| | Frist get together of this group at the this location in some months and great to be back on the horse. The wines showed universally well and there was so little to choose between them.
Enjoyed the flatbreads with our anti pasti starter and really enjoyed the steak and cheese courses Blind White - 2001 Kalin Cellars Sémillon - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley
This starts with some brown sugar and a suggestion of sweated leak. Really begins to blossom in the glass with beeswax, some butterscotch, some lime zest and some wet wool. Texturally we are absolutely in Bordeaux white territory, really good length and a nettly interest too. My bottle served blind and very pleased with how it showed. Apparently 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. (91 pts.)
Mixed 2001s - 2001 Château Figeac - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Bell pepper, fresh tobacco leaf and lurking just behind the faintest hint of blood orange. With some air there's a suggestion of charred toast and a little pineapple stalk. On the palate this feels like there is plenty of time ahead, tannins not fully resolved but very fine. Really gets going with our starters when they arrive. (92 pts.)
- 2001 Château Le Dome - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Darker fruits than the Figeac. There's a real pencil lead character from the high Cab Franc contents. Later some smoke and subtle hint of watermelon. My neighbour also correctly identifies an oyster shell minerality. Tannins remain grippy but once again fine boned. A real more-ish savouriness to this and doesn't feel overworked at all. (91 pts.)
- 2001 Château Palmer - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Very different to other Palmers I've enjoyed over the years, not in a bad way just feels a little less feminine than some. There is a beefiness here with some lemongrass top notes. Some florality too but a bit more reticent that with others I've sampled. Palate is taught savoury and youthful. Perhaps of the trio the one earliest in its drinking window. (92 pts.)
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge - 2000 Domaine de Chevalier - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Charming cool greenness to the nose here as well and some dark fruits and a little tobacco. With some air there are some Bakewell notes and a redder character to the fruits. Palate is tight on pouring but soon opens out and perhaps one of the most ready to go wines of the evening. Perfect DdC structure and lightness of touch. Fabulous. (92 pts.)
- 2001 Domaine de Chevalier - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Suspect very low level cork taint here that just dulls what would otherwise have been a cracking 2001. There is a pickle brine edge to the red fruited nose. A little tapenade too. Palate feels mature and tannins pretty much resolved. Would love to try a clean bottle in a couple of years. (FLAWED)
2000 St Julien - 2000 Château Gruaud Larose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Very St Julien. Sandalwood, green bell pepper, a little saddle leather, some hints of caper and, after some air, some venison carpaccio. Slightly cloudy but to me none the worse for this. Has time ahead very classical. (91 pts.)
- 2000 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Blue fruits here with cedar and some cool greenness. Later some toast, a little bacon far a touch of cinder. Palate has peppery tannins, some spice and more cigar box. Right up my street. My third favourite wine of the night. (92 pts.)
Pichon Baron & Cos d'Estournel - 2000 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Very dark fruited and structured, some lamb and rosemary characters as well and the faintest hint of pickle vinegar. Palate has a blackcurrant pastille quality and some damson flesh in the background. Early in its drinking window if broaching again in the next 2 or 3 years would recommend a 4 hour decant. (91 pts.)
- 2001 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Feels quite cabernet dominant on the nose, there are hints of ginger a little rhubarb coulis sweetness and a little coconut. Palate is rich, long and spicy. Definitely something exotic. With time just a hint of redcurrant schnapps. My second favourite wine of the night. (93 pts.)
Pontet Canet - 2000 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Smoky, red fruited, spicy and rich on the nose. With air a touch of Mellow Birds coffee and some bright redcurrant fruit. Palate shows resolved tannins with a peppery lift. Very good persistence and so more-ish. 15 years ahead of it at least. (92 pts.)
- 2001 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Adore this. Some capsicum, a Grape Nut character and layers of dark fruits. With air there's a little pomegranate purée, some torn fresh coriander and some crumbled Biscoff biscuit. Palate very youthful but has a long future ahead of it. The beguiling nose steals the show for me. In a very, very tight field this is my wine of the night. (94 pts.)
Sauternes - 2001 Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Wow. What a way to end the evening. There is a rhubarb crumble complexity to this on the nose. An amazing texture in the mouth as well. With some air a passion fruit coulis quality emerges. Lovely with the blue cheese. (93 pts.)
Huge thanks to the team for their lovely wines and patience with my white Californian Bordeaux blend ringer. Look forward to more of these in 2024.
Also big thanks to the team at Piccolino who did a great job. |
