Right Bank at Mi Piaci

Bordeaux Right Bank tasting at one of my favorite Italian restaurants, which just confirms, for me, that Italian food really goes well with French wine.

• 2004 St. Supéry Virtú Meritage 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very pleasant wine that had an off sweet flavor encompassing some tropical citrus fruit aromas and a finish that indicated medium low acidity. Really a wine to be enjoyed now--did not seem to have the backbone to age. Nice way to start the night. 14.1% alcohol. 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Semillon. 85-87

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• 1995 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Big wine that hit me in the face initially, but not like a fruit forward Zinfandel or Shiraz--just seemed to have some bite to it. Surprising dark red color with aromas of dusty red currants and raspberries intermixed with fine tannins and a crisp finish. This wine has good acidity and has many years ahead of it. 87-92

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• 1986 Château L'Arrosée 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Very nice wine with a smooth texture and finish. Starts with a bit of dust that lends to the aromas of red cherry and mellow pomegranate that accents the wine's overall acidity. 13% alcohol 89-93

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• 1989 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Flawed

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  The color was a bit hazy and dusty with some amber on the edges. The aroma seemed fine but the overall flavor indicated something was wrong with this bottle. The cork broke in two--should this winery have used better corks? Too bad.

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• 1995 Château Magdelaine 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  I thought this wine was showing very well tonight, with the tannins starting to smooth out. The aromas were interesting--a bit dusty with hints of black cherry and very subtle hint of green olive. Fruit was still very present, and definitely a wine with some interesting evolution in front of it. 90-94

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• 1996 Château L'Evangile 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Amazing dark red color--sort of a burgundy-maroon red--not faded, and still vibrant. Still showed very young, with nice acidity and a good background of red fruit present. We had the 1983 at a prior tasting (which was in great condition and showing very well at the time), that seemed to be a much different style than this wine--the 83 had more earthy characteristics, although some cassis notes were mixed in. This wine had more fruit, which makes sense since it is much younger, but will it have the prequisites to be as complex as the 83 was? 89-94

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• 1998 Vieux Château Certan 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  This wine was still showing very young, but exhibits huge potential. The requisite fruit is present, as well as the necessary acidity to age magnificently as the tannins continue to evolve. Definitely, this wine needs more time (uses a good long cork, which is good). Tried to pour more at the end of my dinner (I eat slower than most) but the wine was gone. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon harvested at a low 34 hectoliters per hectare. 90-96

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• 1998 Château Pavie Macquin 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  This wine really stood out tonight, which is not surprising since the fruit aromas and flavors are very expressive in this wine, which is made in a more concentrated, modern style. With that said, I really like this wine—it is one of the wines I consider purchasing every year. The 1998 was showing much better than a 1999 that we had at a prior tasting a few months ago. Should have been the last wine of the night. Pavie-Macquin (along with Troplong-Mondot) has been promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 2006 St Emilion classification. 92-96

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• 1998 Château Angélus 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Had this wine right after a 1998 Château Pavie Macquin, which was a bit tough. I tried to give myself plenty of time between the two wines, as I started on my second main course—but in the end, I really would have liked to have had this wine by itself. It had an amazing and complex aroma encompassing plums and subtle cherries with a bit of a floral notes and a background hint of licorice. The texture was amazingly smooth and refined, which suggests that this wine is just starting to enter its drinking window. There was just something about this wine which made me think I missed some of its complexity because I was a bit fatigued at this point. Probably would have the WOTN if I were able to try each wine on separate days. 89-93

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• 2001 Château Pavie Decesse 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Just not ready yet. Very young with omnipresent tannins. Showing great potential, and I am very happy I actually have some, but note to self—do not touch for at least 4-6 more years. 87-91

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• 2001 Château Gazin Pomerol 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  This wine was the last of the night, and stood out, which typically means (for me) that there were certainly some good fruit aromas and flavors present. Incredible dark red color to this wine, which should be interesting to follow in its evolution. Still very young. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc blend. 90-94

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