2019 Bordeaux Tasting, MW tasting (Vintner's Hall, London): 65% CS 30% Mer 5% CF, 14% Heavy, heady, ripe fruit notes, black fruit notes, some heavier floral notes, some reduction hints that dont stay for long In the palate, the wine shows breadth, fresh, fruity profile, juicy tannins, full body, long finish
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Dark reddish purple in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of cherries, blueberries & strawberries with overtones of earthy/dusty & floral notes, tobacco, herbs, spices, coffee, minerals, & a bit of cedar in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of cherries, blackcurrants & boysenberries with herbs, minerals, spices & a hint of vanilla/oak. Lingering finish. Drink well at present with decanting & extended airing but should develop further with additional aging at which time it may merit a higher score (93+).
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Lafon-Rochet's 2019 is an opaque crimson blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Vinturi-decanted and allowed three hours in carafe prior to tasting over the next two hours, it flaunts an aromatic profile of dark bramble fruits, blueberries, pencil shavings, tobacco, baking spices and damp earth. Full-bodied, freshly acidic and judiciously oaked, it delivers flavors mirroring the aromas, adding notes of crushed rocks and savory herbs. The alcohol (14%) is well-integrated, while the plentiful tannins are still a bit primitive in texture. Dense on the mid-palate and long on the back end, this is a tremendous young Saint-Estèphe that is worthy of space in any oenophile's cellar. If it fleshes out as anticipated, a classic score will be warranted. Committing infanticide at this early stage is tempting, so if you can't resist, give it as much air as possible. Drink 2027-2049.
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Alla klassiska bdx-markörer finns där: framträdande cederträ och blyerts, björnbär, lite ek och kanske en svag fläkt av tryffel. Ganska bra med syra. Ska tilläggas att den dracks direkt efter öppnandet, ingen dekantering eller längre luftning. För drygt 500:- är det väldigt mycket Bordeaux för pengarna.
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I got six of these so through I'd try one. This is more closed down than most '19s. I decanted for a couple of hours, though not sure it helped much. Has a lot of the typical house style - dark fruit, very cloaked, has a kind of clove and allspice component. I generally really like this producer and find it can be very classy and hedonistic, if given enough time to show what it has. The '10 was a particular standout for me. Price is edging up, but still good value.
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Drank over 3 nights, this seems to have shut down (assuming it was ever open, but based on critics' reviews, I'm assuming this was once the case). Best on the third night, where it shows a ferrous, somewhat smokey. herbal nose. Black raspberry and red currant fruit, minerals, with a chewy finish. A bit old school, this will need time, but certainly has potential. As with nearly every '19, I like this better than its '18 counterpart.
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Very shy and reserved at this stage, one could charitably say subtle but I'd put it more towards the uninteresting side. After a full 24 hours or so of being open hard to pin down the notes but mostly sour cherry with earthy cigar. Tannins at a fairly low intensity as well.
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Surprisingly ready to drink out of the gate, and didn't change much after being open a few hours. Lots of big fruits, from darker (blackberry and cassis) to the red end of things (raspberry). Some molasses. Over time the wood shows through a bit (caramel, coffee), but this is mostly a fruit bomb. A very drinkable wine right now, shockingly, but I am assuming/hoping it will develop more complexity in time. Does not scream LB Bordeaux, or St Estephe, to me at present. Still, a lot of fun. Rating: 91+
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This was a nice surprise from a chateau I haven't had in a long time, and an excellent value at fifty bucks. The expressive, wide-open aromatics feature loads of lead pencil fillings and gravel and are very St.-Estephe. The fruit is laid on thick with deep blueberry and blackberry flavors with a primary sweetness, infused with an equivalently thick coat of woolly tannin.
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Upon opening this wine was uninteresting. Just a lot of dust and tannin, not a lot of fruit. I suspect it is entering a dumb stage. After a good amount of airing it emerged from this dumb stage into a very good wine. Powerful with nice red fruit. I didn't take detailed notes, but I know I enjoyed it with a roast beef dinner.
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Disappointed ☹️. The wine has received raving reviews but I find it lacking. Very discreet, low fruit, slightly green (from stems or the minimal percentage of cab franc?) and warm. Perhaps s defective bottle? My daughter claims so due to earthy cellary vibes which I couldn't detect. But still, low fruit.
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Union des Grands Crus: Impressively monolithic, this sports a classic St Estephe nose, clay and plum. Warm palate - actually a bit hot, which is problematic. 88-89
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Lots of upfront charm here with earth, iron, and soft plush darker fruit wrapped in cedar chest. This drinks well young, unlike the old wines that would take 2 decades to shine. Drink or Hold
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UGC Bordeaux (Union Station - Chicago IL): Walk around tasting. Good combination of ripe and tart black fruit with good weight. Just less complex notes in the forefront or background vs most other wines today. Others liked this more.
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Tasted at the UGC event in NYC. This wine just blew me away. I have always found this very angular and sometimes stiff and always needed lots of bottle time to resolve itself. But this vintage is completly different. I was told that it contains a higher percentage of Merlot. Whatever they have done is amazing. This is a silky sexy glass of wine that is filled with flowers and fruit ( this nose and flavor profile that dominated all these 2019's). The balance is perfect and the tannins are so hidden that you think you are drinking a california fruit bomb, but just as that thought creeps into your ear, Bordeaux bounces back and reminds you of where this comes from. I'd buy this and be glad to drink this wine anytime. Already bought a case and maybe will buy another. 93-94
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Deep in color, the wine exudes black and blue fruit, smoke, spice, tobacco and lilacs on the nose. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and vibrancy, leaving you with layers of ripe, fresh, spicy red fruit with earthy overtones in the endnote. Allow it a few years in the cellar and it should soften and fill out nicely. Drink from 2025-2040.
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94 vvPunkte Wow, die Nase springt aus dem Glas, super-würzig, rote Beeren, Eukalyptus. Im Gaumen sehr frisch, gradlinig, präzis, feinste Gerbstoffe stützen die Frucht, der Wein ist knackig und zeigt Leben, alles ist im Lot. Ein top Lafon-Rochet, Kauftipp! vvWine.ch
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Dark ruby in color, the wine is lush, soft, rounded and concentrated with layers of perfectly ripe, black, red and blue fruit complicated by crushed rocks, stones, smoke and spice-box aromas. Rich, lusciously textured and full-bodied, this is a beautiful expression of Saint Estephe and Lafon Rochet. 93-95 Pts
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10/31/2023 - kostaslonis Likes this wine:
2019 Bordeaux Tasting, MW tasting (Vintner's Hall, London): 65% CS 30% Mer 5% CF, 14%
Heavy, heady, ripe fruit notes, black fruit notes, some heavier floral notes, some reduction hints that dont stay for long
In the palate, the wine shows breadth, fresh, fruity profile, juicy tannins, full body, long finish
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7/27/2023 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark reddish purple in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of cherries, blueberries & strawberries with overtones of earthy/dusty & floral notes, tobacco, herbs, spices, coffee, minerals, & a bit of cedar in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of cherries, blackcurrants & boysenberries with herbs, minerals, spices & a hint of vanilla/oak. Lingering finish. Drink well at present with decanting & extended airing but should develop further with additional aging at which time it may merit a higher score (93+).
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6/26/2023 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lafon-Rochet's 2019 is an opaque crimson blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Vinturi-decanted and allowed three hours in carafe prior to tasting over the next two hours, it flaunts an aromatic profile of dark bramble fruits, blueberries, pencil shavings, tobacco, baking spices and damp earth. Full-bodied, freshly acidic and judiciously oaked, it delivers flavors mirroring the aromas, adding notes of crushed rocks and savory herbs. The alcohol (14%) is well-integrated, while the plentiful tannins are still a bit primitive in texture. Dense on the mid-palate and long on the back end, this is a tremendous young Saint-Estèphe that is worthy of space in any oenophile's cellar. If it fleshes out as anticipated, a classic score will be warranted. Committing infanticide at this early stage is tempting, so if you can't resist, give it as much air as possible. Drink 2027-2049.
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6/25/2023 - LeroyHilarious Likes this wine: 92 Points
Alla klassiska bdx-markörer finns där: framträdande cederträ och blyerts, björnbär, lite ek och kanske en svag fläkt av tryffel. Ganska bra med syra. Ska tilläggas att den dracks direkt efter öppnandet, ingen dekantering eller längre luftning. För drygt 500:- är det väldigt mycket Bordeaux för pengarna.
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5/28/2023 - John McCabe wrote: 92 Points
I got six of these so through I'd try one. This is more closed down than most '19s. I decanted for a couple of hours, though not sure it helped much. Has a lot of the typical house style - dark fruit, very cloaked, has a kind of clove and allspice component. I generally really like this producer and find it can be very classy and hedonistic, if given enough time to show what it has. The '10 was a particular standout for me. Price is edging up, but still good value.
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4/10/2023 - GrapeScott wrote: 92 Points
Drank over 3 nights, this seems to have shut down (assuming it was ever open, but based on critics' reviews, I'm assuming this was once the case). Best on the third night, where it shows a ferrous, somewhat smokey. herbal nose. Black raspberry and red currant fruit, minerals, with a chewy finish. A bit old school, this will need time, but certainly has potential. As with nearly every '19, I like this better than its '18 counterpart.
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2/21/2023 - Dquest wrote:
Very shy and reserved at this stage, one could charitably say subtle but I'd put it more towards the uninteresting side. After a full 24 hours or so of being open hard to pin down the notes but mostly sour cherry with earthy cigar. Tannins at a fairly low intensity as well.
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12/3/2022 - pavel_p Likes this wine: 90 Points
UGC 2019 Singapore (Singapore): A fair bit of wood here.
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12/1/2022 - remyworldpeace wrote:
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2019 Vintage Tasting, Singapore: Tasted at UGC Bordeaux 2019 tasting in Singapore.
Red fruit and some creaminess from the the oak. More full bodied versus the Ormes de Pez. Something slightly off on the finish.
Too young to score but anticipated range 87-90.
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11/14/2022 - Everything Ahead wrote: 91 Points
Surprisingly ready to drink out of the gate, and didn't change much after being open a few hours. Lots of big fruits, from darker (blackberry and cassis) to the red end of things (raspberry). Some molasses. Over time the wood shows through a bit (caramel, coffee), but this is mostly a fruit bomb. A very drinkable wine right now, shockingly, but I am assuming/hoping it will develop more complexity in time. Does not scream LB Bordeaux, or St Estephe, to me at present. Still, a lot of fun. Rating: 91+
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10/16/2022 - Keith Levenberg Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was a nice surprise from a chateau I haven't had in a long time, and an excellent value at fifty bucks. The expressive, wide-open aromatics feature loads of lead pencil fillings and gravel and are very St.-Estephe. The fruit is laid on thick with deep blueberry and blackberry flavors with a primary sweetness, infused with an equivalently thick coat of woolly tannin.
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9/26/2022 - Jay A wrote: 92 Points
Upon opening this wine was uninteresting. Just a lot of dust and tannin, not a lot of fruit. I suspect it is entering a dumb stage. After a good amount of airing it emerged from this dumb stage into a very good wine. Powerful with nice red fruit. I didn't take detailed notes, but I know I enjoyed it with a roast beef dinner.
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7/24/2022 - Ellem Wines wrote: 88 Points
Disappointed ☹️. The wine has received raving reviews but I find it lacking. Very discreet, low fruit, slightly green (from stems or the minimal percentage of cab franc?) and warm. Perhaps s defective bottle? My daughter claims so due to earthy cellary vibes which I couldn't detect. But still, low fruit.
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7/4/2022 - englishman's claret wrote: 89 Points
Union des Grands Crus: Impressively monolithic, this sports a classic St Estephe nose, clay and plum. Warm palate - actually a bit hot, which is problematic. 88-89
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7/4/2022 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
Lots of upfront charm here with earth, iron, and soft plush darker fruit wrapped in cedar chest. This drinks well young, unlike the old wines that would take 2 decades to shine. Drink or Hold
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6/30/2022 - Roger Patterson wrote: 85 Points
Avoid. At LA UGC
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6/28/2022 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
UGC Bordeaux (Union Station - Chicago IL): Walk around tasting. Good combination of ripe and tart black fruit with good weight. Just less complex notes in the forefront or background vs most other wines today. Others liked this more.
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6/27/2022 - repoper wrote: 93 Points
Tasted at the UGC event in NYC. This wine just blew me away. I have always found this very angular and sometimes stiff and always needed lots of bottle time to resolve itself. But this vintage is completly different. I was told that it contains a higher percentage of Merlot. Whatever they have done is amazing. This is a silky sexy glass of wine that is filled with flowers and fruit ( this nose and flavor profile that dominated all these 2019's). The balance is perfect and the tannins are so hidden that you think you are drinking a california fruit bomb, but just as that thought creeps into your ear, Bordeaux bounces back and reminds you of where this comes from. I'd buy this and be glad to drink this wine anytime. Already bought a case and maybe will buy another. 93-94
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3/29/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
Deep in color, the wine exudes black and blue fruit, smoke, spice, tobacco and lilacs on the nose. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and vibrancy, leaving you with layers of ripe, fresh, spicy red fruit with earthy overtones in the endnote. Allow it a few years in the cellar and it should soften and fill out nicely. Drink from 2025-2040.
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3/15/2022 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 Points
Amsterdam UGCB Tasting (Beurs van Berlage): Helped along by its high Merlot content, has a certain generosity and charm, but the finish is earthy and dry.
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1/13/2022 - vvWine.ch wrote: 94 Points
94 vvPunkte Wow, die Nase springt aus dem Glas, super-würzig, rote Beeren, Eukalyptus. Im Gaumen sehr frisch, gradlinig, präzis, feinste Gerbstoffe stützen die Frucht, der Wein ist knackig und zeigt Leben, alles ist im Lot. Ein top Lafon-Rochet, Kauftipp! vvWine.ch
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6/8/2020 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
Dark ruby in color, the wine is lush, soft, rounded and concentrated with layers of perfectly ripe, black, red and blue fruit complicated by crushed rocks, stones, smoke and spice-box aromas. Rich, lusciously textured and full-bodied, this is a beautiful expression of Saint Estephe and Lafon Rochet. 93-95 Pts
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