Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service. The 1983 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark cherry, blackberry, dried purple flowers, Poblano pepper, coffee, beef roast, earth and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This bottle of the 1983 was absolutely singing tonight and I found it to be a lovely pairing with braised pheasant. Drink now through 2033+. — 23 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, chocolates, toast, licorice, spices, earth, tobacco and herbs.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot based blend from Bordeaux. Rich and extracted. Nicely balanced and complex.

This 16 year old is starting to drink at its peak now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Wine Advocate 96 points. Wine Spectator 96 points.

I've had the 2012 a few years ago, but this 2010 vintage is showing so much better.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so be patient.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

A blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 17 months in French Oak barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$180. — 2 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.1

More focused than the 2015 as you might expect. Integrated butterscotch and rocks. — 3 months ago

with Sarah

Ming L

9.4

The nose opens with waves of ripe black cherry, cassis, plum liqueur, and dark chocolate Beneath the opulence lies impressive complexity with hints of espresso, violets, and peppery spice emerge gradually with air. The palate is dense and supple, showing warmth and generosity. Plenty of nuance beneath the lavish fruit.

Possibly the best value for a St-Emilion GCC. Will need to seek out more. — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

Atherton Wine Imports 2026 tasting at République, Los Angeles. 2022 vintage. Better, longer finish than the 2021 version. Dark plum and cassis ruling the roost here. 3.18.26. — 2 months ago

Ming L

9.3

The nose is a tapestry of ripe plum, cedar, and smoky graphite, with a vivid burst of crème de cassis and violets. The palate is plush and sleek, offering concentrated blackberry and earthy notes framed by suave tannins. Finish is long and savoury.

Purchased at around $40. What a value! — 2 months ago

Jen Landon

8.9

I liked it a lot — 4 hours ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

vintage 2016 | True to type Sauternes | paired with apple crumble — a month ago

Michael Amoruso

9.2

2018 vintage. Cooked pineapple. Toasted coconut. Dry lemon curd. Just sweet enough. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château La Tour de Bessan Margaux 2022 — Margaux, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Left Bank blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon · 30% Merlot · 5% Petit Verdot (estate typically varies slightly by vintage) delivering structure, elegance, and aromatic finesse. Great frame and graphite tension coming from the Cab Sauv., mid-palate polish thanks to Merlot, and liked how Petit Verdot brings subtle spice and color depth. A beautifully traditional, unclassified Margaux that punches above its weight.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, blackberry, cassis, violet, pencil shavings, cedar, light tobacco, and crushed stone. Fruit stays fresh and pure with delicate floral lift typical of the appellation.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with polished, fine-grained tannins. Dry, linear, and elegant rather than powerful. Balanced acidity keeps everything lifted and graceful with a clean, savory finish.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs, grilled lamb chops, duck breast, mushroom risotto, lentils, Comté or aged goat cheese. A very food-friendly claret.

Verdict
Proof that Margaux elegance doesn’t require classified growth pricing. Refined, honest, and beautifully composed. Delicious now with air, but easily cellar-worthy for 6–10 years.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of “weekday Bordeaux”, structured yet graceful, polished without heaviness. The sort of bottle that quietly disappears over dinner because everything just clicks.

Did You Know?
La Tour de Bessan is run by Marie-Laure Lurton (of the Lurton family estates) and is known for crafting textbook, terroir-driven Margaux expressions that emphasize finesse over extraction. — 4 months ago