3 Bordeaux and a fantastic 85 Ridge Monte Bello

1996 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;
Deep ruby, garnet rim, first some fresh durt, then blackcurrants, leather, some liquorice and coffee in the back, then cigars. Good acidity and ripe tannins, well balanced, complex and quite elegant. Drink now or the next 15 years. 93


2000 Chateau Rauzan-Segla;
Deep ruby with ruby rim, a bit light on the nose, some floral and mineral notes, and blackcurrants. Good acidity and ripe tannins, elegant and fruit driven aftertatse, good structure, a bit short length at the moment. Give it some more years. 89


1985 Ridge Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon;
Bright ruby with brick rim. Mature nose, some cassis, cedar, cigars, leaves, a bit of warm fruits, some prunes in the back and leather, then coffee and chocolate. Good acidity, mature tannins, starting to wear off, complex and balanced, very long aftertaste. 95


1998 Chateau Rieussec;
Golden yellow, some mushrooms, apricot hints in the back, not the best nose. Quite good acidity, a bit big on the body, complex, but not fresh, the acidity can't quite make it. 86