K&L Bordeaux Tasting with Bill Blatch

This was an excellent Bordeaux Tasting at K&L. The three entry-level bordeaux to start were very good for $10, then there were a series of excellent classed growth bordeaux, then a lovely mini-vertical of Chateau Guiraud. I enjoyed almost all the wines tasted today.

• 2009 Château Belian-Giraud 83 Points

  France, Bordeaux

  80% Merlot, 20% Cab Sauv. Nose is smoky, deep; palate medium bodied, nice, ready to drink, balanced, subtle fruit; finish is a tad bitter. Great value and a very interesting wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2009 Château du Colombier 84 Points

  France, Bordeaux

  Solid red fruit, hint of minerality; good spice on palate; short-medium finish. Very good overall.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2009 Château Montjouan Grande Réserve 83 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux

  A bit deeper darker fruits, smoke; balanced, perhaps a year too young; nice finish but an unremarkable wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Deep, opaque with a hint of bricking; great nose with red fruit, hint of ripe/rotten components, hint spices; structured but approachable tannin, a bit young; clean finish. 91+

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Pontet-Canet 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  One of my favorites of the tasting. Deep black fruits, hint minerals, blackberry, blackcurrant; palate has very good fruit, balanced, structured but drinking well now, showing hints of maturity. 93

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2000 Château Saint-Pierre 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Dark with hints of bricking; Meaty, black fruits, iron, hint of brett; juicy black fruits, structured but drinking well; finish is a tad ripe/lacks acid. 92

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1995 Château Rauzan-Ségla 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Deep red-violet, floral, more perfumed but doesn't have as much as some Margaux wines that I've had; red and black fruits, structured, still 3-5 years too young; nice balanced finish. 91++

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1988 Château Léoville Barton 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Minerally, iron, a hint gamey; red fruits, good acidic balance; nice long finish with good acidity. 92-93

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

All excellent. The 2005 was far too young, the 97 and 89 were both drinking really well. I think the 2005 will be better than the others in 15 years, though I have to not drink mine in the interim.

• 2005 Château Guiraud 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Straw yellow-gold colored; nose of pineapple, tropical fruits, hint of floral; palate is thick, unctuous, great balance, pineapple, tropical white fruits, peaches; finish is long, very balanced. This is a superb wine that is far, far, far too young and I shouldn't be opening any of my bottles for at least 7+ years. 93+

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Château Guiraud 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Hint of orange color; ripe baked apricot pie on the nose that is almost overwhelming, hint of mineral; lovely balance on the palate, metallic, still a bit young. 92-93

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1989 Château Guiraud 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Orange copper colored; smoky, spices; palate is still sweet, very complex, botrytis spices. Still has a life ahead of it. Very good and a great deal from K&L. 92-93

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No