Valmaggiore; a superiour vineyard in Roero. The sandier soils brings finesse, elegance and a more approachable and instant wine compared to the big boys of Barolo and Barbaresco. This treasure with the legend Bruno Giacosa behind the wheel must be a hallmark example from the cru. Enchanting and mesmerizing nose showcasing the grandeur of Nebbiolo with a varietal, red fruit-rosy primary character and a pronounced savoury and earthy background. Good grip on the palate with fine knitted and gripping tannins and a salivating acidity that is bringing a balanced act through the finish. — 7 years ago
Worth every penny and more. Grandeur, magnificent, spectacular, like the 5th concerto for piano by Beethoven. — 10 years ago
Light smell of berries (strawberry, raspberry).
Very acidic, salivating, tart aftertaste (like fruit skin).
Very light, yet delicious and full of flavor. — 6 months ago
The 2020 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru has real intensity on the nose. It's very well-defined with layers of black cherry and blue fruit, mineral-driven with hints of violet emerging with aeration. But this is backward and holding itself back. The palate has exquisite balance. It's a little granular in texture, lightly spiced bordering on peppery, building beautifully in the mouth to exert an insistent grip on the finish. There is a grandeur about this Grand Cru that keeps you entranced, but it will demand time in bottle. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2024)
— 2 years ago
Has unforced grandeur and grace, rare qualities these days. Full aromatic range, low notes are resplendent. — 5 years ago
"On 16 October 1989, Giacomo Bologna carried out a late harvest of Barbera, contrary to the advice given to him by everyone. "Ai Suma!", "We did it", he exclaimed as he tasted the wine: a new Braida Barbera was born from his foresight and stubbornness. Since 1989, it's only produced in the best vintages." (copied from Braida webpage). Today, for example, one can marvel at how lasting his legacy has been in the 97 Ai Suma. In its 23rd year this wine still smells and tastes great. Especially the shares of tertiary aromas like espresso, leather or warm, moist forest soil are wonderfully interwoven with the remains of an expressive fruit of dark berry fruits, plums, liquorice as well as balsamic notes. Dense on the palate, with a nice melting, remains of round, grainy tannins and a moderate acidity. The acidity is rather moderate, yet the wine is drinkable, because the "fat" of its youth has integrated and the wine shows today - at the age of 23 years a nice balance and ends long. Even a certain grandeur may be attested to it. 93 points 2020-2025 — 6 years ago

Nice easy drinking Rhone-blend. Holds up well a few days after opening. — 11 years ago
This wine is showing great strength at its peak - medium garnet color and pronounced aromas and flavors of violet, black cherry, wild strawberry, anise, tar, leather, truffle, forest floor, mushroom - a wild ride showing Nebbiolo in all its grandeur. Very long finish, high acidity but so well balanced with the fruit. Exceptional. — 7 months ago
Never had a wine from Canada, and this is a fresh, citrus, melon to introduce me to the grandeur! — 3 years ago
I don’t think I have ever had a bottle that so accurately reflected faded grandeur than this one. Well past it’s peak this wine has lush plum fruit, a superb balance but lacking in length and finish. It is likely quite asymmetric to its market prices. Went well with steak, — 6 years ago
Airated beautifully, low tannins, good solo or with food — 9 years ago
The 90 Pichon Lalande is a wine of controversy between professional wine critics, wine lovers and I'm sure the producer. Parker gave this wine a 79. Neil Martin an 86. Wine lovers give it an average score of around 92 on Cellertracker with some scores as high as 96. The 90 left bank vintage is well respected and certainly Pichon Lalande is a well respected producer. While this producer is one of my favorites, the 90 Pichon Lalande does not live up to the grandeur of the 90 Bordeaux vintage. However, is this a bad wine? No, but it is off for such a quality vintage. The 90 does not have distinct or even bright fruit. The fruit is cooked and it also has a green vegetal character with it's strong presence of cooked green bell pepper. The 90 also lacks mid palate and finish. It is however, still elegant in the style of an older Pichon Lalande. When you taste it, you recognize some of the Pichon Lalande characteristics but it lacks the quality one has grown to expect from them. The conversation will likely be the same for their 05 but additional time will be required to make a fair assessment. Open a bottle and join the debate. — 11 years ago
Peter van den Besselaar
vintage 1990 | Deep dark mahogany colour, full of life at 36 years old, well balanced with a honey impression and currants smell. Nowhere cloying, France grandeur. Paired with a slow food Italian apple bread. — 3 months ago