Older Bordeaux Tasting

Tasting of various older Bordeaux wines with food by Mila.
Wines opened 12 hours in advance; generally not decanted, except the Lynch Bages which was double-decanted.

Clos du Marquis, Sociando-Mallet, d'Armailac

• 2000 Clos du Marquis 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Dark ruby with even edge. Dark, closed fruit. Round but not forthcoming. Not sure of the potential here... may just need more time?

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• 2000 Château Sociando-Mallet 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  Dark ruby. Fragrant, peppery, attractive bouquet. 55% cabernet, 40% merlot, 5% cab franc. Maturing, but has further depth to go. Drinking well, but I would wait on it.

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• 2000 Château d'Armailhac 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Dark ruby with no sign of bricking. 52% cab, 48% merlot. Restrained, well balanced with good fruit and tannic backbone. To watch for further development; somewhat reticent now.

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Troplong Mondot, Quinallt l'Enclos, Monbousquet (all Saint-Emilion).
The Troplong and Quinalt showed depth and some elegance, but were mostly closed in and unforthcoming. The Monbousquet seemed the clear winner here; beginning to open, but still has substantial upside for cellaring.

• 1998 Château Monbousquet 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Medium/deep ruby. Beautiful, full structure and balance. Attractive nose with round fruit and underlying structure. Has length and strength to age further, but very attractive now. Personally, I would give it 5 more years.

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Clearly these two were the best of the night (along with the Monbousquet, tasted earlier).
Argues for waiting on the 2000's, I would say.

• 1989 Château Olivier 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Marvelous! Dark ruby with strong edge. Dark, round fruit with no sign of down-side. Fragrance and subtlety beginning to appear, but has length and depth to age further. Ullage was halfway up the neck; in fine condition.

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• 1989 Château Lynch-Bages 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Deep, dark ruby with firm color throughout. Somewhat restrained but deep fruit with ample tannins and acidity for further aging. Needs air at this point; opens with 30+ minutes in the glass (bottle was double decanted). Very fine. Suggest 3-5+ more years at least.

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The last three tasted of the night were the best this evening, in my view (not alone). The 1989's were showing quite well, but still have room for development. No rush on those. The 2000's all seemed rather closed in at present, arguing for more ageing. The 1998's also need some time, but don't seem to have quite the stuffing of the 2000's.