An easy afternoon with close friends; Pomerol, Pauillac and Pessac.

In general the formula here is that the host sets a theme and every participant brings a wine of the theme. The host puts a few extra on the table. We taste all wines blind, knowing our own wines. We first taste a little bit in a random order. Then we decide together in which order the wines will be tasted again and after that revealed. In this group we do not use spittoons, so the number of bottles is limited. We don’t empty the bottles, but leave the leftovers for the host to taste again the next day, or take home the bottle we brought. In fact this easy setting where we taste the wines several times over 4 – 6 hours is the ultimate way to get a good impression of a wine.

• 1981 Château Pontet-Canet

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Mature bouquet with tobacco, mushrooms, autumn forest and rustic impressions. On the palate red berries, a bit dusty and rustic. Some celery. Old age acidity and hardly any tannin left. Very mature and still alive, but no score.

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• 1998 Château Balestard La Tonnelle 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Mature bouquet with ripe red berries and some bell pepper. On the palate red and dark berries, a touch of sweetness, licorice and graphite, juicy acidity and slightly sticky tannin.

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• 2004 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Dark berries, graphite, tobacco, vanilla and licorice in the complex bouquet. On the palate dark berries, leather, tobacco, beautiful acidity, a touch of pleasant bitterness and a good length. The tannin still has a pleasant bite, but it is ok that this is my last bottle. Beautiful, mature and elegant wine. 91

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• 2004 Château Pontet-Canet 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  In the bouquet dark berries, licorice, vanilla, graphite and sweet spices. On the palate juicy dark berries, firm and good acidity and tannin, some red berries and graphite. Good length. The wine is in its adolescent stage and still has power for at least another 4 - 5+ years. 92 - 93

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• 2003 Château La Conseillante 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  In the bouquet creamy dark and red berries, smoke, toast and tobacco. On the palate juicy dark berries, graphite, vanilla, dark chocolate, a touch of sweetness and beautiful acidity. Very tasty and a good length. The wine is ready now and can easily last another 2 – 3 years, Beautiful and elegant wine. 93+

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• 2005 Domaine de Chevalier 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  What a coincidence; the same wine as 17 days ago and tasted blind from another source. The tasting note was more or less the same. Still a powerful wine with a great future.

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• 2009 Château Vray Croix de Gay 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Aromatic bouquet with dark berries and licorice. Beautiful and also a bit rustic bouquet. On the palate juicy dark berries, a touch of sweet anise. Vanilla, beautiful acidity and a good concentration. Really beautiful wine.

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