Wine Enthusiast (91)

Fruity, attractively balanced wine, the spice and caramel wood flavors fitting well into the sweet, berry fruits.

James Suckling (95)

Gorgeous ripe fruit character, with loads of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity, fresh, grapefruit aftertaste. Really beautiful. Best ever from here. Best after 2018.

The Caronne Ste Gemme 1990 is an exceptional representation of fine Bordeaux wine, expertly crafted in the Haut-Médoc region of France. It's a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 35% Merlot, one of the most esteemed compositions of the Château Caronne Ste. Gemme winery. This well-established French winery dates back to 1648 and has a widespread reputation for producing top-tier wines from the most favourable terroirs.

With the Caronne Ste Gemme 1990, you'll discover a finely balanced palate of blackcurrants, plums, and tobacco, complemented by elegant tannins and an enduring finish. This vintage carries the definitive style of the remarkable 1990 growing season. Meticulously aged for a year in French oak barrels before bottling has imparted a distinctively enticing aroma to this wine. A masterpiece of winemaking expertise, the Caronne Ste Gemme 1990 is a must-have for any serious wine connoisseur.

Wine Advocate (84-86)

Of the 64% of Lafite-Rothschild's harvest eliminated from the grand vin, only 40% made it into Lafite's second wine, Carruades de Lafite. It displays a character similar to Lafite's in its elegance and finesse, as well as fine ripeness, and tasty, curranty fruit wrapped in a medium-bodied, supple framework. A noteworthy introduction to Lafite-Rothschild's elegant style, it should drink well for 5-6 years.

Wine Spectator (93)

Wonderfully ripe and decadent, with tobacco, meat and ripe berry aromas, with hints of currants. Full-bodied, and very velvety, with unctuous fruit flavors. Long and exotic aftertaste. Terrific wine.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89)

Bright medium ruby. Aromas of currant, blueberry, violet and licorice. Bright and focused, with modest flesh but lovely dark fruit flavors and grip. Lively acids extend the finish.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)

Dark ruby-red. Withdrawn aromas of currant and herbs. Dry and quite closed, with limited sweetness. Flavors of plum, leather and currant leaf show only modest ripeness. Firm acids give this wine a slight sour edge.

Wine Advocate (91)

There are 20,000 cases of the gorgeous 2003 Carruades de Lafite. Despite record heat in June, July and August, this wine only hit 12.8% alcohol, which seems modest compared to the higher alcohol levels of 2009 and 2010. A final blend of 50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc has resulted in a second wine with a Lafite Rothschild-like character, plenty of creme de cassis, cedarwood and graphite notes as well as a supple, lush texture. It has reached full maturity where it should remain for another 5-10 years.

Wine Advocate (91)

There are 20,000 cases of the gorgeous 2003 Carruades de Lafite. Despite record heat in June, July and August, this wine only hit 12.8% alcohol, which seems modest compared to the higher alcohol levels of 2009 and 2010. A final blend of 50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc has resulted in a second wine with a Lafite Rothschild-like character, plenty of creme de cassis, cedarwood and graphite notes as well as a supple, lush texture. It has reached full maturity where it should remain for another 5-10 years.

James Suckling (95)

Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018.

James Suckling (97)

Château Certan de May Pomerol 1982: This is a reminder of how great 1982 is for Pomerol. People talk about Petrus or Le Pin as benchmarks for the year (I prefer Lafleur) but this wine from Certan de May is very, very impressive. It shows an amazing complexity and subtlety with wonderful aromas and flavors of flowers and berries. It's full body with refined tannis and clean finish. Decant and serve. 97 points

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (88+)

Medium color, hint of development. Smoke, toffee, coffee and a charred-barrel nuance on the nose. Supple but restrained on the palate, with good but not outstanding concentration and intensity of flavor. There's an edge of austerity and a firmness on the finish that promise a graceful evolution. Still, we expected more richness.

A triumphant example of post-war vintages, the Champon-Segur 1947 is an exquisite relic from Bordeaux's heralded Saint-Estèphe appellation. It hails from the renowned Château Calon-Ségur vineyard; a grand terroir that has cultivated prestigious wines since the 18th century.

The Champon-Segur 1947 beautifully demonstrates the freshness and vivacity of that historical year's harvest. Graced by time, it presents alluring, developed flavours of dried fruit, truffle, and earth, woven together by charming maturity and soft tannins.

Masterfully cultivated on gravelly terraces, the vintage was precisely vinified using traditional methods, and then aged in French oak barrels, imbuing an enticing complexity. At every sip, the Champon-Segur 1947 kindles a tasting experience that is rich, refined, and infinitely memorable.

Crafted for the discerning palate, this remarkable wine is sure to satiate your desire for vintage excellence, making Champon-Segur 1947 a worthy addition to any distinguished collection.

Wine Enthusiast (92)

91-93 Barrel sample. The second wine of Château Ausone is enticingly spicy, with wood aromas and flavors. They balance excellently with fruit and tannins, followed by a dark dryness, which lasts through as the aftertaste.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

93-95 The second wine of Château Ausone is sumptuous, full of ripe black fruits, spice and a rich, deep texture. It is very powerful, although also packed with the 2010 hallmark acidity.

Wine Spectator (93)

Berry, cherry and chocolate on the nose, with hints of spices. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a spicy, cedary, dark chocolate aftertaste. Very silky and caressing. Grabs your attention. Muscular for Cheval. Overlooked by many Cheval fans.¿'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. 12,000 cases made. -JS

Wine Advocate (88)

It is many years since I last tasted the 1994 Château Cheval Blanc. Here it has an intriguing nose with expressive Cabernet Franc aromas that develop more floral, wilted petal tones with aeration. There are touches of desiccated red cherry and bacon fat. The palate is medium-bodied and nicely structured, quite savory in the mouth and showing some austerity towards the harmonious finish. It is a little curmudgeonly perhaps and I would consume bottles in the next 5-8 years, as it is not going to go anywhere. Tasted March 2015.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Spicy, vegy nose with great, top-quality density and balance. Pretty smart without being too concentrated or sweet. Very fresh and vibrant. Good wine!

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2001 Cheval Blanc has a slightly more expressive and less feral bouquet compared to the 2000, perhaps better defined, although I miss the menthol aspect that develops on the previous vintage. But give it an hour's aeration and it coheres magnificently, gaining more intensity as it manifests dark berry fruit mixed with potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, quite firm and (for this estate) quite austere and strict, though yet again, after an hour it mellows, gaining more rondeur and sensuality. Whereas initially I leaned toward the millennial Cheval Blanc, the 2001 has its nose in front by the end. Tasted at Cheval Blanc.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Very pretty licorice and mineral aromas. Hints of flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, with sweet and silky tannins. Lovely chocolate character. Racy and modern for Cheval-Blanc. Not the 1998, but very fine indeed. Seductive juice. Long and beautiful. Score range: 95-100

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)

The 2005 Cheval Blanc is another wine that is utterly mesmerizing from the moment it is opened. Exquisite in its aromatics, the 2005 Cheval is sublime on the palate, where the interplay of Merlot and Cabernet Franc proves to be captivating. In a night of truly spellbinding wines, the Cheval makes a deep impression because of its overall finesse and nuance. Along with the Margaux and Haut-Brion, the Cheval speaks to total refinement and polish. The Cheval is of course not one of the bigger, more imposing wines of the night, but it is among the most complete, which makes it the perfect wine to close out an incredible night. When we first opened the 2005, I thought it might very well be the wine of the night. A few hours later, it was every bit as impressive.

Wine Advocate (92)

Medium garnet colored, the 2013 Cheval Blanc has a captivating, open-knit nose of roses and lilacs over a core of fragrant soil, charcuterie, kirsch and raspberry preserves plus a waft of stewed plums. Medium-bodied, chewy and with tons of spring to its step, the palate is delicately fruited with an earthy finish.