Grande Bordeaux Tasting, 2009
Harbour Grand Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tasted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by DonalOB with 1,200 views
Introduction
Big event - hundreds milling about. We even spied James Suckling working his way through the tables.
It took us quite a while to get through this, the crowd getting merrier as we progressed - lots of dark lips and cheesy grins.
I've divided it into two flights: the red/whites and the sweets as we had a short respite in between.
None of the scores are to be taken seriously; I'm not good enough at judging big wines this young and there were a lot.
Flight 1 (34 Notes)
Flight 2 (4 Notes)
Closing
Can't wait for the Bordeaux 2010 event next year - should be a cool contrast.
2009 Château Fourcas Dupré 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Listrac-Médoc
Strawberry. Not complex. Slightly hot on the finish.
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2009 Château Citran 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
I found this overly-tannic and bitter.
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2009 Château Clinet 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
This was tannic but smooth. A deep colour. It will take a while for this to settle down.
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2009 Château Gazin Pomerol 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Very smooth and round. This is ready to drink now!
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2009 Château La Conseillante 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Young but fresh, zingy and already complex.
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2009 Château Troplong Mondot 97 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Powerful nose of cassis, leather and spice. Chocolate as well.
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2009 Château Figeac 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Elegant nose. Round with a good finish.
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2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Quite course tannins still but complex and deep.
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2009 Château Pape Clément Blanc 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tropical fruit in nature with some plum and apricot as well. Nicely balanced with the acidity.
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2009 Château Pape Clément 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Big cab taste, although currently very tannic and a little bitter. It's good but this needs time.
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2009 Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion Blanc 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
This is open already with peach and pear. It will probably be for the short haul.
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2009 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tropical fruit at the moment with pineapple. Apparently will close in 2-3 years for up to 10 years then open again with fruit and tertiary complexity. I'm delighted to hear that :-)
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2009 Domaine de Chevalier 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Very good. Smooth with lots of tannins. Needs 10 years but good body, mid-palate and length.
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2009 Château Poujeaux 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Moulis en Médoc
Open already, low tannins, styled for early drinking. Very nice - great value.
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2009 Clos Fourtet 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Complex, full-bodied and round. Tannins are hidden behind the fruit.
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2009 Château Cantenac Brown 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Quite nice. Perhaps a little unbalanced at the moment.
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2009 Château du Tertre 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
A bit thin and bitter.
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2009 Château Giscours 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Smooth, velvet tannins; not powerful but good length. Rather elegant and, refreshingly, no alcohol burn.
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2009 Château Rauzan-Ségla 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Very nice - layers already.
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2009 Château Canon 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Very spicy, nice tannins, good finish. Could almost be drunk now but better in five years.
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2009 Château Lascombes 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Very nice. Floral nose - round and full on palate.
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2009 Château Talbot 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Decent claret but nothing outstanding.
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2009 Château Saint-Pierre 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
The nose was average but the palate knocked me out. Full-bodied and highly extracted, this explodes with flavours. This had good acidity and was balanced. Not for all tastes though.
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2009 Château Langoa Barton 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Lovely nose. Already open with nice balance. Usually opens earlier than its stablemate the Leoville Barton.
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2009 Château Léoville Barton 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
More acidic than the Langoa Barton although a little more closed on the fruit. Very nice though - a good solid claret in the making.
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2009 Château Branaire-Ducru 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
I found this a little hot. OK but not really my thing.
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2009 Château Gruaud Larose 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Was told by the cellar-master, Phillipe Carmagnac, that '09/'10 are the same level of quality, similar to the '89/'90 (actually, he likened it to a blond girl and a brunette).
Nice balance on this with good length.
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2009 Château de Pez 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Ready. Good table drinking if a little extracted.
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2009 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Delicate, beautiful, complete. Patty said 'wow!'.
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2009 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Nice, balanced but not profound.
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2009 Château Ormes de Pez 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Early drinking - not very complex.
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2009 Château Clerc Milon 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Lovely. Very smooth, good body all the way through. Not overripe at all!
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2009 Château d'Armailhac 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Very good nose - complex. Good balance but not great length or body.
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2009 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Decent nose. Solid, grainy tannins, OK length. Rather angular at the moment - heavy on the oak?
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