Burghound (93)

The difference between Chambertin and Clos de Bèze is sharply etched in as this is cooler, bigger, richer and more powerful though less elegant and with a more limited range of spices specifically and aromatic breadth in general. The medium full flavors are reserved, tight, precise and very pure with extraordinarily good punch and precision, all wrapped in a firm, dusty and linear finish. I particularly like the mouth coating quality of the flavors as there is ample dry extract here, which serves to perfectly buffer the firmly tannic spine. Outstanding stuff and while not a truly great Rousseau Chambertin, it's knocking on the door.

Burghound (93)

The difference between Chambertin and Clos de Bèze is sharply etched in as this is cooler, bigger, richer and more powerful though less elegant and with a more limited range of spices specifically and aromatic breadth in general. The medium full flavors are reserved, tight, precise and very pure with extraordinarily good punch and precision, all wrapped in a firm, dusty and linear finish. I particularly like the mouth coating quality of the flavors as there is ample dry extract here, which serves to perfectly buffer the firmly tannic spine. Outstanding stuff and while not a truly great Rousseau Chambertin, it's knocking on the door.

Burghound (93)

The difference between Chambertin and Clos de Bèze is sharply etched in as this is cooler, bigger, richer and more powerful though less elegant and with a more limited range of spices specifically and aromatic breadth in general. The medium full flavors are reserved, tight, precise and very pure with extraordinarily good punch and precision, all wrapped in a firm, dusty and linear finish. I particularly like the mouth coating quality of the flavors as there is ample dry extract here, which serves to perfectly buffer the firmly tannic spine. Outstanding stuff and while not a truly great Rousseau Chambertin, it's knocking on the door.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Looks if anything less blue than most other vintages. Pretty complete and rich on the nose for a 2004! Most impressive… Very fruity and dense and exciting. Really lively and vigorous. Long. Lively cherry fruit.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Looks if anything less blue than most other vintages. Pretty complete and rich on the nose for a 2004! Most impressive… Very fruity and dense and exciting. Really lively and vigorous. Long. Lively cherry fruit.

Vinous (89)

Medium red. Perfumed, complex nose melds raspberry, fresh rose, musky brown spices, smoke and underbrush. More intense and more primary than the Mazy, with spicy and floral notes combining with the juicy acidity to give the wine very good verve. Finishes longer and riper, with more spicy extract to stand up to the slightly peppery tannins. Shows the sappy character of the year.

Burghound (92)

An equally fresh if perhaps not quite as ripe nose of red fruit and mineral-infused aromas of surpassing complexity introduce delicious, intense and slightly firmer medium full flavors that culminate in a subtly persistent finish. This is refined and exceptionally pure and while it is on the lighter side, the focus, detail and precision is extremely impressive. Like the Ruchottes, this trades on elegance and refinement yet there is no lack of flavor authority despite the absence of raw size and weight.

Burghound (92)

An equally fresh if perhaps not quite as ripe nose of red fruit and mineral-infused aromas of surpassing complexity introduce delicious, intense and slightly firmer medium full flavors that culminate in a subtly persistent finish. This is refined and exceptionally pure and while it is on the lighter side, the focus, detail and precision is extremely impressive. Like the Ruchottes, this trades on elegance and refinement yet there is no lack of flavor authority despite the absence of raw size and weight.

Vinous (90)

Medium cherry-red. Deep, complex, expressive aromas of red fruits, smoke, earth and underbrush. Sweet, fat and smooth but with a medicinal reserve to its black cherry and mineral flavors. Conveys a strong impression of saline soil tones. The Clos de la Roche seems riper but this is more minerally and taut.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-95)

Very good deep red. Much less expressive today than the Suchots, hinting at black raspberry and vanillin oak. Then dense and sappy in the mouth, with dark berry and spice flavors offering terrific vivacity. Broad, palate-coating wine without any impression of heaviness. Finishes with sweet tannins and excellent length.

Wine & Spirit Magazine (98)

Tasted from barrel in 2005, this was among the best wines of the vintage, with limestone-soil character coming through the fresh brightness of fruit. Ausone was all potential energy then, and it has only improved in the two years since. The wine shares the resonant depths of the ancient limestone caves at Ausone, as the flavors echo through the finish. It starts off from a small place, a sweet confection that brings roasted blueberries to mind, the caramelized oak tasting like the edge of charred fat on extremely fine grilled beef. Over the course of several days, the wine becomes increasingly more subtle and serious in tone, with delicate red fruit, gracious mineral-inflected tannins and detailed flavors that last effortlessly. This Ausone will live for decades.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

92-95 A big wine, with bitter chocolate flavors, and packed ripe fruit. It is intense and very dark, a great success.

Vinous (96-98)

Saturated ruby. Remarkably deep nose combines cherry, raspberry, licorice, smoked meat and mineral notes, all lifted by an intense floral quality. A stunning example of freshness and precision married to power, with deep cassis, bitter cherry and candied licorice flavors enlivened by zesty minerality and framed by firm but harmonious tannins. This is not about extraction, notes Perrin. The endless finish echoes the mineral and floral tones, showing a persistent lavender note. This was not yet bottled when I tasted it.

James Suckling (92)

Lots of coffee and chocolate, with plum and dried cherries. Full-bodied with round yet fine tannins, and a fruity finish. Starting to come around, but will be better after 2013. 14+23+22+33. $470HK

Wine Enthusiast (92)

91-93 A rounded, soft-tannined ripe wine, which shows traces of black currant jelly as well as good acidity. It is attractive, layering sweetness with good, ripe fruit.

The Caves de la Muyre Arbois Pupillin Pinot 2004 is a remarkable gem from the acclaimed wine region of Arbois Pupillin, France. This illustrious Pinot Noir boasts an enchanting palette of dark red fruits, delicate spices and captivating earthy undertones. Its refinement is a testament to the traditional winemaking techniques observed by the renowned Caves de la Muyre.

Meticulously crafted, this 2004 vintage is an exquisite representation of Pinot noir at its finest, possessing a deep ruby hue and an elegantly balanced structure. The grapes undergo a sensitive and slow maceration to extract the intricate, full-bodied flavours, which then mature perfectly in oak casks, bestowing a smooth and velvety finish.

For those seeking finesse wrapped in a glass, the Caves de la Muyre Arbois Pupillin Pinot 2004 imparts a memorable impression and is a wine that unquestionably deserves a prized place in any discerning connoisseur's collection.

Jancis Robinson (17.5+)

Still quite bloody and embryonic on the nose. Lots of rude fruit without that much acidity. Dry finish. Pretty tough and dry on the end. Severe. Definitely needs time, rather grating tannins. A bit brutal.

Chateau Marsannay Vosne Romanee 1er Cru En Orveaux 2004 is an exquisite vintage originating from the revered vineyards of Vosne Romanée in Burgundy, France. This red wine is a testament to Chateau Marsannay, a world-renowned winery esteemed for its commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. The wine's tantalising complexity is derived from the delicate Pinot Noirs, culminating in an opulent medley of black cherry, redcurrant, and nuanced spice notes.

Winemaking techniques maintain the integrity of the Terroir, with use of traditional oak barrels shaping the wine's unique character and pronounced elegance. The enduring finish is characteristic of the fine mineral-rich soils of this premier cru vineyard. Chateau Marsannay Vosne Romanee 1er Cru En Orveaux 2004 stands as an outstanding example of French winemaking excellence; a true collectors' prize that promises an unrivalled tasting experience.

Jancis Robinson (19)

Deep, soft-edged garnet. Gorgeously complex and seductive aroma – perfumed, multilayered and even a little exotic in its spice, a touch of orange. Even with all that seduction, there's a breath of fresh air and energy. Soft, fresh and elegant. Fabulous harmony and delicacy on the palate – less intense than I expected from the nose but there is great persistence. Super smooth, gently fresh and finely aromatic.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87-90)

Ruby-red. Sappy red berries and blackberry show a candied, liqueur-like quality. Round, sweet, dense and lush but with well-integrated acids giving the wine good life in the mouth. Then quite closed, even a bit youthfully dry, on the back end. But then this wine still has a bit of malic acidity left to convert.

Nestled beneath the striking limestone ridge of the Pic Saint Loup in Southern France lies the boutique vineyard of Clos Marie, the producer of the exceptional 'Clos Marie Pic Saint Loup Simon 2004'. This distinguished expression of the terroir is expertly crafted, showcasing the meticulous organic and biodynamic practices adhered to by the winemakers. With grapes maturing gently under the Mediterranean sun, the blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre yields an intoxicating depth of character, adorned with layers of spice and dark fruit on the palate.

This full-bodied red exhibits age-worthy structure and a rich, balanced profile due to aging in French oak barrels. A testament to the distinct character of Languedoc wines, the Clos Marie Pic Saint Loup Simon 2004 resonates with a true gourmand's appreciation for elaborate, complex reds. A gem of the Pic Saint Loup AOC, it's a wine to be savoured and celebrates with reverence the craft of artisanal wine making.

Imbibe a taste of history with the distinguished Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg 2004. Exquisitely crafted, this wine originates from Saumur-Champigny appellation, Loire Valley, in France’s finest vineyards. Guided by the strict principles of organic viticulture, the Foucault family, eighth-generation vignerons, crafted this masterpiece, resulting in a profound and impeccable expression of Cabernet Franc.

The wine matured for 24-30 months in new oak barrels, conveying structured tannins, vibrant acidity, and an intriguing blend of red currant, lead pencil, and graphite aromas. Dark ruby in colour and full-bodied, the Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg 2004 combines subtlety and power, evoking an unparalleled tasting experience. This is no ordinary wine, but rather a legend in the world of French winemaking, strongly representing the individuality and charm of the Saumur-Champigny terroir.

Every glass of the Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg 2004 encapsulates a distinct, rich narrative that continues to evolve, creating a multifaceted, memorable experience for the discerning connoisseur.

Burghound (96)

This is also very cool and even more reserved at present, revealing only reluctant glimpses of very ripe and ultra spicy red and black berry fruit notes that are very pinot in character. The rich, full and powerful flavors are sweet, supple and utterly classy and the intensity this wine displays is seriously impressive and the superbly long and strikingly precise finish is crystalline in its purity and exactness. There is a rigorous element here that suggests this will require the better part of 15 years to be at its best but when it gets there, this is going to be a thrill ride. Readers know that I am not given to undue hyperbole but I love this style of wine as it's at once pure, understated, graceful and utterly composed.

LaRVF (95)

Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair La Romanée Grand Cru 2004

Wine & Spirit Magazine (90)

Black and unyielding up front, with the scent of the dark skin of currants, this young wine emphasizes its stony tannins. The finish opens up with air, a curtain rising on cassis flavors that slowly take precedence over the tannin. Firm and polished, this should age well.

Discover the charm of fine French wine with the robust Dassault 2004. Crafted in the esteemed Saint-Émilion region of Bordeaux, this wine carries the soul of its vineyard. Dassault Wine Estate, a revered name in winemaking since 1955, extend their constant quest for perfection in this 2004 vintage. Composed predominantly of Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and a hint of Cabernet Sauvignon, the Dassault 2004 exhibits well-integrated tannins and compelling complexity.

The wine is aged in oaken barrels for 14 months, leading to alluring notes of ripe red fruits, licorice, and subtle spices in its bouquet. A svelte palate with polished tannins and generous fruit heralds the sophisticated balance and depth of this elegant ensemble. With its cultivated excellence, the Dassault 2004 effortlessly captures the quintessence of its terroir.

Perfect for any discerning oenophile, the Dassault 2004 is a sensational affirmation of high-quality Bordeaux craftsmanship.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (90)

(a blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc; 13.4% alcohol): Deep red. Open-knit aromas of red cherry and cassis complicated by intense notes of clove, nutmeg, incense and bay leaf. Then creamy and soft on the palate, but with lovely lift to the flavors of dark berries, minerals and cedar. The silky-sweet finish shows lovely aromatic persistence, not to mention very good intensity for a 2004. Drinking deliciously right now; at its relatively reasonable price today, this would be an excellent choice for restaurant dining.

LaRVF (98)

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche Grand Cru 2004

Jancis Robinson (18.5)

Slightly more blueish purple than the Romanée St Vivant. Broad but less flattering on the nose than the RSV. Indeed it is slightly overshadowed by the RSV; I wonder whether the Domaine might in some years show the Richebourg before the RSV? More obviously 2004 than the RSB because a bit tighter and less obviously ripe with even the merest hint of green notes. This is a sinewy wine – more musclar than many Richebourgs. Fine, pure and extremely racy. Great refreshment value – certainly very, very different frim the RSV. Aerienne/ethereal. It should age well for it opened even in the glass but the acidity is particularly notable.

Vinous (94+)

(est. 2,500-$2,900) Good deep red. Less expressive but still utterly sexy nose offers plum, raspberry, flowers, smoke and earth. Hints at its superb volume but this is quite closed and tightly knit today, and much less expressive and sweet than La Tache. But this superconcentrated wine seemed to gain sweetness with aeration, showing an increasingly fat, seamless texture without any loss of energy as it opened in the glass. Really saturates the palate on the aftertaste, where the tannins are thoroughly buffered by the wine's strong extract and superb depth.