Archives: Product Reviews

Woocommerce product reviews

A Century of Bordeaux: The Nines (Sep 2019)

The 1989 Latour shows similarly to the bottle earlier this year. To be honest, there is little difference between the aromatics on this and Les Forts de Latour, perhaps just some morels and yes, a touch of Brettanomyces. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, the mixture of red and black fruit mixed with plenty…

2012 Bordeaux: Messages in a Bottle (Jan 2016)

Graphite, dark blue/black fruit, smoke and spices meld together in the 2012 de Fonbel. Beams of supporting minerality and tannin give the 2012 much of its energy and sense of direction. This is a very pretty, impeccably balanced wine from the Vauthier family. The blend is 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and…

Bordeaux 2018: Not Back in Black (Mar 2021)

The 2018 Fonbadet is superb. Classically elegant and refined, the 2018 graces the palate with exquisite finesse right out of the gate. Red berry, floral, blood orange and minty flavors convey freshness as the 2018 opens in the glass. Bright acids perk up the nuanced, persistent finish. Readers won't find too many 2018s that are…

The Future’s Definitely Not What It Was: Bordeaux 2018 (Mar 2021)

The 2018 Fonbadet makes good on the promise it showed last year, presenting a finely chiseled bouquet of blackberry, graphite and light sous-bois scents. Coy at first, it unfolds with confidence. The palate is very cohesive with well-judged natural acidity. There is plenty of coiled-up energy in this Fonbadet, but what really distinguishes it is…

A Century of Bordeaux: The Nines (Sep 2019)

The 1999 La Fleur-Pétrus is more youthful than the 1999 Hosanna in appearance. The bouquet is decent enough, featuring soy-tinged red fruit, but overall it is missing some vigor and definition, and it certainly pales against the juxtaposed 2016. The palate is better, slightly bitter in the mouth with light rustic tannin and notes of…

2000, 1999 and 1998 Bordeaux (May 2001)

Dark red. Cool, perfumed aromas of sappy cherry, licorice and mint; distinctly Burgundian in a laid-back way. Penetrating, cool and intensely flavored; bright and delineated, with firm minerality and sound acidity contributing to the impression of structure. Finishes with spreading tannins and sneaky length. Very successful for the year.