Category Archives: Tasting Notes

DOCG – Chianti Grape Sangiovese *This ancient village "Radda in Chianti" was mentioned for the first time in the year 1000. The name Chianti is derived from the Latin word "Clango" , which means "to trumpet" (probably for battle). The storiche Cantine come from this tradition.

Ratings By Robert Parker 99 Tasting Notes The 1996 Chateau Margaux, which was bottled in September, 1998, is undoubtedly one of the great classics produced under the Mentzelopoulos regime. In many respects, it is the quintessential Chateau Margaux, as well as the paradigm for this estate, combining measured power, extraordinary elegance, and admirable complexity. I… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 87? Tasting Notes This estate continues to under perform, particularly in view of what the previous owners accomplished. Nothing made today resembles the great vintages of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, or even the top-flight 2000. Nearly every St.-Julien chateau is making better wine, and Gruaud Larose needs a wake-up call.… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 90 Tasting Notes A classic effort, the 1998 Montrose exhibits a dense purple color in addition to a sweet nose of jammy cassis, licorice, earth, and smoke. It is a powerful and full-bodied wine with well-integrated tannin. Given Montrose’s tendency to shut down, it is performing better out of bottle than… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 93 Tasting Notes On the same qualitative level as this estate??s brilliant 2005, but with slightly less sucrosite, this blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, exhibits a 1986-like personality ,a very successful vintage at Rauzan Segla. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by sweet aromas… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 91 Tasting Notes Showing far more impressively from bottle than it ever did from cask, this wine has turned out to be an outstanding Langoa Barton. It reveals a deep, saturated purple color and an expansive, sweet nose of earthy black currants, plum, and melted licorice. Structured, dense, chewy, with full… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 89+ Tasting Notes Although closed at present, the potentially outstanding 2008 exhibits a deep plum/purple color, elevated tannins and a more masculine style than most vintages. Good weight and purity along with hints of licorice, underbrush, black currants and subtle smoky oak are found in this firm effort. Give it 4-5… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 89 Tasting Notes Deep ruby/purple-tinged, this vintage, a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, is medium-bodied, elegantly-styled with surprisingly sweet tannin, some notes of herbs, plums, black cherries, and currants, a sweet, ripe attack, and a straightforward finish without the power and depth of the finest vintages. Anticipated maturity:… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 89 Tasting Notes 1996: My concerns about the 1996 Branaire turning out too tannic were unfounded. Tasted three times out of bottle, it is a textbook Branaire, with a tell-tale floral, raspberry, and black currant-scented nose intermixed with minerals and floral nuances. Elegant and pure, with surprising lushness and sweet, well-integrated… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 89 Tasting Notes Beychevelle is on the rebound as evidenced by what they have accomplished over recent years. A good example of this chateau, the elegant, finesse-styled 2004 exhibits black cherry and cassis fruit interwoven with loamy soil, dried herb, and spicy oak notes. Medium-bodied, elegant, finely tuned, and finesse-styled, it… Read More »