“Proprietor Patrick Maroteaux has been doing everything right since the late nineties, the 2005 is one of his crowning achievements. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with a sumptuous nose of raspberry liqueur interwoven with blueberries, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings, and spring flowers. A big, structured St.-Julien revealing layers of fruit and glycerin, fabulous purity, and full-bodied power and richness, it will be long-lived. –RP”
Wine Advocate: 94-96 pts
Wine Spectator: 92 Ptsid 293

“Firm and silky red, with spices, berries and cinnamon. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a medium finish. Very good Ducru. Best from 2003 through 2007. 17,500 cases made. –JS”
Wine Spectator: 89 ptsid 294

“There's black licorice, coffee bean and ripe fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a wonderful concentration of ripe fruit and currant. Shows tar and vanilla on the finish. Best after 2013. 16,665 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 87-89 pts
Wine Spectator: 91 ptsid 315

“Perfumed aromas of blackberries and Indian spices follow through to a medium body, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Balanced red. Best after 2007. 6,500 cases made. –JS”
Wine Spectator: 87 ptsid 320

“Aromas of blackberry, meat and earth follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a rich finish. Decadent, balanced and very approachable already. I thought it would have been a little better than this. Best after 2014. –JS”
Wine Spectator: 91 ptsid 297

“A dense ruby/purple hue is accompanied by abundant amounts of sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, pain grille, graphite, and crushed rock-like characteristics. The high tannin levels and freshness noted a year ago remain intact, but the wine has filled out in the middle, revealing greater richness as well as fuller body. It appears set for an incredibly long life. –RP”
Wine Advocate: 94-96 pts
Wine Spectator: 100 ptsid 303

“Dark ruby red in color, with aromas of currant, blackberry, toasty oak and light cappuccino. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a beautiful, caressing aftertaste. Touches every part of the palate. Outstanding, but slightly disappointing after such a great showing from barrel. Best after 2009. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 18,915 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 92-95 pts
Wine Spectator: 92 ptsid 304

“Aromas of fruit and spices, with black pepper and cumin and undertones of forest floor. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit, a silky texture and a medium-to-long finish. Best after 2011. 7,500 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 90 pts
Wine Spectator: 91 ptsid 321

“Currant, mineral, plum and light toasty oak follow through to a full body, with ultrasilky tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is thoroughly beautiful. Superbalanced and very pretty. Best after 2011. 24,165 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 91-93 pts
Wine Spectator: 93 ptsid 298

“Black in color, with aromas of orange peel, new leather, currant, berry and Christmas pudding. Full-bodied, with layers of velvety tannins and a long, long finish of fruit and spices. The cashmere texture is all there. 2003 plus 2000 equals 2005. Best after 2015. 25,000 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 94-96 pts
Wine Spectator: 98 ptsid 272

“Very beautiful aromas of crushed flowers--like roses--follow through to plum, berry and Indian spices. Full-bodied, refined and silky, with lovely ripe fruit and a delicate aftertaste of raisin and flowers. The second wine of Margaux. Best after 2012. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 91-93 pts
Wine Spectator: 92 Ptsid 251

“The wine exhibits pure black currant, licorice-infused fruit, huge body, a viscous mid-palate, and a long, heady finish(…).I am amazed at just how rich, intense, and full-bodied it tastes even after bottling. This is certainly one of the half dozen or so candidates for wine of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+." R.P.
Wine Advocate: 95 pts
Wine Spectator: 94 ptsid 78

“Incredible nose of crushed berry, licorice, violets and lightly toasted oak. Pure crème de cassis. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Solid. Best after 2011. (JS)” W.S.
Wine Advocate: 93 pts
Wine Spectator: 97 ptsid 81

“Gorgeous aromas of currants and berries with hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a pretty finish. Silky. This is extremely good for the vintage. The team of Cos worked hard on their 2002 and it shows.” W.S.
Wine Advocate: 93 Pts
Wine Spectator: 93 ptsid 271

Shows blackberry, with some meat and smoke character. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a chocolate, berry and light vanilla aftertaste. Balanced. id 246

“Nice aromas of ripe fruit, spices and chocolate with just a hint of meat. Medium- to full-bodied, with lots of fruit and ripe tannins and a medium finish. Second wine of La Mission. Best after 2010. (JS)” W.S.
Wine Advocate: 94 pts
Wine Spectator: 89id 103

“Pape Clement is clearly one of the stars of the vintage. (…)Opulent and full-bodied with decent acidity, lavish quantities of glycerin and concentration, and sweet tannin in the long finish, it should be relatively accessible in its youth(…). It is hard to know what some of the 1959s tasted like at a similar stage, but this could be a modern-day version of that hot-year vintage. A brilliant wine.”R.P.
Wine Advocate: 94-96 pts
Wine Spectator: 92-94 ptsid 104

“Dark and intense, with blackberry, plum and light vanilla aromas. Subtle and complex. Full-bodied, with plenty of berry and vanilla character and a long, silky finish. Very racy. Very refined and long. Love the caressing texture. Close to the 2000 in quality. Best after 2008. (JS)” W.S.
Wine Advocate: 93 Pts
Wine Spectator: 92 Ptsid 114

“Black licorice and blackberry aromas, with hints of mineral, lead to a full-bodied palate. Very chewy, with loads of tannins, yet this follows through with beautifully ripe fruit, mineral and mint. Fascinating. Best after 2012. 25,555 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 94-96 pts
Wine Spectator: 94 ptsid 276

“Shows intense aromas of blackberry, currant and spices. Full and rich, with a slightly earthy and funky undertone, but I like the decadence and richness. The tannins are polished. Best after 2013. 30,000 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 89-91 pts
Wine Spectator: 91 ptsid 275

“A dark ruby/purple color and a bouquet of plums, black raspberries, licorice, roasted herbs, and incense are followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich, structured, backward wine that requires 6-10 years of bottle age. It should drink well for two decades. For some reason, Lafon Rochet remains under-priced for the quality of wines it is producing. -RP”id 274

“Delivers breathtaking aromas of blackberry, currant, licorice and flowers. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and supersilky tannins. Dark chocolate, currant, berry and licorice follow through. This is racy and beautiful. Best after 2015. 20,375 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 94-96 pts
Wine Spectator: 96 ptsid 301

Dense, deep ruby/purple-colored wine possessing loads of smoky black cherry fruit as well as a hint of truffles. Plump, corpulent, and fruity.id 138

“Aromas of blackberry, currant and toasty oak, with a hint of spice, lead to a full-bodied palate, with plenty of blackberry, chocolate and Indian spices. Balanced, refined and very pretty, with a velvety texture and a long, beautifully textured finish. Best after 2013. 10,000 cases made. –JS”
Wine Advocate: 95-97 pts
Wine Spectator: 95 ptsid 296

“The prodigious, fantastic 2003 Cos d’Estournel is a candidate for “wine of the vintage.” An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by a compelling perfume of black fruits, subtle smoke, pain grille, incense, and flowers. With extraordinary richness, full body, and remarkable freshness, elegance, and persistence, this is one of the finest wines ever made by this estate.” R.P.
Wine Advocate: 98 pts
Wine Spectator: 97 ptsid 145