Bordeaux 2009 and some 08's (at the lower end)
Pat O'Briens
Tasted Thursday, May 3, 2012 by Loren Sonkin with 733 views
Introduction
Last night I attended a tasting of some recently arrived 2009 Bordeauxs and a few 08's. This was at a wine store and done in a friendly, casual walk around environment. It represented my first opportunity to really try this vintage. The wines were almost all good and I look forward to owning some. The pricing is an issue for me as few of these would fall into my daily drink category. I have listed the prices they quoted last night. Ohio is one of the most expensive places to buy Bordeaux (due in large part to state mandated pricing), so I assume these can be found for less in the free world. It is beyond the control of the retailer and while I try to shop local, some of these wines have just been priced to the point, where I can find better value elsewhere. Still, the tasting reminded me that in great vintages, there can be value at the bottom.
2011 Maison Sichel Bordeaux Blanc Sirius 84 Points
France, Bordeaux
Nice white to start the evening. These is plenty of yellow grapefruit on the nose. A nice jolt of acidity. Falls away a bit on the palate. Fun wine to start an evening. ($13 Ohio).
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2009 Château Reynon Blanc 88 Points
France, Bordeaux
I preferred this. Perhaps it was the age, but the fruit seemed more restrained and the wine more in balance. Nice grapefruit notes and a bit of lemon. There is an undertone of slate/minerals that is very nice. Enough acidity to get the juices flowing. Nice crisp finish. ($20 Ohio)
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2009 Château La Hase 85 Points
France, Bordeaux
An earthy nose. The fruit is very ripe as well. On the palate, this is easy to drink. Simple, but pleasurable. What I expect out of basic Bordeaux in 09. ($16 Ohio).
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2009 Château de Prieurs 78 Points
France, Bordeaux
This bottle is weak. The nose has an aquarium note that is just odd. No fruit to speak of. On the palate, there is some fruit. Simple raspberry notes and even a bit of tobacco. Its drying. Then, there is a ton of heat that comes from nowhere on the back end. Easy pass for me on this one. ($10 Ohio)
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2009 Château La Clare 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc
The nose has a touch to much oak showing itself as a spice box. There is some nice cassis fruit. On the palate, this is medium weight but a nice juicy texture. Good solid fruit; cassis and cherries. Nice finish. Nice wine.
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2009 A Nos Amour 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur
This is a different wine. Blind, I would have guessed an Aussie Shiraz. It is inky purple in color. The nose is all about black raspberries. It is very smooth and easy to drink. Not complex, but delicious. This was a crowd pleaser for sure. ($25 Ohio)
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2009 Château Haut-Bages Libéral 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Very nice showing for this wine. The nose has cassis and a bit of a wet forest floor scent. Nice. On the palate, it has a medium body. Already showing a nice complexity. Good cassis fruit. Lovely texture. Long finish. My favorite WOTN. ($70 Ohio)
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2009 Château Argadens 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur
Nice nose of raspberries and some cassis. Also some green tobacco. On the palate, this is ripe, sweet and easy. Nothing wrong with that. It has a medium weight. The info we got said Margaux, but I did not look closely to check. ($17 Ohio)
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2008 Château La Gurgue 85 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
The nose is dusty with some cassis. This is a nice solid wine. Not showing any complexity, so I doubt it ever will. Certainly drinking fine right now. Cassis fruit. A bit clipped on the finish. ($30 Ohio)
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2008 Château Croix Mouton (Jean-Philippe Janoueix) 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur
Always a good value play in Bordeaux, this is a good wine. It would have been interesting to try the 09 next to it, but I suppose they need to move this first. The nose has some black cherries and a bit of charred oak. On the palate, this wine is soft and easy to drink. There is a bit of complexity here. Its in a good spot and ready to go. ($20 Ohio)
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2008 Château Lalande-Borie 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
This was very nice. The nose has black raspberries and is vibrant. Also a bit of cocoa (Merlot?). On the palate, this has a juicy acidity which is very nice at this point in the tasting. This wine drinks young and seems like it has some stuffing to improve for the next 5 to 7 years. Very good. An example of an 08 that, for the right price, is worth owning. ($40 Ohio)
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2008 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Croix de Beaucaillou 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Always one of my favorite second wines. The price has also not soared to the extent of many second labels although it is still pricey. Nice cassis fruit with some pencil lead. Also some sandalwood. On the palate, this is full bodied. Very nice texture. Still very young and in need of age.
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2009 Château Paveil de Luze 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Cassis and cherries on the nose. Also some cedar notes. On the palate, this is accesible but already showing some complexity. Very easy to drink but worth paying attention to. Some tannins, so it probably gets better, but I don't see holding this more than 5 to 7 years, but that's fine. Its delicious today. This used to be a yearly purchase but the price is getting troublesome. ($33 Ohio)
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