Mostly Nerello Mascalese (with small parts Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante and Minnella), the 2019 Etna Rosso Erse has a lot of spice on its lively bouquet with cumin seed, white pepper and a touch of dried ginger. These lifted aromas frame a core of wild b...
Performing as I expected, but still several years away from full maturity, this extraordinarily flamboyant, full-bodied, opulent, sexy St. Estephe stood out for its backward structure and youthful personality. A dark plum/garnet hue is followed by a super...
With fabulous richness and purity, medium to full body, undeniable elegance for its size, and a long, textured, multidimensional finish, it is the finest Les Origines Alain Jaume has yet produced.
This was a great sleeper of the vintage in 2000 from producer Jean-Jacques Janoueix. A 100% Merlot cuvee coming from a nearly 12-acre vineyard situated between Vieux Chateau Certan and Le Pin, the 2000 shocked a number of people at the tasting, only becau...
The 2019 Branaire-Ducru is rich, layered and sumptuous. Black cherry, licorice, spice, leather tobacco and tar build effortlessly in the glass. The 2019 impresses with its density and pure power, which makes it perhaps atypical for Branaire by its histori...
The 2020 Branaire-Ducru was so alluring en primeur, but is very shy today. That said, some of that youthful exuberance has given way to the characteristic Brainaire finesse. Dark red cherry, spice, grilled herbs, menthol and licorice emerge, but only w...
The 2023 Branaire-Ducru has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with classy aromas of dark berries, plums, pencil shavings and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, cool and layered palate that's seamless, complete and enveloping, with...
The 2010 Branaire-Ducru has a lovely malange of red and black fruit, hints of dried blood and autumn leaves suggesting that this is moving into its secondary phase. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, good body and a f...
Wine #16 Wine Spectator Top 100
An underrated wine that has shed its youthful austerity to offer terrific drinking today, the 2011 Branaire-Ducru exhibits aromas of sweet cassis, loamy soil, cigar wrapper and classy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated ...