close
Wine Scores
Below is a listing of the wine review scores we frequently reference in our notes. While these sources remain an excellent source of information, we always recommend that you trust your own palate. Scores in these publications often represent the personal taste of an individual critic, which may not always coincide with your own. We have a huge team of excellent wine professionals that can match wines you've had in the past with new arrivals that meet your flavor profile.
- Allen Meadows - Burghound
- Connoisseurs Guide
- Gambero Rosso
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
- International Wine Cellar
- Wine & Spirits
- Wine Enthusiast
- Wine Spectator
- The Wine News
- Malt Advocate
Reviewers
AllK&L Email Alerts
Sign up to receive custom alerts, new arrivals and the latest happenings from K&L Wines
Staff Favorites - Clyde Beffa Jr.
Clyde Beffa Jr.
| Send Email
|
Subscribe to My Sommelier Service
Had K&L co-owner and main wine buyer Clyde Beffa Jr. not read an article about the gentlemanly hobby of wine collecting in the February 1971 issue of Playboy, he might still be weighing the merits of Holsteins versus Jerseys instead of Château Margaux or Haut-Bailly. Beffa owned a dairy in Tracy, California, from 1967-1973, leaving the the business to co-found K&L Liquors, as it was known back then, in 1976. Clyde started traveling to Europe in 1982 and over the years, he has worked hard to build K&L into one of the nation's go-to sources for the world's diverse wines, developing relationships with winemakers and châteaux owners the world over. Clyde's passion is surely Bordeaux, especially the fabulous wines from Pauillac and St-Julien (like Pichon-Lalande and Léoville-Barton). When he's not drinking France's legendary reds, you'll likely find Clyde indulging in Sauvignon Blanc. A fan of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and white Bordeaux, he'll also tuck into a bottle of Kiwi Sauv Blanc if there's no corkscrew around. These days you'll likely find Clyde extolling the virtues of underrated Bordeaux vintages like 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004 and 2006, or playing with his German Shepherd Sadie. Or you may see him in his vegetable garden and, once in a great while, on the golf course.
|
Reviews
Price: $19.99
2006 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien (Was $52.99)
Review Date: 11-16-2009
Black cherry aromas and red fruit flavors. Round
tannins; rich wine. Elegant, fine. Integrated tannins.
(92-94 points RP).
Price: $39.99
2005 Carignan Prima, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux (was $29.99)
Review Date: 11-16-2009
Not very well known, but one for your cellar.
Rich and round with fine structure. 90 points
Robert Parker.
Price: $19.99
Price: $15.99
2006 Clos La Madeleine, St-Emilion
Review Date: 11-16-2009
Minerals on the nose and palate. Spicy, balanced.
Quite good—a property to watch in the future.
Price: $29.99
2005 Domaine du Bouscat, Bordeaux Superior
Review Date: 11-16-2009
A remarkable value, this is Bordeaux for everyday
drinking. Enjoy it with hearty stews or a
juicy burger. 91 points from Clyde.
Price: $14.99
2005 Dubourg, St-Emilion
Review Date: 11-16-2009
Back in and lovely as ever. Lots of bright red and
dark fruit with good acidity and a bit of grip. The
tannins are fairly well integrated but this wine
will no doubt improve with a bit of bottle age.
Price: $17.99
2006 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 11-16-2009
Black fruit nose. Tons of minerality. Deep and
long. Powerful wine. Superb! Very spicy, cinnamon
aromas and flavors. Bright and lively. Very
silky and long on palate. More classic style than
the very opulent 2005 and almost as good. (92-
94 points WS)
Price: $64.99
2005 La Dauphine, Fronsac (was $29.99)
Review Date: 11-16-2009
90% merlot, 10% cab franc. Very spicy nose that
follows to palate. Decant it. 90 points RP.
Price: $24.99
2005 Moulinet, Pomerol
Review Date: 11-16-2009
Wow this is a jammy, ripe, delicious wine.We
tasted this and bought it on the spot. The wine is
just sweet and lovely with tons of black fruit aromas
and flavors. Don’t miss this beauty. Clyde
92.5 points. 91 pointsWine Spectator.
Price: $39.99
2005 Paloumey, Haut-Médoc (was $29.99)
Review Date: 11-16-2009
An accessible young Bordeaux with plenty of
concentration and tannic structure to let it
evolve for a decade or more.Wine Spectator
loved it for its fresh plum and berry characteristics.
One of Clyde’s châteaux to watch.
Price: $14.99
2006 Rouget, Pomerol (1.5L)
Review Date: 11-16-2009
Fat and fruity. Smoky, toasty oak flavors and aromas.
Long finish. Delicious wine—as good or
better than their 2005! Should be fine value. This
wine is outstanding with tons of black fruits and
super sweet palate. Rich and long.
Price: $59.99
2006 Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe, Côtes de Castillon
Review Date: 11-16-2009
absolutely delicious, great value.
2005 St-Hilaire, Médoc
Review Date: 11-16-2009
Back in again; this is a fabulous value! An elegant
NewWorld Bordeaux with enough forward fruit
and body to please a California-cab palate.
Price: $16.99
2007 Château de Montfaucon "Vin de Monsieur Le Baron de Montfaucon" Vin de Pays du Gard
Review Date: 9-22-2009
The wine is fabulous-sweet, spicy, lush and rich and totally delicious and better than most CNP’s from 2007.
Price: $39.99
2008 Clinet, Pomerol Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-26-2009
2008 Vintage Report: ** Smoky nose and flavor. Intriguing wine. A bit international in style, but I like it very much. (06/09)
Price: $66.99
2008 Doisy-Védrines, Sauternes Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-26-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ Pineapple fruit abounds. Very spicy and quite nice, as usual. (06/09)
Price: $29.99
2008 La Conseillante, Pomerol Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-26-2009
2008 Vintage Report: ** 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Elegant, almost Burgundian in texture and mouthfeel. Tons of perfumy aromas. There’s finesse written all over this wine. (06/09)
Price: $74.99
2008 Suduiraut, Sauternes Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-26-2009
2008 Vintage Report: * to *+ A heavyweight wine that’s a bit chunky but with decent acidity. Value-priced! At UGC: Sweet and sour. Pineapple and grapefruit. Intriguing. (06/09)
Price: $58.99
2008 Angélus, St-Emilion Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **+ 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc. Big, expansive nose with black fruit flavors. Very structured wine with tons of sweetness and spice. Another winner here. (06/09)
Price: $104.99
2008 Beausejour Becot, St-Emilion Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ Deep aromas of spice and toast. Tons of fruit; perfumy on the nose. International style, but well-balanced. Structured for the cellar. (06/09)
Price: $46.99
2008 Canon-La Gaffelière, St-Emilion Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ Black color. Tight on the nose. Big entry on the palate. Tons of rounded tannins that soften when decanted. Long on the palate. (06/09)
Price: $54.99
2008 Clos Fourtet, St-Emilion Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ One of the superstars from the Right Bank. Blackish color and tons of blackberry fruit aromas that lead to the palate where Asian spice and exotic flavors abound. Semi-new wave but perfectly balanced. An ager. (06/09)
Price: $44.99
2008 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ Elegance personified. Packed with minerals and ripe red fruit flavors. Rounded tannins. An excellent value! (06/09)
Price: $42.99
2008 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **+ 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. At the property: Only 6,000 cases produced. Harvested from Sept 25–Oct 26. The vines here were harvested very late and under perfect conditions. Very ripe, elegant violet aromas. Extremely lush cassis fruit flavors. Dense and concentrated. Super sweet on the palate. Creamy texture and a lingering finish. Fabulous! At UGC: Elegant with extremely ripe fruit flavors. Fabulous. One of the best wines of the vintage. (06/09)
Price: $64.99
2008 Haut Bergey, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Wow! All international style here, but also in balance. Very ripe and exotic aromas. Very sweet black cherry fruit on the palate. (06/09)
Price: $25.99
2008 Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: ** 55% Sémillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc. Quite fresh and acidic on the nose. Tons of expressive Sauvignon Blanc aromas. This is squeaky clean and elegant. Lingering lemony flavors. (06/09)
Price: $399.00
2008 La Chapelle de la Mission, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: * This is an elegant wine upfront with deep black fruit flavors and a chunky finish. (06/09)
Price: $37.99
2008 Larrivet-Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ This is an elegant wine with earthy notes and plenty of minerality on the palate. Soft and very ripe. (06/09)
Price: $27.99
2008 Laville Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **+ 79% Sémillon, 21% Sauvignon Blanc. Honey notes on the nose. The Sémillon richness shows through here. Melon flavors on the mid-palate that turn to zippy, crisp Sauvignon Blanc notes on the finish. Quite full-bodied. (06/09)
Price: $299.99
2008 Le Clarence de Haut Brion, Pessac Leognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ This wine shows red currant flavors and lots of finesse. Light and elegant. (06/09)
Price: $56.99
2008 Smith-Haut-Lafitte Rouge, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-25-2009
2008 Vintage Report: ** 30% Merlot. Deep, dark crimson color. Smoky, toasty, coffee aromas with hints of tobacco. Sweet palate entry with rounded tannins. Wow, these 2008s could be serious wines. Like 2006 with more finesse. Minerals on the palate. Should be great in 10 years. Very nice. At UGC: Orange peel aromas and oaky flavors. (06/09)
Price: $49.99
2008 Alter Ego de Palmer, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Sauvignon. Black licorice spice. A wonderful nose. Tannic on palate and at back end. Mid-weight; great mouthfeel. (06/09)
Price: $39.99
2005 Arnauton, Fronsac
Review Date: 8-21-2009
Rich and full on the palate. Lively and packed with ripe black fruits.
Price: $14.99
2006 Birot Rouge, Premiere Côtes de Bordeaux
Review Date: 8-21-2009
Another old school style-rich, mineral aromas and flavor. Needs 2 hours decanting. Good value wine. Try with rare hamburger.
Price: $12.99
2008 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: ** 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Great spicy red fruit aromas that follow to the palate. Some licorice and Asian spices. Touch of clove. Long and lovely. Tasted just before the party at Ducru-Beaucaillou. (06/09)
Price: $39.99
2008 Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc. This has blackberry aromas that explode from the glass with forward, black fruit flavors and rounded tannins on the palate. A great value. Much better than their 2005 and 2007. On par with their 2006. At UGC: Old school wine. Big wine with tons of blackberry flavors. (06/09)
Price: $24.99
2005 Chantegrive, Graves
Review Date: 8-21-2009
Soft and elegant wine with mineral undertones-a 2005 wine you can enjoy now with decanting-delicious.
Price: $19.99
2008 Clerc-Milon, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: * to *+ 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Red berry flavors, soft and elegant. A touch of acidity. At the property: Reserved a bit and holding back. Very tannic finish. Hard to taste.
Price: $37.95
2008 Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *** 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. A big crop with 22,000 cases; 78% of crop in grand vin. The new chai is amazing and 2008 was first wine produced in it. All gravity flow, no pumps. A seamless wine with laser-like focus. Asian spice, smoky aromas and red currants abound on the palate. This is as good as it gets. It rivals their 2005 in flavor and richness. A stunning wine. (06/09)
Price: $109.99
2006 d'Aiguilhe, Côtes d'Castillon
Review Date: 8-21-2009
Spicy, lively, some oak evident but plenty of ripe fruit. Tannic finish but decant and enjoy or cellar 5 years.
Price: $24.99
2008 d'Angludet, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½+ One of my favorite properties. Old school with tons of fruit packed into this beauty. Red raspberries and some cherry notes. A very solid wine that coats the mouth. A value! (06/09)
Price: $22.99
2008 d'Armailhac, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ to *½+ More blackberry flavors and a superb mid-palate impression. A lovely wine. Extremely fruity. At the property: Blackberry jam and vanilla oak aromas. Intensely sweet on the palate. Blackberry flavors with rounded tannins covered by ripe fruit. Very good. I prefer this to Clerc-Milon. (06/09)
Price: $34.99
2008 Dame de Montrose, St-Estèphe Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage report: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. I did not taste these two wines. Good reports though. (06/09)
Price: $24.99
2008 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **½ 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. Bruno Borie is doing wonders at Ducru-Beaucaillou. Red berry, currant and cassis aromas. The Cabernet really shines through here. Toasty, modern vanilla oak undertones. Lively and sexy on the palate. Great depth of flavor. Layers of fruit. Huge wine with soft, round tannins masked by fruit. Fabulous lingering finish. Tasted at Ducru-Beaucaillou. (06/09)
Price: $99.99
2008 Duhart-Milon, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. This has a deep, spicy nose tending toward nutmeg and Asian spices. Great entry. Fine structure and a sweet finish. (06/09)
Price: $49.99
2008 Giscours, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *? to *½ 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. At UGC: Quite substantial and rich on the palate. This is a very well-balanced wine with tons of red berries. Tannic on the finish. At Haut-Bailly: Toasty aromas and muted flavors. Was it the sample? Better at UGC. (06/09)
Price: $34.99
2008 Gruaud-Larose, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½+ 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. This is very good and shows very well right now. Spicy aromas; sweet and juicy on the palate. No hard edges. Finish lasts for 30 seconds. An exceptional value. Tasted just before the party at Ducru-Beaucaillou. (06/09)
Price: $39.99
2008 Haut-Bages-Libéral, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ Red fruit flavors with lots of cassis on the nose. Well-made. A great value! (06/09)
Price: $26.99
2008 La Mission-Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 vintage Report: ** 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Gritty and tannic impression. Red berry fruit flavors. Red licorice on the nose. Deep wine, but not too extracted. Fine-plus. (06/09)
Price: $189.99
2008 Lagrange, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ One of my favorite properties. Very ripe and oaky on the nose. Sweet and oaky flavors. A bit short but overall showing nicely. Napa Cab style; semi New World. (06/09)
Price: $34.99
2008 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: ** One of my favorite properties. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Black cherry and blueberry aromas. Tons of Merlot-infused fruit. Extremely sweet on the mid-palate. Shows some oaky nuances. Smooth tannins. Quite concentrated wine with a creamy texture. Structured to age. Killer wine. At UGC: Very creamy texture, sweet and lovely. Has plenty of guts for 10 years-plus cellaring. (06/09)
Price: $32.99
2006 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien (was $69.99)
Review Date: 8-21-2009
I love this property and this vintage from Langoa. Black cherry aromas and flavor. Much more approachable than Leoville Barton - tons of ripe fruit. Perfect structure and balance - will age well for a long time. Same production as 2005 vintage. Great value. Barrel notes: "At property - some cranberry flavors. Good texture and mouthfeel. Solid wine with rounded tannins. At UGC -quite a bit of cranberry on the nose and palate. Complete wine
with sweet fruit flavors and lingering finish. *1/2
Price: $49.99
2008 Lascombes, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ Blackish color. Bitter orange aromas and lots of extracted fruit flavors. Almost over the top, but well made. Toasty. (06/09)
Price: $49.99
2008 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **½ to **+ One of my favorite properties. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. At property: Intense nose of Asian spice and, curiously, more blackberry fruit than red berry fruit. Black licorice undertones, with mouthcoating fruit and tannins. Huge wine for the cellar. Great. At UGC: Super intense on the nose and palate. A brooding wine ready to unleash on your palate in a few years. Tons of cassis and red berry flavors. (06/09)
Price: $51.99
2006 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien
Review Date: 8-21-2009
**++ Blackberry fruit. Deep and concentrated fruit that is layered. This is as good as their 2005 for my palate. Fine concentration and structure. (06/09)
Price: $69.99
2008 Léoville-Las Cases, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **½ 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. Enticing nose of black currants, cassis and minerals. Layers of fruit that mask the tannins. FABULOUS! Lingers on the palate for a minute. Tasted just before the party at Ducru-Beaucaillou. (06/09)
Price: $129.99
2008 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½+ 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. More blackberry nuances here. Fine palate entry. Some black licorice and cola aromas. Finishes with red fruit flavors. On the elegant side. (06/09)
Price: $49.99
2008 Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½? Deep color. 13.5% ABV. Again, very sweet. A big brute on the palate. Has taken on a lot of oak right now. Hard to taste. (06/09)
Price: $79.99
2008 Les Ormes De Pez, St-Estèphe Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: * to *+ 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. At Lynch-Bages: Black fruit aromas turn into red currant flavors. Spicy, gritty, old school wine. Long finish. At UGC: Ripe and exotic. Tannic on the palate. Very full-bodied. Superb for this fine property. (06/09)
Price: $24.99
2008 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: ** 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. At property: Showing spice and peppery nuances on the nose. Lots of red currant flavors. Big wine. At UGC: Blackish color. Creamy, perfumy nose with a touch of grit on the palate. Expansive mid-palate. Sweet and fine and long on the palate. Excellent. (06/09)
Price: $64.99
2008 Malescot-St-Exupéry, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: Not tasted, but we hear great things about this wine. This is a can’t-miss wine for the price. (06/09)
Price: $38.99
2006 Margaux, Margaux (1.5L)
Review Date: 8-21-2009
**½+ Has both power and elegance wrapped up in a classic Margaux wine. Fabulous length on the palate—super long finish. Delicious. (Tasted at Chateau Margeaux, 06/09)
Price: $999.99
2005 Marquis de Calon, St-Estèphe
Review Date: 8-21-2009
Toasty, smoky aromas. Semi new-wave wine but perfectly balanced. 2nd of Calon Segur.
Price: $29.99
2008 Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **½ 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot. Spicy, cedary aromas with tons of vanilla oak. Very upfront and forward on the palate. Mid-palate tannin and red berry fruit. Very woody at back end. Ager here. (06/09)
Price: $299.99
2008 Pagodes de Cos, St-Estèphe Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage report: *+ The nose is a bit closed, but the wine comes around after some airing. This is full-bodied, rich and powerful. A little oaky and tannic on the finish. Black fruit flavors. (06/09)
Price: $34.99
2008 Palmer, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **½ 51% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. 7,000 cases produced. Deep, but reserved red licorice aromas. Explosive on the palate with tons of ripe fruit. Very concentrated wine that is velvety on the palate. An “iron fist in a velvet glove” type wine. Layers and layers of fruit that coat the mouth and mask the high tannin content. Heavenly wine. (06/09)
Price: $154.99
2008 Pavillon Blanc, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ 100% Sauvignon Blanc. ONLY 14% ABV. Melon and white flower aromas. Some sweetness on the palate. Quite round and supple. Great. Vibrant and fresh on the finish. Tasted at the Chateau. (06/09)
Price: $94.99
2008 Pavillon Rouge, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ Tasted at Chateau Margaux. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Silky aromas of black fruits with black cherry nuances. Red fruit flavors close up at the back end. (06/09)
Price: $44.99
2008 Phélan-Ségur, St-Estèphe Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Ripe and lush for St-Estèphe. A full-flavored, very well-made wine. Very nice and a good value. (06/09)
Price: $28.99
2008 Pichon-Baron, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½+ to ** 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot. Deep color and red fruit aromas. Very precise and delineated. Sweet like 2001, but with broader shoulders. At UGC: More blackberry fruit showing today. Lush with good balance and still a bit tight at back end. (06/09)
Price: $68.99
2008 Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **+ to **½ 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. At UGC: A lot of Cabernet this year. Cedar oak nose with some pencil lead aromas. Long on the palate and so elegant. Soft and engaging flavors of cassis and Asian spice. Heavenly wine. My style. At property: 13,500 cases produced, which is quite low. Denis Dubourdieu is consultant here these days. The trend here is to have more Cabernet in the blend than before. Tons of spice and cedary oak aromas. Toasty cassis flavors. Great wine. Much better than their 2005! (06/09)
Price: $89.99
2008 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: **+ Very spicy nose. A huge wine but not overextracted. Everything in harmony. Big time cellar candidate with so much fruit and tannin. A spicy monster. (06/09)
Price: $84.99
2008 Potensac, Médoc Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *½ 42% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc. 13.2% ABV. Blackish color. This wine tastes fabulous already. Vanilla oak aromas and lots of sweet fruit on the palate. Sweeter than usual with great balance.
Price: $21.99
2008 Poujeaux, Moulis Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 8-21-2009
2008 Vintage Report: *+ 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Elegant wine with sweet, forward fruit. Quite lush. Red fruit flavors dance on the palate. Long finish. This tastes great now. (06/09)
Price: $23.99
2006 Gazin, Pomerol
Review Date: 6-22-2009
Wow! A knockout, big and rich beauty - very sweet and lush. Some tannin evident. Will cellar well.
Price: $59.99
2005 Grand Pontet, St-Emilion
Review Date: 6-22-2009
Lovely, sweet, forward wine. Ripe tannins - round and soft. So delicious.
Price: $49.99
2006 Joanin Becot, Côtes de Castillon
Review Date: 6-22-2009
A lovely cherry-infused wine with ripe, forward, lush black fruit flavors. Juliette Bécot has done a great job with her new Castillon property.
Price: $23.99
2006 La Grave à Pomerol, Pomerol
Review Date: 6-22-2009
Lovely nose - rich and sweet. Fine substance.
Price: $29.99
2005 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 6-22-2009
One of my favorite Haut-Médoc properties since I first tasted the 1959 and 1961 in 1971. Fine balance and tons of latent fruit that is covered by some tannin - open two hours and let it breathe. Plenty of red fruit flavors.
Price: $24.99
2006 Le Fer, St-Emilion (was $29.99)
Review Date: 6-22-2009
Right next to Angélus, so terroir is terrific. Substantial, old school wine. Black fruit - big shoulders; aromas of toast and tobacco. A bit tight but airing helps a lot.
Price: $24.99
2006 Le Gay, Pomerol (was $99.99)
Review Date: 6-22-2009
Heavenly wine - perfect - extrememely lovely wine. Very long on the palate. Sexy.
Price: $79.99
2006 Lucia, St-Emilion (was $49.99)
Review Date: 6-22-2009
Sexy, spicy nose of blackberries and Asian spice. A little new wave but balanced on the palate.
Price: $29.99
2006 Pierre de Lune, St-Emilion (was $49.99)
Review Date: 6-22-2009
Reminiscent of Merlots of the early '80s with creamy, cheesy aromas. Blackberries abound an the palate - great mid-palate impression.
Price: $39.99
2006 Rouget, Pomerol (was $39.99)
Review Date: 6-22-2009
Red fruit aromas and flavor. Just elegant and forward for 2006. Great value.
Price: $29.99
2005 Haut-Brisson Reserve, St-Emilion
Review Date: 6-1-2009
I loved the 2005 Haut Brisson Reserve for its concentration and underlying sweetness.
Price: $39.99
1999 Haut-Bailly, Pessac Léognan
Review Date: 5-4-2009
One of my favorite Châteaux and a great wine. Very aromatic, Graves-style wine with earthy and mineral hints on the nose. Crushed berries on the nose and palate. This is a very elegant yet powerful wine, and quite long on the palate with good grip.
Price: $69.99
1997 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien
Review Date: 5-4-2009
This wine is PERFECT right now—mature and delicious Bordeaux at a great price. We sold the last 50 cases immediately and now we have our last 50 to sell. Anthony Barton ends up the hero once again both for his super wines as well as his insistence on reasonable pricing and the impact he’s had on the topic of value.
Price: $39.99
1987 Pichon-Baron, Pauillac (1.5L)
Review Date: 5-4-2009
The turning point vintage for Pichon-Baron. Elegant and well-balanced, with ripe currant, bell pepper, spice and vanilla notes. Complex and well-proportioned, with a touch of tobacco; this has more flavor than most from this vintage.
Price: $149.99
2005 Pedesclaux, Pauillac (was $49.99)
Review Date: 3-30-2009
Here is one for the cellar. Try this against Mouton 2005 in 10 years. This perennial underachiever has finally achieved!. Rich and round. My barrel notes-. "A blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.The best I have ever had from Pedesclaux. Perfect balance and sweet palate impression. Slightly New World but together and delicious. Great cellar candidate. Finally a great Pedesclaux!"
Drink from
2011
to
2020
Price: $39.99
2006 Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 2-18-2009
This Bordeaux is by far one of the greatest values in the history of Bordeaux. A fabulous wine in all respects. K&L's notes - 50% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 8% petit verdot. At Joanne-boysenberry nose with spice. Full bodied. Harmonious. Good sweet finish. Lovely wine-better than 2005. At UGC-elegant style. Complete and round. At the property-cinnamon spice and some clove hints. Very fine aromas that lead to the palate. Long and deep on palate. High acid, delicious. A sure "sleeper of the vintage" and much better than their 2005!
Drink from
2011
to
2020
Price: $29.99
2005 de l'Estang, Cotes de Castillon (was $19.99)
Review Date: 2-18-2009
We were able to convince the owner Jean Michel Ferrandez and his negociant to give us some cases of a special batch he had and we named it "Clos Kalinda Cuvee" Well here it is. And at a great price for such a pedigree. This property is a 26 hectare (53 acres) piece planted on rolling hills in Saint Genes de Castillon at a density of 5000 vines per hectare (lots of vines in small area). The vineyard is planted 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc with the average vine age of 35 years. There is a strict selection in the vineyard and at the winery -only 36 hectoliters per hectare (they are allowed 50). In 2005 the harvest started on October 1st and the wine was aged in 30% new and 30% one-year old barrels. And only 13.6% alcohol which is on lower level of the right bank Merlot wines from 2005. Air France has bought some of this wine to serve on their business class flights. We love the vibrant style of this wine. Deep color and blackberry aromas with a touch of cassis. The tannins are round and the wine has great acidity.
Top Value!
Drink from
2010
to
2014
2005 Benjamin de Sansonnet, St-Emilion
Review Date: 1-20-2009
This is Ch. Sansonnet's second wine (in France, Lasalle). Tremendous concentration and depth with layers of black fruit and rich, dark chocolate plus mouthfilling structure and a fine, long finish. Buy enough to stock your cellar. 92 points from me.
Price: $26.99
2005 Clos Kalinda, St-Emilion
Review Date: 1-20-2009
I loved 2005 Ch. Sansonnet, a fine St-Emilion property, and I was thrilled to be offered their second wine (in France, Lasalle) as a base for our Clos Kalinda, which also has some Sansonnet blended in. The expressive bouquet offers a succession of cherry, cinnamon and fine toasted oak. On the palate, the flavor is at the same time fruity and woody. Supple in the mouth, fine chewy tannins, flavors of black fruit, and a very good finish. Like almost all of the 2005 Bordeaux, this wine should be decanted if you are drinking it now. Wonderful with prime-rib dinner.
Drink from
2009
to
2115
2001 Marbuzet, St-Estèphe
Review Date: 1-20-2009
We tasted the 2001 at Fete de Bordeaux 2008 in January and were duly impressed. The wine, like so many fine 2001s, was elegant and refined. Packed with ripe fruit and a lingering finish. Give it a try! I have recently this month tasted this wine three times and it was spot on everytime. Just simply delicious. I even served it at a wedding to california cab lovers and all commented positively about it.
Price: $29.99
More Favorites
Clyde Beffa Jr. is also a fan of the following items.
To become a fan of Clyde Beffa Jr., click here to join
Clyde Beffa Jr.'s Personal Sommelier Service.
