Wines

100 Points! The 1986 Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that was picked from 2 October until 16 October. Winemaker Philippe Dhalluin, who was not working at the property back then, told me that the pH was fairly low at 3.54 when it is usually around 3.75, due to the natural tartaric acid in the vines. It has a powerful and intense bouquet as always: exemplary graphite and cedar scents, a touch of black pepper and incense. It seems to unfurl in the glass, like a motor revving its engine. The palate is beautifully balanced with its trademark firm tannic structure, a Mouton-Rothschild with backbone and masculinity. Layers of black fruit intermingling with mint and graphite, a hint of licorice emanating from the Merlot, gently fanning out and my God, it is incredibly long. It is not like the 1985 Mouton-Rothschild that is so fleshy and generous. This is serious, aristocratic Mouton, a true vin de garde and yes, I do think drinkers will have to wait until it reaches its true peak. Sometimes that's just the way it is. Tasted September 2016. - Neal Martin, robertparker.com, 2016

100 Points! The late Michel Delon always thought that this was the greatest vintage he had produced. We often tasted it side by side with the 1982, because I always preferred the latter vintage. Of course, the two vintages are quite different in style, with the 1986 a monument to classicism, with great tannin, extraordinary delineation, and a huge, full-bodied nose of sweet, ripe cassis fruit intermixed with vanilla, melon, fruitcake, and a multitude of spices. The wine has always been phenomenally concentrated, yet wonderfully fresh and vigorous. The wine still seems young, yet it is hard to believe it is not close to full maturity. It is a great example of Leoville Las Cases, and another compelling reason to take a serious look at the top Cabernet Sauvignon-based Medocs of 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2035. Last tasted, 9/02. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

95+ Points! The 1986 Lafite Rothschild unfurls in the decanter and glass with aromas of earthy blackcurrant fruit mingled with notions of cigar box and red berries. Richer and darker in profile than the 1975 drunk alongside, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and concentrated, displaying a velvety attack and a lively core of fruit, with just a touch of the tannic asperity that often defines this vintage in the Médoc making itself felt on the finish. As it approaches its 40th birthday, the 1986 Lafite still needs several hours' decant to show its best. - William Kelley, robertparker.com, 2022

93 Points! Just what you expect from top-class Pomerol. Complex fruit, mint and leather aromas are followed by rich, smooth, almost chocolaty flavors and soft tannins. Chewy and long-lasting on the finish. - Wine Spectator, 1989

93 Points! Tasted at the Fine Wine Experience’s Pichon-Lalande vertical in London. This has a very expressive nose, a touch of greenness but ebullient black fruits, tar, graphite and cedar all with very fine definition. The palate is medium-bodied, quite sweet and silky on the entry with good acidity, notes of black cherries, iodine and an almost sorbet like character towards the finish that shows a surprising amount of glycerine. This is certainly a great success for the vintage, kudos to the late-Michel Delon for fashioning such great wines in modest growing seasons. Drink now-2025. Tasted December 2008. - Neal Martin, robertparker.com

94 Points! Sculpted smoky aromatics, love the carved out tannins and black fruits. This is a delicious 2012 that is full of plentiful berry fruits, blackcurrant and sloe, with an unfussy feel of hedgerow brambled freshness. The tannins have heft and give, and there is a sense of precision but also of expansion through the palate, great stuff. Ready to drink but only at the beginning of its drinking window. 60% new oak, 38hl/h yield. - Jane Anson, 2022

97 Points! A brilliant showing, the 2012 Château Belair-Monange comes from a great terroir that is being resurrected by the Moueix team, located on a south-facing hillside just outside of Saint-Emilion. Sporting a deep ruby hue, it offers a beautiful bouquet of red and black fruits, truffly earth, graphite, and subtle smoke. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's shed most of its baby fat and is just a classy, elegant, yet concentrated Saint-Emilion that does everything right. It's now in its prime drinking window, but I'd wager it has another two decades – or more – of overall longevity. Count yourself lucky if you have these in the cellar. - Jeb Dunnuck, 2022

97 Points! The iconic 2012 Pape Clement is a candidate for near-perfection as well as one of the wines of the vintage. From proprietor Bernard Magrez, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This extraordinary vineyard (a few miles to the west of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion) has hit all the highlights of this vintage. Interestingly, the quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012. This is truly great wine and not far off their magnificent 2005 and 2010. Full-bodied, with rich cassis, subtle burning embers and spice followed by velvety, well-integrated tannins, the wine is lush, expansive, savory and profound. This is a remarkable wine that could be drunk at a reasonably young age, but should cellar brilliantly for a quarter-century. Yields were modest at 37 hectoliters per hectare from this 132-acre estate. The alcohol level came in at 13.5%. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com, 2015

96 Points! A dreamy-creamy gewurz that will delight fans of this grape with its dense mangosteen and lychee character and seductive succulence. Wonderful balance and textural complexity at the long finish that’s so lively there’s no doubt about the aging potential. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! This is a robust and unflinching red wine with a succulent core of ripe cherry fruit. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Montosoli is more restrained and elegant compared to many of its peers from this hot vintage. Those scorching summer temperatures have been expertly absorbed, and the wine never feels jammy or heavy. The mid-weight finish is fine and graceful. Only 2,493 bottles were produced. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

99 Points! This is a fantastic and refined Blanc de Blancs. So layered and complex, with lemon curd, chalk, hazelnuts, pastries, baked apples and almond croissants. Structured and tightly wound, with almost imperceptible bubbles. Delicious salty notes at the end. Beautiful. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

Les Vignes-Dieu is a single plot of Chardonnay planted in 1962, from the terroir of Coulommes la Montagne, classified Premier cru. Sandy/clay soil, well drained and quite shallow; presence of little pebbles from the alteration of the calcareous bedrock. No filtration, minimal use of sulfites (under 35 mg/L total). Aging in bottle of 6 years as a minimum. Dosage: between 2 and 3 g/L, traditional liqueur.