Old Accessories

92-94 points Burghound
This is the first wine to exhibit any appreciable reduction and it's enough to overshadow the underlying fruit at present. More interesting are the intense and super-sleek broad-shouldered flavors that exhibit excellent precision on the powerful tautly muscular and strikingly long finale. This is very impressive but also a wine that is very much constituted for the long haul. Patience advised. (Drink starting 2035)

93-95 points Burghound
Exuberantly fresh black fruit aromas are liberally laced with notes of earth, clove, anise and wood. The succulent yet muscular and powerful big-bodied flavors possess excellent mid-palate density while exhibiting seriously good length on the mouth coating and strikingly long finish. Note that this is very much built-to-age and a wine that may well require 20 years to reach its apogee. Excellent!

93 points Wine Enthusiast
Barrel sample. A big, firm and hard wine, with solid fruits, layers of dry tannin and great power. There's an intensity to this wine with acidity adding to the complexity and structure.

Fresh and fruity, with pretty berry and chocolate character. Medium body, soft tannins and a medium, slightly short finish. Second wine of Lafite. - WS(85-88)

From 20 to 25 year old vines.

Wines from the south-facing Poissenot vineyard tend to be rich and full bodied with good structure, although they are leaner than the muscular wines from the Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru vineyards like Le Chambertin and Clos de Beze. the vineyard has an excellent soil makeup, which is often credited as the reason for the strength and structure of the wines. Made up of clay and limestone, these soils stress vines, a condition that is exacerbated by the natural drainage of the steep slope.

Wine Advocate, 92pts. - "A terrific, value-priced second wine, the 2003 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (150,000 bottles produced) may be the finest example of this cuvee I have yet tasted. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by creamy aromas of cassis, vanilla, flowers, and licorice. Round, generous, savory, expansive, and amazingly long as well as concentrated, I even joked with Paul Pontallier that this could get him fired as perhaps the selection was too severe! This 2003 should drink well for 15+ years." (4/2006)

The cognac house Chateau de Montifaud has been in the Vallet family for six generations, since 1866. With their Vieux Rouge Pineau des Charentes, the Colombard grape provides persistence and delicate fruitiness and Ugni-Blanc provides finesse, elegance and a slight acidity. The marriage of these two grape varieties lends a perfect balance to the palate, with aromas of dried fruits and almond that mingle with notes of honey.

95 points Wine Spectator
A dense, muscular red, delivering dark cherry and blackberry fruit shaded by mint, tar, toasty oak, earth, iron and tobacco. This has tannins that are present, if covered by the bright fruit and fleshy texture, which exert themselves on the long, spice- and iron-inflected aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2047.

A distinct blend of young cognacs before aging for a unique and extremely smooth cognac. Soft flavors of vanilla and caramel with a great balance of oak and subtle spice. Enjoy neat or on the rocks

France- Villon is handcrafted in Southwestern France by time-tested, small-batch tradition, Villon is made from fine VSOP Cognac, exquisite spirits distilled from French wheat, and natural flavors. Smooth, balanced, and complex, with luxurious aromas of vanilla, spice and toasted oak.

Martell Blue Swift is their VSOP cognac finished in oak barrels. The aroma has notes of banana, vanilla, coconut and spices. The palate is full with ginger, candied fruit, vanilla and hints of toasted oak.

Naturally aged for at least four and a half years, the bold and full-bodied blend of D'Usse VSOP Cognac is made from a selection of the finest eaux-de-vie, including some that were carefully matured in the cellars of the Ch?eau de Cognac. On the nose, it reveals a powerful bouquet, rich in woody notes layered with touches of cinnamon and floral notes. Distinctively and unexpectedly smooth, each taste reveals hints of spices and almonds with undertones of honey and dried fruits as the grand finale.