Bordeaux
Tasted Thursday, October 12, 2017 by chatters with 261 views
Another day in paradise...Cheval Blanc for lunch then Chateau Pavie and Chateau Penin (on the wrong side of the river) followed by degustation at the rather impressive Garopapilles
Lunch - langoustine with carrot terrine (which was glorious), veal on mushroom and beetroot, chestnut tart, cheese.
Big discrepancy between the two 2000's...the technical director blustered his way through it, bless his cotton socks...
The most robotic guide ever. There was a lovely moment in the winery when she told us that they never do pumping over or rack and return in order to be as gentle as possible with the wine...whilst a cellar rat was doing a pump over 20 meters away over her shoulder...oops! Having said that we did try some lovely (though impressively youthful) wines.
This one was a bit more off the beaten track but a truer representation of the vast majority of what is made in Bordeaux. Such an education, again...this time the pure openness about wine making - oh, yes, here is my microbullage machine and, yes, of course we use American oak, do I innoculate? Not if I can get away with it but, yes, mostly...Lovely visit.
A load of us, at Peter's suggestion, headed off for degustation at Garopapilles. Lots of posh food with matching wines…all of which were pretty handy. After supps me and Michelle fancied another drink (not that we needed one) so off we went for a cheeky (and ultimately disappointing) Beaujolais…
Crikey, what a lovely day...just brilliant...again...
2014 Le Petit Cheval Bordeaux Blanc
France, Bordeaux
Initially quite herby but, with time in the glass and some agitation , it gets some passion fruit. Plenty of fruit on the palate moved to juicy acidity and a little bitterness on the finish. Exceedingly well balanced…one of those evaporating bottles.
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2011 Château Quinault L'Enclos
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Softy, juicy plums on the nose. Cream and a touch of raspberry back this up. More of the same on the palate. Soft, easy, tannic burr, Medium plus length with a touch of warm on the finish. Nicely done.
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2008 Le Petit Cheval
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Very slightly dusty, touch of cocoa powder then Ribena over plum with mint and spice. Softening but still quite primary on the nose. In the mouth a little tertiary leather comes through, tannins are still chalky, savoury and quite tight still.
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2006 Château Cheval Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Aromas of mint, blackcurrant, slightly peppery spice, and some cocoa powder, graphite and pencil shavings. Juicy and fleshy, lashings of primary fruit, breadth on the mid palate with chamois soft taninns, very long , beautifully balanced….wonderful
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2000 Château Cheval Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Meaty, savoury, earthy over sweet ripe berry fruit, spice, leather, creamy with touches of vanilla on the nose. Juicy acidity, gritty taninns, sweet fruit vs aged characteristics; leathery, a little dirty farmyard as well. Though long and balanced it doesn't work for me especially when compared to the 2006. Very forward indeed for what it is. This was confirmed when I tried the other wine (two bottles were opened) this was confirmed.
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2000 Château Cheval Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Just beginning to show some tertiary leatheryness. For me this is more like an extension of the 2006 albeit a more powerful version. Taninns are bolder as well as the acidity. Just generally 'more' all round. Very nice indeed.
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