| | Many of us gathered for a wonderful evening of classic Bordeaux wines. We had a good array vintages and appellations. My notes are a little sparse, but given the fast and frenetic pace of the wine pouring I was not able to spend nearly as much time with the wines as preferred. Apparently not all of the wines were decanted which may have also contributed to scores which otherwise might have been higher.
The wines were only rivaled by the tremendous cuisine of Chef Adam at Cafe Levain. The event was a blast and a special thanks to Craig V for putting together another winner event! Starter Whites Bordeaux - 1994 Château Montrose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Nose: Ink and cigar box with a rustic, old desk drawer aroma (that was unique and enjoyable). Palate: Sour cherry with gravelly mineral hints. This wine has held up well for 14+ years of age. (90 pts.)
- 1994 Château Angélus - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Nose: Dark fruits with some ink and scorched earth. Palate: Still amazingly youthfull tannins. Dark fruits but tight and closed. I think this wine was not decanted first and could have scored higher with more aeration. I have always liked Angelus. (90 pts.)
- 1990 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Nose: Not much showing on the nose initially. After some glass air some ink and pencil lead. Palate: Still firm tannins with dark fruits. Softened with air and the ink qualities showed more. A little too subtle for me but certainly one of the better wines of the night. (91 pts.)
- 1990 Château Brane-Cantenac - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Nose: Sweet red fruits. Palate: Soft red fruits that were very ripe. Decent wine, but seemed simple in comparison with some of the other star wines of the night. Perhaps if it were earlier in the rotation it might have been more impressive. (88 pts.)
- 1995 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Nose: Pencil lead aromas. Palate: Soft and accessible now. Dark fruits with a nice finish. Simple but good for 13+ years of age. (89 pts.)
- 1999 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Nose: Dark, brooding and a little closed up. Palate: Unlike what the nose promised bright red fruits were evident. Good finish. For me this was showing better than the 2000. (90 pts.)
- 2001 Château Lynch-Bages - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Nose: Youthfull with pencil lead hints. Palate: A little green and closed but soft tannins and a decent finsh. The 1998 was more to my liking. (87 pts.)
- 1998 Château Lynch-Bages - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Nose: An almost floral, fresh quality that was unique. Palate: More deep and tannic versus 2001, but the tannins were still soft and accessible. Nice lengthy finish. (90 pts.)
- 2000 Château Léoville Poyferré - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Nose: Subtle with some inky qualities. Palate: Very soft with the ink qualties showing and dark fruits. Well balanced wine. (90 pts.)
- 2000 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Nose: Deep complex aromas of spicy dark fruit and rusted pipe. This was by far the most interesting nose of all the wines. Palate: Deep, dark fruits with perfectly balanced tannins that were refined. Soft, elegant yet persistant finish. Despite the interesting palate the nose was the highlight of this wine. Tied for my WOTN (along with the 2000 Giscours). (92 pts.)
- 2000 Château Calon-Ségur - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Nose: Not yielding much. Palate: Very soft and simple and not showing much now. Like some of the wines I went by this one fast given the pace of the tasting. (88 pts.)
- 2000 Château Giscours - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Nose: Nice pencil lead and dark fruit aromas with some earth and coffee. Palate: Soft with complex dark fruit, pencil lead, coffee and a very supple and lengthy finish. My WOTN with the 2000 Pavillon Rouge. (92 pts.)
- 2000 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Nose: A very pronounced green quality. Palate: Like the nose this showed very green, but the tannins were soft and pleasant. Liked the 1999 much better. Perhaps this is in a closed phase now? (87 pts.)
- 2000 Château Rauzan-Ségla - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Nose: Deep pencil lead and earthy aromas. Palate: Soft yet complex with dark fruit, earth components and a fresh, lenghty finish. A very close 2nd for my WOTN. (91 pts.)
Finisher Wines - 2003 A.J. Adam Dhronhofberger Tholey Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Nose: Fresh nose of apricot and slate. Very subtle nose. Palate: Not much RS for an Auslese but very nice. (90 pts.)
- 1995 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Nose: Big petrol and spice with floral hints. Palate: Good acidity buttresses the sweetness and keeps everything in check. Pear and apple showing. Very nice and many years of life ahead. My favorite Riesling of the night. Prum rocks! (91 pts.)
- 2005 Château Guiraud - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Nose: Heavily botrytised nose with fresh fiberglass glue. Very cool nose. Palate: Deep, sweet flowers and apricot. Lengthy finish. Very nice and primary with a good life ahead. No doubt this will score higher with time (93+ points?). (91 pts.)
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