Bordeaux

R.P. 90 pts.

The 2007 Lafon Rochet has a lively and fresh bouquet with scents of blackberry, woodland and cigar box—harmonious and gaining intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, crisp acidity and fine cohesion.

R.P. 88 pts.

A sleeper of the vintage, Lanessan's 1996 boasts an impressively saturated dark ruby/purple color, and knock-out aromatics of melted chocolate, asphalt, and cassis. Deep, rich, and medium-bodied, with excellent concentration and purity, this impressively-endowed, flavorful, well-structured wine.

R.P. 88 pts.

A delicious, complex effort, the fully mature 2000 Lanessan offers notes of cedarwood, plums, loamy soil, and damp earth, medium to full body, plenty of spice, and a classic Bordeaux personality.

R.P. 88 pts.

Always one of the better values and ageworthy wines from the Haut-Medoc, Lanessan’s 2003 possesses lots of cedarwood, creme de cassis and forest floor notes, outstanding ripeness, low acidity, and a round, generous mouthfeel with no desiccation or flaws.

R.P. 95 pts.

The deep garnet colored 2009 Larcis Ducasse sashays out of the glass with compelling scents of kirsch, dried roses, Black Forest cake and crème de cassis with hints of black tea, cigar box and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tautly structured with ripe, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

R.P. 91 pts.

A sensational wine from this Pessac-Leognan estate, the 2009 possesses notes of charcoal, graphite, roasted herbs, truffles, spice box, and luxurious quantities of black currant and black cherry fruit. Full-bodied, impressively endowed.

R.P. 99 pts.

The 1996 Latour is medium to deep garnet in color with a profound earthy, meaty, gamey nose with hints of blueberry preserves, crème de cassis and pencil shavings. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and packed with muscular fruit, with a firm, ripe, grainy backbone and epically long finish.

R.P. 95 pts.

It is dark ruby/purple to the rim, with notes of English walnuts, crushed rocks, black currants, and forest floor, dense, full-bodied, and opulent, yet classic with spectacular aromatics, marvelous purity, and a full-bodied finish that lasts just over 50+ seconds.