Blind Tasting: Bordeaux No. 4

Fourth practice for the International Bordeaux Tasting Competition. Hanna brought two wines, together with one from the stash.

• 2002 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Appearance: youthful with compact rim and dark and dense purple-ish color. Very little development.
  
  Aroma: first impression - oaky vanilla with red cherry lurking in the background. Not integrated.
  
  Palate: Substantial. Again on the youthful side. High in acidity and tannin. Bright red fruits. After half an hour or 45 minutes, some secondary character detected.
  
  Called: 2009 Pessac Leognan. Totally off. But to my defense, I had a 2002 St Julien on Thanksgiving and it was definitely showing its age - appearance, bouquet, and palate. Clearly this is a much better wine and my palate needed some calibration.

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• 2011 Château Deyrem Valentin 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Appearance: Lighter and more transparent. Scarlet/crimson shade of red.
  
  Aroma: At first, restrained but opened up after half an hour. Definitely, red fruits, potpourri, lightly perfumed.
  
  Palate: gravelly, minerally, red cherry, grainy tannin.
  
  A pleasant wine. My favourite of the night.
  
  Called: 2008 Pauillac. Didn't know why but clearly my description doesn't suggest a powerful, tannic wine.

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• 2009 Château Marsac Séguineau 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Appearance: youthful, transparent, relatively compact rim. Didn't suggest a lot of age.
  
  Nose: closed. Didn't get much at all. After some time, it develops this cheesy/milky bouquet. Not sure if this is a result of oxidation or brett or something else.
  
  Palate: red fruits, plum, integrated tannin, medium acidity.
  
  Called: 2006/7 St Julien.

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