Category Archives: Tasting Notes

Pelissero “Vanotu” Barbaresco DOCG 2007

DOCG – Barbaresco Grape: 100% Nebbiolo Ratings : Robert Parker 93 Wine Spectator 92 Tasting Notes The 2007 Barbaresco Vanotu is an intense wine that expresses the warm, open quality of the vintage, but with a touch more gravitas. Sweet, sensual and totally inviting, the Vanotu swirls around in the glass with dark cherries, mocha, leather… Read More »

Chateau Margaux 2000

Ratings By Robert Parker 100 Tasting Notes Absolutely compelling in two tastings of this vintage, the 2000 Margaux is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. The extraordinary seductiveness, complex aromatics, and purity it exhibits lead me to believe it has reached its window of full maturity. Medium-bodied, with layers of concentration, stunning blue,… Read More »

Chateau Gruaud-Larose 2008

Ratings By Robert Parker 90 Tasting Notes While the 2008 is not a blockbuster, it is a strong effort for the vintage. This dark plum/purple-hued wine reveals some background oak, licorice, earth, plum, black currant and cherry notes intertwined with a foresty/mossy component. Deep, polished and medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, it builds incrementally… Read More »

Chateau Montrose 2002

Ratings By Robert Parker 90 Tasting Notes An elegant yet richly fruited style of Montrose with medium body, sweet notes of black fruits, leather, dried herbs, and earth, this round wine is not profoundly concentrated, but is well-made, with excellent depth, ripeness, and overall length. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016. (Wine Advocate #158Apr 2005) By Robert Parker

Chateau Rauzan-Gassies 1996

Ratings By Robert Parker 75 Tasting Notes The shallow, medium ruby-colored 1996 reveals earthy overtones, little depth, an attenuated, compressed personality, and an herbaceous finish. It will not improve. Anticipated maturity: now-2006.(Wine Advocate #122 Apr 1999) By Robert Parker

Chateau Langoa-Barton 2004

Ratings By Robert Parker Tasting Notes Another sleeper of the vintage from this somewhat under the radar step-child of Anthony Barton??s more famous Leoville Barton, the 2004 Langoa Barton exhibits deep, concentrated, chunky, black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with notions of forest floor and aged beef blood. This impressive, full-bodied, powerful, ageworthy St.-Julien is… Read More »

Chateau Palmer 1998

Ratings By Robert Parker 91 Tasting Notes A classic Margaux, the 1998 Palmer has put on weight and fleshed out during its elevage in barrel. It displays a dense purple color as well as a sumptuous bouquet of black fruits, licorice, melted asphalt, pain grille, and a touch of acacia flowers. Full-bodied, with brilliant definition,… Read More »

Chateau Calon-Segur 2006

Ratings By Robert Parker 91 Tasting Notes A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2006 Calon Segur is an elegant, classic effort that represents about 60% of their total production. Deep ruby, with forest floor, cassis, black cherry, and soil undertones in both the aromas and flavors, this is… Read More »

Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2000

Ratings By Robert Parker 94 Tasting Notes A beautiful wine from Branaire, the 2000 is close to full maturity, and should offer plenty of pleasure over the next 15-20 years. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by scents of boysenberries, black currants, and spring flowers. This medium to full-bodied, pure St.-Julien hits the palate with… Read More »

Chateau Beychevelle 2008

Ratings By Robert Parker 89+ Tasting Notes This ageworthy, elegant, well-made Beychevelle displays copious red and black cherry fruit notes intertwined with dusty, loamy soil and oak undertones, decent acidity, moderate tannin and impressive intensity as well as length. Give it 1-3 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the next 15-18 years. (Wine Advocate… Read More »