Bordeaux
Tasted Tuesday, June 14, 2011 - Friday, June 17, 2011 by rocknroller with 1,277 views
This was an absolutely glorious 2 week trip to France capped by 4 days in Bordeaux visiting many of the greatest Chateaux in the world and many of my personal favorites. It was our pleasure to have the opportunity to barrel taste many of the 2010 vintage offerings, they were truly impressive.
Visits to Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion, and Domaine de Chevalier (with winemaker Remy Edange who is remarkable by the way)
Visits to Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron, Chateau Leoville Poyferre, and Chateau Lascombes
Visits to Chateau Pontet-Canet, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and Chateau Cos d'Estournel
Visits to Chateau Angelus and Chateau Figeac
At some point, I would love to add some of the many other wines we drank along the way and in restaurants, there were so many that were quite good. We had some great Sancerre and Chinon while in the Loire. I'm going to miss all the great restaurants in France and Bordeaux, but in particular, Philippe Etchebest 's Hostellerie de Plaisance which was heavenly and Le Saint-Julien with the gracious and talented chef Claud Broussard.
As for the wine of the trip. Well, there were many, and I don't think i could name just one. I will highlight a couple though. The 2010 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc was literally an ethereal wine, pure joy. All of the 2010 offerings were staggeringly good, but the Pontet-Canet stands out the most. Finally, the 1995 Lafite Rothschild was an absolutely beautiful wine.
2007 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
(6/14/2011)
Very dark red color. A blend of 48%M, 43%CS, and 9%CF. This has a gorgeous nose, oozing chocolate, tobacco leaf, cedar, cassis, ripe berries and earth. I find the palate equally inviting, well structured with sweet, integrated tannin, dark red berries, cassis, tobacco, and a subtle scorched earth element. Showing much better right now than the '07 Haut Brion. 94pts.
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2007 Château Haut-Brion 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
(6/14/2011)
Very dark red color. A blend of 44% CS, 43%M, 13%CF. This was far more brooding, not ready to reveal itself yet. Drank side by side with the '07 La Mission Haut Brion. I really waited this out, but it never got close to the aromatics on the LMHB. Nose shows darker fruits, plum, cassis, cigar box, cedar. The palate shows there is some stuffing here: tobacco, plums, cedar, cassis, gravel. The tannins are pretty well integrated and this does have a long finish. 92pts right now, but I expect this to improve 1-2 points with time.
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2004 Domaine de Chevalier 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
(6/14/2011)
Very dark red color. 65%CS, 32%M, 1.5%CF, 1.5%PV. Nose is open, bright and fresh with cedar, cassis, black cherry, earth, crushed gravel. Good depth here, fine tannins that are round, good dark fruit, minerals, tobacco, smoke and cedar, nicely balanced, medium plus finish. I found this to be quite approachable and quite enjoyable now.
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2010 Domaine de Chevalier 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
(6/14/2011)
Dark red purple color. This a blend of 63%CS, 30%M, and 7%PV. Tasted from the barrel, the nose is remarkable, open and showing sweet cassis, florals, blackberry, burnt embers, cedar, and spice. The palate is velvety, the tannins are sweet, prominent, but not gripping or obtrusive, impressive at this stage. Deep, with richness and power. Long finish, really impressive. Loved this. 95-96+pts.
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2010 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 98 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
(6/14/2011)
Medium Gold color. Blend of 85% Sauv Blanc and 15% Semillion Blanc. This is certainly the finest white wine I have had to date. Tasted from the barrel, this was an absolutely ethereal experience. The nose is simply glorious, ridiulously complex, bright, vibrant fruits waft from the glass, incredible white peach aromas, pear, crisp green apple, tropical fruit, minerals, and the florals are amazing. So while I could sit and smell this all day, when this hits the palate it just sings. The fruit bursts like a laser beam, so bright and pure, peach, pear, citrus, tropicals, pineapple - WOW. Then there is this streak of minerality and such crisp clean acidity. Impeccable balance. No bitterness, no edges, and the finish is very long. It is hard to imagine anything better than this. Fabulous, Kudos, 98-100pts.
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