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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.

1967 Château Cheval-Blanc

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

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

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

1999 Château Faugeres

2001 Château Fonplegade

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

2006 Château L'Arrosee

Lightly depressed cork

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

2016 Rarecat St. Emilion

Lightly elevated cork

1999 Château Yon Figeac

Light label condition issue

2000 Château Griffe de Cap d'Or

Light label condition issue

1999 Château Puy Blanquet

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

2014 Château Tourans

1990 Chateau Prince Noir

Lightly elevated cork; label condition issue

2003 Château Bellefont Belcier

Label condition issue

JR  16   

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  ****   

1996 Château Le Tertre-Roteboeuf

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  90   
ST  89-91   

2006 Château Lassègue

ST  90   
RP  89-91   

2000 Château Yon Figeac

Heavy capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

JR  18   
WS  89-91   

2005 Arômes de Pavie

RP  90