Bordeaux Tasting Highlights at Levain

Levain, Mpls
Tasted Sunday, September 18, 2011 by rocknroller with 955 views

Introduction

This was the monthly tasting group gathering. Theme was Bordeaux. Tasting menu paring at Levain.

Flight 1 - Starter Wines (2 Notes)

Flight 2 - Bordeaux Wines (9 Notes)

  • 1990 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Dark red color with mild bricking and a 2mm clear meniscus. Very nice nose with lots of graphite, followed by tobacco, cassis that evolves to creme de cassis, earth, mushrooms. The palate has medium-full body, seems slightly thin on the mid palate, but has nice cassis and black cherry flavors and a medium plus finish. This appears mature now.

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  • 1998 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Very dark red color. This was much bigger and more dense than the '90, showing significant tannins and much less integration at this point. I'm not sure that this got any decanting before serving, but it could have used some. Over the course of the evening, this came together considerably and showed ripe cassis and forest floor to balance the tannins. Decanting is a must.

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  • 1998 Château Léoville Poyferré 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

    Very dark red color. Wonderful nose with creme de cassis, black cherry, truffles, earth. The palate is soft and velvety, elegant and refined. Long finish. This wine is in a perfect place. Decanted for 20 minutes.

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  • 1998 Château Haut-Bailly 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Very dark red color. Nose shows sweet black currants, mulberry, cedar, a bit of scorched earth. The palate is full bodied with round tannins and nice acid, cherries and red berries come through along with currant. Medium finsih. Very nice.

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  • 2001 Château Léoville Las Cases

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

    Very dark red/purple. This was still pretty tight, but the pedigree shows, deep concentrated fruit with oak and tannins that dominate now. This will need more time or a significant decant. Impression is 92-93+ with time.

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  • 1995 Château Clerc Milon 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Dark red, subtle bricking. Nose is somewhat herbal, earthy, with black fruits and anise. The palate has prominent dry tannins, medium body.

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  • 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Very dark red. This baby was tight. Not showing nearly what a previous bottle did a 7 months ago. Unsure the decant time given, i believe it was less than an hour though. Earth, pencil lead, oak, black fruit, gravelly, with prominent tannins and wood. 91+, but not open for business tonight.

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  • 2003 Château Cantemerle 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    Dark red color. Nose starts off with some old school funk, nice earth, red fruits, cherry, red currant, medium body, soft, integrated. A bit simple, but good QPR. 90+pts

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  • 2003 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Dark red/purple color. Second time with this in a few weeks. Very consistent with previous notes: decanted 2-3 hours, funky, cigar, cassis, blackberry, meat. Palate has medium-full body and a medium finish. 92+pts.

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Flight 3 - Table two wines (4 Notes)

Shared wines from the second table, very small pours

  • 1995 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

    Just had a micro taste of this, but impression was that it was pretty elegant with earth, chocolate and ripe fruits. Very nice.

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  • 1994 Château Pontet-Canet

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Another mini pour from second table. No detailed notes. Nice, but not compelling. Impression, 89+pts.

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  • 1999 Château Suduiraut 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Just got a taste of this one too, but it was delightful. Lovely apricots, peach, toasted honey, creamy. Nice body, good finish.

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  • 1989 Château Coutet Barsac 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

    Light gold color. Don't let the color fool you. This is some sweet nectar. Elegant, refined, glides over the palate with tropical fruit, honey, spices, and butterscotch, wonderful balance.

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