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St.-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is on the east side of the Dordogne River. At 13,400 acres it is one of Bordeaux’s largest appellations, and perhaps its most picturesque. It is also home to what has been called “the garagiste” movement of upstart, tradition-defying winemakers who produce artisanal wines in styles that are unconventional for the appellation. The village of Saint-Émilion dates from the middle ages and it sits on low hills, surrounded by ancient walls. Like its neighbor Pomerol, Saint-Émilion was not included in the famous Bordeaux classification system of 1855. But a century later a ranking system was put in place, and unlike the classification system for the Medoc, the Saint-Émilion system is reviewed every ten years, meaning that estates can be upgraded or downgraded. There are three rankings: Grand Cru Classé, Premier Grand Cru Classé B and Premier Grand Cru Classé A, with the final ranking being the best. Such legendary Saint-Émilion estates as Châteaux Ausone and Cheval-Blanc are Premier Grand Cru Classé A, along with Châteaux Pavie and Angélus, both added to the classification in 2012. Wines in this appellation are primarily Merlot, mixed with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

1964 Château Cheval-Blanc

Capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; mid shoulder fill; label condition issue

RP  95   
WS  92   
MB  ****   

1966 Château Ausone

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1966 Château Ausone

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; mid shoulder fill; label condition issue

1967 Château Cheval-Blanc

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1976 Château Ausone

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

RP  94   

1976 Château Ausone

Capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; label condition issue

RP  94   

1981 Château Cheval-Blanc

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; base neck fill; label condition issue

RP  90   
WS  90   
MB  ****   

1982 Clos des Jacobins

Heavy capsule condition issue; heavy signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; heavy label condition issue

WS  91   

1983 Château Canon

Light capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; base neck fill; label condition issue

RP  90   

1983 Château Canon

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; base neck fill; label condition issue

RP  90   

1983 Château L'Arrosee

Light capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1983 Château L'Arrosee

Capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1985 Chateau Beausejour (St. Emilion)

Capsule condition issue; base neck fill; label condition issue

1985 Chateau Beausejour (St. Emilion)

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; base neck fill; label condition issue

1986 Château L'Arrosee

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; base neck fill; label condition issue

RP  92   

1990 Château Canon

Light label condition issue

WA  93   
WS  91   

1990 Chateau Prince Noir

Lightly elevated cork; label condition issue

1996 Château Angelus

Light label condition issue

RP  91   
ST  90-92   
JR  17   

1996 Château Troplong-Mondot

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; base neck fill; light label condition issue

1996 Château Troplong-Mondot

Base neck fill; light label condition issue

1996 Château Troplong-Mondot

Light label condition issue

1996 Château La Mondotte

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  97   
ST  91+    

1996 Château Le Tertre-Roteboeuf

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  90   
ST  89-91   

1998 Château Angelus

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  93   
ST  92   
JR  17   

1998 Château La Mondotte

3.0ltr

Light label condition issue; light writing on label; signed bottle

RP  96   
WS  96   
ST  91+