Monthly Tasting Group HWS #114; Bordeaux: St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé

This occasion I made the line-up, so my notes are not blind.

• 1978 Cure Bon La Madeleine

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion

  In the bouquet mature, rust, coffee, smoke, chocolate and oak. On the palate rust, autumn forest floor, ok acidity, some sweet rose hips, but also a bit drying. For a 1978 still surprisingly alive and elegant, but in fact a bit past its prime, so no score from me.

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• 2000 Château Fonplégade 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  In the bouquet dark berries, coffee, cocoa and oaky flavors. On the palate red and dark berries, chocolate, marzipan, good acidity, a good bite and a good length. Completely ready now and next year. Not for long keeping.

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• 2002 Château Canon 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  In the bouquet creamy dark forest fruit, graphite and beautiful oak. A complex and luxurious bouquet. On the palate dark berries, firm tannin, chocolate, juicy acidity, some herbs , oak and still a lot of future.

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• 2005 Château Haut-Sarpe 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  In the bouquet creamy red and dark berry fruits, cassis, a pleasant dose of oak, smoke and some nutmeg. On the palate a beautiful and mature wine with juicy red berries, some pepper and pleasant, well dosed oak. Good acidity, mild tannin. In a lovely drinking stage now and there is a few years of future as well.

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• 2005 Château Soutard 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  In the bouquet autumn forest floor, dark berries and rustic flavors. On the palate beautiful red and black berries, a bit creamy, some dark cherries as well, good acidity and slightly drying, sticky tannin. There is good oak and length, but also a firm amount of bitterness. Apparently I can appreciate this classical wine a bit more than most of the community ;-). Young maturity now, in 2020+ still perfectly ok.

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• 2005 Château Grand Corbin-Despagne 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  In the bouquet autumn forest, some development and celery, but certainly interesting and beautiful. On the palate blue berries, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, laurel and good bitterness. Good acidity and some pleasant sweetness. The tannin is quite mature. This bottle is nice and ready. Not sure about the potential, but for now 90

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• 2006 Château Corbin St. Émilion Grand Cru 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Beautiful bouquet with red and dark berries and sweet spices. On the palate creamy red berry fruits, some coffee, juicy fruits, good acidity and ready now. Although this wine will still be lovely around 2020, the drinking window which tells ultimately 2040 now, is quite ridiculous. Nice wine. 88 - 89

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• 2008 Château Chauvin 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Beautiful and somewhat developed bouquet with creamy berries, some smoke and vanilla. On the palate creamy red and dark berries, sweet spices, good oak and acidity. Some green bell pepper as well. A bit drying. Nice wine to drink between now and 2020+?. 88 – 89?

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• 2007 Château Troplong Mondot 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Beautifully mature and rustic bouquet with dark forest fruits, minerals, toast and beautiful, luxurious oak. On the palate creamy dark berries, toast, black olives, beautifully dosed oak, good acidity and friendly tannin. A beautiful and lovely wine in a good drinking stage now, but no hurry at all.

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• 2009 Château La Tour Figeac 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  In the bouquet a youthful, elegant wine with dark berries, oak, vanilla and leather. On the palate a touch of metal, a lot of juicy dark berries, still a bit lactic, beautiful oak and leather. Overall a beautiful wine with good acidity, tannin and length. Will improve with some more ageing, but lovely already and a good balance between acidity and sweetness.

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• 2009 Château Fleur Cardinale 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Beautiful bouquet with dark forest fruits and luxurious smoky oak. Super and good fruits as well! On the palate a beautiful and complex wine with dark forest fruits, black olives, beautiful bitterness and acidity, some pleasant sweetness and full bodied. Delicious wine with a good future. 2024+ will be no problem.

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• 2010 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Luxurious and deep, youthful bouquet with dark forest fruits, luxurious oak and chocolate On the palate a lot of dark berries, some (good) green bell pepper, juicy fruits, concentrated, fresh acidity and good, powerful tannin. A great wine with a lot of future. Probably 2030+. There will be a follow up….

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• 1995 Château Figeac 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Beautiful bouquet with dark berries, autumn forest, some smoke and pleasant barnyard. On the palate sweet spices, chocolate, red and dark berries, beautiful acidity, an enormous depth and length. Harmonious and beautiful, classical wine. Ready now and the next few years. 94 - 95

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• 1995 Château Cheval Blanc 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Beautiful bouquet with pleasant horse stable smells, chocolate, autumn forest, leather and tobacco. On the palate still juicy dark fruits, cassis, beautiful oak, good acidity, tannin and length. Ready now and the next 5+ years.

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