improve and let the palate catch up with the nose and shed tannin, but this is already nearly up there with its siblings from 1982 and 1990. Do decant for a few hours at this stage.
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10/19/2017 - gutt22 Likes this wine:
12.5% alcohol. Fantastic showing. A textbook Bordeaux from a strong vintage. Dark red color, not showing age at all. Gorgeous nose of cassis, pencil lead, tobacco, and forest floor. In the mouth, seamless and expansive, with great purity of fruit and load of complexity. Sturdy but gentle mouth feel. Just awesome. A
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10/16/2017 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding bottle. A nose that you just want to sit and breathe deeply, without even bothering to sip. And the taste is just as good.
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10/7/2017 - jbroich Likes this wine: 94 Points
best bottle so far, unfortunately my last mag. amazing cherry blackberry compote with cedar and subtle musk on the palate
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10/6/2017 - Yuenmac9 wrote: flawed
Corked
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10/1/2017 - daveyleis1 wrote: 95 Points
A classic wine. Cassis, plum and all the fruit in the back seat. Velvet and slightly dry on the finish. PNP or let it open. Wish I’d bought more than one case.
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9/13/2017 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Brown, sort of paler garnet; tootsie roll, earth, forest floor wet leaves, cigar, old cassis hints, blask-ish red and black fruit; granite minerals with decent finish. Dry, M+ acid, with resolved M Tannins, steered me to '95 left bank Bordeaux. Blind at Brian's.
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7/26/2017 - djhammond wrote: flawed
A slight whiff and taste of the cork wouldn't be shaken off. However, an amazing wine wine with great depth which is continuing to evolve.
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7/25/2017 - kevin h wrote: 91 Points
Better than a previous bottle. Still some leafiness but good, dense cassis fruit. 1995 Matt fruit, not an opulent vintage. Good, typical Pauillac and years left but for me not yet living up to its stellar reputation on the two showings I've had of it so far.
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6/11/2017 - Wendypb1 Likes this wine:
Delicious
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5/12/2017 - gsquireh wrote: 95 Points
Cassis, cedar, plum, raspberry, spice, oak, licorice, tobacco, sweet and balanced tannins, excellent concentration and classic structure, finishes like the best of the 90’s Bordeaux and text book wine making for this era
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5/8/2017 - shaferguy91 wrote: 94 Points
Drinking beautifully.
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5/1/2017 - asparagus Likes this wine: 93 Points
It took an hour and a half in the decanter to open up. But when it did, it was glorious. Definitely no longer in its primary phase. mainly red fruits, some cedar and leather. Many years to go.
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2/28/2017 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted and drank over three hours. This bottle seemed a bit lighter and less structured than the other. It was delicious but nothing really jumped out at me.
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2/19/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Monthly Wine Group: Bordeaux 2005 and Older (Lela, Bloomington MN): Small pour. Wow, this was singing - and I loved dit. This might have been the best showing for this to date. Really a wonderful nose with gorgeous potpourri, dried berry fruits, leather, red fruits, very pretty, fine tobacco leaf, quite long and focused. Fantastic. REally glad I've got a few of these -0 they'll drink great now or hold for 10-15 years easily. 93+pts.
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2/9/2017 - Piotr K Likes this wine: 95 Points
Soooo good. Complex, intellectual wine, still has years left in it. Every sip was a pleasure. Best wine I had for a while.
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2/2/2017 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
I have tasted this 3 times over the last 12 months and its evolvement has been dramatic. Decanted for a couple of hours, it is now firmly in its prime drinking window and seems to improve with each tasting and for me is now matching the 1982 and 1990. Packed full of cassis and red berries the nose is incredibly heady with aromas. The fruit continues on the palate where the tannin has sufficiently sweetened to provide a balanced smoothness. The finish is long and satisfying. There still remains a slight residual sourness to resolve but it is inconsequential to the overall enjoyment. I hope that this rapid transformation over the last months perhaps indicates that other 1995's might soon start to be entering their drinking window.
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1/27/2017 - rgawlowski Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very elegant and supple. Mature fruit on the nose, earthy, a bit metallic on the palate, smooth and balanced.
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12/28/2016 - devraj Likes this wine: 93 Points
Medium ruby red. Classic nose of dark currants, forest floor, pencil lead, cedar and violets. Elegant, medium bodied palate shows perfect integration of sweet black small fruits, hint of leather, good acidity, no evidence of tannins, fully absorbed oak and a long perfumed, cedar filled finish.
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12/28/2016 - wineguy75 Likes this wine: 96 Points
1hr decant with coffee filter. Saddle, leather, tobacco. Middle of drinking window.
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12/27/2016 - dcwino wrote: 95 Points
Poker night - Bordeaux single blind - 95 GPL, 01 Ausone, 11 The Lovers, 03 Margaux and etc.: Intense cassis driven nose, blueberry, caramel, a hint of vanilla, blue flowers, lead pencil, a hint of cedar and earth. Excellent concentration, fully integrated polished palate, nicely integrated tannins and a long sweet cassis driven finish. My guess is the 90 Mouton. Assaf calls it the 02 Mouton which is an excellent guess. What a pleasant surprise! A beautiful claret at the youthful peak! It is drinking like a good vintage Mouton. @ $100 in the current auction market, I can’t recommend this enough!
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12/27/2016 - kevin h wrote: 90 Points
First bottle from a case. Big blast of cassis on the nose. tastes resolved, full of cassis charm, though a hint of something green and stalky on the finish marred this a little. I wondered if at first it was slighly corked but I don't think so. Try another soon.
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12/23/2016 - Lipsman Likes this wine: 94 Points
A solid Bordeaux, supple and elegant with moderate complexity and good length. Satisfying. Drinking well right now.
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12/15/2016 - acyso wrote: 93 Points
HDH auction tasting at Tru (Chicago, IL): Seriously solid Bordeaux. About as classical as it comes. Light touch of herbaceousness on the nose, with some leather and a light bit of plum as well. The palate is very potent, showing plenty of really alluring graphite. There's a moderate hint of dirt, but no funk or animale at all -- this is very, very clean. Lovely acid, I have to guess this is just entering into its long plateau of drinkability.
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12/11/2016 - FransS wrote: 88 Points
Perfumed bouquet, firm body, acidity bit recognizable and tannins quite noticeable.
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12/4/2016 - honest bob wrote: 93 Points
From 75cl, perfect cork, decanted 90 minutes (which it needed to tone down the initially aggressive tannins). Superb, complex, fully mature Pauillac: Fresh blood, cedar, dark spice and fruit on the nose; full-bodied entry and wonderful mid-palate with ripe black fruit (from blackcurrant to blackberry, with some heavy forest floor notes); long resonant aftertaste. Perfect with roast beef, which I left a couple of minutes too long in the oven. Next time: There Will Be Blood! 93P
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11/21/2016 - PSPatrick wrote: 93 Points
“Bordeaux 1959 – 2014 (blind)”, flight 5, wine 1. The wine was medium ruby in colour, with watery edges, and offered red and dark fruit, spices, tobacco, mushroom and mild earthy notes on the nose. On the palate the wine showed red and dark fruit, spices, cedar and tobacco, with good, fresh acidity, fine, ripe, medium-plus tannin and superb length. The medium-bodied wine was balanced and drank very well. It seemed to be in a good place. Great Cabernet.
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11/20/2016 - dharrison93 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful claret. Dark ruby with no sediment, this wine is mature. Nose of cherry, fig and spice. Long, long finish.
If a date, this was a 35 year old corporate manager who bores you at dinner by discussing work issues over and over
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10/30/2016 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 94 Points
Stately, restrained Pauillac drinking well. Full cigar-box nose, very dry on the palate, hints of tobacco and leather, medium body and finish.
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10/29/2016 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank this wine about two months apart. First bottle open 30-45 minutes, second decanted and opened 3 hours later. Decanting makes a huge difference... between a lovely bottle and something that seemed astringent and fruitless. Lesson learned to be diligent and decant.
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10/23/2016 - jsmorris707 wrote: 95 Points
Tasted blind at BB; from memory, delicious & ready to drink after having been decanted earlier in the day
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10/9/2016 - liber Likes this wine: 95 Points
5th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, up a couple of gears since my April bottle, remarkably youthful colour, lovely nuanced secondary flavours developing on nose and palate, grip, balance, yummy! VF (18.5).
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9/26/2016 - Papies wrote: 91 Points
The Arts Club Version of the 1976 Judgement of Paris, With Steven Spurrier (The Arts Club, London): After 4 corked bottles the Arts Club sommelier finally stuck a healthy one.
Very consistent to the wine we drunk 2 years ago (Papes 91) still a bit shy but at least the tannins are now softer and definitely the time in bottle has helped .A few sharp edges still but it didn't feel like the complete wine we were expected. Still very good and definitely wasn't helped by the comparison vs the Monte Bello 1995 (Papies 93-94) we had side by side. Also having recently tried Cos 95 (Papies - 94) this feels like the didn't get all the stars aligned in 1995. 91
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9/9/2016 - CamWheeler wrote: 92 Points
GMs - 1995 Bordeaux Tasting: Cedar, tobacco, cocoa and pencil shavings. The palate has great fruit presence, with plenty of lift and approachability. Still has a good structural element and has a good number of years left to develop. A really strong showing for this wine.
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7/31/2016 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tasted only 4 months ago but has improved yet again and is pushing towards a 96. Approaching full maturity and bursting with cherry fruits this lingers on the palate with a gentle but firm delicacy.
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7/15/2016 - pclin wrote: 92 Points
Next to the '95 Gazin, this is more reticent, shy on the nose. Still some tannins around mid-palate, not really integrated yet. Drying Mid-palate, this maybe a concern as it seems to show up on most of my previous notes too. Classic Pauillac, pencil shaving and burnt tobacco. Not as approachable as the Gazin but with more complexity and length. Should last for years. Tasting the wine from new Gabriel glass.
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6/26/2016 - Frank Schneider wrote: 94 Points
Classic old school bordeaux !!! Loved it !!! Neede air !! So young but fantastic to drink !! Can hold for 10 years !!!
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5/15/2016 - honest bob wrote: 91 Points
From 75cl, perfect cork. Much riper, sweeter, broader, fatter than expected. The nose is obviously Médoc, clearly old-world, but the palate is very rich (more blackberry then blackcurrant), super-pure, smooth and glycerine-buffered (and as an accompaniment to lamb lacks the palate-cleansing qualities I'd hoped for). Much better on its own with fresh bread and butter afterwards. Would have been better with beef... No hurry, good for 20 years. 91-(93)P
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5/10/2016 - Stephen_Skelton_MW Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened the last of my bottles and was amazed by how fresh and young it still tasted. Whilst the colour was starting to go and there was quite a heavy sediment, the wine itself was beautifully structured with form tannins and lots of ripe fruit. It opened up after 24 hours and had softened slightly. If I had any left, I would leave them for another 2 years at least.
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4/29/2016 - djhammond Likes this wine: 95 Points
This has really opened up since last year and is now starting to drink beautifully. It is bursting with berry fruits and nicely balanced with a lingering finish.
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4/26/2016 - liber Likes this wine: 92 Points
4th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, previous notes since 08 fine - youthful garnet, even some purple on rim; correct cassis driven Pauillac with a touch of tobacco and graphite, classy if not particularly complex; medium bodied with attractive roundness, long and persistent, quality cassis like fruit, nicely made if a tad too simple for better than F, may yet develop more nuance but I wouldn't bet on it....the 96 has more potential and the 01 and 02 is higher on the pleasure factor pro tem.
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4/9/2016 - Rollerball wrote: 94 Points
Bromine medicine and smoke. Harsh saved by sweet. A super classic Bordeaux. Thank you Tony!
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4/8/2016 - Diane (LI) wrote:
The night it was opened, it was part of a 1995/1996 Bordeaux tasting and it showed beautifully next to its 1996 counterpart, and was the stronger of the pair. It didn't lose anything on the second night when I had the one remaining glass. The fruit is lush but kept in check by the tobacco notes, tannins, and acidity. There is pure pleasure in drinking it now.
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1/21/2016 - patwjr wrote: 92 Points
Pop & pour. A touch tight at first (& cold from cellar) but with air & warmth it opened up nicely over 30 min. 20-year old earthy wine with some soft fruits. The drink window is shorter than what's listed above.
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1/18/2016 - DrinkBordeaux wrote: 93 Points
This wine seems to be getting younger as it ages, like some other wines from 1995. The nose wasn't revealing much more than the primary fruit. There's some tobacco and clove, but little development of cedar or leather. The palate revealed more of the wine's potential, with lots of intensity on the attack. There is excellent concentration and density. There is still a formidable wall of tannins, even after 20 years. A medium-plus finish, with good acidity. Overall, this is austere with lots of structure. This is still nowhere near its peak, and I wouldn't be surprised if took 5 years to reach it. I would hold this for awhile while it gets past this awkward phase.
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1/3/2016 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very classic Bdx and classic Pauillac - pulled the cork and left in bottle (recorked) and consumed over 4 days. When pulling the cork the most spellbinding scent filled the room and I knew I was in for a treat. This is ready to drink now but will hold another decade easily. If you like more fruit no need to wait, if you prefer for more leather/tobacco notes to dominate then wait or give it a (lengthy) decant. This chateau always delivers for me with classical, not overworked wine where the terroir is allowed to come through. 13% not too heavy either. Lovely.
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1/2/2016 - rcg62 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Such a great standard. Light red in color, and not the most giving of noses. But beautiful plum, raspberry and and cedar flavors. A bit of a California ringer in its youth, this has evolved with secondaries like tobacco that really show the class. Not a superstar but so right!
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12/25/2015 - tbabes wrote: 88 Points
The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; splash decanted. A bit funky on the nose, with notes of barnyard and horse saddle; I usually don't encounter these brett-type aromas with GPL. Medium-bodied, with decent depth; a bit flabby on the finish. I've had much better bottles of the 95 GPL.
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12/25/2015 - Diane (LI) wrote:
Ripe but understated. Nose is gorgeous with cherries, cedar and tobacco and the palate does not disappoint with the same and a beautifully long and satisfying finish. Has plenty of longevity but so good now. Drank this on Christmas Day with filet mignon - perfectly matched.
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12/24/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Christmas Eve with Family (Dave's, Mpls): Very dark/purple red color. Decanted for 3 hours and drank 2 glasses over 3 hours plus. Lots of nice dark fruit here on the nose, cassis, black raspberry, oak spice, horse barn, earth. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, youthful, dusty firm tannins, very earthy, funk, saddle leather, graphite, long. This is drinking better than recent bottles, the air helps. This is one of the somewhat more austere '95's; hopefully this will integrate further over the next 5 years.
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11/22/2015 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Here's the thing, this is a classic Pauillac that has more minerality and structure, and less fruit. I really enjoyed it... my wife not so much!
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11/20/2015 - mjdixon Likes this wine: 95 Points
Excellent Pauillac smell and taste with big fruit and finish
One of the best especially bearing in mind the price
Decant for two hours
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10/23/2015 - wineordeath Likes this wine: 90 Points
More restrained nose than the 1996, but classic cassis, hints of leather and tobacco. Lighter on the palate as well. Good wine, but just not as complex or interesting as the 1996 or the 2000.
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10/21/2015 - AtoZ wrote:
Tight and a bit green for an hour but then really opened up. Glad we didn't drink them all sooner.
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10/20/2015 - Vinmannen Likes this wine: 90 Points
Old School Bordeaux - typeriktig Paulliac.
Synes ikke denne åpner seg ordentlig etter 2 timer i dekanter. Lang ettersmak. Ikke noe feil med flasken. Hadde forventet mer.
Tror jeg venter 3-5 år med å åpne neste.
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10/17/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Another Saturday at Chevalier...Mostly Blind (Chevalier Fine Wines - Chicago IL): Double blind tasting, brief note. Easily identified as Bordeaux, but very closed and inaccessible. No pleasure from this wine today, even finishing with a shrill character.
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9/11/2015 - UTPK wrote:
Even better than last bottle 1 year ago. Deep nose of mature cab, roses, plums and very little tertiary aromas. Not as much herbs and cedar as I normally find in Pauillac, but than again Lacoste is quite different from Lynch Bages and Latour, my reference points in Pauillac. Anyway, the palate is still a bit hard to start with, but after 1 hour in decanter, it softens up and is really delicious. Lovely with a steak and lovely on its own.
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9/6/2015 - davergny Likes this wine: 92 Points
Real classic, rustic, old school Bdx, showing some cedar and crunchy red berries. Drinking well but not mature yet. Try again in 5 years. 92+
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8/23/2015 - Wine_lvr Likes this wine: 93 Points
°°° Bordeaux 1995 °°°: Clear garnet in color. Nose shows leather, coffee, red berries but at the same time some green notes. Very balanced wine with a good length and plenty of power. I really enjoyed this wine. Drink now - 2035
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7/28/2015 - wineforth Likes this wine: 92 Points
4th note since 2000. With Sandy. Big Blackcurrant and cedar nose. Fruit starting to go out on the tannins, so drink up. Long finish.
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7/27/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Still showing a youthful color, with cassis, cedar and tobacco opening up the perfume. The wine combines old school, rustic charm with some of the softness found in the modern age, ending on a note of crunchy cassis. Still young, it's fun to drink now, but will be better with time.
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7/3/2015 - redknife Likes this wine: 93 Points
Took to Ruths Chris
Very short decant but showed well.
Entering drinking window, beautiful Pauillac nose balanced with nice fruit soft tannins. May improve with more cellaring but drinking nicely now
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5/16/2015 - blanquito wrote: 93 Points
Stellar Night of Bordeaux; 5/15/2015-5/17/2015 (NYC): My first try of the 95 GPL and I was impressed. The bouquet is quite evolved, showing lovely tobacco and cassis and loam, with a round, medium-bodied palate. Cooling, with quintessential cabernet sauvignon notes of leafiness, black tea and capsicum. Long dry finish. Wonderfully poised between youth and maturity. Loved it. 93 pts with upside.
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5/16/2015 - salil wrote: 91 Points
Old Bordeaux with Patrick back in town (Fabio's, NYC): Really glad I have a couple of bottles of this in the cellar, but based on this showing I won't need to touch them for a decade or two at least. This still seems very primary, with lots of dense, youthful dark fruited flavours tinged with graphite and cedar wood, and a lot of tannin clamping down on the back end. It eases up a little with air and becomes more fragrant, but right now it's more about potential.
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4/23/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 91 Points
This may come off better on its own but with its table mates the tannin knocked this down a few notches. I guess 20 years is not enough, yet :) Id wait till 2020.
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4/23/2015 - Bellissimo wrote:
Brought to a get together with some very fine wines (https://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=28020). Slow O-ed two hours. For me this is a classic BDX nose with cassis, tobacco, a little cedar and dirt. Good mix of dark fruits and leather, and dirt with everything nicely integrated. Have one more bottle and would have not problem holding on to it for the next 5-7 years though you won't be disappointed opening this today.
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4/23/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
A Decadent Night of 1990's Napa Cabs and Bordeaux (Chez Dalluge, MN): Very dark red/purple color. 2 hr slow-O, no decant. Drank 1 glass over 4 hours. Lots of dark black fruits, cassis, black plum, and hints of black raspberry and subtle wood on the nose; The palate is dense and chewy, very tart black fruits, cassis, tart plum, and some firmer tannins.
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3/8/2015 - DrinkBordeaux wrote: 93 Points
Misplaced my notes on this wine, but I recall vividly that it had a fantastic nose and was very solid and smooth on the palate. Fruit was still going strong. Clearly in its drinking window.
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2/15/2015 - gsquireh Likes this wine: 95 Points
A tobacco store with the wooden native American guiding us through the side door to the leather shop. Cassis and cedar combine with the forest floor spice cake and progress to a beautifully balanced, pure, so smooth 95 where the old school is the best school. The epitome of excellence for Bordeaux in the 90's.
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1/27/2015 - cephomer Likes this wine: 96 Points
Westchester Wine School: Haut Medoc - Terrior & Vintage: Drank from magnum at WWS haut medoc tasting. I've had this wine from magnum recently and my notes are consistent. I loved this wine a few months ago and I loved it just as much, if not more this evening. This wine had a wonderfully generous nose, lots of barnyard, cedar, black fruit, tobacco and leather. Medium bodied, fairly resolved tannins, prevalent dark fruits but also many tertiary notes (leather, tar, cedar, green pepper, forest floor) very well-structured and concentrated wine. An excellent example of a nicely aged Pauillac that's in a great place right now. Great structure, wonderful balance and complexity, finely delineated lines and great finish. However, perhaps the wine's best feature was it's fabulous exemplary Bordeaux nose. Great wine, and plenty of life ahead. Wish I had more...
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1/9/2015 - pclin wrote: 91 Points
Still somehow tannic. Decent balance, not as acidic as previous bottle. Good but not great wine, probably won't improve much from here onward with 20 years bottle age. (B)
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1/1/2015 - Lipsman Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark garnet. Deep flavors, licorice, black cherries, tobacco. Good length and balance. Needs 45 minutes in a decanter to open up. Quite tight upon pulling the cork. A nice tannic edge makes this wine perfect with a sizzling steak served with a green pepper sauce.
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12/11/2014 - UTPK wrote:
Lovely detailed and multilayered nose. Beginning tertiary aromas. Does need a 2 hour decant to blossom. Medium weight on the palate. Slightly green and very fresh. Great persistant finish. Clean and classic!
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11/26/2014 - galenico wrote: 90 Points
MASTER AIS BORDEAUX; 10/22/2014-11/30/2014 (HOTEL WESTIN PALACE MILANO): Degustato alla cieca. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon - 20% Merlot - 5% Cabernet Franc) 66% legno nuovo.
Connotazione più densa, toni vegetali, foglie di pomodoro e goudron. Si avverte un senso di rovere secco, quasi segatura.
Non manca la componente terpenica e floreale, ma sia un minore senso di fusione tra gli elementi, rispetto a Haut-Bailly.
In bocca entra fluido, fine e a fuoco. Carnoso, ma non concentrato; ha più succo che polpa. A centro bocca regala il meglio di sé, quando acidità e sale creano una freschezza gustosa, supportata dalla dolcezza e succosità della componente fenolica a piena maturazione.
Tannino sodo e grintoso che rende il finale un pò asciugante e assottigliato.
Buona bevuta da pasto.
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11/21/2014 - CamWheeler wrote: 91 Points
Raid Len's Cellar #1: Herb, tobacco, ash and light raspberry. Good freshness to the palate, this is fairly classic in nature with its restrained fruit and good structure. Still quite tight at this stage but I like it for what it is and its potential.
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11/8/2014 - cephomer Likes this wine: 95 Points
2014 French Wine Dinner Party (Harrison, NY): Drank at Pollack dinner party, matched vs 1996 L'Evangile. Both from magnum. This wine had a wonderfully generous nose, lots of barnyard, funk, black fruit and leather. Medium bodied, fairly resolved tannins, prevalent dark fruits but also many tertiary notes (leather, tar, cedar, green pepper, forest floor) very well-structured and concentrated wine. An excellent example of a nicely aged Pauillac that's in a great place right now. Great structure, wonderful complexity, finely delineated lines and great finish. However, perhaps the wine's best feature was it's fabulous exemplary Bordeaux nose. Great wine, and plenty of life ahead. Wish I had more...
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10/19/2014 - Bill Bucklew wrote:
Slightly funky nose, good palate with red and black fruit that gives it a decent balance, but very primal. The wine faded after just a few hours in the glass, overall, drinks well right out of the bottle, but likely won't improve, drink up.
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10/13/2014 - pclin wrote: 92 Points
Shy nose. Notes of wood, oyster shell, wet earth, and oak. slightly edgy with fresh acidity level. Chalky tannins with dry mid-palate. Decent length. No hurry to drink this but probably won't improve much.
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10/9/2014 - Papies wrote: 91 Points
5 Decades of Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste, with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London): Dark red in colour. Nose is a bit shy and having followed the excellent 96 (papies 95) it proved a poor relation. Tannic wine, a touch green at time ( got the wrong end of the 95 vintage?) and a bit sharp, edgy. Good wine but time has not helped in our view to iron out the rough edges. 91 at best and we worry abt its longevity.
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9/26/2014 - AccaDacca Likes this wine: 92 Points
Short decant. Well balanced wine, though a bit dry as fruit has moved to the background a bit. A bit of earth and overall a pleasing profile.
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9/24/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 91 Points
Fresh, crisp, with perhaps a bit too much brightness in the fruit, as the cranberries are running over the darker berries. Tannic, earthy and crunchy, give this time and it might flesh out. But at close to 20 years of age, it is probably what it is when it comes to style and personality...
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7/1/2014 - Cheungtp wrote: 93 Points
Mahogany red in appearance. Poised, mature bouquet filled with red cherry, burnt leather, wet earth, cedar and hint of truffle. Well integrated and delivering the enjoyment of a matured claret. Soft touch on the palate, with refreshing acidity accompanying the plummy, earthy, smokey notes. Great bottle. If the finish could be longer, it'd be impeccable. Cheers
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6/6/2014 - Jeffsta wrote: 89 Points
Pleasant, correct, classic flavor profile. Finely resolving tannins; long finish, slightly drying. More structure than fruit, though; not quite in balance. Similar impression from previous tastings, all from perfectly-stored half-bottles.
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5/24/2014 - cepageyakima wrote:
cork taint...crud
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5/18/2014 - hargy wrote: 95 Points
a sensational wine drinking beautifully at the moment - perhaps the best 1995 I have had the pleasure of drinking - full of character with the fruit and tannins wonderfully integrated - drink now or keep for the medium term
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5/3/2014 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine: 93 Points
Color: med dark red
Nose: decanted for an hour, v powerful, strong cassis, rich, this wine has a nose of a 5 yr old gpl, classic pauillac nose
Palate: medium bodied, balanced but not overly complex, still tannic, taste like a young wine, wow this has 20 years left at least, a very nice GPL but with many years ahead, Gpl are build to last! Rated 93+ as this baby will improve with age
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4/21/2014 - simonj wrote: 91 Points
Smooth with good complexity and great length. drinking beautifully at the moment.
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4/18/2014 - md20 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dunkle farbe. Mittlere bis kräftige Struktur, vielschichtig und spannend. Traditioneller Pauillac von fabelhafter Rasse. Typische Cabernetnoten und ein Hauch Minze. Ist ein Traum. 95/100
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4/13/2014 - Ed Veritas wrote:
Drank Apr/2014 at Splendido w/ Josephs. Excellent. ES:94
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4/13/2014 - honest bob wrote: 93 Points
From 75cl, perfect cork, no seepage. Decanted 60 minutes, but it barely needed it, being ready to roll from the first minute. Very ripe, cedary Pauillac, sweet dark fruits (blackberry rather than blackcurrant); quite inky texture. The finish shows some open-grained, ripe tannins and an unexpected flush of sweaty tobacco. (Remember smoking roll-ups?) This is as deliciously good as Médoc gets without launching into stellar (textural, layered taste) heights. Delicious now, will probably improve for 5-10 years, and maybe even reach for the stars. (91)-93P
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3/4/2014 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Color is still deep ruby with very little bricking, very youthful color; nose is deep and complex but somewhat reserved right now, strong core of black fruits with interesting hints of mint and menthol, slightly reduced?; palate is full bodied, has strong core of tannins throughout, juicy black fruits, fresh streak of acidity in the early-mid palate; finish is balanced and medium-long. This is overall an impenetrable wine which barely shows age and needs likely 10 years to even integrate a bit more and come out of its shell. We shall see what air does for it. Very promising, great acidity. 92-93++
Update: Even 30 minutes of air and it starts to come out of its shell a bit more. No longer reduced on nose, denser juicy blackberry and now some blackcurrant on the nose, fabulous hint of mint to give it freshness; palate approachable but still very young. Potential for 93-95 in the future if it develops a bit more intensity and complexity in the next decade, which I think it will.
Update: 2 hours air- opening up, but still so, so young. Very nice, balanced.
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2/20/2014 - patwjr wrote: 92 Points
Pop & pour. A little tight at first, then opened up and drinking nicely.
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1/21/2014 - Paui wrote: 93 Points
dark ruby, strong cassis nose, less mature than the '96, starts to open up after 1/2 hour, enjoyable after 2 hours, cranberries, liquorice on the palate, tannins still blocking a balanced richness in flavor and harmony this wine should have in 5+ years of more cellaring.
Had this back in the bottle for 4 days with stopper in the fridge. Slightly oxidised but smoother on the palate. my guess: potential for 96 but 93 for now.
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1/11/2014 - bill00 wrote: 94 Points
Drinking beautifully in early maturity. Cedar, cigar and olive with hints of green pepper and currant. Lush in the mouth with tannins still very apparent on the finish. Great elegance and balance.
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12/14/2013 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
Hasn't budged much over the past couple of years. Plenty of cedar and cassis to the nose. It is dense and chewy in the mouth with good depth of flavour. Tannins still hold a strong grip over the fruit and there is some flora and sweet tobacco flavours left in the mouth once the wine is swallowed.
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11/10/2013 - Doni.Bertolami wrote: 93 Points
Classic Pauillac at peak. Very nice indeed.
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10/14/2013 - la turque wrote: 94 Points
A quintessential Pauillac, drinking at its peak. This spent two hours in the decanter, and emerged aromatic, lush, long and balanced. A gorgeous wine; no hurry to consume.
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10/12/2013 - jinks Likes this wine: 93 Points
with KC strip...(dinner w wertz). P&P.
garnet color, just a hint of bricking.
nice aromas of cassis, nutmeg, underbrush.
Great texture, fills the mouth with dried fruit flavors and fine tannins.
Long finish
Improved with time in the glass. Very solid wine.
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10/12/2013 - tpmunthe wrote: 91 Points
Not meeting expectations. Good to very good - bot not great
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10/9/2013 - redders Likes this wine: 93 Points
Jeroboam Club 1995 Bordeaux (Bordeaux Quay): v deep colour, almost as dark as Las Cases. Lovely fine grained nose, tightly wound fruit. Rich again with fine grained tannins giving lift and balance. Excellent length. A real food wine.
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9/13/2013 - AtoZ wrote: 90 Points
Good. Not great. Will improve? Maybe. Bell pepper. Maybe sell some of these.
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9/9/2013 - dbkitc wrote: 92 Points
Classic claret, though a touch austere and stinky on opening. Medium garnet color that precedes a nose filled with black current and graphite. Savory mouth-feel that builds upon itself. Very balanced with a good finish. A bit husky but classically proportioned. Grows and opens with air. Very nice. (92)
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7/6/2013 - tewino Likes this wine:
Very tannic spine. Good stuff. Will decant and hopefully will get more friendly.
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6/26/2013 - Lord Rayas wrote: 93 Points
Chris bday dinner (Cipriani): dark and rustic. developing quite nicely. entering its peak drinking window but still needs an hour in decanter.
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5/25/2013 - simonj Likes this wine: 90 Points
Turning out to be pleasant claret. Nice subtle undertones and good length. Probably a couple of years left but definitely nearing it's peak
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4/22/2013 - obmoen wrote: 93 Points
Pepper, lær, solbær, parfyme, rød paprika og våt jord. Flott frukt i munn, kjølig, bra tanningrep mot det beskjedne. Lang.
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3/31/2013 - sdylewski Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great balance and perfect Bordeaux qualities. Still a bit of tannin on the finish, but the middle is really smooth, and the nose has good earth, fruit, and minerals.
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3/21/2013 - Rani Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic nose of cedar, blackcurrant and a touch of green bell pepper. A bit stringent, with fine tannins and good balance but the fruit is very cool. Elegant but rather stingy. I would drink this sooner rather than later.
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2/5/2013 - Insignia98 Likes this wine: 94 Points
rich and elegant, had it from a magnum, just opened it and good...
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1/20/2013 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just in a great spot. Classic Pauillac dusty floor, leather, tobacco nose, nicley layered bright red fruit. well balanced, and now, sadly gone. Definitely enjoyed the experience and expect that at least 3000 others will as well!
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12/25/2012 - la turque wrote: 93 Points
Beautifully balanced. Good fruit, soft tannins, soft acidity. At its peak.
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12/8/2012 - Perthor01 wrote: 88 Points
The bottle was quite a disappointment - I have had the 99, 01, and 04 previously - all were great wines but the 95 was just too little of it all....
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12/4/2012 - clarktoews wrote: 92 Points
nose was still very fresh and the colour was a still nice garnett colour with no browning on the edges. decanted for 1.5hrs(could have used 3hrs i think) classic bordeaux flavours but still a bit harsh on the finish but a very enjoyable wine
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12/2/2012 - rocknroller wrote:
Annual Tasting Group Holiday Party (Porter Creek, Mpls, MN): literally had just a taste. Nose was lovely. Palate had rather firm tannins. This had not been decanted. Impression was very good, probably 92-93ish.
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12/1/2012 - la turque Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic. Drinking beautifully. Fruit a little restrained, but classic Pauillac.
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11/24/2012 - DonalOB wrote: 94 Points
Drank at Goccia. Took an hour to open in the decanter then was sublime.
Fantastic - WOTN.
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11/24/2012 - RayOB Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank in Hong Kong
Nicer than the last bottle with a lot of leather, earth and cedar. Wonderful palate and a medium length.
Great stuff
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11/9/2012 - LWI wrote: 90 Points
Used the whole night to slowly open up. Initially a slightly thin and linear wine. The fruit eventually became somewhat deeper and sweeter, but still a rustic wine that lacks complexity. In need of more cellaring, but will never be a really interesting bottle.
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10/30/2012 - la turque wrote: 94 Points
Double decanted. Drinking beautifully. Sweet, sexy fruit with lush acidity and tannins in balance, and a very very long finish. Classic Pauillac. Brilliant.
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10/21/2012 - pclin wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. This wine is showing a bit better than previous bottle. Nice nose, forward and aromatic. Fully mature and delicious, seems to be more complex than previous experience for this wine. Slight acidity emerges at the end of the 2 hours dinner. 93-94 pts.
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10/3/2012 - tbabes wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Expressive aromatics at first, with notes of tobacco, cassis, roasted herbs, and a hint of truffle, but gradually closed down. Medium bodied, with good centration and depth, but a bit austere on the finish, and lacking in terms of texture. Similar to a bottle tasted one year ago; I'll air on the side of optimism, and say this one needs more time. Revisit 2015.
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9/15/2012 - Nutty08 wrote: 93 Points
The Big Sendoff; 9/15/2012-9/16/2012 (The Home of Dave L): This was showing very well but somewhat overshadowed but several wines in the lineup. Somewhat closed nose of red fruits with some currants and cassis, flint, bell pepper, and cedar. Palate was well polished and refined—somewhat “narrow” with cassis and cedar and prominent tannins. Lengthy finish of mocha, flint and bright red fruits. Polished and focused, needs quite a bit more time though accessible enough now. 93-94
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9/3/2012 - Mr T wrote:
classic Pauillac...sometimes that's a great thing and sometimes maybe not what I was looking for...this for me took a while to open and broaden and lose a slightly sour taste...guess I wanted a bigger, fruitier new world style cab....with time more open and giving more...Sue who is no big fan of Bdx actually thought it very nice, so probably best to go with her superior palate
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8/18/2012 - tardevil wrote: 93 Points
showed very nice with 2 hour decant
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7/22/2012 - honest bob wrote: 94 Points
From 75cl, perfect cork, only reddened at very end. Decanted 90 minutes; it softened a little but would have been ready to roll straight out of the bottle. Superb, quintessential Pauillac. Substantial body and sweetness, in perfect balance with spice-box, blackcurrant, cedar, lead pencil, oak... all the good stuff you hope for but - alas - don't always get. Wonderfully long, resonant finish. A beauty, youthful still but if you have more than one bottle, do try it in its buff, radiant prime. 94(+)P
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7/9/2012 - dcasper wrote: 90 Points
Very good Bordeaux, classic Pauillac with cedar, berries on the nose. This took quite some time to open up and was worth the wait (probably close to 90 minutes). There was no signs of age, wine was very bright and absolutely no setiment.
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6/30/2012 - godx wrote: 92 Points
Dinner at Home (Vancouver, BC): Matt opened this in the morning and slow-ox’d for 10 hours. The nose here was beautiful and classic and everything you would want from a teenage Pauillac. Pronounced notes of pencil shavings, blackcurrant, plums and cigar box with a touch of sweet funk. This profile carries onto the palate where on the entry the tannins seem soft and supple but towards the finish they gain grip and firmness and remind you that this is far from mature. Plenty of acidity to match the tannins and pure blackcurrant flavours and there’s a nice sweetness on the palate that adds to the complexity. This is great to drink now with proper aeration but another 5+ years should allow this beauty to offer even more. Excellent. 92+
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6/30/2012 - MattTM wrote:
Dinner at Devin and Emily's (Vancouver, BC): Popped in the morning and slow-ox'd for 10 hours. Fantastic nose showing the typical Pauillac characteristics one would expect. Lots of pencil shavings, graphite, and rich cassis up front along with saddle leather, dark plums, some spicy clove and black pepper, and a touch of fresh mint. Plenty more lead pencil shavings and cassis carry through onto the palate, along with some red cherries, cigar box, spicy black pepper and clove, and a hint of tart rhubarb. Long length finish ending on notes of red cherries and cloves. Great balance, with lots of crisp acidity complimenting the dusty tannins. This clearly still needs plenty of time in the cellar, but it's far from a crime to open this up now with a long decant as it continues to creep toward it's prime drinking window. Fantastic.
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6/27/2012 - pclin wrote: 92 Points
Dark crimson in color, very little sign of aging. Notes of raspberry, plum, leather, and cedar. Not very Pauillac like with sweet tannins and medium-bodied. Very well balance but seems to lack complexity of a great Pauillac. This was quite a distant behind the Ducru Beaucaillou 1995 I had last week, but still very enjoyable. Drinking well now. First bottle of a case bought during EP. 92 Pts.
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6/18/2012 - mikecase00 wrote: 92 Points
This seemed like it's in a late adolescent phase. The nose is really just starting to develop, but the palate is nicely balanced. Very enjoyable now, I'll hold off another couple of years before I have another, hoping the nose fills out a bit more.
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5/5/2012 - wurzel68 wrote: 92 Points
Korken in gutem Zustand; sichtbar kaum Alterungszeichen; an der Nase typischer Pauillac, leichte Stallnote, viel Kirsch- und Johannisbeerfrucht, etwas Graphit, Schokolade; Tabak, Kräuter; am Gaumen mit mittlerem Körper, feinem, seidigem Tannin, guter Säure, sehr langem Abgang; kühler und eleganter Wein, der gewinnt, je länger er offen ist.
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5/1/2012 - DonalOB wrote: 94 Points
Wine dinner in Hong Kong: Similar to the Palmer but better on the palate. Very round - glycerol. Lovely balance. Nicely developed tannins. Improved well in the glass.
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5/1/2012 - RayOB wrote: 92 Points
Drank in Hong Kong
Nose of cassis, bell pepper, earth and vanilla. Mellow smooth aged taste with a medium finish. Classic old Bordeaux tastes
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4/9/2012 - simonj wrote: 87 Points
Took the cork out and got a distinct hint of wet cardboard, thought it was destined for the cooking pot. After an hour or so it mellowed out into a fairly present, if not stunning, claret however. Hopefully the next one will have aged better.
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2/11/2012 - danielk168 wrote: 92 Points
Would have been a great wine if not preceded by Unico, La Mondote, La Chapelle and 2 other big hitters, still very ellegant and plesant, medium bodied, soft tannins good nose, classic Bordeaux.
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1/23/2012 - grossie wrote: 90 Points
This bottle had hints of the power I've been pining for in this wine. The nose at first had more of a kirsch liqueur thing going, but then faded some. It's got terrific balance but again I was hoping for more power in the mouth. Slightly astringent and moderately acidic. I'm optimistic that a few more years will help this flesh out.
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1/5/2012 - dcasper wrote: 90 Points
this was quite good. It seemed to take forever to open, but after about an hour it blossomed, with a very silky finish.
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1/5/2012 - Jhcwine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose - 92. Palette - 92. Interesting. Nice fruit, some tannin. Not a lot of complexity. Very much a Pauillac, but doesn't go beyond that. No finesse.
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12/30/2011 - Milos wrote: 94 Points
Bright dark intense red. Dark red fruit, wood, olives and mineral notes. The palate is bright, energetic, just then right combinations of acidity and sweet fruit, very fine tannins barely notable. Long balanced finish. Everything a Bordeaux should be. Ready to drink if you like Bordeaux on the young side but has many years of development ahead.
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12/25/2011 - paulst wrote: 89 Points
Leather and earth nose; decent fruit with blackberry; good balance and nice texture with good length.
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12/25/2011 - bino wrote: 95 Points
Dark crimson, limited signs of colouring at the rim. Intense and typical nose of Haut Medoc: cassis, hint of green pepper, cedar wood, smokey. Medium alcohol, high acidity, long length. Very well made wine, will last for at least 5 more years
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12/17/2011 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Lots of dense black fruit aromas followed by highly structured black fruit on the palate. Trace hints of licorice and tobacco. I felt this needs some more time for the tannins to resolve, and I hope the fruit hold steady until that happens.
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12/10/2011 - Amerique wrote: 92 Points
Rich, full-bodied, slightly sweet black cherry fruit, excellent structure, wine was tight and restrained, amply tannins still present, shorter finish
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11/25/2011 - Tight Lines Likes this wine: 94 Points
Bottle 4 of the week. Brilliant - excellent Pauillac. Beautiful bordeax nose of dark cherries and lead pencil, full bodied, tannis nicely developing and a long finish. This was my wine of the week. It still has a lot of life in it and should get better w/ more time in the bottle.
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11/20/2011 - Lipsman wrote: 93 Points
Aromas of licorice and cherries, tobacco. Dark purple in color to the edge. Loads of fruit, good tannin backing, licorice, smoke, tobacco, chocolate, black cherries, long palate, great body. A full bodied, rich wine, balanced, with years to go until it is completely mature. This will improve with age, 3 - 5 years. Wonderful glass of Bordeaux.
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11/6/2011 - Zinlady wrote: 93 Points
What a lovely wine. Had with rack of lamb and it was a perfect match. Wonderful nose. Was ready to drink. Nice body. It was very balanced. A little cedar, smoke. Dark fruit. What a wonderful vintage. The last of six bottles.
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10/21/2011 - Wine_lvr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Intensive, clear garnet in color. Nose of dried berries and coffee. Smooth but still dry tannins. Lots of dark berries. Nice wine now at the beginning of its drinking window. Drink - 2030
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10/9/2011 - tbabes wrote: 90 Points
The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; opened about 2 hours prior to service and consumed over the following 2 hours. A youthful appearance with no bricking. Surpsingly, this was quite closed aromatically, reluctantly offering up notes of crushed dark fruits, gravel and hints of fennel. Medium-bodied, but slightly angular on the palate, and less round and generous than previous examples. Disappointing, but perhaps this wine is going through a dumb phase.
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10/1/2011 - matro wrote: 93 Points
Bottle 6 out of the case purchased on release . This just keeps getting better and better. It took it about 1 hour to open up and start singing. I don't know how much better this will get. Classic Pauillac cedar and lead pencil notes. Drink now and enjoy.
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9/5/2011 - Paul D wrote:
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste (The Ledbury, London): Closed at first, opens out to show pure red fruit, floral notes, gravelly minerals. Medium bodied,lighter than 96, quite elegant if not so deep, with a savoury red fruit and minerally finish - slightly firm still. Very good. ****
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7/25/2011 - Marc wrote: 93 Points
Equilibrium. Classic Paulliac - pencil shavings, very classy (and balanced within the fruit) oak handling - a touch of farmyard (possibly also a whiff of sewage). Very fine grained tannins. This very cabernet wine is certainly ready but should have a further 20 years of positive evolution. Excellent pin point definition. Fragrant fennel seed top notes. sweet herbal and earthy currants and a touch of licorice. This is outstanding wine that is aging well. Drunk in memory of Lulu, the best cat in the whole world.
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7/23/2011 - Sleepy Dave wrote:
1995 Bordeaux Retrospect: Alcohol :: 13%
I suspected this has heat damage as the aromas and flavors profile just don’t seems right, dominated with soy-sauce.. hmm…. Light brown rim. The nose display sweeter tone than the 1st two wines with barnyard, menthol, pencil leads and also heavy soy sauce note in the background which is clearly not something that is attractive…. Quite elegance on the palate, rich and expansive, good depth and long juicy finish. This is certainly a very good wine but some stew fruits distracted the overall drinking pleasure. What a shame.
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7/17/2011 - LouisT wrote: 93 Points
Glorious full bouquet. More muted on the palate, but wonderfully balanced and coherent, nothing showy - just really enjoyable, "together" and mature Claret.
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6/17/2011 - LuckyJ wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for over an hour and was still opening up in the glass. Very nice and balanced wine. Drink now, don't wait.
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5/28/2011 - JustOneMore wrote: 91 Points
A little restrained upon opening, and perhaps I did not allow the wine to breathe long enough. It opened a little more after an hour or so. More muted than my previous bottle, with pencil lead and graphite. Tannins provide a light dusting on the palate. The acidity was exceptionally well resolved. I think this vintage has a lot of life left. When drinking from a properly stored bottle, this is one of the best Pauillacs I've had. Tonight's bottle was very enjoyable but a little muted.
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4/12/2011 - Flavito wrote: 92 Points
Classic, still very young and tight. Great food wine, opened up over a couple hours...
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4/1/2011 - dcasper wrote: 93 Points
2nd bottle: let it sit and decant for nearly and hour - made all the difference. excellent silky finish with an almost savory flavor on the back end. great wine!
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4/1/2011 - dcasper wrote: 92 Points
great wine, very smooth with a somewhat muted finish. I didn't let it decant which would help. excellent classic bordeaux
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3/2/2011 - JustOneMore wrote: 95 Points
Exquisite. Complex. Exactly what a Pauillac should be. Could be the best Bordeaux I've ever tasted.
Just make sure that you buy from a reliable supplier who has properly stored the bottle.
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1/9/2011 - Mr T wrote:
Not a ton on the nose and a bit restrained. Popped and poured. Graphite and some cediar and moderate fruit with mostly resolved tannin....pleasant for sure but not necessariy singing...not sure this wine will ever be a star...I think the 96 just has more zip and star power
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12/28/2010 - Niagara wrote: 93 Points
Great bottle of wine, drinking really well now.
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12/14/2010 - Stephen_Skelton_MW wrote: 90 Points
A bit dumb on opening and slightly tannic, but after 2 hours in a decanter it opened up and was very good. Great structure with good tannins and firm acidity, plenty of length on the palate and a classic Boredeaux nose. No sign of ageing, colour still good and if this bottle is typical, plenty of life yet. Only drank half the decanter that evening and I saved the rest until the next evening. Then it had opened up a treat and for me was 100% classic well-aged Claret. Will not open another bottle for at least 6-12 months as I think it could get even better.
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12/2/2010 - paulst wrote: 92 Points
Light earthy nose; nice structure with deep blackberry and good balance and long finish.
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11/3/2010 - Zinlady wrote: 92 Points
This wine was still tannic and big. It went well with braised lamb. I will drink my last bottle in a year
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11/2/2010 - Mister45 wrote: 92 Points
Ruby
Nose: coffee, dark chocolate, plum, cassis
Palate: dark cherry, lean and beautifully tannic and acidic, ripe blackberry, very long finish. Licorice and anis. Sexy feminine. Great wine
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9/22/2010 - CCL957 wrote: 94 Points
This wine is from BBR, stored in very good condition so it tastes younger than it should be. Plum and blackcurrent, complex and powerful but very clean and pure. Feel like drinking Ch. Latour.
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9/6/2010 - Cracker Barrel wrote: 94 Points
Drank with Dan & Kim at Dovetail for Denise's Birthday. Decanted 1/2 hour before dinner and then during dinner. Drinking very well, dark garnet color; typical Pauillac nose.
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8/23/2010 - MRichman wrote:
1995 Bordeaux at 15 years horizontal (Apiary, NYC): Broad and herbal. Good sweet fruit punchiness with espresso. A bit tight. Classic Pauillac notes but young.
B+
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8/15/2010 - patwjr wrote: 94 Points
Pop'd & poured; tight at first, not showing much. But then opened up, revealing fruit and got much better over 1.5 hours. Give it more cellar time or a multi-hour decant.
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7/9/2010 - Stephan O wrote: 95 Points
(Drank at Bern's Steakhouse, Tampa.) Ready to roll after only 20 minutes in the decanter. It's immediately generous with the spices on the nose. Dark berries, cassis, and leather predominate thereafter. Despite the openness, the tannins that clamp down on the back end show that this has many years (certainly better than a decade) of peak time left. The combination of fruit intensity, measured spice, class, structure, and good length all combine to make a near-masterpiece.
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7/8/2010 - clementwolf wrote: 92 Points
Impressive wine, decanted for 2 hours, and have a rich nose of cassis, blackberries, black cherries and some vanilla, chocolate. Quite smooth on the palate, with a medium finish. Pairs quite well with chicken. Still quite young, and will last for at least one more decade.
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7/3/2010 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
The nose is comprised of sweet cassis, threaded with tobacco leaf and shavings of lead pencil. There still quite a rigid, graphite spine around which plush fruits and sweet cedar gather. This wine was a little hard in its youth but is now drinking particularly well.
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6/26/2010 - DirkL wrote: 85 Points
Disapponting. Little nose. Finish was ok.
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5/30/2010 - la turque wrote: 95 Points
A sublime wine, drinking beautifully after a few hours in the decanter. Sweet, sexy fruit with lush acidity and tannins in balance, and a very very long finish. Classic Pauillac. Brilliant.
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5/18/2010 - pian0_player wrote: 95 Points
Awesome wine. Tar, earth, plums, raspberry, cherry. Flowers, and melted licorice. This wine is still a bit closed and could use another year or two in the bottle. Needs to decant a couple hours now. Beautiful and elegant.
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5/9/2010 - paulst wrote: 93 Points
Leather, tar, smooth rich supple tanins with nice blackberry.
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4/25/2010 - dmalcolm wrote: 94 Points
Medium to full bodied. Soft, supple dark fruits. Mushrooms and earth. Great complexity. Tannins still noticeable, and I'm sure this will continue to improve.
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4/23/2010 - gsquireh wrote: 95 Points
Full-bodied, with ripe and concentrated fruit, this cassis, spice and plum beauty is always a pleasure to drink.
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4/18/2010 - robertgoulet wrote: 93 Points
WOTT, soft, seemless, sexy, has some herbal notes in the background that marry perfect. Great stuff
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3/14/2010 - pgordon62 wrote: 95 Points
Dense, complete aromas of cassis, saddle leather, cedar, graphite and a touch of green bean casserole, all exquisitely melded and complementary. Wonderful texture and poise on the palate. The powerful finish is fresh, fruit laden, gravelly and precise. A finely controlled wine that is both concentrated and refined. More of everything when compared to the 1996, this will grow in stature over the next two decades.
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3/10/2010 - tbabes wrote: 96 Points
Opened about 2 hours before serving. Quite youthful appearance, but the bouquet is beginning to blossom, offering up scents of cassis, currants, earth and anise. Great mouthfeel, concentration, and delineation; the table absolutely loved this one! Perhaps a notch above the '96 at this point, but both of these wines are modern day classics.
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3/1/2010 - shaferguy91 wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 1.5 hours. Wine is drinking beautifully. Very enjoyable.
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1/24/2010 - PJVineyards wrote: 94 Points
A wonderful bordeaux. Lots of great smokey earth - chocolate, black currant and wonderful tobacco overtones. Fruit was still there especially on the finish although it's not overly tannic and feels really balanced in your mouth. It was decanted for 45 minutes and got better over the following 45. Usually I find GPLs a bit round and flat but this one was lovely
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12/26/2009 - EMichels wrote: 92 Points
Tight; Tannic; Slight dust; Slight licorice nose
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12/19/2009 - blanquito wrote:
This was a bit muted, more Left Bank. The bouquet has developed nicely over the last 14 years, becoming a textbook Bordeaux, but the palate still needs time. This tastes like tannins to me, thought the texture is smooth, not hard. Tonight it seemed a bit shy next to the Right Bankers, so I'll give this an A-.
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11/19/2009 - Papies wrote: 90 Points
Bordeaux 95 vs 96 with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London): Side by side 95vs96 @ Handfors's Tasting with Richard Brazier.
Most people at the tasting , incl Richard, really liked the 95 and 96 GPL. I found them nothing special and had no favorite between them. Very classic style. Closed and tannic. Not for me
Like all classic style 95s (and 96s) it needs some more time... 5yrs min
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11/2/2009 - tomandlu wrote: 85 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Deep garnet color. Muted, somewhat green nose with llittle of the complexity and interest I noted a few years ago. Also rather green on the palate. Perhaps it's just going through a dumb phase. The cork was perfect and this bottle came from the same case I bought on future. Stored in my cellar since release.
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10/10/2009 - mwanasheria wrote: 95 Points
Very dark, lots of fruit. Still very dense from the jeroboam, a phenomenal effort from GPL.
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9/20/2009 - rdsboca wrote: 85 Points
This wine was decanted for three plus hours. Cedar and oak onthe nose with a hint of baked cherries and red fruit. Tannins had smoothed out but the wine never came together. Col the end of the night,just dried out tannor was medium red and was a mag. Definitely not over the hill but lacked a punch that I would have expected. Toward the end of the night, just dried out .
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9/13/2009 - grossie wrote: 91 Points
Drank at 160blue, decanted about 1.5 hours prior to drinking. Terrific nose- lead pencil, sweet & sour red fruit. Very elegant in the mouth, showing nice layering. The acid/tannin combo still keep this tight and relatively lean, I found myself wishing for more fat. All in all a very nice wine, I hope a few more years soften it a little more.
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9/12/2009 - Ary wrote: 93 Points
At Wijn Antiquariaat (blind tasting) GPL vertical with 1975, 1985, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2003. Complex and powerful wine. Good fruit and tannins. Nice long lingering finish. More 'attractive' than 1996 at the moment. Drink now - 2025. Probably best around 2015.
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8/26/2009 - VHJV wrote: 89 Points
This had a very nice mature nose. Mouthfeel was smooth with some fine tannin. Taste was suprisingly lacking in the midpalate with very little fruit. Aftertaste was again very nice and quite long. I bought this earlier this year, so I'm not certain about the provenance. As a whole this wine was nice, but I cannot give a score in the nineties because of the faded fruit.
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7/25/2009 - Pearls_b4Swine wrote: 95 Points
At Cuts with Kurt and Brett: 97 YQuem to start and end; 03 Cuvee Indigene, 95 GPL, 01 Cheval (too young), and 05 "M." The GPL was luscious. Fully integrated and perfectly structured, lots of cedar, earth and stewed fruit. Decanted only for 30 minutes. I would say it is in the sweet spot right now, and went online this morning to secure a few more.
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6/26/2009 - KGS@SFT wrote: 90 Points
Did not shine well in the company of a selection of excellent Bordeaux.
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6/8/2009 - la turque wrote: 94 Points
Drinking beautifully. Deep, complex, cedary, with great balance and structure.
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5/16/2009 - fhmesq wrote: 94 Points
Amazing bottle. Opened for about an hour and then decanted at the table for about another hour. Was still closed when poured but opened up after about 10 or so in the glass. Very complex and classic GPL. Cassis, earth, lead pencil, leather. Just a wonderful bottle and sad that it was my only one. Would suggest decanting longer as it got better with more air. Definitely has much more time to it but is drinking very well right now.
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5/7/2009 - jkoenen wrote: 93 Points
Birthday tasting @ Roel's (Netherlands): Civilised, modest though multilayered and complex bouquet. Well dosed and concentrated, very good balance and harmony. Bright, clean and very young, tilting from primary to secondary characteristics. Perfectly ripe and juicy tannines, lots of fresh, crunchy fruit. Velvety throughout the finish, oak plays a wonderful supportive role. Complete and complex wine that will gain in points after a few more years in the cellar. My guess: top-notch Bdx from a recent cool year, 2004?... Guess not.... What a surprise and what a wonderful wine, full of promise. 18+/20
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3/30/2009 - Ki Punwar wrote: 94 Points
Decanted at the table-full aromas of cassis, shoe polish, cedar, classic Pauillac. Very nice, still young and vibrant, a long life ahead of it.
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3/16/2009 - matro wrote: 93 Points
A little closed initially, it opened up over a couple of hours. I think this is hitting optimum drinkability. The tannins are still present but in good balance with the fruit. The cedar box and lead pencil are also well integrated with the fruit. This wine evolved throughout the evening with no signs of decline after ~3 hrs.
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3/5/2009 - Zinlady wrote: 90 Points
Had with Coq au Vin and it was dark, full bodied, thick - had a nice finish- fruit was still quite evident - I think this wine will last for several more years - I will try it again in about 18 months
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2/27/2009 - oscarmorais wrote: 90 Points
Vinho tinto de qualidade excepcional.
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2/25/2009 - tbabes wrote: 94 Points
Opened about 1 hour before dinner. Good fill; the cork was sound. Youthful appearance, with a purple core turning to ruby at the edge. The bouquet is still rather primary, offering up scents of cassis, licorice, leather and spice. Medium to full bodied, with a nice velvety character, great concentration, and a long finish. Good structure, and will continue to improve for at least a decade. Quite similar to the '82 at 14 years of age.
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2/20/2009 - winemaker wrote: 91 Points
Pretty good. Was still drinking fine on the second day.
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12/31/2008 - SimonH wrote: 90 Points
A very nice wine, but a little disappointing given some of the other comments and my very high expectations. Nose was a little tight (after 2 hours of decanting) and the wine was well balanced but lacked an intensity of fruit that I had expected. Consequently I am not sure if it would improve greatly with more aging.
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11/17/2008 - paulst wrote: 89 Points
Earthy with decent structure light on the finish; feels young; too much heat & not enough fruit.
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11/4/2008 - patwjr wrote: 93 Points
No notes taken, though major point was it's still too young or needs 5-6 hours of decanting. I'll wait at least 5 more years to open the next one. Smelled and tasted very good, just needs more time.
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10/24/2008 - gsquireh wrote: 95 Points
Just keeps amazing.
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10/18/2008 - envirovino wrote: 95 Points
Great nose, lots of stuffing left. Can go another 5+ years easy. Was delicious.
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9/30/2008 - johnwine wrote: 95 Points
I agree completely with Parker on this wine. However, I do not see how it could get much better than it was last evening. It is wonderfully rich, concentrated, unctious and balanced with loads of jammy black fruit..
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9/20/2008 - petitblanc wrote: 88 Points
Fairly tight and tannic even after lots of air. This had a nose of tomato ketchup, showing some secondary funk, decent balance and a nice but short cherry finish. A little tough to drink now, but still showing potential. Another disappointing '95, although this bottle may have been a bit off. With J&K at our house.
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9/7/2008 - schway wrote: 93 Points
Drank with JJ's birthday dinner at Chez Panisse. Delicious and elegant. Cassis, blackberry, pencil shavings, cigar box, aged oak. Medium -full bodied. Moderate acidity. Rich but not overbearing, and surprisingly food friendly. Smooth, with soft, silky tannins. Wonderfully long and persistent finish. A treat.
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8/19/2008 - gsquireh wrote: 95 Points
Rich and powerful. Full of cassis and full-bodied. Ripe and ready for the raves to follow.This classic cassis delight is elegant and exacting in its ability to imprint on your memory.
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8/2/2008 - AtoZ wrote: 89 Points
Tasted perhaps too young. Was decanted by staff at Wolfgang's. Seemed like there was a beginning and an end with no middle. Won't touch another until 2012-2013.
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5/11/2008 - Paul S wrote: 93 Points
Informal Tasting in Richfield. Classic Pauillac, leaf, cigar box and cassis on the nose. Cassis dominated palate, with nicely integrated oak. Rich and concentrated, with lovely freshness, clarity and focus. Silky, plush tannins. This is just about coming into its drinking window and is absolutely lovely.
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5/3/2008 - Arcturus wrote: 94 Points
Double decanted and drank 1.5 hours later at a restaurant. Fragrant jammy yet floral bouquet of currant, graphite and a hint of well integrated oak. Delicious baked dry cherry cobbler on the palate. Elegant wine with a smooth finish. Seemed shy compared to the 2001 Staglin (93) that was poured next. Classic bordeaux.
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5/1/2008 - gsquireh wrote: 94 Points
1285 Avenue of the Americas: Purple and powerful this full bodied classic has wonderful cassis nose and and oak layered and licorice laced finish.
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4/27/2008 - gsquireh wrote: 94 Points
An old stand buy-just bought another case at auction at a reasonable price, this purple and black beauty has a powerful nose of cassis, blackberry and licorice. Full-bodied this richly concentrated wine drinks beautifully always.
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3/21/2008 - krug88 wrote: 89 Points
Good structure, chewy, tannic, still too young. Will try another bottle in 5 years time I think.
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3/2/2008 - la turque wrote: 93 Points
A beautiful, classic Pauillac. Drinking very well. Great extraction and sweetness. Had over six hours in the decanter. The wine is still very young but very very beautiful.
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11/4/2007 - Mr T wrote: 90 Points
very barnyard on the nose. interesting but more of a wow from the 96
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8/1/2007 - honest bob wrote: 88 Points
Massive, hard and closed. Barely scented and brutally tannic on palate. Wait 5 years.
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3/1/2007 - mfkidd wrote: 93 Points
Dinner with Andy B., Chris D., Jay K. No extensive notes taken. Decanted for an hour, served with beef dinner. Wine is well settled, not too many tannins. A clear Bordeaux off the nose and on the tongue. Well balanced and smooth.
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2/22/2007 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Almost opaque in color with a perfume reminiscent of cassis, tobacco, cedar and spice. Tannic, concentrated and young. There is a hard spine to this Bordeaux that will hopefully fade with time.
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2/19/2007 - bluevespa wrote: 94 Points
Had with dinner at Toscanini in Jamaica, a must for lunch or dinner in the Ocho Rios area. Outstanding bordeaux, especially for Pauillac lovers. Complex nose of cedar, resin, and dark fruits. In the mouth, jam fruit and cedar flavors. Soft, rich and elegent with a finish that lingers. Low acidity. Wine was from my cellar. There wine list is fair at best. Bring your own wine, if possible.
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12/31/2006 - petitblanc wrote:
Could be a very nice wine, needs 2-5 years to soften tannins.
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11/11/2006 - tomandlu wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 4 hours before drinking. Color was a deep brick red with some purple. Elegant but powerful nose of violets, cassis, some oak and plums. My wife noted that there was no tobacco or earthiness, surprising, to her, for Paulliac. Noted 'elegant' again on the palate. Flavors of blackberries, some tar, and rich cabernet fruit. Ripe fruit, silky tannins and good acidity on the finish. Drinking beautifully now and seems to have everything for a long, very enjoyable drinking window.
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9/15/2006 - SimonG wrote:
1995 / 19956 Bordeaux Offline (Alba, London): Either 1995 or 1996 GPL. Slightly more purity of fruit. Rounding out a bit on the nose. Ok, but.. Guess 1996.
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6/29/2006 - MRichman wrote:
Pauillac Fest (Les Sans Coulettes, NYC): A bit tight with some nice fruit behind.
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6/29/2006 - grossie wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for a few hours now. Deep red color, with a hint of brown. Great paulliac nose of pencil shavings, cassis, a bit of cedar. Medium-bodied with relatively high acidity this has good powerful fruit without any sweetness. The tannins are still slightly hard on the finish, but my overall impression is that this is a very good wine in a slightly lean style, best suited to be drunk with food. I have 10 more, I'll open them over the next 10 years or so.
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6/25/2006 - Vine wrote:
With BBQ pork tenderloin. Dark, bright red with no fade to the rim. Very pleasing Bordeaux nose - somewhat less expressive than last week's 95 Cos d'Estournal. In the mouth - firmer, more masculine than the Cos - tannins nicely integrated. This was very nice. Ready to go. Enjoy!
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5/15/2006 - festiva wrote: 95 Points
This wine is the reason I love to drink Bordeaux. Textbook Pauillac. Decanted 1 hour before serving. Deep red color. Looked very youthful, as there was no browing around the edges. Complex nose of currants, plums, cocoa, and cedar. Medium bodied and perfectly balanced: not at all acidic, with soft, velvety tannins. More currants, plums, and wood, with a beam of chocolate. 45 second finish. I couldn't imagine this wine getting any better with additional age.
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5/6/2006 - Shaggy wrote: 89 Points
Good dark colour without bricking. Lovely complex aroma of dark fruits and earth. Nicely integrated with blackcurrant, plum and a bit of wood showing through on the palate. A little low on acid for my taste, the tannins are quite smooth now - I had expected a bit of toughness. The finish is shorter than I would like. A nice wine with a good nose, but doesn't have the stuff that gets me going.
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12/20/2005 - MRichman wrote:
1995 Bordeaux Transit Strike Horizontal (Salute Restaurant, NYC): Nice herbal complexity. Young, tannic. Good punch behind. Hold on, going to get better.
B+
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11/24/2005 - keithrl69 wrote: 96 Points
What a mature old world wine should be. Everybody raved and the bottle was finished!
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11/20/2005 - Ben Andersen wrote:
BLIND 1995 Bordeaux etc...: Served BLIND (though this was one of my contributions). Tight nose. Dark fruit, earth. There's something herbal underneath the fruit. Big tannins. Quite traditional in style. Very nice. My favorite wine of the flight.
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11/13/2005 - Charlie Carnes wrote: 96 Points
This Wine is getting better. Very lively and a precise cassis and sweet fruit powerful balanced attack, buffered by wonderful tannins.
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10/14/2005 - Ben wrote: 94 Points
a bit too new, but very rich and full bodied. i would wait another 5 or six years.
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6/17/2005 - Shiraziste wrote: 92 Points
Fruity red currant and raspberry, softer and fuller on entry than the Clerc '96, almost rounding and most certainly ready to go.
We couldn't have picked a better time to showcase this wine IMHO, it shows sexy elegance and the softening of age at which we all aspire to taste our Bordeaux's by.
The richness of silky Merlot dominates this left bank wine with sweet plummy fruit and minerality. The acidity was low, the tannin factor was gripping and somewhat charged, yet not in any way obtrusive. A full flavoured classically elegant wine yet a bit abrupt in the finish.
I'd drink these sooner rather than later.
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2/15/2005 - MRichman wrote:
Grand Puy Lacoste Vertical (Inside, NYC): Big, Powerful. Some present tannins. Sweet & herbal. Concentrated. A-
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1/4/2005 - MRichman wrote:
1995 Bordeaux Horizontal (Manhattan Grille): Smooth, silky. Full flavored. Sweet fruit. Ready, nice. Round, sweet, juicy.
A-
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10/16/2004 - Ben Andersen wrote:
$38.70 retail, after discount, upon release. Very apprachable and enjoyable wine. Solid for the $$. Dark fruits, a nice bit of earth and light cedar notes. Color fading nicely. I think this is showing well now - indeed, better and less tannic than I would have thought. I have a couple more bottles and will probably open another in a year or two.
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3/24/2000 - sdr Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Medium color, medium weight. High acidity. Some licorice. Not a success.
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