Bordeaux Blend

This should have been much better.  No obvious faults, but shut down tight as a drum.  Reviews here are base on how the wine drank, not its potential.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is tight.  Perhaps the slightest note of cedar and cherries.  On the palate, this has a wonderful, lush texture which gives hope that at some point, this wakes up more.  More open  on the palate, with black cherries, cherries and underlying char.  Long finish.  Don't touch this for another five years at least.  Based on the vintage and house, this should drink well for twelve to fifteen years after

Excellent showing for this wine.  It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot aged for 12 months in new oak.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show cassis, baking spices, vanilla, and slight char.  On the palate, black cherries with some spice.  A bit of menthol on the finish.  Firm tannins.  Plenty of depth and some complexity shows as it unwinds in the glass.  Long finish.  This needs a couple of years to fully mature.  This house seemed to really nail it with this vintage.  It should drink well for ten to twelve more years at least.  A nice match with a

My first time trying this producer.  It is their second wine.  A blend of 73.1% Merlot, 24.3% Cabernet Franc, and 2.6% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with clay, and cherries.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  The palate has cherries with slight black cherries.  This is open and drinking well today.  Some complexity but mostly a tasty wine for immediate drinking over the next couple of years.  A nice wine with pizza.  Unfortunately, like most Pomerol wines, it is a bit expensive to be a daily drinker.

According to the label, this is 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Malbec.  It is a biodynamic wine.  Ruby/purple in color if a bit flat.  The nose is nice with cedar, cherries, and a slight char.  Firm tannins.  A bit thin on the body.  Black cherry fruit with low acidity.  Moderate finish.  This is a nice inexpensive Bordeaux for drinking over the next few years.  It the fruit holds out, perhaps even longer.  Better with food.  This would be nice with meatloaf or a burger. 

This is a blend of 84% Cab Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot.  It doesn't seem fair to call this a second wine as it stands on its own as an amazing wine.  2017 was a challenging vintage yet this wine is excellent.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, dust, pencil lead, chocolate and floral notes.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this has depth and complexity.  Cassis, black cherries and plums with underlying spice and slight tobacco.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This will still get better but should drink well for the next twelve

This is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot from the excellent 2009 vintage.  That vintage has always been accessible and one that may be long lived but the wines developed quickly.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, pencil lead, spice, black cherries and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  Medium tannins.  This is well balanced.  On the palate, cassis with leathery notes and underlying char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue to for another twelve to fifteen years.

My personal favorite of the First Growths.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic with cassis, black raspberries, gravel and slight black olives.  Full bodied.  Good acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is a powerful Haut Brion which is interesting as the vintage was good but not great.  Complex.  Just starting to show signs of maturity.  Cassis and black raspberry fruit with underlying char and gravel.  Long finish.  This may still improve a bit.  Drink over the next twelve to fifteen years and probably more.  This would work well with a beef a

Classic Cos from the great B2K vintage.  This has been a very slow developing vintage and the better wines are finally showing their wares.  Purple in color with slight ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is vibrant with cassis, black cherries, soy sauce, spice, and leather.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, Cassis, black cherries, some dried cherries with underlying spices.  Some mint on the finish. This is just starting to approach peak and should drink well for the next twelve to fifteen years.  A nice match for roasted fowl.  

This is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc from the excellent 1996 vintage. Great showing.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, tobacco, black cherries, spice and some mint on the end.  Full bodied.  Great velvety texture.  Medium tannins.  Perfect balance.  On the palate, this is complex and deep yet still seemingly youthful.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and would work well with all but the lightest foods.  Deck breast would work very well.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

Spectacular showing for this bottle.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, spice, slightly earthy along with some leathery notes.  Full bodied.