Wines

97 Points! I’m still looking forward to tasting the great Château Ausone of Saint-Émilion later this week, but in the meantime I’m thinking back to this great 1998 I had this summer. In fact, it looks like 2014 was the antithesis of 1998, a year that saw the Right Bank and the early-ripening-merlot-dominated blends triumph over the Left Bank; as I’ve just written, I believe 2014 is showing much better for cabernet sauvignon and the Right Bank. Even so, this was tight and powerful with hints of cream and blueberries. It was full and pretty with firm tannins. On the finish it was so long and intense. Some balsamic and dried fruit undertones. It’s only beginning to open up now. - JamesSuckling.com, 2016

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96 Points! A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot, the 1998 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet with a hint of brick and gorgeous notions of sandalwood, crème de cassis, smoked meats, black pepper and garrigue with touches of chargrill, dried herbs and mincemeat pie. Medium-bodied, soft and plush on the palate, it has tons of mouth-filling savory and plum preserves flavors and a very long, savory finish. Delicious now, it should keep for 15-20 more years. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com, 2018

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96+ Points! Even better is the 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Like its older sibling, it exhibits an inky/blue/purple color followed by an attractive bouquet of creosote, tar, creme de cassis, incense, and flowers, but no evidence of oak. This full-bodied, beautifully layered, stunningly pure, long effort is one of the most compelling Cabernet Sauvignons I have tasted from South Australia. It can compete with the best of Napa Valley or Washington State in terms of New World Cabernet Sauvignons. It should evolve over the next 10 years, and last for another decade thereafter. - Robert Parker, June 2009 Learn More