Once again demonstrating how long the 2005's are taking to come around. Pop and pour (for logistic reasons), this was just starting to open at the two hour mark. Still, a great showing though.
This is apparently available in the market and I would love to know the back story. The 1973 has been reviewed a couple time here recently as well. It has a Rose/pink/orange color to it, clear and bright. The nose has apricots, butterscotch and caramel. Viscous. On the palate the apricots and butterscotch come thru. Solid acidity. Nice finish. This is very nice and drinking well at age 49. This would be a great birth year wine for anyone born in 1972. It would work well with blue cheese or just in a glass by itself.
A new winery for me to try. Purple in colo9r, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, slight cassis, smoke and gravel. Medium bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, nice black cherry fruit with underlying smoke and gravel. Nice finish. This should drink well for the next ten to twelve years. This should go well with Roasted or Charred Portabellas and Root Vegetables.
This is the second wine of Pichon Longueville. It is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis, black cherries, slight chocolate and a bit of leather. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, light tannins. Tart, black raspberry fruit. Some black cherries and a bit of chocolate. Good acidity. Nice balance. Long finish. This should improve a bit over the next five to seven years but either way should be great drinking over the next twelve to fifteen. A Chicken and Cheddar Sou
Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, cassis, slight floral notes and cedar. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this has ripe cassis flavors with a touch of leather and slight dried floral notes. Medium tannins. Good finish. This needs a few more years to open and then should drink well for another ten to twelve more. This would work well with a bacon-cheese Quiche.
This is the second wine of Lynch Bages. It is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Most of the 2018's tried were riper and more "modern" for lack of a better descriptor. This seems more "old school" with less alcohol. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis, black cherries, graphite, slight leather and char. Medium bodied. On the palate, there are tart black cherries, medium tannins and just a bit of smoke. A slightly clipped finish. This could use a bit of time, maybe a couple years, but should drink well for ten to twelve
This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It used to be known as Château Lalande-Borie but the name changed starting with the 2018 vintage. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is powerful with cassis, black cherries, coffee, spice and dust.
Another wine to turn to when looking for value in top vintages of Bordeaux. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis and plums and slight leather and char. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this is firm tannins. A velvety texture. Lots of cassis fruit with underlying leather and slight char. Good acidity. Nice finish. This needs another five to eight years to approach maturity and should drink well for ten to fifteen after that. This will work well with grilled or roasted meats (or vegetables).
Always a great value in Bordeaux and especially a nice option in the best years as this is ready to drink sooner than the "big boys". A blend of 45% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, cassis, tobacco and black pepper. Medium bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, cassis and cherry fruit with slight chocolate and a bit of char. Good acidity. Nice finish. Drink over the next ten to twelve years. This drinks well on its own and will work well with Roasted Ch
This is a new one for me. Apparently, Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is one of the second wines of Pichon Baron. It hasw been produced since the 2012 vintage. The grapes come primarily from gravelly plots of land near to the Gironde estuary. A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Merlot. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is very tight, but with air, there is cassis, black cherries, spice and a hint of chocolate. Much more open on the palate. Medium tannins. Good acidity. Cassis and black cherry fruit with some spice. Nice finish. This needs another five to eight year
