Tasting Notes :
Now at 30 years of age, there is a gulf between the two Pichons in this vintage that no longer exists. The 1986 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has long been one of the best wines from the estate alongside the 1982 (even if the first bottle was a little oxidized). The second bottle was representative. It has a classic pencil-lead, cedar-infused nose that rockets from the glass, a subtle floral note developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red berry fruit, a pinch of white pepper and cedar, structured compared to coeval vintages and perhaps further along its drinking plateau than previous examples. Certainly à point, I would be reaching for bottles of this now if you cannot locate those 1982s, or alternatively seek out the superlative 1996. This still remains a fine, rather regal Pichon-Lalande. Tasted July 2016. (Neal Martin)

Tasting Notes :
Blended of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Vieux Chateau Certan opens with profound notes of blueberry compote, dried mulberries, black forest cake, licorice, violets and garrigue with wafts of black truffles, sandalwood and rose hips. Medium to full-bodied, very earthy/savory and beautifully layered with very plush yet present tannins, it offers lovely freshness and a very long minerally finish. So very Pomerol! (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
The medium garnet colored 2009 Figeac features a very pretty perfume of rose hip tea, lilacs and cinnamon stick over a core of red and black currant preserves plus hints of dried herbs and sweaty saddles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers bags of savory fruit layers with plenty of floral sparks, framed by rounded tannins, finishing on a earthy note. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
The 2016 Le Petit Mouton is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It has a deep garnet-purple color and gives up an intensely plummy nose with cigar box and fallen leaves scents leading to aroma layers of kirsch, red and black currants and tilled soil. Medium-bodied with a racy line of freshness cutting through the muscular fruit and a good, firm frame of grainy tannins to support, it finishes on a lingering menthol note. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
Very deep purple-black colored, the 2016 Léoville Las Cases (composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc) is quite closed to begin, yet with patient coaxing it unfurls beautifully to reveal suggestions of ripe blackcurrants, black raspberries, warm redcurrants and wild blueberries, followed by touches of unsmoked cigars, tilled red soil, cast iron pan, fallen leaves and lavender plus wonderfully fragrant wafts of lilacs and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly knit, very subtle layers of minerals, floral notions and black and red berries, all framed by exquisitely ripe, silt-like tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. Simply captivating even in its youth, give it at least a decade in the cellar and then enjoy it over the next 50+ years. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
The 2017 Le Petit Mouton is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with notions of crushed redcurrants, black raspberries and cassis plus hints of rosehip tea, fragrant earth and mossy tree bark, with a waft of raspberry leaves. Medium-bodied, refreshing and elegant, it delivers wonderfully vibrant red and black fruit flavors with a harmonious, grainy texture and a perfumed finish. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
This second label of Mouton Rothschild is composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, representing approximately 25% of the crop. Medium-deep garnet purple colored, the 2015 Le Petit Mouton opens with ripe, seductive cassis, crushed blackberries and black forest cake notes giving way to hints of menthol, new leather, chargrill and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied with a bright, racy line of refreshing acidity cutting through the generous flavors, it has a solid frame of grainy tannins and a vibrant finish. Very impressive. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
Representing nearly half of the production, this estate’s second wine, the 2009 La Chapelle d’Ausone, is an extraordinary effort. Better than many of the grand vins made during the 1970s and 1980s, it is an equal part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc revealing an inky/blue/purple color along with notes of incense, blueberries, raspberries and crushed rocks (which give the wine a distinctive minerality). Medium to full-bodied as well as exceptionally pure, broad and opulent, it should drink well for two decades or more. (Robert M. Parker, Jr.)

Tasting Notes :
The 2014 Pavie is clearly the star of Gérard Perse's portfolio this year. The aromatics are the most complex and absorbing, a mixture of red and black fruit, graphite and black truffle, a faint marine influence emerging as it unfolds in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied and demonstrates less substance and glossiness than the Bellevue-Mondotte. In fact, if you had this blind you might describe it as a more "classic" Saint Emilion, underpinned by quite firm tannin that provide this with impressive backbone. There is a toughness to this Pavie, but it retains balance. It has its sights set on longevity and for that we will have to wait, but it will be worth it. (Neal Martin)

Tasting Notes :
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Pape Clement comes wafting sensuously from the glass with fragrant notions of dried roses, Chinese five spice and sandalwood over a core of kirsch, warm cassis and plum preserves plus a touch of cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the perfumed fruit through the incredibly long finish. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 La Mission Haut-Brion showed brilliantly. It has an intense, floral bouquet with rose petals and strawberry preserve, hints of sous-bois and tobacco gently unfolding in the glass, gaining more earthiness as it aerates in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, broad and spicy with hints of bell pepper suggesting high quality Cabernet Franc. It fans out gloriously with a sustained tertiary finish that completes what is a wondrous La Mission Haut-Brion from Jean-Philippe Delmas and his team. Tasted January 2012. (Neal Martin)

Tasting Notes :
The deep garnet colored 2009 Les Forts de Latour springs forth with minted chocolate, blackberry pie, sweaty leather and cast iron pan notes with hints of bay leaves and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied and laden with muscular black fruit preserves and savory layers, it has a firm, grainy frame and lovely freshness, finishing with a minty kick. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
The 2010 Chapelle Ausone is a very elegant wine with rather tart acids, this second wine of Ausone is medium-bodied, has dark raspberry and blueberry fruit notes with some hints of wet stones. Pure, nicely textured, but rather backward, this wine needs further bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030.

One of the other perfectionist, compulsive producers in St.-Emilion is Alain Vauthier, who is now capably assisted by his daughter. (Robert M. Parker, Jr.)

Tasting Notes :
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Haut-Bailly hits the ground running with bold black fruit preserves, Morello cherries, baked blueberries and tilled earth scents with nuances of fried herbs, chargrilled meat and a ferrous waft plus a touch of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the taut palate has a firm, grainy texture with a lively line lifting the core of muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 La Conseillante opens with notes of warm black plums, baked blackberries and blueberry preserves plus hints of dried rosemary, fragrant earth and cedar. Full-bodied, the palate is firm and chewy with a lively line cutting through the densely packed, savory layers, finishing a little warm and lifted. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Tasting Notes :
The 2014 Palmer builds on the promise that it showed in barrel. It is clearly a more understated and nuanced Palmer from winemaker Thomas Duroux this year, but a Margaux with exquisite delineation and precision, hints of blackberry, boysenberry and a touch of pencil box. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin. It feels supple and lithe in the mouth. It will not have the depth and power of the subsequent 2015 Palmer, yet the "flow" is very sensual and the Merlot (45% of the blend) just lends it roundness and a caressing texture. What a beautiful Margaux and I bet it will be deceptively long-lived. (Neal Martin)

Tasting Notes :
Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 La Mission Haut Brion should be considered as one of the wines of the vintage, perhaps even outclassing the gaff across the road! It has an ebullient bouquet with vivid dark berry, cold, warm gravel and undergrowth scents that are very complex and beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, crisp acidity and a very precise structure, with superb tension on the finish. If you are seeking a 2007 Bordeaux, then this would undoubtedly be one of my picks. Tasted February 2017. (Neal Martin)

Tasting Notes :
Medium brick in color with a touch of brown, the 1986 Ducru-Beaucaillou reveals growing notes of dried mulberries, kirsch and raisin cake with nuances of celery salt, dried bay leaves, truffles and charcuterie plus hints of old leather sofa and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has quite a powerful structure with firm, chewy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular, dried berries flavors, finishing long with a dried mint kick.

Readers should note that this vintage fell within a notoriously patchy period at Ducru, where the cellar is likely to have fallen victim to TCA or a TCA-like taint, and it appears some bottles were impacted from 1986 to 1994. By 1995, the chateau had a completely new vat room/cellar and the problem ceased. Therefore, there could be some bottle variation to be had with this vintage. This bottle, however, was pristine, tasted at the chateau. (Lisa Perrotti-Brownz)

Tasting Notes :
The small production (4,150 cases) of 2011 La Mission-Haut-Brion displays the nobility and complexity of this great terroir. Burning embers, scorched earth, blueberry, black currant, licorice and spice aromas jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. With full body (atypical for a 2011), but no hard edges, this opulent, multidimensional, fleshy, rich, stunningly long, well-balanced La Mission is another great achievement in what has been nearly a century of producing remarkable wines from this hallowed vineyard. The long 2011 should be reasonably mature in another 4-6 years, and last for two decades. It will always be a revelation in a vintage that is unlikely to receive a lot of exciting press. The final blend was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc.

Jean-Philippe Delmas continues to quietly and authoritatively turn out one great wine after another at La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion. (Robert M. Parker, Jr.)

Tasting Notes :
The small production (4,150 cases) of 2011 La Mission-Haut-Brion displays the nobility and complexity of this great terroir. Burning embers, scorched earth, blueberry, black currant, licorice and spice aromas jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. With full body (atypical for a 2011), but no hard edges, this opulent, multidimensional, fleshy, rich, stunningly long, well-balanced La Mission is another great achievement in what has been nearly a century of producing remarkable wines from this hallowed vineyard. The long 2011 should be reasonably mature in another 4-6 years, and last for two decades. It will always be a revelation in a vintage that is unlikely to receive a lot of exciting press. The final blend was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc.

Jean-Philippe Delmas continues to quietly and authoritatively turn out one great wine after another at La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion. (Robert M. Parker, Jr.)