Bordeaux at Hawksmoor

Tasted Monday, March 20, 2023 by Joshvoulters with 123 views

Introduction

Taking full advantage of Hawksmoor's £5 corkage mondays and the generosity of the TWS tasting group in sharing the contents of their cellars.

Flight 1 - Bordeaux Blanc (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Young n' Old (2 Notes)

  • 2015 Château Le Prieuré St. Émilion Grand Cru 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Ripe Merlot then! Plush, rich and chocolatey, violets, and a pure green pepper note. Some ripe raspberry and darker plum. Tannins are generous, encapsulated by the density of the fruit. The alcohol feels a bit spiky and volatile - you'd guess more than the 14.5% on the label, finish is slightly abrupt. Quite loveable in a smack you round the face kind of way, but a bit much right now and the alcohol heat throws it off slightly

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  • 1973 Château Fonbadet 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Very much alive and belies its 50 years. Meaty, gamey, a little olive brine and of course dusty, woody age to the fore. Quite sweet and pure on the palate, energetic and tannins nicely resolved. A real treat.

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Flight 3 - The '01s (2 Notes)

  • 2001 Château Rauzan-Ségla 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Clean, pulpy, aromatic and pure. Exuberant on the nose, it's ripe, perfumed and actually kind of fun. Well-behaved on the palate: blue fruits, fine but present tannins, high acidity and medium body. This has decades to go still

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  • 2001 Château Léoville Barton 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    At first I found this too straight laced and unyielding. But it really rewards persistence: buttoned up at first but it has inner depths and a cool complexity. Introvert but it rewards leaning in. There's a quiet richness and an inner power that's still unfurling. The delineation is quite special - blackcurrant, herbal notes, a touch of tertiary development, classy oak integration. The tannins still need time, the whole wine still needs time. Nowhere near its peak. This one really stayed with me - loved it

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Flight 4 - The '05s (2 Notes)

  • 2005 Château Langoa Barton 89 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    This probably suffered in comparison to some really special wines on the night, and the '05 vintage isn't really to my taste - but I found this quite rich, pulpy and slightly simple. Tasty yes but I'm looking for complexity and interest from a wine of this calibre

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  • 2005 Château Léoville Barton 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Great counterpoint to the 2001 vintage of the same wine - this is fruitier, more open, softer and more floral. Less distinctive and refined- and frankly less interesting.

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Flight 5 - Cos d'Estournel (2 Notes)

  • 2001 Château Cos d'Estournel 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Friendly, open, sweet and savoury fruit on the nose, vanilla present, some smoke and leather. Tastes young, fruit-forward on the palate, broad and grippy. Really incredibly young for a 20+ year wine

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  • 1988 Château Cos d'Estournel 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Smoky savoury cured meats, antique wood and boot polish. Resolved on the palate, smooth and balanced. Savoury with tannins and acid giving this life: long finish

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Flight 6 - Sauternes (1 Note)

  • 2006 Château Coutet Barsac 89 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

    Rubber, saffron on the nose. Deep and zesty. Balance is a bit off: very sweet, rich and palate-coating without the requisite acidity to provide freshness. Not quite cloying but not far off. Burnt sugar finish is quite satisfying.

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