La Fête du Bordeaux - 2011 Vintage

Wines came in rapid succession, along with much convivial conversation, so my notes are sketchy. But pours were large enough to allow a useful impression.

Quality of the 2011 reds was a pleasant surprise, plainly not on the same scale as 2009 or 2010, probably overpriced at the top end, but showing signs of offering some values further down. My clear favorite was predictably the Leoville Barton, followed less predictably by the Tronquoy-Lalande. RAD very much enjoyed the latter.

Older vintages were sourced from Bordeaux. The 1990 Lynch-Bages was stellar.

• NV Pol Roger Champagne Brut Réserve 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Light biscuit-yellow color. Youthful saline nose growing more generous as it aired and warmed. More yeasty than fruity on the palate, with tart citrus emerging through the finish. Fine balance, showing some real chardonnay character.

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• 2012 Château Lynch-Bages Blanc de Lynch-Bages 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux

  A little pale in the glass. Light motor oil and apricot on the nose. Nicely balanced, showing slightly prickly acidity and very little depth on the palate, structured for shorter-term enjoyment. Nice pairing with mild shellfish.

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• 2011 Château Tronquoy-Lalande 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Initially stony nose gave way to more interesting torrefaction notes with air. More fruity and fresh on the palate, with tame alcohol despite the generally light package. Impressive balance, with firm, dusty tannins that pass quickly. Drink on release or age several years. Decent value and very good quality for the vintage. Pretty wine.

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• 2011 Château Ormes de Pez 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Complex but slightly green on the nose. Considerable oak on the palate, but not quite enough depth to mask the unbalanced heat. Clamping tannins through the finish. Decent enough overall, not flawed, but not especially promising.

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• 2011 Château Langoa Barton 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Pleasant toasty oak nose. Some quality here, though somewhat generic and hot on the palate. Lingering firm tannins.

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• 2011 Château Lynch-Bages 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Very muted nose at the moment. Thinnish, showing a bit of heat, but generally decently balanced. Not a bad wine, but not interesting enough for the price.

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• 2011 Château Léoville Barton 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Lovely oak treatment on the nose. Nice balance, excellent wine to enjoy very young or lay down for the medium term. I spent more time enjoying this than taking notes. A 2011 worth seeking out.

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• 2011 Château Montrose 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Medium depth of color. Nose and palate primarily mineral and greenish, giving up very little fruit. Huge tannins, considerable heat. Fruit emerging a bit through the finish. I can't picture this ever coming into balance, for my palate.

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• 2000 Château Langoa Barton 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  No flaws, great balance, still showing some pleasing tannins. But also no depth, little fruit, more advanced than expected. Perfect provenance.

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• 2005 Château Lynch-Bages

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  A little light in the glass. Rusty iron on the nose, light on the palate, very ample tannins, touch of heat. This doesn't show the stuffing to age. Perfect provenance, pop and pour, I would have liked to try this with more air. Not scored.

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• 2005 Château Montrose 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Just a touch green and fumy on the nose. Sweet and grapey fruit on the palate, growing brighter and fresher through the finish. This has much life ahead of it, but there are also some advanced notes. Odd wine, showing some interest and quality, but not nearly enough for the price.

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• 1990 Château Lynch-Bages 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Very fresh and youthful color. Beautifully bright and smoky profile. Superb, growing just a bit greener with air. Perfect provenance.

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• 1990 Château Léoville Barton 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Light but fresh color. Simple, advanced, very horsey nose. A little thin on the palate, letting some heat show through. Still an enjoyable old bottle, showing some structure. Grew tired with air.

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• 1998 Château Montrose 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Nice depth of color. Pleasantly perfumed nose, similarly fresh palate. Light and coarsely tannic, with some underlying funk. Overall, a decent and interesting wine.

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• 2003 Château Suduiraut 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Light honey color. Evident sweetness, but balanced and not cloying. Nice.

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