2016 La Clarté de Haut-Brion Blanc, USA, France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Léognan, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

What an outstanding wine.  This is the second wine of Haut Brion Blanc.  My first time trying this.  it is a blend of 76.3% Sémillon and 23.7% Sauvignon Blanc.  It has a silvery/pale yellow/gold color to it.  Very pretty nose with lemons, chervil and minerals.  On the palate, the lemons come thru along with some vanilla and minerality.  Very crisp with nice acidity.  Pin point focus.  Of course this is very young, but it is delicious.  On a warm summer evening, this goes down very easily.  This is expensive and as good as this is now, it should improve.  I would cellar for three to five yea

1989 Château Suduiraut, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1989
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Always a pleasure to taste an aged Sauternes from a top producer.  This is iced tea in color.  The nose is slightly oxidized with honeys and slight apricots both fresh and dried.  On the palate, this is thinner than expected.  Slightly sweet.  Tastes of slightly burnt honey (in a good way).  Long finish.  This is cetainly past prime but still provides a lot of enjoyment.  It probably should be consumed sooner than later.  It will work well on its own or with a not too sweet fruit dessert.  

2009 Château Brane-Cantenac, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

This is a second growth under the 1855 classification system.  Not a super second but often can be found for a reasonable price.  A blend of  53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Slight funk in the glass which slightly blows off with air.  Cassis, cedar and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has nice fruit plums and cass along with some underlying spice/cedar.  Slightly drying tannins.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with roasted fowl or meats.  It is close to peak but may still be a bit better.  It sh

2009 Château Cantemerle, France, Bordeaux, Haut Medoc, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

Purple in color.  The nose is earthy with cassis, graphite and smoke. On the palate, this has ripe fruit.  Cassis with underlying spice and char.  The tannins are slightly drying.  Overall a nice complexity.  This wine is about as good as it will get but should be good for ten to fifteen more years.  It will go well with roasted fowl or meats.  

2009 Château du Moulin-Rouge, France, Bordeaux, Haut Medoc, Wine Reviews

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

Great showing for this chateau that I don't believe I had ever heard of much left tried.  It is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color.  The nose is earthy with cassis, and some spice.  On the palate, this has ripe fruit.  A nice complexity and depth. Cassis layered with earth and gravel.  Some tannins.  This probably won't improve from here but it should be good for another ten years at least.  It will work well with roasted meats or fowl and drinks well on its own.  A great value.  

2009 Château Branon, France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$135.00USD

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, cassis and coffee.  On the palate, this has a nice depth and complexity.  Cassis fruit layered with spice and slight earthiness.  Soft texture.  Medium tannins.  Good finish.  This is a very pretty wine that just now seems to be closing in on peak.  There is some more upside to this wine.  It will work well with roasts or grilled foods.  

2005 Château Gruaud Larose, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$115.00USD

This showed well if a bit less than hoped.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has nice cassis fruit with some underlying baking spices.  On the palate, this is a bit thin but nice cassis fruit.  Sinewy texture.  Tannins seem resolved.  Drinks easy but tasty.  Moderate finish.  This seems like it is at peak and probably should be consumed in the next five to ten years.  It will go well with stews or chili.  

2005 Château La Clare, France, Bordeaux, Haut Medoc, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Labelled as Cru Bourgeois, half of this wine's production is typically kosher although this bottle was not so marked.   A blend of 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has plenty of barnyard with some cherries.  On the palate, this is soft, but has a nice complexity.  Plums and cherries.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  This probably won't get better but should maintain this level for another ten to twelve years.  It will go well with stews and casseroles.  

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