Bordeaux Left Bank 10 year evaluation

It was time to do a ten year evaluation of a superb vintage and so many celebrations to unite for this: One of the earliest Springs ever here; return of the snowbirds from down South; lets not forget May Day; and several birthdays. The wines were tasted blind, opened two bottles of each wine 10 hours ahead and aerated with the deSign aerator. Event was on 5/2 and accompanied by an Argentinian style parrilla

Champagne opener

• 2000 Château Camensac 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  (5/3/2010)

  Performed amazingly well tasted blind for it's price level on par with wines three times more expensive. Drinking very well now but there are still a few tannins to resolve indicating it will last a few more years. Doubt much improvement coming as the finish drops off. Number 3 wine in flight 1.

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• 2000 Château Siran 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  (5/3/2010)

  Drinking very well with a nice balance of fruit and tannins but seemed to drop off in the finish. Number 4 in flight 1.

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• 2000 Château Ferrière 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  (5/3/2010)

  A pleasant drink but looser of the night in flight 1. When well aereated is seemed to lack concentration and the finish drops off. Smooth and balanced but does not seem to benefit from further aging. Number 5 in flight 1.

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• 2000 Château Rauzan-Ségla 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  (5/3/2010)

  Winner of flight 1 by a long shot. Crowd favorite. Rich fruit on the nose carries onto the palate with bright flavors and good acidity. Tannins still show some firmness and the finish is very long. This will evolve much further.

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• 2000 Château Calon-Ségur 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  (5/3/2010)

  Nose missing and seems in a closed stage. Tastes balanced and medium bodied with a promise of more to come. Number 2 in flight 1.

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• 1996 Duval-Leroy Champagne Brut Millésimé 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  (5/4/2010)

  A touch of yeast with some caramel notes starting to develop. Very good champagne that is just starting its optimal drinking window. Great opener for the evening.

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• NV Duval-Leroy Champagne Brut 85 Points

  France, Champagne

  (5/4/2010)

  A pleasant drink but the toasty fruit has faded a bit.

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• 2000 Château d'Armailhac 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  (5/4/2010)

  Fell a bit short at the end but good dark fruit concentration and still a few tannins to resolve. A couple of people really liked it but overall came in number 6 in flight 2

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• 2000 Château Haut-Bages Libéral 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  (5/4/2010)

  I think this edged out the d'Armailhac because of its balanced fruit and tannin structure that is drinking very smooth. It just didn't have the power and finish to move up the list. Two days later am having a glass right now and is still quite enjoyable but not memorable. Number 5 wine in flight 2.

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• 2000 Château Lynch-Bages 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  (5/4/2010)

  This was amazingly ready to drink but every taste felt like it was holding back further promise. I don't think it was open or aerated enough or perhaps just in a closed stage. The fruit flavors hung in there for a long finish promising a great future. Wine number 4 in flight 2.

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• 2000 Château Léoville Poyferré 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  (5/4/2010)

  Powerful wine with some tannins to resolve. Dark and concentrated with a great finish. Just didn't have the classic expression of the top two wines (but it was a close top three) A group favorite but my number 3 wine of flight 2

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• 2000 Château Pape Clément 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  (5/4/2010)

  This wine just edged out the Leoville Poyferre with its impeccable balance and concentrated dark fruit flavors which really hung in there in the finish. Wine number 2 in flight 2

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• 2000 Château Gruaud Larose 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  (5/4/2010)

  The red fruit aromas hit right off the bat and the taste follows with an incredible brightness on the palate. Outstanding finish that goes on forever. Had a glass tonight two days later and it is the same great wine with a marvelous future. Only eight more bottles, why didn't I buy two cases of futures? My number one wine wine in flight 2. Will have to go back and taste it against the Rauzan-Segla to determine the final winner of the night but after 11 wines and two champagnes it was too much to accomplish on one night.

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The bigger boys showed well in the blind tasting. Two days later I'm still drinking up the leftovers. The Gruaud Larose and Pape Clement are shining. The leftover Ferriere developed much more in the bottle and would have ranked much higher in the flight. I would put it now above the Siran and Camensac but not at the level of the Calon-Segur (this one has also continued to improve but I still prefer the Rauzan-Segla). We never did get to the Sauternes for dessert. Must do this tasting again in five years with the bigger wines.