• "A spectacular garagiste effort from a five-acre, 45-year-old vineyard (90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon), the 2004 Bellevue Mondotte was fashioned from yields of 15 hectoliters per hectare. The result is an opaque purple-colored wine of provocative richness and intensity with an extraordinarily thick, juicy style, and unbridled amounts of creme de cassis, black cherry liqueur, a structured minerality, and sexy, toasty new oak. This full-bodied, powerful, extravagant, fascinating St.-Emilion is nearly over the top. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, and tipping the scales at nearly 14% natural alcohol, it should drink well for 20-25 years."
• (Robert Parker  95 points)

“Primarily a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a small amount of Petit Verdot, this offering (from the owners of Pichon Lalande) exhibits a classic style with notes of licorice, roasted herbs, cedar, and black currants. Medium-bodied with fine ripeness as well as moderate tannin."

 (Wine Spectator 87 Points)

• "A fine fruit-driven effort with plenty of smoke, caramel, and espresso notes in the aromatics, this perennial reasonably-priced overachiever is plump, fat, and juicy. It exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color as well as sweet mocha and black cherry liqueur-like aromas, a layered attack, and sweet tannin in the finish. This luscious sleeper of the vintage will drink well during its first 10-12 years of life."
• (Robert Parker 89 points)

This dense, muscular, virile-styled Pomerol reveals notes of beef blood, black currants, and cherries. Harsh, astringent tannins result in a rugged, rustic, savage wine that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, but it is questionable whether or not everything will come into balance. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2018.  (Robert Parker 87 points)

"An attractive, complex bouquet of minerals, black fruits, lead pencil, and new oak is followed by a stylish, ripe, medium-bodied wine with astringent tannin in the slightly diluted finish. If the mid-palate fills in, this elegant 1999 will merit a higher rating. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2016."

 (Robert parker 88-90 points)

"This is the finest Brane-Cantenac I have tasted in over thirty years. Unusually perfumed and already approachable (atypical for most 2005 Medocs), it reveals a deep plum/purple color as well as a stunningly flamboyant bouquet of smoked herbs, licorice, camphor, black cherries, currants, and notions of plums and blackberries. Elegant with silky tannin and medium body, it is clearly a classic statement on the Margaux appellation. While not a powerhouse, it is beautifully concentrated, stunningly balanced, and surprisingly forward. It could be drunk now after several hours of decanting, but it should age easily for 20+ years."

"This dark purple-tinged 2004 is presently revealing abundant amounts of spicy new oak, but based on previous vintages, that component should be quickly absorbed (the percentage of new oak utilized has not changed). A deep ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of black cherries, currants, and pain grille, medium body, and a soft finish. This elegant, classic wine would benefit from additional concentration. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018."

 (Robert Parker 90 points)

"This great St.-Estephe estate has turned out a succession of brilliant wines. The 2005, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, has put on weight over the last year. An opaque ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sweet nose of earth, smoke, cassis, and cherries as well as a textured, full-bodied mouthfeel. While the tannin is high, there is beautifully sweet fruit underlying the wine’s structure. It will require 8-10 years of cellaring after release, and should drink well for three decades."

(Robert Parker 94-96 points)