2007 Bordeaux

Last night my tasting group met to try 2007 Bordeaux. This was my first real experience with the vintage (other than a couple of $10 bottles). The wines were all good, some were outstanding. None were worth buying IMO at this time. Even those whose price seemed "reasonable" I am expecting to find on sale, close out, etc., over the next few years. None were wines I had to have. The vintage (from this admittedly limited sample) seems fine if not outstanding. It should make for some nice intermediate term drinking with a bit of cellaring. I don't buy Bordeaux in every vintage so I can be patient.

Our host, Lou, started us off with a white:

• 2009 Venica & Venica Collio Sauvignon Ronco delle Mele 88 Points

  Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio

  Silvery gold in color. The nose has a very strong fresh pineapple quality to it. With time, a canned grapefruit juice emerges and becomes dominant. Nice acidity. Tart and tangy on the palate. Refreshing. Blind, I though Bordeaux, but the bottle looked odd and California was not out of the question. Never thought about Italy. A nice wine, but I was told this is north of $30. That's a lot for this IMO. Still, interesting and fun.

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2007 Red Bordeaux:

• 2007 Château Lafon-Rochet 86 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  The groups last place wine. Disappointing but perhaps it was just the most backward wine. Ruby in color with some darker purple swirls. The nose is nice with dust, cassis and slight cocoa notes. On the palate, this is quite thin, green and tart. Very soft. Slightly bitter on the finish. It is certainly drinkable and enjoyable, just not where it would need to be to pay the tariff.

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• 2007 Château Haut-Bailly 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  I probably liked this a bit more than the group. Purple and shimmering bright. The nose has dust and cassis. Very tight. Full and bold on the palate. Nice complexity. Firm tannins. A very solid wine just lacking something extra to make it outstanding.

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• 2007 Château La Mission Haut-Brion La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  I liked this more than the group. Purple/ruby in color. It was very tight to start but then started to show black cherries, and black licorice on the nose. Full bodied and complex. Cherries, cassis and anise. Long finish. I am generally not a fan of second wines, but this was good if the price is right.

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• 2007 Château Pontet-Canet 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Always a favorite of mine, if this were priced under $50, I would be a buyer. Sadly its been a few vintages since that point I think. Purple in color, shimmering bright. The nose has attic dust and cassis. Silky texture. Cassis and some earthiness on the palate. Complex with lots of tannins.

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• 2007 Château Rol Valentin 84 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  The group liked this far more than I did. The nose has cassis, iodine and black cherries. Solid, smooth and drinkable. Boring. Fruity cherry drink. Some anise on the finish. Nothing bad here, just missing for me.

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• 2007 Château Pavie Macquin 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Got better as the evening went along. You could have told me this was from Napa and I would have believed it. Cassis, some dust, some funk. On the palate, cherries, somewhat thin. Plenty of oak. Short finish at first, but with air, this got a bit more complexity. A nice wine but not what I personally look for in Bordeaux.

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• 2007 Château du Tertre 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Fascinating showing. Most of the more experienced tasters had this as #1 or #2 on the scorecards. Most everyone else had this last. Not sure why and of course, there are no wrong answers for individual tastes. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The perfumed nose is dusty with cherries and some funk. A bit tart on the nose. On the palate, this was complex with cherries and dark cherries. Long finish. Great balance. This is one that is ripe for discounts in the next few years and I would be a buyer.

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• 2007 Château Branaire-Ducru 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  The group liked this more than I. Ruby in color with some slight purple hues, mostly clear and bright. The nose is very dusty. Perhaps some cassis. Soft texture. Cherries. Bitter clipped finish. Not a bad wine and showed some complexity but not enough. Just a shadow of the 03 that I enjoyed last weekend.

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• 2007 Château Larcis Ducasse 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Mine and the groups WOTN. Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. Tight at first, it opened to show dust, cherries and cassis. Full bodied. Complex cassis, cherries, dark cherries and some earthiness. Long finish. Firm tannins. This is really a nice wine. Another wine I will look for on close outs in the next few years.

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