Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON
Tasted Friday, January 25, 2013 by lumpyelbow with 1,201 views
UGC 2010 - Dustin and I attend as Erica was out of town on business. The Whites were pretty excellent across the board, with an exception or two and some real standouts. For the reds we travelled, roughly, in this order: St Julien; Margaux; Haut Medoc; Moulis; Pauillac; Pessac; St Emilion; Pomerol; St Estephe.
Sauternes at the end.
Palate fatigue was an issue this year. Sampled 73 wines and due to the firm structure of 2010 it was a challenge - even with numerous food breaks. Bountiful and of great quality, very apparent but I could see new comers to Bdx being left a bit puzzled, as most of the wines are a bit brutish at the moment and you really had to look beyond some of the discomfort to focus on the quality underpinnings.
Writing this the morning after the event, without referring to my notes. The wines I recall stirring me (no particular order):
White - Pape Clement, Smith Haut Lafitte, Domaine de Chevalier, Malartic Lagraviere
Red - Rauzan Segla, Pape Clement, SHL, Figeac, Troplong Mondot, Leoville Barton, Pichon Baron, Pichon Comtesse
Dessert - Guiraud
No surprise, all the reds had an abundance of tannin and structure, Pauillac was very typical and as a commune may have performed best overall?. There was lot's to enjoy in St Julien. Margaux was more structured than average and this seemed to create 2 groups of wines - some that were bitter and a bit much to handle at present; others were within the style of Margaux but supercharged. Lots of nice wine from this commune. The right bank had all the usual suspects performing well other than Pavie Macquin which seemed out of sorts. Pessac was drinking really well and was one of my favourite.
Didn't take notes as was pretty exhausted by this point. Recall Guiraud being a standout, especially for price. Some variances in sweetness but found amount of botrytis to be fairly consistent and not overly prevalent. A solid year.
2010 Château Carbonnieux Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Lighter in oak than peers. Reticent with some vanilla peeking through. Sample was a little cold. Slight effervescent sensation on the finish. Quite zippy.
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2010 Château Bouscaut Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Damp basement and plenty of oak. Not for me.
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2010 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Great body. Nice citrus and oak interplay. Solid finish, long. Marshmallow. Purchased.
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2010 Château de Fieuzal Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
In terms of body and oak, in line with Chevalier. Fairly sharp finish.
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2010 Château Rahoul Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves
Bright profile than some. Citrus and tropical. Not friendly in the mouth.
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2010 Château de Chantegrive Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves
Firm, good tannin. Other incomprehensible things written I can't decipher...
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2010 Château La Louvière Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
That nettle aspect I often describe. Firm with good structure. Needs time. Would purchase.
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2010 Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
VGV. Broad and pleasing. I make reference to Chevalier. Will be interesting to see what unfolds.
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2010 Château Latour-Martillac Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Oak and nettle. Would purchase.
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2010 Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Lifted nose with mint. Medium bodied but light in sensation. Perfectly balanced. Pineapple. Long persistent finish. Big fan of this. Would purchase.
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2010 Château Olivier Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Only have had this at UGC events. Never a fan - too acidic. Not sure what happens to it with time.
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2010 Château Pape Clément Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Near perfect? Extreme persistence with an elongated finish. Would purchase.
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2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
More neutral and a little less expressive than Pape Clement. Great. Would purchase.
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