DOCG – Chianti Classico Grape Sangiovese Ratings Robert Parker 92Wine Spectator 92Tasting NotesThe dark ruby/purple-hued 1997 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio offers a stunning aromatic display of jammy black fruits, balsam wood, dried herbs, licorice, and a Provencal/garrigue smell. Some peppery notes even came through. Full-bodied, concentrated, and fat, with high glycerin levels, a chewy,… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 96 Tasting Notes The 2006 Haut-Brion performed even better from bottle than it did from barrel. Sixty-four percent of the production went into this wine, and while it displays the vintage??s powerful tannins and structure, it possesses superb concentration, and the minerality/scorched earth notes of a great Haut-Brion. Medium to full-bodied,… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 94 Tasting Notes A very strong effort for Gruaud Larose, possibly eclipsed by what they have done in 2009, this is a pure, full-bodied Gruaud Larose with plenty of new saddle leather, cedar wood, black currants, cherries, licorice, and Provencal herbs. Spicy, earthy, full-bodied, and rich, it has hit its plateau… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 92+ Tasting Notes Closed but promising, this is a classic Cos revealing lots of tannin along with damp earth, black currant, sweet black cherry, graphite, licorice and truffle characteristics. This medium to full-bodied, structured, firm, broodingly backward, impenetrable effort demands 5-6 years of bottle age; it should drink well for 20-25… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 90 Tasting Notes 53% of the crop made it into this blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. An outstanding wine with a dark ruby/purple color and more power, richness, and concentration than its younger sibling, the 2002 reveals outstanding potential, exhibiting plenty of… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 86 Tasting Notes I consistently found this 1996 to be a hard wine. Despite its deep ruby/purple color, it is monolithic, with notes of earth and black currant fruit submerged beneath a tannic structure. Although medium-bodied, with some weight and extract, the wine is ferociously hard and backward. Give it 3-5… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 91 Tasting Notes A sensational effort for the vintage, Boyd-Cantenac??s 2004 should be on the shopping lists of all shrewd consumers looking for a terrific Margaux at a bargain basement price. Racy floral, black currant, and cherry notes soar from the glass of this complex wine. The evolved aromatics are followed… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 89 Tasting Notes Although austere tannin may keep this wine from obtaining an outstanding score, it exhibits plenty of complexity in its earthy, truffle, black cherry, currant, plum, and herb-scented bouquet as well as flavors. Moderately tannic, with good weight, it is a classically-styled 1998. Despite the fact that Calon-Segur tends… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 89 Tasting Notes This fruity, soft, somewhat commercial, mid-weight St.-Julien offers sweet black cherry and currant fruit intermixed with subtle herb, spice box, and smoke characteristics. While not particularly concentrated, it is a round, aromatic, soft, sensual 2006 to enjoy over the next 10-13 years.(Wine Advocate #181 Feb 2009) By Robert… Read More »
Ratings By Robert Parker 91 Tasting Notes Deep ruby/purple in color, with a sweet nose of black currants, earth, licorice, and mineral, the 2000 is relatively powerful and dense for the normally restrained and elegant Beychevelle. Medium to full-bodied, dense, and chewy, it is showing even better out of bottle than it was from cask.… Read More »