Dark ruby hue. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, earthy, leather, pepper, plum. Plus body, plus tannins, plus acidity. Balanced with a long finish. Bold and smooth. Eminently drinkable now, but well worth cellaring. 49% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.
2019 Bordeaux Tasting, MW tasting (Vintner's Hall, London): 49% Mer 39% CF 12% CS, 14% Big bold nose, juicy black fruit, toatst, beautiful fragrant pyrazinge notes Palate is greener than the nose, capsicum, big bold palate, fine oak frame, black fruit liqueuer, med finish
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Typical modern style, Merlot-driven Bdx. Good fruit, develops nicely over 3 days. Red fruits dominating. Tannins very well integrated, good structure but a little bit of heat, which nearly disappears on day 2 and 3. Will surely come together over the next 10 years. Needs a lot of time but all in all a drinkable modern wine already...
However this was restrained. Clearly old world merlot dominated, the nose had either too much wood or even cork. My buddies said it was ok. Maybe it needed some more decanting.
Bought at Koelner Weinkeller (Schatzkammer) in May 2023 for 90 €, which is also the current market value.
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Truth be told, this has never been one of my favorite St.-Emilions, nor even my favorite of the Canons - the style is just a bit much on the slick and modern side. Still, this won me over. It opens up sweet and fruity but given some air to compose itself, it remains a rich and large-scaled wine, but turns robust and nicely defined and toned - no glop. It's dark-fruited and inky in saturation, perhaps flirts with excessive sweetness but the other elements stop it from crossing the line. There are a lot of interesting non-fruit elements that are hard to put my finger on, for example a scorched character evoking a nice charcoal-grilled steak crust that probably owes something to the barrel toast, but without much actual woody flavor. It's quite savory despite the fruit intensity and that, combined with the well-tailored mouthfeel, ultimately makes this come across as quite sophisticated and luxe. I'm just hoping it stays that way after all the slick fruit ages out.
Purity of fruit, soft supple layering. Everything seems to be right in place for this wine to age into something really special. We had this next to the 2018 Mt. Brave, and there was a mix as to which was best. Neither. It comes down to preference and taste. What a wine to drink young, but I can't wait to try this again in a few years, if I can wait that is.
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Another wine in my continuing series of disappointing Right Banks from the '19 vintage. Not rated as I feel as though I got a different wine in the bottle than others on CT were gushing over. I don't think this was technically flawed, but just so extremely ripe and so much new lumber as to be about undrinkable on the first night (after a several hr decant) but a little better on the second. I know it just needs lots of time, but the apricot and citrus/marmalade notes on the nose made me think of botrytis and blind I might have figured this was either a young Sauternes or an uber ripe, overoaked white burg or CA chardonnay, which worries me in a young, red Bordeaux. Hopefully in time the oak integrates and all that fruit gives way to some secondary nuance ...
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UGC 2019 Singapore (Singapore): Wow - first GC Bordeaux under Diam cork that I have seen. Hope other follow soon! The wine is better balanced than some of the earlier St. Emilion at this UGC. This is also bigger on the palate and with good length. Well done and not overworked. 92-93
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This is so right on the money for me. Its clearly a Bordeaux from the nose, to the finish. The embrace of traditional flavor profiles have this tasting more like a Pomerol than a SE when compared to its oak hungry peers and even compared to the new and modern wines of Pomerol for that matter. We have an unmistakable earthy bouquet filled with tobacco and clay, coming off of a wine that is rich in earthy fruit and warm clay with tremendous drive and power. A bruising long finish that echoes the freshness of the wine, anchored in well hidden, but present acidity. Well done! A case for me please. Drink or HOLD
UGC Bordeaux (Union Station - Chicago IL): Walk around tasting. Ripe and fun, showing cassis, black plum and dark chocolate. Certainly fun in its youth, but there is plenty of density with enough background structure for long-term aging.
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The color of a dark ruby, the first thing you notice is the perfume with all of its flowers, chalk, licorice, mint, smoke and dark plummy notes. On the palate, the wine is supple, fresh, ,concentrated, silky and soft. The fruit shows purity, freshness and spice with a finish packed with roasted cherries and blackberry with just a touch of mint and Indian peppers in the endnote. The wine should age and evolve for 30 years, though it should drink well with 5-7 years in the cellar. Drink from 2025-2049
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Arvi Bordeaux 2019 Arrivage (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note: Very classic profile, fresh and light red berry fruit, fresh green herbs. Nice and juicy with a welcoming sweetness to it. Lightly structure and almost playful with fine layers. A big step-up from the 2018 in my view.
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Bordeaux 2019 - 15 red / 2 white / 4 sweet wines: UCG Arrivage Tasting. A few observations on the red wines: 1) Overall quality: 2019 is indeed another great vintage for Bordeaux reds. The quality was good across the board. 2) Ripeness: 2019 is less ripe than 2015/2018. Out of 15 wines only one (Gazin) showed overripe. But 2016 still wins in this category with the freshest and purest fruit expression. 2019 is in between 2015/2016. 3) Complexity: 2019 will not reach the heights of 2016 but is almost on par with 2015/2018, although the latter one will need to flesh out for quite some time reveal all nuances. 4) Precision: I found superb precision in many wines, however, again not on the level of 2016. 5) Structural frame: The tannins are ripe and very fine, the acidity is generally high (but not as high as in 2016), the texture is nicely airy (unlike with many 15s/18s), no alcohol heat (a problem in 2018) and the wines are very harmonious. 6) Best wines tasted were a magical Canon (96+ pts), a superb Leoville Barton (95 pts). Unfortunately, they were all out of Pichon Lalande - supposedly one of the wines of the vintage.
TN: There is a lot of buzz around this Chateaux and all the improvements and changes happening there. This was good but in no way close to what the Canon delivered right before. Medium expressive on the nose with ripe but not too ripe dark fruit, vegetal, meaty notes and a layer of minerality. Not super polished and clean on the nose but the complexity is quite intriguing. The palate showed quite different and more like so many St. Emilions these days: lots of ripe, mostly red fruit and sweet sugary notes are completely dominating at this point. My guess is that over time, the wine will flesh out and give the more savoury and mineral aromas more space, making the wine more attractive and interesting. The tannin structure is impeccable with round velvety tannins but an acidity that is not perfectly integrated yet. Overall a solid effort. 91-92 pts.
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Bordeaux 2019 from barrel (From various locations, finally putting together these wine reviews): Here the bottle temperature was fresh from a temperature controlled cellar, so ideal and what a difference! This is delicious and counts among the best en primeur I recall from this estate. Opulent and balanced, with loads of ripe and delectable fruit and balancing acidity, with a fine and long finish. Bravo! Crus et Domaines de France tasting. 94-96
Deep in color, initially you notice mint, flowers, forest leaf and red and black fruits. Rich, supple, silky and fresh, with an opulent, fruit-filled mid-palate and finish, the chalky sensations coming from crushed rocks, stone and a hint of spice with more of that gorgeous mint and pure pit fruits taste and feels just great in the finish. The wine was made from blending 49% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. 95-97 Pts
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4/13/2024 - WhooskeyWine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark ruby hue. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, earthy, leather, pepper, plum. Plus body, plus tannins, plus acidity. Balanced with a long finish. Bold and smooth. Eminently drinkable now, but well worth cellaring. 49% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.
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10/31/2023 - kostaslonis wrote:
2019 Bordeaux Tasting, MW tasting (Vintner's Hall, London): 49% Mer 39% CF 12% CS, 14%
Big bold nose, juicy black fruit, toatst, beautiful fragrant pyrazinge notes
Palate is greener than the nose, capsicum, big bold palate, fine oak frame, black fruit liqueuer, med finish
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6/7/2023 - Chrysostomus Likes this wine: 93 Points
Typical modern style, Merlot-driven Bdx. Good fruit, develops nicely over 3 days. Red fruits dominating. Tannins very well integrated, good structure but a little bit of heat, which nearly disappears on day 2 and 3. Will surely come together over the next 10 years. Needs a lot of time but all in all a drinkable modern wine already...
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5/20/2023 - _Xenon wrote: 92 Points
Gentlemen's birthday weekend - wine tasting journey: Liguria & the Cote d'Azur; 5/18/2023-5/20/2023 (Perinaldo, Liguria, Italy & Cote d'Azur France): I am a big fan of this wine - had fantastic memories with 2009 on the very top!
However this was restrained. Clearly old world merlot dominated, the nose had either too much wood or even cork. My buddies said it was ok. Maybe it needed some more decanting.
Bought at Koelner Weinkeller (Schatzkammer) in May 2023 for 90 €, which is also the current market value.
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4/10/2023 - Keith Levenberg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Truth be told, this has never been one of my favorite St.-Emilions, nor even my favorite of the Canons - the style is just a bit much on the slick and modern side. Still, this won me over. It opens up sweet and fruity but given some air to compose itself, it remains a rich and large-scaled wine, but turns robust and nicely defined and toned - no glop. It's dark-fruited and inky in saturation, perhaps flirts with excessive sweetness but the other elements stop it from crossing the line. There are a lot of interesting non-fruit elements that are hard to put my finger on, for example a scorched character evoking a nice charcoal-grilled steak crust that probably owes something to the barrel toast, but without much actual woody flavor. It's quite savory despite the fruit intensity and that, combined with the well-tailored mouthfeel, ultimately makes this come across as quite sophisticated and luxe. I'm just hoping it stays that way after all the slick fruit ages out.
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2/12/2023 - stschutz Likes this wine: 95 Points
Purity of fruit, soft supple layering. Everything seems to be right in place for this wine to age into something really special. We had this next to the 2018 Mt. Brave, and there was a mix as to which was best. Neither. It comes down to preference and taste. What a wine to drink young, but I can't wait to try this again in a few years, if I can wait that is.
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12/8/2022 - Everything Ahead wrote:
Another wine in my continuing series of disappointing Right Banks from the '19 vintage. Not rated as I feel as though I got a different wine in the bottle than others on CT were gushing over. I don't think this was technically flawed, but just so extremely ripe and so much new lumber as to be about undrinkable on the first night (after a several hr decant) but a little better on the second. I know it just needs lots of time, but the apricot and citrus/marmalade notes on the nose made me think of botrytis and blind I might have figured this was either a young Sauternes or an uber ripe, overoaked white burg or CA chardonnay, which worries me in a young, red Bordeaux. Hopefully in time the oak integrates and all that fruit gives way to some secondary nuance ...
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12/3/2022 - pavel_p Likes this wine: 92 Points
UGC 2019 Singapore (Singapore): Wow - first GC Bordeaux under Diam cork that I have seen. Hope other follow soon! The wine is better balanced than some of the earlier St. Emilion at this UGC. This is also bigger on the palate and with good length. Well done and not overworked. 92-93
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7/2/2022 - Purple Tooth wrote: 97 Points
This is so right on the money for me. Its clearly a Bordeaux from the nose, to the finish. The embrace of traditional flavor profiles have this tasting more like a Pomerol than a SE when compared to its oak hungry peers and even compared to the new and modern wines of Pomerol for that matter. We have an unmistakable earthy bouquet filled with tobacco and clay, coming off of a wine that is rich in earthy fruit and warm clay with tremendous drive and power. A bruising long finish that echoes the freshness of the wine, anchored in well hidden, but present acidity. Well done! A case for me please. Drink or HOLD
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6/28/2022 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
UGC Bordeaux (Union Station - Chicago IL): Walk around tasting. Ripe and fun, showing cassis, black plum and dark chocolate. Certainly fun in its youth, but there is plenty of density with enough background structure for long-term aging.
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3/29/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
The color of a dark ruby, the first thing you notice is the perfume with all of its flowers, chalk, licorice, mint, smoke and dark plummy notes. On the palate, the wine is supple, fresh, ,concentrated, silky and soft. The fruit shows purity, freshness and spice with a finish packed with roasted cherries and blackberry with just a touch of mint and Indian peppers in the endnote. The wine should age and evolve for 30 years, though it should drink well with 5-7 years in the cellar. Drink from 2025-2049
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3/15/2022 - ThijsV Likes this wine: 92 Points
Union des Grands Cru de Bordeaux (Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam, NL): Trade tasting, no detailed notes. Cherry, plum, floral. 92+
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3/15/2022 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 Points
Amsterdam UGCB Tasting (Beurs van Berlage): Ripe fruit, sexy oak, clear touch of warmth, firm but ripe tannins, dried up finish.
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11/15/2021 - sirpat00 wrote: 95 Points
Arvi Bordeaux 2019 Arrivage (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Very classic profile, fresh and light red berry fruit, fresh green herbs. Nice and juicy with a welcoming sweetness to it. Lightly structure and almost playful with fine layers. A big step-up from the 2018 in my view.
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11/15/2021 - Cailles wrote: 91 Points
Bordeaux 2019 - 15 red / 2 white / 4 sweet wines: UCG Arrivage Tasting. A few observations on the red wines: 1) Overall quality: 2019 is indeed another great vintage for Bordeaux reds. The quality was good across the board. 2) Ripeness: 2019 is less ripe than 2015/2018. Out of 15 wines only one (Gazin) showed overripe. But 2016 still wins in this category with the freshest and purest fruit expression. 2019 is in between 2015/2016. 3) Complexity: 2019 will not reach the heights of 2016 but is almost on par with 2015/2018, although the latter one will need to flesh out for quite some time reveal all nuances. 4) Precision: I found superb precision in many wines, however, again not on the level of 2016. 5) Structural frame: The tannins are ripe and very fine, the acidity is generally high (but not as high as in 2016), the texture is nicely airy (unlike with many 15s/18s), no alcohol heat (a problem in 2018) and the wines are very harmonious. 6) Best wines tasted were a magical Canon (96+ pts), a superb Leoville Barton (95 pts). Unfortunately, they were all out of Pichon Lalande - supposedly one of the wines of the vintage.
TN: There is a lot of buzz around this Chateaux and all the improvements and changes happening there. This was good but in no way close to what the Canon delivered right before. Medium expressive on the nose with ripe but not too ripe dark fruit, vegetal, meaty notes and a layer of minerality. Not super polished and clean on the nose but the complexity is quite intriguing. The palate showed quite different and more like so many St. Emilions these days: lots of ripe, mostly red fruit and sweet sugary notes are completely dominating at this point. My guess is that over time, the wine will flesh out and give the more savoury and mineral aromas more space, making the wine more attractive and interesting. The tannin structure is impeccable with round velvety tannins but an acidity that is not perfectly integrated yet. Overall a solid effort. 91-92 pts.
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9/29/2020 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine: 95 Points
Bordeaux 2019 from barrel (From various locations, finally putting together these wine reviews): Here the bottle temperature was fresh from a temperature controlled cellar, so ideal and what a difference! This is delicious and counts among the best en primeur I recall from this estate. Opulent and balanced, with loads of ripe and delectable fruit and balancing acidity, with a fine and long finish. Bravo! Crus et Domaines de France tasting. 94-96
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6/8/2020 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
Deep in color, initially you notice mint, flowers, forest leaf and red and black fruits. Rich, supple, silky and fresh, with an opulent, fruit-filled mid-palate and finish, the chalky sensations coming from crushed rocks, stone and a hint of spice with more of that gorgeous mint and pure pit fruits taste and feels just great in the finish. The wine was made from blending 49% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. 95-97 Pts
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6/5/2020 - schneesurfer Likes this wine: 92 Points
More black than red berries, a bit marmelade. Fine Ttannins with a medium finish. Not hedonistic enough for me. 92-93
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9/10/2019 - "Rhône Rider" wrote: 93 Points
Litt ekstrahert, men flott søtlig frukt og deiglig struktur. 92-93
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