1 | Wine | Red Bordeaux Blend | Page 73

"Like many former Bordeaux underachievers, Malartic-Lagraviere has been making beautifully elegant, classic/textbook Pessac-Leognans under a relatively new Belgian administration. Plum, cassis, smoked herb, tobacco, and licorice-like scents emerge from the medium dark garnet-tinged 2003. Dry tannins in the finish do not detract from the wine’s overall seductive personality. While this is not one of Malartic-Lagraviere’s finest successes over recent years, it is an excellent wine to enjoy over the next 10-12 years."

"It is worth noting that when the bottled 2006 Chateau Margaux, which appeared closed and less impressive than I had predicted from barrel, was retasted alongside the remarkable 2008, I elevated my score to 94+. It does not possess the size or power of the 2008 or 2005, but the 2006 exhibits impressive density, a deeper color, and the beautifully textured, pure style that is a hallmark of this estate. Moreover, it is relatively precocious, and can be drunk now or cellared for 25+ years." -Robert Parker

"Multidimensional nose melds red berry liqueur, milk chocolate, underbrush, truffle and smoke...Lush, silky and sweet, with sneaky ripe acidity giving the flavors clarity and penetration."

"The 2012 Ausone is another prodigious effort that should turn out to be one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage. It boasts a dense purple color along with abundant notes of mulberries, black currants, blueberries and a hint of raspberries interwoven with spring flower and crushed chalk-like characteristics presented in a full-bodied yet ethereal, stylish, racy, noble manner. This is a high class, aristocratic, nearly perfect wine to cellar for a decade and then watch it unfold over the following 40-50 years." -Robert Parker

"The 2012 exhibits a black/purple color along with a striking nose of incense, spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries and hints of mulberries and crushed chalk. The sumptuous aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, super-concentrated, rich, layered wine that builds incrementally across the palate, finishing with an explosion of fruit, spice, tannin, glycerin and minerality." -Robert Parker

"The 2012 exhibits notes of licorice, truffles, lead pencil shavings, barbecued meats, blackberries, black raspberries and a hint of espresso roast. Sweet new oak notes are apparent in the back of the wine, but its abundant fruit, full-bodied mouthfeel, and multidimensional texture as well as length, make for an impressive showing. This wine will need 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for 20 years or more. Bravo! If you haven’t yet jumped on the Larcis Ducasse bandwagon, it’s time to do so." -Robert Parker

"One of the superstars of the vintage — again — it boasts an opaque purple color as well as an incredibly floral nose interwoven with crushed chalk, blueberry liqueur, black currants, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied and stunningly rich (yields were 22 hectoliters per hectare) with lots of glycerin and texture, this beautiful wine should keep for 15-20 years." -Robert Parker