2004 Duclot Collection Case (1xMAR, 1xCB, 1xHB, 1xLR, 1xLAT, 1xPET, 1xAUS, 1xLMHB, 1xMR)
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Tasting notes
The 2004 La Mission Haut-Brion has a lovely nose with blackberry, scorched earth, sage and light truffle scents, with a touch of antique mahogany bureau. There's fine delineation here. The palate is medium-bodied with "thick" tannins that exert a fine grip. The 2004 is spicy with black pepper and light truffle notes. There's just a little austerity on the finish, but it complements this La Mission rather than detracts. Very fine, though much more austere than the Haut-Brion. (NM)
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2004 Latour has a comparatively simple bouquet with black cherries and touches of cassis. This does not quite articulate the terroir as well as other vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with a medicinal entry, very supple and rounded with pencil lead and notable saline elements towards the persistent finish. Menthol notes emerge with time. Excellent. (NM)
The 2004 Lafite-Rothschild appears to be another late-bloomer in the sense that this 12-year-old bottle is the best I have tasted, implying an upward swing in quality. It has a wondrous bouquet, very sensual and pure with blackberry, graphite and cedar -- all the hallmarks of Pauillac, delivered with great panache. It is more opulent than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins, pitch-perfect acidity and a beautiful structure. There is a regal sense to this Lafite, understated compared to the other First Growths and yet the persistence on the finish deserves a round of applause, especially in the context of the vintage. This is superb and could possibly turn out to be the pick of the Firsts. (NM)
The 2004 Mouton Rothschild is supple, forward and inviting. Dark cherry, plum, tobacco and grilled herbs are all pushed forward. This is an especially succulent Mouton, partly because of the high percentage of Merlot that was common during this era. Gravel, pencil shavings, smoke and cured meats add myriad shades of nuance on the powerful, explosive finish. Philippe Dhalluin told me he waited as long as possible to harvest in 2004, the driest vintage Mouton had seen up until that point. (AG)