First Growths

Tasting Notes for Margaux, Magnums, 2006:
The strictest selection ever instituted at this estate resulted in only 36% of the crop being utilized for the blend of 2006 Chateau Margaux. Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, it is similar to the 1996, but with sweeter, more seductive fruit in the nose. A big, tannic, dense effort displaying terrific purity, power, elegance, and a distinctive mineral/flower component, it is a medium to full-bodied wine of great nobility that should be at its finest between 2017-2050+. Wine Advocate # 170 Apr 2007.
Parker Points: 93-95
Drinking Period: 2017-2050

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, Imperiale, 2006:
This extraordinary Mouton should turn out to be the finest they have made since the monumental 1982 and 1986. In early tastings, Mouton often seems to tag along behind the other first-growths. Yet in 2006, there is no question that the Baronne Philippine de Rothschild gave carte blanche authority to her talented administrator, Philippe Dalhuin, to turn up the heat in 2006. Yields were a tiny 32 hectoliters per hectare, the harvest took place between September 20 and October 15, and a minuscule 44% of the crop made it into the grand vin (the lowest percentage in more than half a century). The final blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot is unusually high in Cabernet Sauvignon, but it possesses MoutonÕs hallmarks of pure creme de cassis and flowers in addition to a toasty oak character. Profoundly concentrated, super-textured, and rich, MoutonÕs powerful, full-bodied 2006 is unquestionably a strong candidate for the Ùwine of the vintage.Î Kudos to MoutonÕs winemaking team for fashioning this brilliant wine. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2050. Wine Advocate # 170 Apr 2007.
Parker Points: 96-100
Drinking Period: 2018-2050

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, 2005:
While the 2005 is another brilliantly classic Lafite Rothschild, for my taste, it comes in slightly behind their extraordinarily opulent 2003 as well as the dramatically powerful 2000. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot, the 2005 boasts a dark ruby/purple color in addition to that exceptional Lafite perfume of graphite, spring flowers, crushed rocks, and sweet black cherry and black currant fruit that exudes class and nobility. The wine is medium-bodied with extremely high levels of tannin in addition to sensational purity, length, and overall harmony. However, it is exceptionally backward, and even more tannic than either the 1995 or 1996. Wine Advocate # 176 Apr 2008
Parker Points: 96
Drinking Period: 2020-2050

Tasting Notes for Haut Brion, 2005:
Another profound effort from Haut-Brion, the 2005 (a 9,000-case blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc) has bulked up to the point that it is fair to compare it to the great successes of 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2000. A dark ruby/purple color is followed by a nuanced, noble bouquet of blue and red fruits interwoven with wet stones, unsmoked cigar tobacco, scorched earth, and spring flowers. The wine is full-bodied, pure, and complex as well as exceptionally elegant with laser-like precision. The tannins are still serious and substantial, and in that sense, this is a completely different style of Haut-Brion than the opulent, silky-textured 1989 and 1990. As I have written before, it comes across as an improved, more concentrated and structured version of the 1995 or 1998. Patience will be required for this stunner. Wine Advocate # 176 Apr 2008
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2017-2040

Tasting Notes for Haut Brion, 2005:
The 2005 Haut-Brion is another wine that has put on weight over the last year. While I still believe the 1989 is the great classic, it is difficult not to admire the architectural structure and seriousness of this extraordinarily elegant effort. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon (which came in around 14% natural alcohol), 39% Merlot (over 13% natural alcohol), and 5% Cabernet Franc, only 9,000 cases were produced in this vintage, significantly less than in other great years such as 2000 or 1998. It appears to be a big, bulked-up version of the 1996 or 1995. While almost primordial in its denseness, richness, and body, it retains its elegance and surreal nose of flowers, cherries, pain grille, crushed rocks, flowers, and ripe fruit. Powerful, dense, and in need of a decade of cellaring, this will be a 30 to 40-year Haut-Brion that should end up being a modern day version of the 1955. Although closed at present, it is enormously impressive, and is a treat to taste next to the more flamboyant La Mission Haut-Brion. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2040+. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2015-2040

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, 2005:
Made in an ethereal style, the 2005 Lafite is composed of nearly 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, just under 11% Merlot, and a tiny fraction of Petit Verdot (representing only 40% of the total harvest). It is a deep, structured, linear style of Lafite Rothschild that is in total contrast to the opulence and extravagant richness of the 2003 and the bold, dramatic power of the 2000. The dense ruby/plum/purple-tinged 2005 offers up scents of graphite, flowers, crushed rocks, and loads of berry fruit. Medium-bodied and sweet with high tannin, it represents the quintessentially elegant style of Bordeaux. Another brilliant effort made under the auspices of administrator Charles Chevalier, it should be at its finest between 2015-2050+. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 96
Drinking Period: 2015-2050

Tasting Notes for Haut Brion, Magnums, 2005:
The 2005 Haut-Brion is another wine that has put on weight over the last year. While I still believe the 1989 is the great classic, it is difficult not to admire the architectural structure and seriousness of this extraordinarily elegant effort. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon (which came in around 14% natural alcohol), 39% Merlot (over 13% natural alcohol), and 5% Cabernet Franc, only 9,000 cases were produced in this vintage, significantly less than in other great years such as 2000 or 1998. It appears to be a big, bulked-up version of the 1996 or 1995. While almost primordial in its denseness, richness, and body, it retains its elegance and surreal nose of flowers, cherries, pain grille, crushed rocks, flowers, and ripe fruit. Powerful, dense, and in need of a decade of cellaring, this will be a 30 to 40-year Haut-Brion that should end up being a modern day version of the 1955. Although closed at present, it is enormously impressive, and is a treat to taste next to the more flamboyant La Mission Haut-Brion. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2040+. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2015-2040

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, Imperiale, 2005:
Made in an ethereal style, the 2005 Lafite is composed of nearly 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, just under 11% Merlot, and a tiny fraction of Petit Verdot (representing only 40% of the total harvest). It is a deep, structured, linear style of Lafite Rothschild that is in total contrast to the opulence and extravagant richness of the 2003 and the bold, dramatic power of the 2000. The dense ruby/plum/purple-tinged 2005 offers up scents of graphite, flowers, crushed rocks, and loads of berry fruit. Medium-bodied and sweet with high tannin, it represents the quintessentially elegant style of Bordeaux. Another brilliant effort made under the auspices of administrator Charles Chevalier, it should be at its finest between 2015-2050+. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 96
Drinking Period: 2015-2050

Tasting Notes for Haut Brion, 2004:
The dark plum/ruby-hued 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits a noble, discrete, smoky bouquet revealing notions of plum liqueur, black currants, sweet cherries, and subtle earth. In addition to its aromatic complexity, this medium-bodied effort reveals classic elegance and delicacy as well as sweet fruit in the mouth and a long finish. Give this streamlined, civilized wine 2-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 20-25 years. It is amazingly similar to Haut-BrionÕs 1999. Robert Parker WIne Advocate
Parker Points: 92
Drinking Period: 2009-2034

Tasting Notes for Margaux, 2004:
The supple-textured 2004 Chateau Margaux is reminiscent of the 2001 or 1999. It exhibits a superb blue/purple color to the rim as well as sweet aromas of flowers, blueberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and smoke, superb fruit intensity, medium body, classic elegance, and silky, sweet tannin in the long finish. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 2007-2027

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, 2004:
I canÕt say much for the painting by Prince Charles on the label, but whatÕs in the bottle is a powerful, classic, dense ruby/purple-hued Mouton with a full-bodied style, brutal tannin, impressive concentration, and a primordial backwardness that will require 10-15 years of cellaring. Built along the lines of a modern day 1966 or 1988, the 2004 reveals plenty of power and concentration, but the biting tannins will preclude any enjoyable consumption over the next decade. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035. Also tasted: 2004 Le Petit Mouton (87) The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 92
Drinking Period: 2020-2035

Tasting Notes for Haut Brion, 2004:
The dark plum/ruby-hued 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits a noble, discrete, smoky bouquet revealing notions of plum liqueur, black currants, sweet cherries, and subtle earth. In addition to its aromatic complexity, this medium-bodied effort reveals classic elegance and delicacy as well as sweet fruit in the mouth and a long finish. Give this streamlined, civilized wine 2-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 20-25 years. It is amazingly similar to Haut-BrionÕs 1999. The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 92
Drinking Period: 2009-2034

Tasting Notes for Latour, 2004:
A terrific effort from Administrator Frederic Engerer and owner Francois Pinault, the dark ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Latour exhibits a strong cassis character intermixed with notes of crushed rocks, earth, cedar, and forest floor. Racy, elegant, but powerful with medium to full body, and sweet tannin, it will benefit from 5-7 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades. It is a very impressive offering. Also tasted: 2004 Pauillac (87; $38.00) The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2012-2037

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, 2003:
A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol Ñ hardly an astonishing figure given the vintageÕs weather conditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal.
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2010-2050

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, Magnums, 2002:
Dense purple to the rim, this wine exhibits the classic cassis aroma that is so characteristic of Mouton. Medium to full-bodied, tannic, powerful, and cut somewhat from the 1988 mold, this is a backward, chewy, well-endowed Mouton-Rothschild that will require considerable patience from those who purchase it. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the wine needs a good decade of cellaring. Wine Advocate # 158 Apr 2005
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 2015-2030

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, Magnums, 2002:
A brilliant offering and a candidate for wine of the vintage, this is classic Lafite that reminded me somewhat of the 1976, although the vintage conditions were completely different. This is a medium-weight, quintessentially elegant style of Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings/graphite along with black currants, plums, and crushed rocks/mineral. Wonderfully pure, dense, with a deep ruby/purple color and loads of fruit, definition, and a long finish, this is a brilliant, elegant Lafite Rothschild that builds incrementally in the mouth and has more power and density than it initially seems. Wine Advocate # 158 Apr 2005
Parker Points: 94
Drinking Period: 2008-2025

Tasting Notes for Margaux, 2001:
Performing well from bottle, Chateau MargauxÕs 2001, which is somewhat reminiscent of both the 1985 and 1999, is an elegant, seamlessly constructed effort with a deep ruby/purple color, and a beautiful nose of flowers, creme de cassis, blackberries, and cedar. A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, this forward, opulent beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years. This is one of the most elegant wines of the vintage. Wine Advocate # 153 Jun 2004
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 2004-2024

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, 1999:
The beautiful 1999 Mouton Rothschild may be a modern day clone of their 1962 or 1985. Its saturated ruby/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of cedar wood, creme de cassis, wood smoke, coffee, and dried herbs. The wine is forward, lush, and full-bodied. It is already complex as well as succulent, fleshy, and long. Tannin in the finish suggests more nuances will emerge in 4-5 years. It is a complex, classic Mouton. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2030. Robert Parker- Wine Advocate #140
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 2005-2030

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, 1998:
Like many of its peers, the 1998 has filled out spectacularly. Now in the bottle, this opaque black/purple-colored offering has increased in stature, richness, and size. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc (57% of the production was utilized), it is an extremely powerful, super-concentrated wine offering notes of roasted espresso, creme de cassis, smoke, new saddle leather, graphite, and licorice. It is massive, with awesome concentration, mouth-searing tannin levels, and a saturated flavor profile that grips the mouth with considerable intensity. This is a 50-year Mouton, but patience will be required as it will not be close to drinkability for at least a decade. Wine Advocate # 134 Apr 2001
Parker Points: 96
Drinking Period: 2012-2050

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, 1996:
100 points. Tasted three times since bottling, the 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine since the 1986 and 1982. As I indicated last year, only 38% of the crop was deemed grand enough to be put into the final blend, which is atypically high in Cabernet Sauvignon (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot). This massive wine may be the biggest, largest-scale Lafite I have ever tasted. It will require many years to come around, so I suspect all of us past the age of fifty might want to give serious consideration as to whether we should be laying away multiple cases of this wine. It is also the first Lafite-Rothschild to be put into a new engraved bottle (designed to prevent fraudulent imitations). The wine exhibits a thick-looking, ruby/purple colour, and a knock-out nose of lead pencil, minerals, flowers and blackcurrant scents. Extremely powerful and full-bodied, with remarkable complexity for such a young wine, this huge Lafite is oozing with extract and richness, yet has managed to preserve its quintessentially elegant personality. This wine is even richer than it was prior to bottling. It should unquestionably last for 40 - 50 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012 - 2050. The wine of the vintage? Robert Parker 4/99.
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes for Haut Brion, 1995:
96 points. This wine has been brilliant on every occasion I have tasted it. More accessible and forward than the 1996, it possesses a saturated ruby/purple color, as well as a beautiful, knock-out set of aromatics, consisting of black fruits, vanillin, spice, and wood-fire smoke. Multidimensional and rich, with layers of ripe fruit, and beautifully integrated tannin and acidity, this medium to full-bodied wine is a graceful, seamless, exceptional Haut-Brion that should drink surprisingly well young. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2030. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 2/98.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, Magnums, 1995:
Bottled in June, 1997, this profound Mouton is more accessible than the more muscular 1996. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 19% Merlot, it reveals an opaque purple color, and reluctant aromas of cassis, truffles, coffee, licorice, and spice. In the mouth, the wine is "great stuff," with superb density, a full-bodied personality, rich mid-palate, and a layered, profound finish that lasts for 40+ seconds. There is outstanding purity and high tannin, but my instincts suggest this wine is lower in acidity and slightly fleshier than the brawnier, bigger 1996. Both are great efforts from Mouton-Rothschild.
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2004-2030

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, Double Magnums, 1991:
The 1991 exhibits a moderately dark ruby/purple color, as well as a promising and complex nose of such classic Pauillac aromas as lead pencil, roasted nuts, and ripe cassis. The initial richness is quickly obliterated by frightful levels of tannin, and a tough, hard finish. Although there is an interesting and alluring dimension to this wine, the tannin level is excessively high and the wine is likely to dry out after 10-15 years of cellaring. Readers who admire austere, fruitless wines will rate it higher. Wine Advocate #91 Feb 1994
Parker Points: 86
Drinking Period: 1994-2009

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, Double Magnums, 1991:
The 1991 exhibits a moderately dark ruby/purple color, as well as a promising and complex nose of such classic Pauillac aromas as lead pencil, roasted nuts, and ripe cassis. The initial richness is quickly obliterated by frightful levels of tannin, and a tough, hard finish. Although there is an interesting and alluring dimension to this wine, the tannin level is excessively high and the wine is likely to dry out after 10-15 years of cellaring. Readers who admire austere, fruitless wines will rate it higher. Wine Advocate #91 Feb 1994
Parker Points: 86
Drinking Period: 1994-2009

Tasting Notes for Latour, 1990:
98 points. Neither the 1989 or 1990 wines has budged in quality or development since I first tasted them in cask. There is no doubting the 1990 Latour is a potential candidate for the wine of the vintage. Remarkably youthful, with a deep purple color, and full-bodied, powerful, massive richness, everything is held together by high levels of tannin. Fortunately, the tannin is sweet and ripe, making evaluation easy. The finish, which lasts for 35-40 seconds, reveals layers of flavor as well as impressive purity. This backward 1990 requires another 7-10 of cellaring. It is a wine for drinking between 2005-2035. At a subsequent blind tasting, I had the 1990 side by side with the 1982 Latour. The 1982 was even more concentrated and layered than the 1990! Robert Parker - the Wine Advocate 2/97.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, Double Magnums, 1990:
Considering the vintages and the estate, Mouton's performances in 1989 and 1990 are puzzling. I have tasted these wines multiple times since my last reviews appeared in print. The 1990 is a hard, lean, austere, tannic style of Mouton that I predict will never shed enough tannin to attain complete harmony and balance. The wine exhibits a deep ruby color, less noticeable sweet oak than it possessed 2-3 years ago, hints of ripe blackcurrant fruit, and an attenuated, angular, tough style that is uncharacteristic of this chateau's winemaking, as well as the character of the 1990 vintage. This wine needs at least 10-15 years of cellaring, but don't expect a balanced Mouton when the tannin fades away - the wine is not that concentrated. In the context of a great vintage, Mouton's 1990 is a disappointment. Robert Parker WIne Advocate
Parker Points: 87
Drinking Period: 2006-2020

Tasting Notes for Haut Brion, 1989:
100 points. The 1989 is one of a handful of truly profound wines from a vintage that tends to be overrated, save for the Pomerols, a few St.-Emilions, and some overachievers in the Medoc. However, 1989 was an extraordinary success for Jean Delmas, the administrator of Haut-Brion and La Mission-Haut-Brion. The prodigious 1989 Haut-Brion is one of the greatest first-growths I have ever tasted. It has always reminded me of what the 1959 must have tasted like in its youth, but it is even richer and more compelling aromatically. The wine exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, as well as a sweet nose of jammy fruit, tobacco, spicy oak, minerals, and smoke. Fabulously concentrated, with huge levels of fruit, extract, and glycerin, this wine is nearly viscous because of its thickness and richness. Low acidity gives the wine even more appeal and adds to its precociousness. The wine has not budged in development since it was first bottled, although it has always provided thrilling drinking because of its voluptuous texture. It needs another 5-6 years of bottle age before it will begin to develop Haut-Brion's fabulous fragrance. Expect it to hit its plateau of maturity around 2003-2005 and drink well for 15-25 years. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 2/97.
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2003-2028

Tasting Notes for Mouton Rothschild, 1989:
Considering the vintages and the estate, Mouton's performances in 1989 and 1990 are puzzling. I have tasted these wines multiple times since my last reviews appeared in print. The 1989 Mouton-Rothschild is the superior wine, but in no sense is this a compelling wine if compared to the Moutons produced in 1995, 1986, and 1982. The 1989 displays a dark ruby color that is already beginning to reveal significant lightening at the edge. The bouquet is surprisingly evolved, offering up scents of cedar, sweet black fruits, lead pencil, and toasty oak. This elegant, medium-bodied restrained wine is beautifully made, stylish, and not dissimilar to the 1985. It is an excellent to outstanding Mouton that should be close to full maturity in 4-5 years; it will drink well for 15-20. Wine Advocate # 109 Feb 1997
Parker Points: 90
Drinking Period: 2002-2017

Tasting Notes for Labegorce Margaux, 1988:
Lacking substance and length, the 1988 Labegorce-Zede possesses a slightly hollow, underripe character, as well as excessively herbal, nearly vegetal flavors. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 78
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, 1986:
The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. 0. Last tasted 10/94 Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1 Jan 1998
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2000-2030

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, 1986:
The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. 0. Last tasted 10/94 Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1 Jan 1998
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2000-2030

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, 1986:
The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. 0. Last tasted 10/94 Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1 Jan 1998
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2000-2030

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, Imperiale, 1986:
Tasted 4 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. Wine Advocate # 95 Oct 1994
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period: 2000-2030

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, Jeroboam, 1986:
Tasted 4 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period: 2000-2030

Tasting Notes for Margaux, 1985:
91 points. The 1985 Margaux continues to age well and can be drunk with great pleasure. It is a lovely, seductive, medium-bodied wine with a gorgeous bouquet of toasty new oak, berry fruit, and violets. Rich, concentrated, supple, elegant, and graceful, the 1985 Margaux has turned out to be a beautiful wine that will evolve for at least another 15 or more years. Remarkably approachable and enjoyable to drink, for the next decade it will provide considerably more pleasure than the more ballyhooed and backward trio of 1986, 1983, and 1982. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 6/93. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes for Lafite Rothschild, 1982:
The 1982 Lafite possesses a dark, dense ruby/purple color with only a subtle lightening at the rim. Spectacular aromatics offer jammy cherry and black fruits intertwined with lead pencil, mineral, and smoky wood scents. Powerful for a Lafite, this wine unfolds to reveal extraordinary richness, purity, and overall symmetry in addition to stunning flavor depth and persistence. The finish lasts for nearly a minute. Plenty of tannin remains, and the wine displays a vibrancy and youthfulness that belie its 18 years of age. The modern day equivalent of Lafite-Rothschild's immortal 1959, the 1982 will enjoy another 30-70 years of life! An amazing achievement! Wine Advocate # 129 Jun 2000
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2007-2070

Tasting Notes for Haut Brion, 1982:
This was one of the best showings yet for this wine, which, to my palate and mind, has never lived up to its early potential. In this tasting, the 1982 revealed a healthy dark ruby color with lightening at the edge. Intense, persistent aromas of saddle leather, roasted herbs, scorched earth, and sweet black currant fruit were followed by complex flavors of minerals, spice box, and cedar. Although this medium-bodied, fleshy, ripe, concentrated wine is not a blockbuster, as it unfolds, it reveals layers of flavor in addition to this vineyard's tell-tale complexity. Wine Advocate # 129 Jun 2000
Parker Points: 94
Drinking Period: 2002-2020