Bordeaux Tasting at MHP

MHP
Tasted Friday, June 5, 2009 by Benj with 397 views

Introduction

A follow-up to the first tasting I hosted here in February. Another success, it seems. The first 6 tasted blind, the Coutet not.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

Flight 2 (4 Notes)

  • 1994 Château Haut-Brion 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Nose: potent, big, brooding campfire, spiced wood, leather, blackcurrant and touches of molasses and tobacco. Well-balanced palate with sweet spiced fruit and a lot of smoke. Clearly has power and pedigree compared to the other wines of this tasting. 20 second finish. Outstanding stuff at this point but is still full of life and probably has not quite reached its peak. Has the tannin to get there, though not one for the ultra-long haul. Very impressive.

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  • 2002 Château Fournas Bernadotte 84 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    This feels tired and lifeless. Some good plummy fruit but no real sign of secondary flavours here. Low tannin, med acid, a little rough around the edges, pretty short finish. A bit disappointing.

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  • 2006 Klein Constantia Marlbrook 88 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia

    Phew, didn't give this one time to breathe and regretted it. This is a big boy. Incredibly dark colour, nose of asphalt, liquorice, slight medicinal kick and intense fruit. A huge amount of oak on the palate with brambles and dark, dark fruit. Medium-high tannin, medium-high acid, 15.0% alcohol. This needs time. 88 at the moment but IF it calms down and develops a bit more this could probably push 90.

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  • 2006 Averys Bordeaux Fine Claret 85 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    Surprisingly good. Nose of salty sea, plums and red berries. Fruity, inoffensive palate that is actually recognisable as Bordeaux - has some touches of the classic tobacco and spiced wood. Easy drinking and reasonable value, though I probably won't buy this again.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

  • 1996 Château Coutet Barsac 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

    Exquisite balance. The sweet / acid balance here has just been exceptionally handled. Lots of spicy botrytis on the nose. Apricots, nectarines, honey and a floral touch. Good finish. Very well made, not a powerhouse and wouldn't mind a bit more intensity, but oh, the balance!

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Closing

Prize bottle of Champagne went to Pippa for identifying both the high end bottle and the non-Bordeaux bottle.

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