A good friend turns 40 (Feb 17)

1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, light minerals, brioche, intense, layered nose, some plaster, bread crumbs. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, smooth, rounded, fruity, apples, minerals, plaster, elegant, some smoky notes, long. 95

2009 Blain-Gagnard Bâtard-Montrachet
Pale lemon yellow. Vanilla, apples, minerals, spicy and smoky notes nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, minerals, smoky, apples, butter, lemons, somewhat sharp, some bitter notes, lemony, intense, long. 95

1997 Maison Leroy Meursault 1er Cru Charmes
Ox, seems to have some botrytis.

1989 Château Montrose
Ruby, thin garnet rim. Leather, cedar, tobacco, spices, figs, blueberries, intense nose, detailed, touch of mint, layered, quite rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, figs, cherries, spices, leather, tobacco, intense, detailed, black tea, almost leaps out of the mouth, powerful, long. 97

1985 Château Haut-Brion
Dark core, lots of sediments, brick rim. Earthy, some mint, some blackberries, tobacco, floral notes, exotic notes with air, . Fresh acidity, few tannins, some earthy notes, some mint, figs, smooth texture, light tobacco note, served blind a mature bottle with answer in hand, long. 94

2001 Château Mouton Rothschild
Ruby. Rich, fruity, dark berries, vanilla, exotic notes, intense nose, cassis, some tobacco, tight, truffles, cedar notes, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, some figs, tobacco, intense, blackberries, some vanilla, tight, has richness yet restrained, even after hours in decanter, long. 95

2005 Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint Jacques
Bright ruby. Scented, intense, fruity, strawberries, raspberries, some violets, intense and nuanced nose, just a faint hint of sous bous very far back on the nose. Almost erotic. Fresh acidity, fruity, red berries, red apples, raspberries, fruity, intense, elegant texture, lovely structure, detailed, nuanced, has some tight notes yet others are open and nuanced, long. 95

2001 Château Suduiraut
Golden. Apricots, fruity, elegant, nuanced, pineapples, elegant and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, pineapples, fruity, apples, pineapples, leaner but very elegant and nuanced, refined, beautiful balance but a bit less concentrated than last bottle, long. 95

1977 Dow's Vintage Port
Demi. Cloudy garnet-orange. Dried fruits, figs, dates, alcohol shows, raisins nose. Fresh acidity, few tannins, leaner palate, lacks a bit of fruit and body, alcoholic. 87

2016 Primeur Saint-Estèphe

2016 Château Le Boscq

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries and spices, some anise nose, detailed. Faint scented and spicy note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some anise and spices, dark fruits, long. 92-94

2016 Château Calon Ségur

Ruby. Scented, tight, blueberries and some ripe fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise and spices, layered and detailed, playful, long. 95-97

2016 Le Marquis de Calon Ségur

Ruby. Scented, dark berries, some anise and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed and elegant. 90-92

2016 Château Capbern

Ruby. Vanilla, fruity and scented behind nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, anise. 89-91

2016 Château Clauzet

Ruby. Blackberries, some vanilla and spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, good length, bit lean. 87-89

2016 Château La Commanderie

Ruby. Fruity, blueberries, fresh nose. Anise and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, anise, spices, good length. Structured. 87-89

2016 Cos d'Estournel

76CS 23M 1CF Ruby. Cassis, cigars, exotic spices, layered, deep, blueberries, layers of fruit and spices, tobacco, exuberant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, juicy, dark berries and spices, nuanced, detailed, refreshing, stunning balance between the fruit and acidity, Christmas spices, superb length. For me the best Cos ever made. 98-100

2016 Pagodes de Cos

50CS 46,5M 3PV 0,5CF Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, intense, blueberries, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, juicy, dark berries, anise and spices, detailed, long. 92-94

2016 Cos d'Estournel blanc

75SB 25S Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, some spices, grapefruits nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, lemons, elegant, playful, vanilla and smoky notes, long. 89-91

2016 Château Cos Labory

Ruby. Floral, scented, red berries, minerals and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins fresh, fruity. Red berries, anise and spices, detailed, long. 91-93

2016 Château Haut-Beauséjour

Ruby. Anise, cassis, blueberries, fruity, ripe, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, some anise, good length. 88-90

2016 Château Haut-Marbuzet

Ruby. Fruity, blueberries, light scented note, some red fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark and red berries, refreshing. 90-92

2016 Château Lafon-Rochet

Ruby. Scented, red berries, bright expression, fresh and fruity, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant texture, structured, bright fruity, long. 92-94

2016 Château Lilian Ladoys

Ruby. Blueberries, fruity, some anise nose. Floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, some anise and spices, detailed, long. 89-91

2016 Château Meyney

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries, spices, anise, coffee, darker fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, anise, refreshing, long. 90-92

2016 Château Montrose

Ruby. Floral, scented, violets, cassis, blueberries, detailed, elegant, vanilla, detailed and layered, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, juicy, detailed, elegant, some spices, refreshing, playful, lovely red fruity core with dark fruits surrounding it, stunning length. 97-99

2016 La Dame de Montrose

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, floral nose, minerals and cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries and anise, some spices, detailed, elegant, long. 91-93

2016 Château Ormes de Pez

Ruby. Fruity, elegant and fresh nose, tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, detailed and long. 91-93

2016 Château Petit Bocq

Ruby. Anise, blueberries, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, vanilla and spices, structured. 87-89

2016 Château de Pez

Ruby. Scented, cassis, blueberries, some coffee, faint floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, blueberries, some anise. 88-90

2016 Château Phélan Ségur

Ruby. Scented, red berries, floral, fruity, elegant and detailed nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed and charming. Refreshing and red fruity, long. 92-94

2016 Château Ségur de Cabanac

Ruby. Anise, spices, blueberries nose, scented behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, blueberries, anise, red berries and spices, detailed. 89-91

2016 Château Sérhilan

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, coffee, smoky spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, woody and smoky. 84-86

2016 Château Tour de Pez

Ruby. Scented, fruity, red and blueberries nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries and anise. 88-90

2016 Château Tour de Termes

Ruby. Dark fruity, spicy and vanilla nose, woody. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, red fruity, elegant, somewhat bitter finish. Can it handle the wood? 85-89

2016 Château Tronquoy-Lalande

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, anise, some spices, scented notes, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lovely concentration, detailed, refined, playful, long. Best vintage so far of this. 91-93

2016 Primeur Saint-Julien

2016 Château Beychevelle

47CS 47M 1CF 5PV Ruby. Blackberries, fruits, anise, blueberries, floral nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, elegant, lovely balance and texture, long. A beautiful and elegant Beychevelle. 93-95

2016 Château Branaire-Ducru

64CS 27M 6PV 3CF Ruby. Paprika, cassis, vanilla and thyme nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively and detailed, elegant and refreshing, red and dark fruits. The herbal notes on the nose is not noticeable on the elegant palate, long. 92-94

2016 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Ruby. Scented, cassis, blueberries, fruity, floral, nuanced, detailed, some anise, layered and deep nose, violets, stunning nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, detailed, nuanced, playful, blackberries, riper and deeper yet mouthwateringly fresh, stunning length. 97-99

2016 La Croix de Beaucaillou

Ruby. Scented, blueberries, raspberries, fresh, fruity, elegant, detailed nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise, spices, beautiful balance, long. 92-94

2016 Château du Glana

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, vanilla, blueberries and cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, juicy, quite a bit of wood here. 88-90

2016 Château Gloria

Ruby. Cassis, vanilla, spices, blueberries, lush nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Fresh, fruity, lively and detailed, playful, even mouthwatering, a beautiful effort form Gloria. Long. 93-95

2016 Château Gruaud Larose

61CS 29M 7CF 3PV Ruby. Deeper nose, cassis. Vanilla, coffee, blackberries and blueberries nose, scented yet tight. Among the tightest this primeur. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Fresh, fruity, darker berries, spices, detailed, nuanced, long. 94-96

2016 Château Lagrange

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, anise, violets, cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, red fruits, blackberries, spices, lovely purity, long. Might be the best Lagrange ever made. 93-95

2016 Fiefs de Lagrange

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft, fresh and gentle, elegant. 87-89

2016 Château Lalande-Borie

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, anise, some spices, floral, scented, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, anise. Good length. 89-91

2016 Château Langoa Barton

55CS 37M 8CF Ruby. Scented, red berries, blueberries, cassis, vanilla, tighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Fresh, lively, detailed and nuanced, playful, bright red fruits and darker berries, refreshing. The best Langoa ever? 94-96

2016 Château Léoville Barton

Ruby. Scented, red berries. Fruity, fresh, nuanced, layered, floral, nuanced, seductive nose already. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, playful, elegant, refreshing, superb balance, long. Among the best ever from here. 95-97

2016 Château Léoville Las Cases

Ruby. Scented, floral, violets, raspberries, cassis, restrained and refined nose, layered, deep, stunning nose. If tight as always. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, lively, detailed, playful, red fruits, cassis, detailed, nuanced, stunning balance, stunning length. 97-99

2016 Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases

Ruby. Scented, dark berries, fruity, floral, elegant nose. Tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, juicy, elegant, refreshing and detailed, long. 92-94

2016 Château Léoville Poyferré

86CS 14M Ruby. Scented, floral, detailed, blackberries and anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, lively, a brighter Poyferré, refreshing and long. 94-96

2016 Clos du Marquis

Ruby. Scented, blueberries, floral, elegant nose, cassis, some tobacco notes far back.  Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries and spices, detailed, playful, long. 93-95

2016 La Petite Marquise

Pale lemon yellow. Floral, scented, cassis, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some anise, good length. 88-90

2016 Château Saint-Pierre

Ruby. Scented, cassis, blueberries, raspberries, violets, detailed, some minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, detailed, elegant pure cassis finish, long. 93-95

2016 Château Talbot

Ruby. Scented. Vanilla, spices, nuanced, coffee, minerals, tight nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries and anise, detailed and layered, refreshing, bright fruity expression. Beautiful length. A stunning effort from Talbot. 95-97

2016 Connétable de Talbot

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, anise and spices, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries. 88-90

2016 Primeur Margaux

2016 Château Angludet

Ruby. Blackberries, spices, anise, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Fresh, fruity, dark berries, spices, detailed, long, 91-93

2016 Château d'Arsac

Ruby. Floral, scented, blueberries, fresh and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, juicy, elegant, lively texture and blueberries, good length. 88-90

2016 L'Aura

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity. 86-88

2016 Château Brane-Cantenac

Ruby. Scented, dark fruity, some spices and anise nose, detailed, floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, some anise and spices, detailed, long. 94-96

2016 Baron de Brane

Ruby. Scented, fruity, anise and blueberries nose, cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, red fruits, elegant. 89-91

2016 Château Boyd-Cantenac

Ruby. Blackberries, raspberries, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries and spices, anise. 89-91

2016 Château Cantenac-Brown

Ruby. Fruity, floral, elegant nose, blackberries, scented, violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, anise and spices, playful, detailed, beautiful balance, long. 94-96

2016 Château Le Coteau

Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, some anise and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fresh and fruity palate. 87-89

2016 Château Dauzac

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, some spices, anise, ripe and deeper nose for Dauzac. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise and spices, detailed. 90-92

2016 Château Desmirail

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, black fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, woody, spices, anise, blackberries, long. 89-93

2016 Château Deyrem Valentin

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, some vanilla, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, blackberries, juicy, ripe, some coffee, elegant. 90-92

2016 Château Durfort-Vivens

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, vanilla, spices, vanilla, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, nuanced, dark berries, detailed, long. 94-96

2016 Château Ferrière

Ruby. Scented, dark berries, some anise and spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, juicy, elegant, refreshing, long. 91-93

2016 Château Giscours

Ruby. Blackberries, spices, anise, detailed nose, blueberries and raspberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Fresh, fruity, dark berries, anise, spices, detailed, long and firm. The most structured from Margaux this year. 93-95

2016 Château La Gurgue

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, elegant texture, good length. 88-90

2016 Château Haut-Breton Larigaudiére

Ruby. Scented, red berries, some violets, fruity, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, bit woody mid palate, good length. 87-89

2016 Château d'Issan

Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, some anise and spices, fresh nose. Vanilla. Tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, anise, detailed, nuanced, long. 94-96

2016 Blason d'Issan

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries and anise, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, anise and spices, long. 89-91

2016 Clos du Jaugueyron Margaux

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, floral, elegant nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, anise and spices, fresh and fruity, long. 93-95

2016 Château Kirwan

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries and vanilla nose, coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and anise, spices, detailed, long. 91-93

2016 Château Labégorce Margaux

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, coffee and spices, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, some anise, long. 90-92

2016 Château Lascombes

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, vanilla, coffee, rich and intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich and fruity, blackberries and spices, long. 92-94

2016 Château Malescot Saint Exupéry

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries, some anise, spices, floral notes nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise, detailed, layered, fresh and lively, long. 95-97

2016 Château Margaux

Ruby. Floral, scented, red berries, anise, blueberries, some violets, nuanced, delicate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, anise, playful and nuanced, blueberries, spices, long. 96-98

2016 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux

Ruby. Scented nose, floral, fruity, red berries, anise and spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, anise and spices, detailed, elegant, long. 90-92

2016 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, fruity nose, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, floral, elegant, refreshing, some minerals, quite smooth. 91-93

2016 Château Marquis d'Alesme

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries, anise, spices nose, blackberries, cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, detailed, nuanced, fresh and fruity, long. 92-94

2016 Château Marquis de Terme

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, ripe, rich, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leaner, elegant, dark berries, blueberries finish, long. 90-92

2016 Clos Margalaine

Deep ruby. Cassis, vanilla, spices, some coffee nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured, firm, fruity, blackberries, anise, good length. 88-90

2016 Château Marojallia

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, anise, spices, richer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, dark fruits, jammy, long. 89-91

2016 Château Marsac Séguineau

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries and anise, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, blackberries and anise, some spices. 89-91

2016 Château Mille Roses Margaux

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, anise, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries and spices, long. 89-91

2016 Château Monbrison

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries, light scented nose and thyme. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, detailed, long. 90-92

2016 Château Mongravey

Ruby. Blackberries, spices, anise, detailed, woody nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, blackberries, anise, richer style as always. 87-89

2016 Château Palmer

47CS 47M 6PV Ruby. Scented, floral, violets, cassis, detailed, blueberries, light spicy and exotic touch nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, cassis, detailed, some spices, anise, blueberries, cassis, rounded, deep, stunningly long. Superb concentration and balance. 98-100

2016 Alter Ego

Ruby. Scented, red berries, floral, some violets, cassis, elegant and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, and spices, elegant texture, detailed, fresh, bright, long. 91-93

2016 Château Paveil de Luze

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, dark berries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, heavy wood, can the fruit handle it? 84-87

2016 Château Pouget

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruity, ripe nose, rich even. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, ripe, intense and extracted. 86-89

2016 Château Prieuré-Lichine

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, floral, fruity nose, elegant, lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, anise, lively, liquorice finish, long. 91-93

2016 Château Rauzan Gassies

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, anise, some spices, detailed nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, leaner, some herbs. 89-91

2016 Château Rauzan-Ségla

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, blueberries, floral, intense nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise, spices, long. 94-96

2016 Château Siran

Ruby. Fruity, blackberries, some spices, anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, fresh, fruity, elegant. 88-90

2016 Château Tayac

Ruby. Red berries, some anise, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, anise, good length. 87-89

2016 Château du Tertre

Ruby. Blueberries, scented, floral, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, structured, leaner finish, long. Could be an off sample, one of very few to disappoint this vintage. 89-91

2016 Château La Tour de Bessan

Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, vanilla nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity but quite woody, freshness behind, lovely if it manages the wood. 85-89

2016 Château La Tour de Mons

Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, vanilla and spices, blackberries and spices finish. 88-90