2015 Château Croix Mouton (Jean-Philippe Janoueix), France, Bordeaux Superior, Wine Review

This is one of our favorite value plays in Bordeaux. It is 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose features cherries, slight black cherries, spice, slight graphite and cedar. Medium to full bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, this drinks easy. Cherries, black cherries, slight chocolate and slight char. Good balance. Nice finish. At almost nine years old, this seems to be mature but with plenty of life left. A nice level of complexity. This is nice on its own but even better with food. A great choice for a mid day meatloaf. All for $15 on release!

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2015

Current Price:

$17.00USD

2016 Château Croix Mouton (Jean-Philippe Janoueix), France, Bordeaux Superieur, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$17.00USD

This was tasted completely blind and did quite well although it was one of the most inexpensive bottles on the table. This label is perennially among the best values in Bordeaux. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. Opaque and bright. The nose is very nice and classic. Black cherries with cedar. Clean. On the palate, this has medium body. Tart, black cherry fruit. Light tannins. Solid finish. This is drinking well now and won't get better. That said, it should provide great drinking for at least five to seven more years and likely more.

Cheval Blanc: The “First Growth” of the Right Bank

When the wines of Bordeaux were classified in 1855 all of the wines were from the Left Bank of the Gironde River. In fact, with the exception of Haut Brion, which is from Graves, all of the wines classified were from the Medoc. Since that time, the winemaking areas of Bordeaux have greatly expanded. Some of the best wines in Bordeaux are now made on the Right Bank including some of the most expensive wines in the entire world. While there is no official classification system for all of Bordeaux, there can be no doubt that if such a system was implemented today, at least a few Right Bank wineries would make the list. Perhaps no winery deserves the mythical first growth of the Right Bank title more than Cheval Blanc. In fact, the wines of Saint Émilion, a commune on the Right Bank, were ranked in 1955 and Cheval Blanc was one of two that received the highest rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé (A). Those rankings were redone in 1969, 1986, and 1996 and most recently in 2006 (although that ranking is the subject of an ongoing legal dispute not relevant to Cheval Blanc) and Cheval Blanc has remained a First Growth in every subsequent ranking.

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2005 Château La Croix St. Georges, France, Bordeaux, Pomerol, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$120.00USD

Much better and cleaner than another bottle tried a couple years ago. Both were bought on release at the same time. A right bank wine from the great 2005 vintage. The vineyard is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc (unsure about the specific vintage in bottle). Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, cedar, chocolate, slight tobacco and just a bit of smoke. Consumed over two days, this was better/more open on day 2. Full bodied. Lush texture but with good acidity. Lots of black cherry fruit over smoke with some chocolate. Nice finish. This s

1982 Château Mouton Rothschild, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage:

1982

Score:

100

Grade:

A+

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

1986 Château Mouton Rothschild, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage:

1986

Score:

100

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$840.00USD

I have been lucky enough to have this on a few occasions. Never has it been open or showing anything like it's lofty status with the critics would indicate so I approached with trepidation. No need. This bottle was amazing. Everything it was supposed to be including still a bit on the young side. It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim. Bright but mostly opaque. On the nose, lovely cassis, cigar box, ash and slight pencil lead. The lead becomes more pronounced with air and there is some chocolate and spi

2015 Château Croix Mouton (Jean-Philippe Janoueix), France, Bordeaux Superior, Wine Review

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1982 Château Mouton Rothschild, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

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