Another example of the wealth of fairly priced wines that Bordeaux produces once one gets past the trophy wines. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has spice and cherries. Light tannins. On the palate, cherries with some tobacco and spice. Good balance. This drinks well on its own and will work well with meat, fowl and pork. Lamb stew would be perfect. Drink over the next five to eight years.
Another example of what great value there is in Bordeaux once one gets away from the classified growths. A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, plums, spice and char. Medium to full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this has some depth. Notes of cherries, black cherries and black raspberries with some spice and a bit of earthiness. Nice finish. A very pleasant wine that is better with food. This would work well with roasted fowl or meat or even root vegetables. Drink over the next
This is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot from the very good 1996 vintage in Bordeaux. purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. There is some cassis but mostly dried fruits, tobacco, cigar box, dried leather and some spice. Medium bodied with good acidity. On the palate, this is complex and fully mature. It doesn't seem much past though (depending on how you like older Bordeaux). Black cherry fruit, dried cherries, forest floor, and slight spice.
Lots to say about this wine, but first, why it was opened. My friend Chris is about to retire. Way back in 1986 or so, Chris was convinced to spend $30 for a 375ml bottle of this wine. Since that time, he has waited for the right special occasion to open the bottle. Luckily for me (since I din't meet Chris until around 2010), this bottle is known to maturing at a glacial pace. He has moved all around the world waiting for the right time and place. My wife and I had dinner at Chris's home before he leaves town and goes to spend his retirement in Cape Cod. Chris opened the wine. What
The 2005's are really starting to come into their own now and this is one more data point supporting that. This is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis, black cherries, char, slight cigar box, leather and spice. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this is complex. Flavors of cassis and black cherries, slight leather and char. Great balance. Long finish. This is about at peak but should stay there for another ten years. Nice on its own, but better with food. This would wo
In a recent blind tasting of 2016/2017 Bordeaux's, this and the 2017 version were my top two wines. All of the notes can be found on this site. While the tasting did not include any first growths, it does point out that this Chateau is producing outstanding wines and at reasonable prices. While today I preferred the 2017, in the long run, the 2016 is the better wine. It is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. Opaque and bright. The nose is complex with cassis, black cherries, leather, tobacco and spice
