Wine List

1959 Margaux Margaux

I was unprepared for the stunning showing of the 1959 Château Margaux to the extent that I wager I will never meet another bottle of the same quality. Without doubt this stands as the last great Margaux before the Mentzelopoulos family acquired the First Growth in 1978. The bouquet is entrancing: ineffable delineation and a spellbinding sense of mineralité that appears undiminished by the passing years. After 20-30 minutes I observed oyster shells and sea cave scents percolating through the veneer of black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins fashioned by the finest chisel in the set: incredibly well balanced with hints of kirsch towards the crystalline finish. This is simply the apotheosis of Château Margaux predating Paul Pontallier’s reign. Tasted at the International Business & Wine First Growth Dinner at the Four Seasons. 

-- Neal Martin 99 Neal Martin 2018 - 2040 Jun 2018

Rating

89

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

NA

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

28th Oct 1995

Source

101, The Wine Advocate

This may be the most successful wine produced by this estate during the decade of the sixties, although some bottles of the 1962 come close to offering as much pleasure as the 1966. The wine may have turned the corner and begun its decline. I have never tasted it out of larger format bottles, but I suspect magnums of this wine might merit an outstanding evaluation. The wine has always been a classic Bordeaux, with more fruit and body than many 1966s. There is a degree of austerity, but the wine's dominant characteristics include a complex, tobacco, cedar, and red currant-scented nose, medium body, excellent concentration and ripeness, and a spicy, long, moderately tannic finish. Drink it up as it is unlikely to improve.

Rating

86

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

1989

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

1st Jan 1998

Source

Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, The Wine Advocate

One of the most stylish and complete wines of the vintage, the 1971 Talbot is now fully mature, but showing no signs of fading. It has good concentration, a lively, berryish, fruity quality, a deft touch of vanillin oakiness, and medium to full body. Very well structured for a 1971, it is without any brown color or soupy softness that afflicts many of the wines of this vintage. The 1971 Talbot is certainly a successful wine from this vintage.

A massive wine that is clearly of first-growth quality in this vintage, the 1982 Gruaud Larose remains a youngster. A broodingly dense, thick, unctuously textured, inky/plum/garnet/purple color offers up scents of beef blood, steak tartare, cassis, herbs, tobacco, and underbrush. One of the most concentrated wines of the vintage (as well as one of the most concentrated Bordeaux’s I have ever tasted), it is a huge, full-bodied, weighty, rich wine whose tannins are getting silkier and silkier. It appears set for another 30-40 years of life. This behemoth is a singularly profound example of Gruaud Larose that continues to justify its legendary status. Anticipated maturity: now-2050. Release price: ($140.00/case) Wine Advocate.June, 2009 R Parker

Rating

90

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2017 - 2024

Reviewed by

Neal Martin

Issue Date

28th Feb 2017

Source

229, The Wine Advocate

It has been several years since I last tasted the 1985 Vieux Chateau Certan. Back then I remarked that I would not cellar it too long, although this bottle suggests that there is some mileage left yet. Served blind, I remarked that it was a 1985 due to the fragrant perfume on the nose, still almost Burgundy-like, though the presence of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc lent it subtle earthiness. The palate is mellow, fully mature but very harmonious. Whilst it does not have the depth or the flamboyance of the top Pomerols from this vintage, there is a sensuality to this 31-year-old wine and there is beguiling purity on the finish. It is just a joy to drink. Tasted December 2016.

Rating

92

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2003 - 2025

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

1st Jan 2003

Source

Bordeaux Book, 4th Edition, The Wine Advocate

Here is a classic example of a wine that is showing significantly more complexity and richness from the bottle than out of cask, although it was certainly a potentially outstanding wine when tasted from the barrel. In a vintage that produced a number of enormously structured, rich, concentrated wines, Lagrange is another of the blockbuster wines that seems capable of lasting 30-35 years. Black/ruby in color, with a closed but burgeoning bouquet of spicy new oak, black fruits, and flowers, this muscular, full-bodied, tannic wine is packed with fruit and is clearly one of the great long-distance runners from this vintage. I admire how the significant investment made by the Japanese owners in this property has paid off with a thrilling, albeit amazingly backward, wine. The finest Lagrange to date! Anticipated maturity: Now-2025. Last tasted, 1/97.

Rating

83

Release Price

$23

Drink Date

1993 - 1999

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

28th Feb 1993

Source

85, The Wine Advocate

Corbin-Michotte's 1988 is a medium-bodied, pleasant, correct wine, with decent acidity and length.

The 1989 Ducru-Beaucaillou is showing some bricking on the rim, although the core remains quite dark. This has an attractive bouquet with lovely tobacco-infused black fruit and touches of black truffle and morels. There is something very gentle here but also intense. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity, a little meaty and bloody in style with maybe just a hint of brettanomyces toward the finish. But it seems to complement and enhance the wine. Tasted from an ex-cellar bottle at the château.

-- Neal Martin 90 Neal Martin 2019 - 2025 Not Available Sep 2019

Rating

90

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2009 - 2019

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

30th Jun 2009

Source

183, The Wine Advocate

The 1990 has turned out better than I expected. It offers a classic Lafite perfume of graphite/lead pencil shavings interwoven with red and black currants, fresh porcini mushrooms, smoke, and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, soft, and elegant, it is not as concentrated as the 1982, but is a luscious, round Pauillac to enjoy over the next 5-10 years. Release price: ($275.00/case)

Rating

86

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2000 - 2012

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

1st Jan 1998

Source

Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, The Wine Advocate

Dark ruby-colored, with a closed, truffle-like aroma, this is a concentrated, stern, tannic wine that appears to have more weight than the 1993, but also more astringent tannin. 

In 1995, fifty percent of the crop was cut off the vine in a vendange verte (the culling of fruit in order to lower production and increase the concentration of the remaining grapes). That resulted in one of the top dozen wines of the 1995 vintage. This wine was terrific on each of the four occasions I tasted it during the last two weeks of March. The color is an opaque purple. The knock-out set of aromatics offers up smoky, sweet, black-cherry and cassis scents intermingled with hints of coffee and herbs. This ripe, full-bodied wine exhibits outstanding texture, layers of flavor, and a low acid, firmly delineated, moderately tannic finish. I would rate this awesome example of Pichon-Lalande higher than both the outstanding 1989 and the uninspiring, light-weight 1990. Although it will be hard to resist its charms, give it 3-4 years of cellaring after its release and drink it over the subsequent 20+ years. It is a knock-out 1995! All of the wines in this segment were tasted between March 19 and March 28 in Bordeaux. Most of the important wines from both the 1994 and 1995 vintages were tasted three separate times during my ten-day stay in Bordeaux.

Score: 95
 

Rating

92

Release Price

$200 - 225

Drink Date

2002 - 2020

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

23rd Feb 1998

Source

115, The Wine Advocate

A pretty, attractive Cheval Blanc, the 1995 contains a higher percentage of Merlot in the final blend than usual (50% Merlot/50% Cabernet Franc). This wine has not developed as much fat or weight as its younger sibling, the 1996, but it appears to be an outstanding Cheval Blanc with an enthralling smoky, black currant, coffee, and exotic bouquet. Complex, rich, medium to full-bodied flavors are well-endowed and pure, with surprisingly firm tannin in the finish. Unlike the sweeter, riper 1996, the 1995 may be more structured and potentially longer-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.

Rating

87

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2009

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

23rd Apr 1999

Source

122, The Wine Advocate

A medium ruby-colored, sexy, seductive Graves, with loads of tobacco-tinged jammy cherry fruit intermixed with smoke and earth, this spicy, round, generous 1996 reveals no hard edges. It continues to be one of the most stylish, under-rated wines from the Pessac-Leognan region. Although it will not be long-lived, this wine offers plenty of appeal for drinking over the next decade.

Julien

Red-ruby. High-toned aromas of plum and animal fur. Sappy and vinous, though not especially deep. Attractively silky texture, thanks to rather soft tannins. Notes of chocolate and leather in the middle palate and on the finish.

-- Stephen Tanzer 87 Stephen Tanzer Not Available May 2000

A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot, this wine represents only 34% of Lafite's total harvest. In a less than perfect Medoc vintage, it has been spectacular since birth, putting on more weight and flesh over the last year. This opaque purple-colored 1998 is close to perfection. The spectacular nose of lead pencil, smoky, mineral, and black currant fruit soars majestically from the glass. The wine is elegant yet profoundly rich, revealing the essence of Lafite's character. The tannin is sweet, and the wine is spectacularly layered yet never heavy. The finish is sweet, super-rich, yet impeccably balanced and long (50+ seconds). Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035.

Rating

95

Release Price

$199

Drink Date

2007 - 2030

Reviewed by

 Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

30th Apr 2002

Source

140, The Wine Advocate

The 1999 Lafite Rothschild sports an engraved "1999" on the bottle along with an eclipse to mark that significant historical event of August, 1999. It is a quintessential offering from Lafite Rothschild. This prodigious wine is both elegant and intensely flavored, and almost diaphanous in its layers that unfold with no heaviness. An opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by a complex bouquet of lead pencil, graphite, cedar, creme de cassis, toast, and vanilla. It is medium-bodied, with extravagant layers of richness yet little weight, and a finish that is all sweetness, ripeness, and harmony. This extraordinary Lafite increasingly appears to be a modern day clone of the majestic 1953. A mere one-third of the crop made it into the grand vin! Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030.

Rating

99

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2010 - 2025

Reviewed by

 Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

29th Jun 2010

Source

189, The Wine Advocate

A tremendous achievement by Hubert de Bouard, the 2000 La Plus de la Fleur de Bouard (a 420-case luxury cuvee) is a blend of 80% Merlot and the rest primarily Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon. Filled with richness and intensity, with elegance, harmony, and poise, it is one of the top wines of the vintage. Sadly, very little is available. Approachable, with a velvety texture as well as abundant notes of blueberries, coffee, black currants, kirsch, smoke, and licorice, it is a massive, rich (but not heavy) wine that should drink well for another 10-15 years.

Rating

99

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2010 - 2025

Reviewed by

 Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

29th Jun 2010

Source

189, The Wine Advocate

A tremendous achievement by Hubert de Bouard, the 2000 La Plus de la Fleur de Bouard (a 420-case luxury cuvee) is a blend of 80% Merlot and the rest primarily Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon. Filled with richness and intensity, with elegance, harmony, and poise, it is one of the top wines of the vintage. Sadly, very little is available. Approachable, with a velvety texture as well as abundant notes of blueberries, coffee, black currants, kirsch, smoke, and licorice, it is a massive, rich (but not heavy) wine that should drink well for another 10-15 years.

Perhaps the most beautiful packaging ever on a Bordeaux bottle, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild literally produced a work of art in the gold-engraved bottle of 2000 Mouton Rothschild. Of course, one can’t drink the glass, but this is a top-flight Mouton Rothschild, eclipsed only by the 2006 and 2009. A rich, tannic, earthy style, with loads of creme de cassis and floral notes, the final blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot is a full-bodied wine with plenty of coffee, earth, chocolatey notes, and still plenty of tannin to resolve. I gave it an anticipated maturity range of 2015-2050 back in 2003, and that looks on target.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com  Maturity: 2015-205001 June 2010

The 2000 Mouton Rothschild is at its best with about 24-48 hours of decanting. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the wine offers a saturated ruby/purple color in addition to reticent but promising aromas of toast, coffee, licorice, creme de cassis, and roasted nuts. Dense, chewy, and backward, with tremendous purity and density in addition to obvious toasty oak, it is full-bodied, powerful, tannic, and backward. Twenty-four to 48 hours of aeration only hints at its ultimate potential. This blockbuster will be exceptionally long-lived. It is not as expressive as the other first-growth Medocs, but give it time. As I predicted in my first report on the millennium vintage (April, 2001), Philippine de Rothschild could be expected to do something special with her presentation of 2000. She has exceeded everyone's expectations with a work of art. Those who have seen the extraordinary packaging of the 2000 Mouton Rothschild must certainly realize this is a brilliant achievement. The bottle is extraordinary, and likely to have nearly as much value empty as full! Her genius is obvious, but it's what's inside that counts!

Score: 97

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com  Maturity: 2015-205030 April 2003

The 2000 Mouton Rothschild is at its best with about 24-48 hours of decanting. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the wine offers a saturated ruby/purple color in addition to reticent but promising aromas of toast, coffee, licorice, creme de cassis, and roasted nuts. Dense, chewy, and backward, with tremendous purity and density in addition to obvious toasty oak, it is full-bodied, powerful, tannic, and backward. Twenty-four to 48 hours of aeration only hints at its ultimate potential. This blockbuster will be exceptionally long-lived. It is not as expressive as the other first-growth Medocs, but give it time. As I predicted in my first report on the millennium vintage (April, 2001), Philippine de Rothschild could be expected to do something special with her presentation of 2000. She has exceeded everyone's expectations with a work of art. Those who have seen the extraordinary packaging of the 2000 Mouton Rothschild must certainly realize this is a brilliant achievement. The bottle is extraordinary, and likely to have nearly as much value empty as full! Her genius is obvious, but it's what's inside that counts! Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+.

Score: 97

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com  Maturity: 2015-2050+01 April 2003

A behemoth, the gigantic 2000 Mouton-Rothschild (86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot) boasts a saturated purple color as well as aromas of ink, cassis, licorice, damp earth, and sweet oak. It reveals a cassis liqueur-like flavor profile with a hint of truffles. This majestic effort will undoubtedly close down, but enjoy an exceptionally long life.

Score: 96 - 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com  Maturity: 2012-2050+01 February 2002

Now this is a serious nose; very complex and well defined with blackberry, briary, cedar, graphite and just a touch of leather, beautifully defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and simply wonderful poise. Very strict at the moment, concentrated on balancing on its tip-toes, the elegant, bay-leaf-tinged finish yet to develop that complexity that will surely come. The breeding is just so obvious here. Tasted March 2011.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, erobertparker.com  01 May 2011

A very different wine from the rest. Muted and tight and very mineral on the nose. Graphite? Dry finish. Just a bit too introvert for pleasure? Where’s the fruit? Astringent finish. Very tart too.

Score: 16

JancisRobinson.com, Jancisrobinson.com  Maturity: 2012-202013 February 2008

The 2001 Lafite Rothschild’s deep, saturated plum/purple color is accompanied by lead pencil liqueur-like notes intermixed with sweet red and black currants, plums, and cedar. This blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot is a classic example of Lafite. Extremely elegant, medium-bodied, with intense concentration, richness, and sweet tannin, it appears to be on a rapid evolutionary track, at least in comparison to recent Lafite vintages that have been far more backward and powerful. The classy 2001 should be at its finest between 2007-2020.

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate  Maturity: 2007-202030 June 2004

A classic Lafite Rothschild, with a good 40 years of potential aging ahead of it, this wine tastes like a juiced-up 1999. A blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot (only 43% of the crop was deemed worthy enough for this wine), the 2001 shows the classic Lafite nose of lead pencil shavings (graphite), plum, cherry, and black currant, with a hint of tobacco leaf, cedar, and spice box. Medium-bodied, with loads of tannin, this intensely concentrated Lafite is somehow restrained, with extraordinary precision and purity. It is a beauty and seems to be putting on a bit of weight.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate  Maturity: 2012-204001 April 2003

The 2001 Lafite Rothschild is a wine of concentrated elegance, finesse, and delicacy. This blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot (only 43% of the crop was acceptable) is reminiscent of the 1999, but it reveals additional tannin as well as a more austere finish. An impressive deep ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of cedar, black currants, lead pencil shavings, and subtle toasty oak. It is medium-bodied, with a nicely-layered mid-palate (something many 2001s are not yet revealing), admirable delicacy and precision, and a long finish. It will be drinkable at an early age, yet will last two decades.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate  Maturity: 2008-202201 April 2002

Bright red-ruby. Sexy aromas of raspberry, cedar, coconut, minerals, lead pencil, chocolate and tobacco leaf. Juicy, lively and penetrating, with sharply delineated flavors of blackberry, raspberry and rose petal. Boasts the classic inner-mouth energy of this great first growth, but also grew increasingly silky with extended aeration. Finishes with tongue-coating tannins and superb lift.

Score: 93

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar  01 May 2004

Stick your nose in this and it says something - "I am special." Deep and generous aromas of blackberries, fresh tobacco and minerals. It's full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and a superlong finish. Like a fine cashmere sweater. Best after 2010. 22,000 cases made.

Score: 96

James Suckling, Wine Spectator  Maturity: 2010

Rating

(86 - 89)

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2003 - 2011

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

31st Oct 2003

Source

149, The Wine Advocate

Low acidity as well as a distinct herbaceousness (or tapenade?) are found in the 2002 Tertre Roteboeuf along with fragrant aromas of licorice, cherries, and currants. Medium-bodied and soft, it is best consumed during its first 6-8 years of life. This is not one of the most inspiring efforts produced by the obsessive/compulsive proprietor, Francois Mitjavile.

Rating

93

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2015 - 2028

Reviewed by

Neal Martin

Issue Date

29th Jul 2016

Source

Interim End of July 2016, The Wine Advocate

The Château l'Eglise-Clinet 2003 was served ex-château from bottle and magnum. Alongside the 2003 Château Lafleur, it represents one of the best Pomerol wines of the vintage. Why? Because as Denis himself explained, the vineyard naturally produced low pH that counterbalanced the summer heat. It was actually the bottle that has the best bouquet, lively and vibrant for the vintage, extremely well defined and youthful after 12 years. Macerated dark cherries, red plum and incense all soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, slightly savory red berry fruit that is very spicy, white pepper and cumin. There is fine delineation on the finish and great length. It does not quite deliver the brilliant showing of previous bottles, but it deserves a round of applause. This is one of the few recent wines from the estate that I would prefer to drink in its youth. Tasted March 2015

The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estate's great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. It is just coming into its plateau of maturity where it should hold for 20-25 years. This is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage - make no mistake about that. Drink: 2014 - 2039

Score: 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (214), August 2014

A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol – hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage’s weather conditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050.

Score: 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

One of the vintage’s most prodigious wines, the 2003 may be a modern day clone of the1959 Lafite Rothschild. Unusually opulent and viscous, with a dense purple color and an amazingly complex nose of scorched earth, Asian soy, balsamic vinegar, black currants, plums, and even some figs, Lafite tips the scales at 12.75% alcohol (less than they expected). The final blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. A wine of great intensity, tremendous viscosity and density with low acidity (the pH is pushing 4), and a magnificent finish, but all with great precision, purity, and freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking and something that simply has to be tasted to be believed. I have never had another Lafite Rothschild anything like it, and those who would argue that the 1982 or 1959 are cut from the same mold may have some supportive evidence. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050+.

Score: 96/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (158), April 2005

Revealing enormous richness, flesh, and succulence, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild is one of the candidates for “wine of the vintage.” A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot (the Merlot was harvested between September 8 - 12, and the Cabernet Sauvignon between September 15 - 24), it possesses ethereal richness as well as perfume. Yields were a low 34 hectoliters per hectare, there is just under 13% natural alcohol, and the pH level is frightfully high at 3.9 with a total acidity of only 2.9. These figures are nearly identical to such ripe, concentrated vintages as 1982 and 1959. Inky/ruby/purple-colored with a spectacular, ripe perfume of black fruits, cedar, Asian soy, and balsamic vinegar, it exhibits massive richness yet is remarkably fresh and lively on the palate for such an unctuous effort (amazing levels of glycerin). In that sense, it is atypical, but like the 1982, I suspect the 2003 will become more delineated as the tannin emerges over the next 1-2 years. An amazing textural impression left me scratching my head as I have never tasted a Lafite Rothschild quite like this. This is one first-growth worth mortgaging the house for! Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035.

Score: 98/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (152), April 2004

Subtle, complex aromas of berrry, licorice and currant. Full-bodied and very well intergrated. Wonderful length and finesse.

Score: 96 James Suckling, Wine Spectator, February 2006

Exciting, yet polished and refined. This is a rich and structured Lafite. Very classic style.

Score: 95/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator (April 04), April 2004

Deep lively purplish crimson. This is a very exciting wine which manages to be primarily a fine Lafite and only then an expression of the extreme ripeness of the vintage. There is no exaggeration here and most of all the dancing finesse of lafite on song. Deep and concentrated - and still introvert but it opened out to great delicacy. Pure Lafite with extra ripeness of 2003 and a little spike of leafiness on the edge to keep it lively. Round and opulent on the mid palate but never heavy. Sweeter than usual but there is sufficient acidity and a nice dry kick of dryness to keep it all in check and beautifully airbourne.

Score: 18.5+ Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (April 04), April 2004

Deep crimson. Very rich indeed. Super opulent. Lots of alcohol and sweetness. A little California! But dry on the end. It does finish a little suddenly. Very obviously sweet. (Average group score: 18.1)

Score: 17 Jane MacQuitty, JancisRobinson.com, October 2010

Lovely gently spicy toasty oak but then all sorts of lovely complexity of dark fruit and savoury notes - at the end just a hint of raisiny ripeness. So so silky. tissue paper tannins, cool fresh length. Well formed and well dressed. Subtle and understated. Very long. Drink 2008-2028.Date tasted 23rd Jan 08

Score: 18+ Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, January 2008

Score: 18.5/19 Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine (1), April 2004

A perfect wine in this vintage, the 2005 Péby Faugères has the classic liqueur of blueberries and spring flowers. Dense purple and full-bodied, with unbelievable richness, this tastes like a great Napa Cab from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, even though there’s no Cabernet Sauvignon in it. This is a sensational wine – rich, full and multi-dimensional, with a skyscraper-like mid-palate and finish. Kudos to Péby Faugères for producing one of the perfect wines of the vintage. Drink it in about 3-4 years as well as over the following two decades. Drink 2018-2038.

Score: 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015

Its bigger sister, the 2005 Château Palmer (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot), is one of the great efforts of this superlative vintage. Floral notes mixed with blackberry, cassis, plum, licorice and spring flowers soar from the glass of this dense ruby/purple wine. It is medium to full-bodied, surprisingly opulent (it has a big percentage of Merlot), long, multi-dimensional and textured. This wonderfully pure, stunning wine once again performs as a first-growth. It should drink well for the next 20-25 years. Drink 2015-2040.

Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015