James Suckling Top Rated
“Yes, it is one of four excellent years in the first decade of the new millennium. But what is wrong with that? It has happened before: 1945, 1947, 1948 and 1949, or 1952, 1953, 1955 and 1959, or even more recently, 1982, 1985, 1988 and 1989.”
|
| 97-100 |
Ausone |
Such a dreamy, perfumed aroma to this wine. Full-bodied, but wonderfully polished and integrated. It touches every millimeter of your palate and the texture makes you want to cry. It touches your soul. Goes on for minutes. Another perfect red? |
| 97-100 |
Cos d'Estournel |
This smells like Harlan a bit. Supercharged in fruit, with intense aromas of tar, spice, cardamon, clove, blackberry and black pepper. Crazy nose. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit, yet focused and in form. Chewy tannins, with great length. This goes on and on. Incredibly exotic. Could be best ever from here? |
| 97-100 |
L'Eglise Clinet |
This smells like Harlan a bit. Supercharged in fruit, with intense aromas of tar, spice, cardamon, clove, blackberry and black pepper. Crazy nose. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit, yet focused and in form. Chewy tannins, with great length. This goes on and on. Incredibly exotic. Could be best ever from here? |
| 97-100 |
Figeac |
Really fabulous on the nose, with sweet milk chocolate, flowers, currant and plum. Full-bodied, with incredible length. The tannins are so silky, but they are warm and cuddly. You just want to hug it. Powerful but so attractive. The blend is one third each of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| 97-100 |
Haut Brion |
A dark and brooding wine, delivering blackberry, black licorice, mahogany, subtle grilled meat and raspberry jam. Full-bodied, with layers of ripe and chewy tannins. Loads of fruit yet subtle and reserved, and a long, long finish. Super fruit, yet held back. A 2005 in the remaking, but perhaps slightly supercharged. |
| 97-100 |
Lafleur |
The nose is fascinating, with blackberry, black licorice, mineral, flowers and more. Full-bodied, with an incredible texture of ripe tannins and cashmere yarn. A tightly wound ball. What length too. This wine made me feel like getting in the lotus position and meditating. It's almost more than wine. Vinous Nirvana. I think the Cabernet Franc really gave that extra level to it all. |
| 97-100 |
Latour |
This is incredibly floral on the nose, with violet and lilac as well as dark and ripe raspberry and blueberry. Full-bodied, with a dense and incredibly rich palate yet held back and in reserve. Such precision and beauty. It lasts for minutes on the palate. This reminds me of the 1990, but better made and better raised. It is really the style of Latour, where the tannins grab you at the end. This will most likely be a perfect wine. |
| 97-100 |
Leoville Lascases |
Black color. What a nose. Black licorice, raspberry, currant and dried flowers galore. Full-bodied and superpowerful, with masses of fruit and toasted oak, but a blockbuster finish of fruit, tannins and everything else. I have never tasted such a flashy sample. I am blown away by this. A more fruit-forward style for Las Cases. |
| 97-100 |
Malescot-St-Exupery |
This is absolutely fabulous. I love the complex aromas of ripe fruit and fresh flowers that turn to mineral and raspberry, along with tannins on the finish. This changes all the time. Full-bodied and dense, but so beautiful and long. The layers of ultrafine tannins just turn off the tip of your tongue. |
| 97-100 |
Montrose |
Big and structured, delivering wild aromas of Indian spices, crushed berry, sweet tobacco and coffee. Full-bodied, with loads of velvety, chewy tannins and a long spicy finish. The château says this is like the 1990, but I think it could be even better. It's certainly better made. |
| 97-100 |
Mouton Rothschild |
I am speechless over the nose in this wine. Mint, blackberry, currant and black licorice turn to flowers such as lilacs and roses. Wow. It fills your mouth with the same fruit, but with an intensity of superpolished tannins. It finishes with complex yet reserved coffee, toasted oak and ripe fruit and then in two or three minutes it becomes milk chocolate. Just a joy to taste. Best Mouton since 1982 or 1986; in fact, it's like a bend of the two. A perfect Mouton? 88 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 12 percent Merlot. |
| 97-100 |
Petrus |
What a nose this has. I close my eyes when I smell this, and I see perfectly ripe Merlot grapes crushed in the vats. Blackberry, mineral, black licorice, coffee bean and chocolate lead to a full body, with round yet firm tannins and beautiful fruit. The luxurious finish offers a cashmere texture and gorgeous fruit. Rich and subtle. Doesn't appear to be the 2005, but very close. |
| 97-100 |
Trotanoy |
A nose of dark chocolate and crushed raspberry evolves to blackberry and ripe raspberry. Full-bodied, with chewy and powerful tannins that leave a rich and mouthpuckering finish. This is a big and powerful Trot. Wow. Haven't tasted a Trot like this in decades. |
| 97-100 |
Vieux Chateau Certan |
This has an incredible nose of chocolate and berries that turns to sweet tobacco and China tea leaves. Full-bodied, with a beautiful softness and silkiness that makes you want to keep tasting it. Goes on and on. 84 percent Merlot, 8 percent Cabernet Franc and 8 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| 96-99 |
Cheval Blanc |
I have never smelled a Cheval like this, with red fruit and an undertone of seashell, lilac and sandalwood that makes you dream, turning to chocolate. Full-bodied, but tight and precise with a laser-guided finish of ultrafine tannins. Superlong. 60 percent Merlot and 40 percent Cabernet Franc. This is like the 1990 but superclean. |
| 96-99 |
Ducru Beaucaillou |
This has an impressive powerful and hearty structure, with seductive floral, currant and licorice aromas and flavors, showing powerful tannins at the end. This sneaks up on you at the end. Structured and very, very powerful. The blockbuster tannins are sweet and fruit-coated. This is a classic, powerful style of Ducru. May be best yet. Wow. |
| 96-99 |
L'Evangile |
I love the aromas of black olive and blueberry, with mineral and light mint. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins. Superlong. This is dense and very beautiful, with such a great core of fruit. Silky texture. Not sure it is going to be better than 2005 (100 pointer!) but super. |
| 96-99 |
Lafite Rothschild |
Offers currant and wild raspberry, with a lilac and exotic character on the nose, turning to sweet tobacco and cedar. Full-bodied, showing very racy tannins and a balance of pretty fruit. This is powerful yet elegant, almost delicate, with a wonderful polish. But then the tannins take off. Muscular yet agile. A very classic Bordeaux style. |
| 96-99 |
Lynch Bages |
The nose shows amazing aromas of mint, spices and currant, with underlying licorice and tar. Full-bodied, with amazing fruit and a long, long finish. Powerful. Blockbuster, but balanced. So structured. Lynch has not made a wine like this since perhaps 1989 or 1982. Better than Wine of the Year 1985 Lynch. |
| 96-99 |
Margaux |
The nose is so intensely fruity, but subtle and reserved at the same time. Fascinating. Full-bodied, yet superrefined, building on the palate. It's like watching a long-distance runner starting off slowly but continuing along his or her path. Fine and dense tannins. A few minutes in the glass and the massive tannins show. Muscular and subdued. |
| 96-99 |
Pavie Macquin |
Superfocused and beautiful, like looking at Mont Blanc with a clear sky and a blanket of snow. Full and refined, with gorgeous fruit and wonderful refinement. Silky tannins. Clearly the best ever. |
| 96-99 |
Peby Faugeres |
An incredible nose of reduced dark fruits, with blackberry, dark chocolate and loads of cherry. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins. Goes on and on. Racy and fast. Amazing. |
| 96-99 |
Le Pin |
This is classic Merlot from Pomerol on the nose, with black licorice, black olive and rich fruit. Yet it's subtle and pretty. Full-bodied, and chewy, with loads of power. Tannic and muscular. Chocolate, coffee and vanilla bean. I can't remember a Le Pin like this. You'd have to go back to 1986, or 1983. |
| 95-98 |
Bellevue Mondotte |
Breathtaking aromas of crushed blackberries, dark chocolate and cassis. Full-bodied, with big and velvety tannins and intense fruit. Long finish. Massive. But polished and very balanced. Could prove to be the best of the Perse wines in 2009. |
| 95-98 |
Canon |
What a gorgeous nose, with sweet and delicate fruits such as sliced plums that turn to milk chocolate and flowers. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, long finish. You want to drink this right away. 75 percent Merlot and 25 percent Cabernet Franc. |
| 95-98 |
Chapelle d'Ausone |
Delivers blueberry and blackberry aromas, with hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied, featuring chewy, rich tannins and a beautiful velvety texture. This is superb. Really structured. |
| 95-98 |
Clinet |
Blackberry and mineral aromas, with flowers. Full-bodied, but reserved and supersilky and pretty. This is the bomb. Forget the 1989. |
| 95-98 |
La Conseillante |
Such wonderful clarity to this wine, with violets, black and exotic fruits. Fabulous nose. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a silky, silky finish. Such beauty. Really stunning. Class. |
| 95-98 |
La Fleur Petrus |
Licorice, blackberry, coffee bean and blueberry aromas; this gets more complex with every sniff. And what a palate. It's so polished, soft and cuddly. Like curling up in a big cashmere blanket. Full-bodied, yet balanced and fresh. Lots of tannins. But all in harmony. Hidden giant here. |
| 95-98 |
Haut Bailly |
Lovely sweet berry and plum aromas, with hints of sandalwood and cedar. Full-bodied, with milk chocolate, berry and vanilla bean character. Thick and dense tannins, but balanced and very pretty. Sneaks up on you. Really powerful in tannins. This could be better than the fab 2005. 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 37 percent Merlot and 3 percent Cabernet Franc. |
| 95-98 |
La Mondotte |
Black olive, green olive and coffee bean. Ripe fruit too. Full-bodied, with velvety and polished tannins and fabulous fruit. Love the texture and depth of fruit to this wine. So long too. Tangy freshness at the end. |
| 95-98 |
Palmer |
Loaded with exotic fruit, with masses of crushed blackberry and blueberry. Superclear and fruit forward. Full and velvety, with fresh acidity and a long, long finish. This is almost in your face, but reserved in a way. Superseductive. |
| 95-98 |
Pavie Decesse |
Tar and blackberry on the nose, with hints of licorice. Full-bodied and very concentrated, with loads of blackberry fruit. Massive. But slightly less extracted than the Pavie. |
| 95-98 |
Pichon Lalande |
Wow. This has an incredible complexity on the nose of currant, spice, mineral and flowers. Full-bodied, with a great density of fruit and tannins, yet polished and beautiful. This could be the new 1982 from here. Made from 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Merlot and 5 percent Petit Verdot. |
| 95-98 |
Pontet Canet |
Delivers aromas of blueberry skin, fresh flowers, licorice and raspberry sauce, with something exotic underneath it all. Full-bodied, with wonderful clarity and freshness. It's like looking at a full moon on a crystal-clear night in the country. This keeps coming at you, with tannins and ripe fruit. What balance, yet power to the wine. I love how the wine changes and challenges you with every sip. |
| 95-98 |
Providence |
Offers fabulous aromas of crushed blackberry and blueberry, with lightly roasted coffee bean and black olive. Full-bodied, delivering polished, chewy tannins and a long, juicy finish. Rich and powerful. Blockbuster. Roasted fruit on this. Best ever from here? |
| 95-98 |
Smith Haut Lafitte |
Clean. Blackberry and lightly toasted oak with coffee and cedar. Full-bodied and a very, very powerful structure. Blockbuster. Massive and dense, yet remains agile. A triumph for this estate. |
| 94-97 |
Angelus |
Concentrated aromas of boysenberry and raspberry jam. Full-bodied and powerful, with beautiful fruit-coated tannins and a long, spicy, rich aftertaste. All there for a top vintage from Angélus. |
| 94-97 |
Canon La Gaffeliere |
The Cabernet Franc really comes out here, with roasted berry, coffee bean and citrus following through to blackberry. Full-bodied, with fabulous concentration of fruit and supersoft tannins, a long, long finish. This is so juicy and wonderful. No dry tannins here. |
| 94-97 |
Clos Fourtet |
Offers blueberry, currant, mineral and violet. Full-bodied, with big, juicy tannins and loads of fruit. Very concentrated and velvety, with a lovely texture. |
| 94-97 |
Grand Puy Lacoste |
Lovely nose of sweet currant and blueberry that follows through to a full body, with juicy, velvety tannins and a licorice, tar and dark chocolate finish. Like it. The new 1982? |
| 94-97 |
Gruaud Larose |
Beautiful aromas of currant, black licorice and blueberry follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long, juicy finish. Big wine. Could be better than the classic 2000. |
| 94-97 |
Liber Pater |
Intense and wild, with crushed berry and wet earth. Full and powerful. Unbelievable. From ancient, ungrafted vines. First vintage is 2007. |
| 94-97 |
Lucia |
Violets and dark berries, with loads of aromas. Full-bodied, with a gorgeous core of sweet and ripe fruit. Long and dense, yet stylish. 10 acres. Next to Clos Fortet. 90 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Franc. |
| 94-97 |
La Mission Haut Brion |
Shows juicy aromas of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon and currant, with hints of forest fruits and sandalwood. Full-bodied, offering chewy, mouthcoating tannins that are fruit-coated and velvety. Dense and powerful. A little subdued. Could be better than I think. |
| 94-97 |
Pape Clement |
There's lovely density and beauty to this young wine, with tobacco, light vanilla, chocolate and ripe fruit. Full and polished, with velvety tannins. Long and reserved, but very, very serious. |
| 94-97 |
Pavie |
Blackberry, black cherry, licorice and mineral. Full-bodied, with a big core of velvety tannins and rich fruit. Full throttle, and all there. Really massive. Blockbuster and more. Could be a tad overdone. But we will see in bottle. |
| 94-97 |
Prieur Lichine |
Complex aromas of mineral, blueberry and currant follow through to a full body, with superfine tannins and a long, long finish. This is exceptional. Best of all time. |
| 94-97 |
Rol Valentin |
Licorice and tar, with hints of ripe berry. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and dense tannins. Yet it's all in near-perfect harmony. This has a new owner and it's even better. |
| 94-97 |
Troplong Mondot |
Intense aromas of blackberry and blueberry follow through to a full body, with well-integrated tannins and a fruity finish. Offers lots of licorice and spice. There's lovely length to this. Reserved and pretty. |
