1986 Chateau Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac: 97 points Wine Spectator: "Superbly structured, with breathtaking aromas of plums, chocolate and berries that follow through on the palate. Full-bodied, with full tannins and a long, alluring finish. Needs time, better after 2002." 96 points Robert Parker: "Dark ruby/purple, with a tight yet profound bouquet of cedar, blackcurrants, spicy oak, and minerals, this full-bodied, deeply concentrated, exceptionally well-balanced wine is, atypically, too brawny and big to drink young. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2015." K&L's notes - A Jesse Ventura of a wine, dense (yeah, that's Jessie) and concentrated, brimming over with ripe cherry fruit, and medium soft tannins. A killer of a wine. (Joe Zugelder, K&L Old & Rare Buyer).

1985 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac: 97 points Wine Spectator: "Our wine of the year in 1988. Muscular but shapely, with fabulous toasted oak, berry and currant on the palate. It's full-bodied and has a long, long finish. This was the better of two bottles.--The Bordeaux 50. Best after 1997." (10/94) 92 points Robert Parker: "The 1985 has been totally disarming, seductive, and sexy since birth. Its corpulence, medium to full-bodied personality, low acidity, attractive silkiness, and copious quantities of herb-tinged cassis fruit have always made this wine a winner. It is beginning to display a few signs that it is at its peak of maturity and will not get any better. In fact, it might be best consumed over the next 5-10 years.

1978 Mouton Rothschild: Château Mouton-Rothschild is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, with annual production varying between 20-25,000 cases. The vineyards are comprised of gravel on a subsoil of marl and clay. Mouton is one of the last Médoc estates to ferment its wine in oak vats. Maturation is done in new oak casks. Mouton is a complex wine with an exotic character and powerful tannins. The bouquet features black currants, cedar, pencil lead, licorice, and spice. Younger vintages appear opaque or deep purple, while older vintages tend to show more garnet.

Supple yet strong willed, this is mature enough for drinking now, with chocolate, cherry, violet, vanilla and raspberry notes. 92 Points, Wine Spectator.