Le Clos 2011 En Primeur Evening

Le Clos is commended with the organization of this extensive (40+ wines) 2011 en primeur Bordeaux barrel sample tasting, of impeccable standard. And that in Dubai! I have not rated the wines as the I suspect the samples suffered from travel fatigue and bottle shock after flying in via Paris, landing and waiting on the 40 deg C tarmac before being shipped to the sampling locale. Less then ideal for barrel samples.
It was a great experience, thanks.

• 2011 Château Montrose

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Medium ruby-purple. Medium(-) aromas of black cherries, oak, spice, very closed. Dry, high acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol and body, also very tight on the palate. Complex and not approachable.

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• 2011 Château Rauzan-Ségla

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Barrel sample tasting. Medium (-) nose of black fruits, spice. Mouthfilling, hightannins, intense and rich, fruity, smoke and spice flavours, structured.

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• 2011 Château Gruaud Larose

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Barrel sample tasting. Cigar box, plum; classic Bordeaux aromas. High acidity, soft rich tannins, medium body, complex palate combining black fruits, plum, dark cherries, earth, oak structured, and long velvet finish.

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• 2011 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Tourelles de Longueville

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Barrel sample tasting. Medium ruby-purple. Closed nose of red fruits, red berries,medium tannins, medium(+) acidity, well structured, with medium length finish.

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• 2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Barrel sample tasting. Deep ruby-purple. Elegant fruit-driven effort, austere, promising, ripe unobstrusive tannins, fruit, blackmcurrent, pencil lead, complex and rich. Good showing.

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• 2011 Château de Gazin Côtes de Bourg

  France, Bordeaux, Côtes de Bourg

  Barrel sample tasting. Deep purple. Well developed nose of earth, black cheries. Medium(+) body, great mouthfeel, fruit-driven, and earthy flavours, balanced and long finish.

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• 2011 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Barrel sample tasting. Medium ruby, medium(-) closed nose, blackberries, tobacco. Dry, high acidity, dry ripe tannins, blackberries and tobacco flavours, complex and structured, long dry finish. Classic.

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• 2011 Château Figeac

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Barrel sample tasting. Smokey earthy nose, medium tannins, red currants, structured and complex. Good length, pure.

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• 2011 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Barrel sample tasting. Well balanced, fruit, plum, candied fruits, sweet spice dominate, soft tannins, lots of length and complexity.

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• 2011 Château Monbousquet

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Barrel sample tasting. Medium(+) ruby, nose of cherries, coffee bean. Dry, Medium soft tannins, chrries, spice, toast flavours. Integrated and complex, loads of fruit in the balance, long pleasant finish. Very good.

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• 2011 Château Fleur Cardinale

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Barrel sample tasting. Well developed already (!). Notes of cherries, kirsch, medium(-) tannins, medium to low acidity, integrated, sumptuous, loads of black currants and white pepper precede long satisfying finish. Not a clear case of infanticide ;-).

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• 2011 Château Sociando-Mallet

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  Barrel sample tasting. Well developed nose of blackberries, oak, exotic spice. Dry, medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body, flavours of blackberries, spice, mocha, creaminess and flavours associated with malolactic fermentation are present, complex and structured. Consequently round and velvet texture, long finish. Very good going much better.

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