Premier Cru - Bordeaux RSS/RDF Feed http://www.premiercru.net/premier/jsp/xml/premiercrubordeaux.php 95-98 points Parker!! http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45468 94 pts. Wine Spectator: "Voluptuous and velvety. Dark ruby color. Intense aromas of blackberries, fresh mushrooms and dried herbs. Full-bodied, with loads of ripe fruit and velvety tannins." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=CE494 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO231 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RR310 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO181 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45443 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45444 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=10536 94 points Parker: "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." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=25202 94 points Parker: "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." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=24497 95 points Parker: "The 1990 will charm tasters with its flashy display of opulent Merlot (about 40% of the blend) mixed with ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. It was one of the more forward 1990s in the tasting, which no doubt accounted for its precocious showing. This super-concentrated wine possesses a roasted herb, sweet, jammy black fruit-scented nose, with noteworthy opulence and succulence. Pure and full-bodied, this concentrated wine conceals more tannin than it is presently revealing. The wine is open, flattering, and impossible to resist. It will continue to mature for 15-20 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=11020 96 points Parker: "The 1983 Margaux is a breathtaking wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes achieved perfect maturity in 1983, and the result is an astonishingly rich, concentrated, atypically powerful and tannic Margaux. The color is dark ruby, the aromas exude ripe cassis fruit, violets, and vanillin oakiness, and the flavors are extremely deep and long on the palate with a clean, incredibly long finish. This full-bodied, powerful wine remains stubbornly backward and at least 5-6 years away from maturity. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2030. Last tasted 9/97" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO785 94 points Parker (new Bordeaux book): "This wine has just begun to reveal its true personality, having under-performed for most of its life. In half-bottles it is close to maturity, but in 750ml bottles, it still needs another 4-5 years of cellaring (at least those that were purchased in pristine condition and stored properly). The color is a medium dark ruby with a garnet center. The multidimensional nose offers up notes of dried herbs, sweet damp earth, espresso, black cherries, prunes, cedar, iodine, and iron. Extremely complex aromatically, this full-bodied, still tannic, concentrated, old style Bordeaux has two to three decades of life remaining. It is impressive, but clearly from the old-school of Bordeaux winemaking with rustic tannin, but huge depth and body. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2035." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO226 97 pts. Parker: "One of the superb wines of the vintage, the 1983 Palmer continues to display a saturated purple/garnet color, and an intense perfume of jammy black fruits, smoked meats, flowers, cedar, and Asian spices. Super-concentrated, powerful, and full-bodied, this huge, unctuously textured wine is approaching its plateau of maturity. Because of the high Merlot content it can easily be drunk now, yet promises to last for another 20-25 years. I remain convinced that the 1983 will be the finest Palmer since the great 1961." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO272 94 pts. Parker: "Consistently one of the great wines of the 1983 vintage, as well as one of my personal favorites, this beautiful wine has been gorgeous to drink since bottling. It displays no signs of evolution, although it remains undeniably rich, seductive, and compelling. Deep dark ruby-colored, with a huge nose of Asian spices, blackcurrants, plums, and flowers, this super-concentrated, velvety-textured wine reveals gobs of rich, creamy fruit. It can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years. It is Pauillac at its most decadent and seductive!" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO323 100 points Parker: "In several tastings last year, the 1990 Montrose clearly revealed its incredible complexity and massive character. I was especially pleased when, at a large lecture I gave in London at the end of March, the 1990 Montrose, in very tough company (Cheval Blanc 1989 and 1990, Pichon-Lalande 1989 and 1990, Certan de May 1989 and 1990), proved the over-whelming choice of a crowd of nearly 400 British tasters. The wine is remarkably rich, with a distinctive nose of sweet, jammy fruit, liquefied minerals, new saddle leather, and grilled steak. In the mouth, the enormous concentration, extract, high glycerin, and sweet tannin slide across the palate with considerable ease. It is a huge, corpulent, awesomely-endowed wine that is still relatively approachable, as it has not yet begun to shut down and lose its baby fat. It thoroughly embarrassed the 1989, itself an exceptional wine. The 1990 needs 10 more years of cellaring; it should last for 25-30, possibly 40-50 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO230 95 points Parker: "Nearly exaggerated levels of intensity, extract, and richness are apparent in this opaque blue/purple-colored wine. Sumptuous aromas of blueberries, blackberries, and cherries combine with smoke, licorice, vanillin, and truffles to create a compelling aromatic explosion. The wine is fabulously dense, full-bodied, and layered, with multiple dimensions, gorgeous purity, and superbly integrated acidity as well as tannin. One of the most concentrated wines of the vintage, it possesses immense potential, but patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2030." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=12400 94 points Parker: "A brilliant offering and a candidate for wine of the vintage, this is classic Lafite that reminded me somewhat of the 1976, although the vintage conditions were completely different. This is a medium-weight, quintessentially elegant style of Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings/graphite along with black currants, plums, and crushed rocks/mineral. Wonderfully pure, dense, with a deep ruby/purple color and loads of fruit, definition, and a long finish, this is a brilliant, elegant Lafite Rothschild that builds incrementally in the mouth and has more power and density than it initially seems. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=27143 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45310 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=31404 100 points Parker: "The 1982 Lafite possesses a dark, dense ruby/purple color with only a subtle lightening at the rim. Spectacular aromatics offer jammy cherry and black fruits intertwined with lead pencil, mineral, and smoky wood scents. Powerful for a Lafite, this wine unfolds to reveal extraordinary richness, purity, and overall symmetry in addition to stunning flavor depth and persistence. The finish lasts for nearly a minute. Plenty of tannin remains, and the wine displays a vibrancy and youthfulness that belie its 18 years of age. The modern day equivalent of Lafite-Rothschild's immortal 1959, the 1982 will enjoy another 30-70 years of life! An amazing achievement! Anticipated maturity: 2007-2070." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RR240 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45186 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45187 96-98 points Parker: "The outstanding 2008 Hosanna, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, possesses the extraordinary complexity and aromatic intensity of a great vintage of Cheval Blanc. Unctuously-textured with a dense purple color, excellent richness, and dense black fruits intermixed with forest floor notes, this sensational wine will merit close to a three digit score when released. The tannins are high, but very ripe and melted, and the wine's purity is awesome. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age, and enjoy it over the following two decades." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=41350 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=44519 96+ points Parker (From his new book): "The finest Trotanoy since the 1961, this structured, formidably-endowed, deep ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied, super-rich wine exhibits notes of toffee, truffles, and abundant blackberry, cherry, and currant fruit. It cuts a large swath across the palate, and possesses copious but sweet tannin as well as a chewy, muscular mid-palate and finish. This is a compelling effort from one of the great vineyards of Pomerol. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2035." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=12330 95 points Parker: "A stunning sleeper of the vintage, quality at this property has soared under the relatively new owners, Dominique and Florence Decosters. The 2005, a blend of 70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, was fashioned from yields of 33 hectoliters per hectare. This concentrated wine possesses a gorgeous bouquet of smoke, black currant liqueur, lead pencil shavings, cedar, and Asian spices. In the mouth, it displays a chocolaty richness, a beautiful texture, an expansive, multilayered mouthfeel, and a 45-second finish. A fabulous effort, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and should last for over two decades." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=43571 99+ points Parker: "The 1989 has taken forever to shed its formidable tannins, but what a great vintage of Lynch Bages! I would rank it at the top of the pyramid although the 1990, 2000, and down the road, some of the more recent vintages such as 2005, 2009 and 2010 should come close to matching the 1989's extraordinary concentration and undeniable aging potential. Its dense purple color reveals a slight lightening at the edge and the stunning bouquet offers classic notes of creme de cassis, subtle smoke, oak and graphite. Powerful and rich with some tannins still to shed at age 22, it is still a young adolescent in terms of its evolution and will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring. It should prove to be a 50 year wine." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=44528 95+ from Parker: "Unquestionably the greatest Calon Segur since the 1982, this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc exhibits an opaque plum/purple color along with gorgeous aromas of creosote intermixed with black cherries, cassis, licorice, and stony, liquid minerals. An amazing effort, full-bodied dand opulent, it possesses abundant tannin that is well concealed by the wealth of fruit, glycerin, and intensity. This large-scaled wine may be tremendous right from release, but I suspect it will require patience." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=20871 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=20822 92 points Parker: "An amazing accomplishment for a Bordeaux Superieur, Reignac's 2000, a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, cropped at 25 hectoliters per hectare and aged 100% on its lees in new oak, exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, an impressively complex nose of black currants intermixed with graphite, vanilla, and cedar. The wine is medium to full-bodied, dense, rich, and the qualitative equivalent of a top classified growth from the Medoc. Another 2000 that has to be tasted to be believed, it should drink well for 8-10 years, possibly longer. A revelation!" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=20509 89 points Parker: "One of the best examples I have recently tasted from this estate, the saturated blue/purple Haut-Bages Liberal offers up notes of incense, licorice, pepper, and cassis. In the mouth, it is fat, juicy, with a certain succulence, low acidity, and ripe tannin. This may be the best wine produced by this estate in many a year. In spite of its precocious showing in my tastings, the wine actually needs 2-3 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=20431 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=44612 100 points Parker!! superb condition!! http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=21737 90-92+ points Parker: "Haut-Brisson La Reserve: Bigger, richer and denser with a more tannic structure and fuller body than the regular cuvee, the 2010 La Reserve is an impressively endowed wine, but 4-5 years of patience will be needed. It should keep for two decades. " http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45184 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45177 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45175 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45176 96 points Parker: "There are 500 or so cases of this thrilling 2000 that emerges from a south-facing slope of the Faugeres vineyard. In less than three years, the price has caught up with the quality. A prodigious wine as well as one of the superstars of the vintage, the spectacular 2000 represents the essence of Bordeaux with an inky black/purple color, profound richness and massive concentration. The provocative bouquet of smoke, liquefied minerals, cocoa, blackberries, blueberries, and vanilla is accompanied by a multiple-tiered wine with sweet tannin and dry vintage port-like richness. It is full-bodied, yet remarkably well-delineated as well as light on its feet. With high tannin and extracts as well as a whoppingly long finish, it will easily rival, possibly surpass the other-worldly 1998. I kept a bottle open eight days without any evidence of oxidation. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=21116 90 points Parker: "The dense plum/purple-colored 1999 offers up aromas of truffles, underbrush, espresso, black cherries, and roasted meats. The wine is powerful and muscular with high extract and mouth-searing tannin, it is an atypically backward effort for the vintage. Patient connoisseurs who admire wines with this level of intensity will be handsomely repaid for their discipline. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=16796 91 points Parker: "The 1998 exhibits flamboyant, obvious new oak, but unlike other years, there is more concentration, power, and depth behind the vanillin/pain grille notes. Full-bodied, dense, and chewy, with copious peppery, herb-tinged, red currant, black currant, and blackberry fruit, this is a lush, generously-endowed offering with a lightly tannic finish. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2016." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=12284 90 points Parker: "A highly regarded garage operation, Ferrand-Lartigue's 1998 exhibits a dark ruby/purple color as well as a tight but promising, internationally-styled bouquet of new oak, black fruits, and saddle leather. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with excellent purity, and clean, rich, concentrated flavors. Critics might argue that it is too "international," but it is an outstanding effort. Anticipated maturity: now-2015." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=12282 88 points Parker: "Sweet, ripe raspberry and cherry fruit, good flesh, medium body, and an excellent texture result in a delicious Canon-Fronsac to enjoy over the next 10-12 years. Although this wine is clearly excellent, I had high hopes it would turn out to be outstanding. It does not appear to be as rich and complex after bottling. Nevertheless, it remains a sleeper of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: now-2012" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=12485 94 points Parker: "A spectacular effort, this blockbuster, in-your-face St.-Emilion boasts a saturated purple color as well as a gorgeous bouquet of framboise liqueur, blackberries, and smoky oak, an unctuous texture, full body, and a seamless finish with low acidity and ripe tannin. This 1998 scores high on both pleasure and cerebral meters. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2014. A garage wine, this 100% Merlot cuvee is produced from a 6.5-acre vineyard. One hundred percent new oak is utilized, and malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel. Approximately 9,000 bottles are produced in an abundant vintage." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=12618 93 points Parker: "A sensational effort for the vintage, this textured, opulent, superb Lynch Bages is already strutting its stuff and should easily last for 20 years. Medium to full-bodied with an opaque dense purple color, notes of flowers and cassis, a layered texture that builds incrementally in the mouth and tremendous purity and depth, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. Bravo!" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45104 93 points Parker: "An amazing success in this vintage, the dark ruby/purple-hued 2008 reveals its noble terroir in its complex aromatics of spring flowers and burning embers/charcoal. A medium to full-bodied mouthfeel displaying no hard edges and a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood result in an approachable, already evolved wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45105 93 points Parker: "An amazing success in this vintage, the dark ruby/purple-hued 2008 reveals its noble terroir in its complex aromatics of spring flowers and burning embers/charcoal. A medium to full-bodied mouthfeel displaying no hard edges and a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood result in an approachable, already evolved wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45106 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45107 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45108 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45110 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45109 94-96+ points Parker: "The 2008 Cos d'Estournel possesses an atypically high (85%) amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, with 13% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The first vintage vinified in the new facility, an unusually high percentage of the crop (78%) was included in the grand vin. The bad news is that yields were a minuscule 25 hectoliters per hectare. This wine achieved 13.8% natural alcohol, and the number of days between the flowering and harvest was 160, compared to the normal 100-110 (one of the keys to understanding the exceptionally high quality that characterizes the 2008 Bordeaux). There were no serious heat waves during the growing season, which meant that the maturation process was slow, long, and ideal. Combine that with the very low yields, and the superb weather from mid-September to late-October, and the often splendid results are much easier to comprehend. The inky/purple-hued 2008 Cos is still very young, and probably will improve even further as the wine came out of malolactic fermentation very late. It reveals exceptionally precise, fresh aromas of black fruits, crushed rocks, licorice, flowers, and subtle smoke. Dense and high in tannin, the extraordinary richness of polyphenols has given the wine power, substance, and depth, but the sweetness of the tannin and the seemingly low acidity, even though the wine tastes remarkably fresh and the pH is only 3.57 (compared to pH's close to 4 when the fruit is this ripe), has given the wine a precision and elegance that is remarkable. And don't forget, this is probably the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever used in a Cos d'Estournel blend. This wine should gain weight, richness, and a few Parker points by the time it is bottled. It is even denser and richer than the 1996, with an index of polyphenols at 80, which is not unusual for many of the top wines of the vintage, but is extremely high, and more along the lines of what one would find in the top wines of 2005. It should evolve for 30-35 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=40243 100 points Parker: "Now extinct, as this tiny 2.6-acre micro-vineyard was absorbed into Chateau Pavie, the 2000 La Clusiere (100% Merlot) was bestowed a perfect score seven years ago, and I see no reason to change that as it remains a monumental effort. Aromas of creme de cassis, blueberry liqueur, charcoal, licorice, and graphite are followed by a stunningly rich, full-bodied, elegant, pure, gentle giant of a wine. Approaching full maturity, it should age effortlessly for another 30+ years. Kudos to proprietor Gerard Perse." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=21352 94 points Parker: "A sensational effort, and undeniably the finest wine to ever emerge from this estate, the opaque purple-colored 2000 offers scents of tobacco, camphor, graphite, creme de cassis, and licorice. This full-bodied, concentrated effort possesses low acidity, a multi-layered texture, tremendous intensity of flavor, and a persistent finish with considerable ripe, well-integrated tannin. This is a brilliant example of equilibrium and finesse allied to considerable power and flavor. Kudos to the Cathiards. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=20965 98 points Parker: "I know this sounds crazy, but when I tasted the 2000 Tertre Roteboeuf from bottle on two separate occasions, the only wine that jumped into my head was a deja vu of the 1990 Petrus at age two! Undeniably the finest Tertre Roteboeuf since the spectacular 1998, 1990, and 1989, the dense ruby/purple-colored 2000 exhibits a sweet nose of roasted espresso, mocha, chocolate, black cherry jam, cassis, licorice, new saddle leather, and toasty oak. This explosive, hedonistic concoction is followed by a full-bodied wine with silky tannin, a sumptuous, sweet, lavishly rich mid-palate and texture, and a 45-second finish. It reveals more noticeable structure and grip than the 1998 or 1990 possessed at a similar age. This is a majestic wine. I kept one bottle open for six days without any oxidation! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=21021 95 from Parker: "A fabulous offering from Christine Valette, who has been producing great St. Emilions since the late eighties, the 2000 boasts a thick, opaque blue/purple color as well as highly-extracted notes of blackberry and cassis fruit, minerals, espresso beans, and vanilla. It is dense and full-bodied, with high tannin, good acidity, and laser-like clarity/definition. The immense midpalate and huge finish are formidably constructed and muscular. While this wine will age gracefully, patience is required. This is a classic, old style vin de garde with modern-styled tannin." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=20596 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO221 92 points Parker: "This is one 1970 that appears to possess the necessary components to develop into something special. It remains youthfully hard and astringent, but there is no doubting the high levels of concentration and intensity. Moreover, the wine exhibits a classy, complex bouquet, offering up scents of cedar, black fruits, minerals, and leather. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with outstanding concentration, this wine requires another 7-10 years of cellaring - can you believe that? It is unquestionably a 40-50-year wine." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO178 100 points Parker: "The 1975 La Mission-Haut-Brion has been the most consistent wine of the vintage. Super-concentrated, and now beginning to shed enough tannin so that it can be fully appreciated, this enormously constituted La Mission-Haut-Brion has developed that fabulous Graves set of aromatics - tobacco, black fruits, minerals, roasted herbs, and cedar. Huge, massive, thick, and succulent, with moderate tannin, and some amber notes at the edge, this wine will reach full maturity by the turn of the century and last for 30-40 years. An extraordinary La Mission-Haut-Brion, it comes closest in style to resembling the 1945, with a hint of the sweet, ripe 1959. The notes for this wine are taken from the description of Series I of the 1995 tasting conducted in Munich by Helga and Hardy Rodenstock." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO796 93 points Parker: "This wine is just now reaching full maturity, much later than I initially expected. It is a classy, elegant example of Margauxpossessing a dark ruby/purple color, and a moderately intense nose of sweet black currant fruit intermixed with minerals, vanillin, and floral scents. The wine is medium-bodied, with beautifully sweet fruit. This linear, more compressed style of Margaux possesses a good inner-core of sweet fruit, and a charming, harmonious personality. Although not a blockbuster, it is aging effortlessly, and appears to take on more character with each passing year. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted 12/96" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO167 100 points Parker: "A spectacular nose of kirsch liqueur, minerals, flowers, and blackberries jumps from the glass of this thick, dark ruby-colored Lafleur. Over-ripeness, a characteristic of many 1982s (I say that in a positive, not pejorative sense), is apparent in this jammy, unctuously-textured, massive wine. Somewhat of a paradox to taste, it offers notes of maturity, richness, and succulence contrasted with massive structure, muscle, and density. Thrilling to drink, despite its youthful, tannic grip, the 1975 and 1979 Lafleurs come closest to this wine's massiveness and formidable intensity. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2030." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO224 100 pts. Parker "This tasting consisted of each of the varietal components of Las Cases, followed by the final blend for Leoville-Las Cases. 1982 remains Leoville-Las Cases' greatest vintage in the post-World War II era. In this heralded vintage, every component wine revealed fabulous ripeness, concentration, and balance. The sensational Merlot is Petrus-like in its awesome intensity and viscous, exotic personality. Aromas of ripe coffee, jammy black-cherries, cassis, and smoke leap from the glass. Full-bodied, with exceptional richness and thickness, and low acid, this is a marvelous Merlot. Wow, wouldn't I like to have purchased four or five cases of this opulent wine! Already drinking beautifully, it tastes like a terrific Pomerol. The Cabernet Franc is all complexity, sweetness, and ripe fruit presented in an ostentatious style. It possesses better acidity than the Merlot. The huge, opaque purple-colored Cabernet Sauvignon is extraordinarily concentrated and tannic. Reminiscent of a barrel sample, this spicy, rich, still extremely young wine offers up a massive, Mouton-Rothschild-like, tobacco, lead pencil, and cassis-scented nose. The opaque black-colored Petit Verdot is monstrously-sized, with tough, hard tannin, and amazing fruit extraction, but it is oh, so astringent. The 1982 Leoville-Las Cases remains one of the awesome examples of this great vintage. Rich, full-bodied, and backward, this thick-looking, opaque ruby/purple-colored wine is just beginning to display aromatic development. Jammy aromas of cassis intertwined with scents of vanilla, lead pencil, and toast are followed by a massively-endowed, full-bodied wine that will benefit from another 7-10 years of cellaring. This hugely impressive, low acid Las Cases is crammed with ripe fruit. It is the most hedonistic and concentrated Leoville-Las Cases I have ever tasted, just eclipsing the other-worldly 1986. Approachable now, it will last for 20-25 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO229 97 points Spectator: "Our wine of the year in 1988. A rich, massively concentrated wine packed with layers of plum, anise, blac k cherry and tobacco flavors, very firm acidity and structure, thick chewy tannins that are in perfect proportion. The flavors are beautiful, elegant and stylish." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO289 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO252 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=C1186 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45051 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45040 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45052 94 points Parker: "As most vintages of this small garagiste estate tend to be, the 2005 Croix de Labrie is truly sumptuous stuff. Made from 100% Merlot (only 300 cases produced), it possesses an inky/purple color to the rim as well as a nose that smells like blueberry and blackberry ice cream infused with floral, wood, and espresso scents. Superb intensity and purity as well as an exotic, ostentatious personality are impossible to resist. Not a classic claret, it is the antithesis of the aristocratic, noble Medocs, but what a ride it provides. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34563 95 points Parker: "A stunning effort from Alexander Thienpont, the 2005 Vieux Chateau Certan (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) reveals an inky/blue/purple color along with a rich, sumptuous perfume of black olives, lavender, roasted herbs, licorice, pain grille, and oodles of truffles as well as creme de cassis. In the mouth, hints of chocolate and charcoal also make an appearance along with good acidity, fabulous purity, and a full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel. In keeping with the style of this terroir, the wine is reserved and restrained, but deep. It should develop magnificently, and age for 30-40 years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34930 95 points Parker http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=20987 99+ points Parker: "The 1989 has taken forever to shed its formidable tannins, but what a great vintage of Lynch Bages! I would rank it at the top of the pyramid although the 1990, 2000, and down the road, some of the more recent vintages such as 2005, 2009 and 2010 should come close to matching the 1989's extraordinary concentration and undeniable aging potential. Its dense purple color reveals a slight lightening at the edge and the stunning bouquet offers classic notes of creme de cassis, subtle smoke, oak and graphite. Powerful and rich with some tannins still to shed at age 22, it is still a young adolescent in terms of its evolution and will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring. It should prove to be a 50 year wine." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=18735 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=45023 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO324 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RR351 96 points Parker: "The wine of the vintage, the 1966 Latour is a classic, old style Bordeaux that has required decades to become drinkable. A dark, opaque garnet color is followed by a fabulous nose of cedar, sweet leather, black fruits, prunes, and roasted walnuts, refreshing underlying acidity, sweet but noticeable tannin, and a spicy finish. This powerful, vigorous, immensely impressive, concentrated Latour has reached its plateau of maturity, where it will remain for another 10-20 years." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=RO101 95 points Parker: "The best showing yet for this wine (admittedly it was from a double magnum, not a regular bottle), l'Arrosee's 1982 exhibited a deep ruby color with some lightening at the edge. Spectacular aromas of minerals, smoke, kirsch liqueur, and vanilla were intense and persistent. Velvety-textured and succulent, with low acidity, a terrific, thick, juicy fatness, gorgeous purity, fully mature flavors, and a 40+-second finish make this a sumptuous example of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: now-2010." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=C1067 95 points Parker: "Another unbelievably rich, multidimensional, broad-shouldered wine, with slightly more elegance and less weight than the powerhouse 1996, this gorgeously proportioned, medium to full-bodied, fabulously ripe, rich, cassis-scented and flavored Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a beauty. It should be drinkable within 4-5 years, and keep for 25-30. This classic Pauillac is a worthy rival to the other-worldly 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=95B96 98+ points Parker!! Exceptional storage!! "One of the most rustic and powerful Petrus of the last 25 years, this wine still has a murky garnet/plum/purple color, a gorgeous nose of overripe black cherries, mocha, caramel, chocolate, and a hint of iron and blood. Full-bodied, super-concentrated, with massive tannin and extract, this behemoth Petrus can be enjoyed but still seems another 5-10 years away from maturity. It is certainly a 50-70 year wine, with exquisite concentration and intensity, but seemingly the rough edges will no doubt be less appealing to those looking for pure seamlessness. Perhaps that will emerge with bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040. Last tasted, 11/02." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=44716 94-96+ points Parker: "This estate has been on a qualitative hot streak since 2000, when it was taken over by the brilliant team of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. Looking more like a vintage port than a traditional Bordeaux, the 2005 (less than 2,000 cases produced) was fashioned from yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare. A midnight black color is accompanied by an extraordinary perfume of crushed rocks, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and flowers. Boasting a fabulous texture, superb richness, huge tannin, and massive concentration, this stunning 2005 will need 7-10 years to reach adolescence. It is a brilliant wine, but not for the shy of heart. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2026." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34740