Bordeaux Left Bank: The Famous Four

The Wine Society, Stevenage
Tasted Thursday, December 7, 2017 by Andrewbdc with 359 views

Introduction

Tutored Tasting of Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac and St Estephe with Tim Sykes
Great opportunity to compare the styles of the four communes and also of some different vintages.

Flight 1 - Maugaux (2 Notes)

Perfumed nature of Margaux very evident, soft tannins. Both wines on the young side, especially the 2012.

  • 2012 Château Rauzan-Ségla

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot
    Medium ruby.
    Clean nose, medium intensity aromas of cassis, bramble, violet, vanilla, mint. Youthful.
    Dry palate, high acidity, medium (+) alcohol (13.5%), medium body, medium (+) firm tannins, medium intensity flavours similar to the nose. Medium finish.
    Rather rustic at the moment, acidity and tannins quite evident, pure fruit, finishes a bit short. Needs time - not yet ready to drink.

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  • 2007 Château Rauzan-Ségla

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35.5% Merlot, 5.5% Petit Verdot.
    Medium Garnet.
    Clean nose, medium (+) intensity aromas of cassis, violet, vanilla, smoke, cedar, clove, truffle, earth, tobacco. Developing.
    Dry palate, medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), medium body, medium ripe tannins, medium (+) flavours, medium (+) finish.
    Quite elegant, nicely developed, just coming into drinking window, absolutely no hurry to drink, should continue to develop nicely over next 8-10 years.

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Flight 2 - Saint Julien (2 Notes)

Beautifully ripe fruit (especially 2009), elegant. 2000 drinking perfectly.

  • 2009 Château Langoa Barton

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    54% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 12% cabernet franc.
    Medium ruby.
    Clean nose, medium (+) intensity aromas of sweet ripe cassis and bramble, vanilla, smoke, tobacco, cedar, graphite. Developing.
    Dry palate, medium (+) acidity, medium fine chalky tannins, medium alcohol (13%), medium (+) body, medium (+) intensity flavours, long finish.
    Very elegant, already quite approachable, still quite primary, relatively undeveloped - needs time to develop significant tertiary characteristics.

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  • 2000 Château Langoa Barton

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    68% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot.
    Medium garnet.
    Clean nose, medium (+) intensity aromas of cassis, smoke, tobacco, cedar, prune, truffle. Fully developed.
    Dry, medium (+) acidity, medium fine tannins, medium alcohol (12.5%), medium (+) body, medium (+) intensity flavours similar to the nose, long finish.
    Outstanding claret, fully developed with tertiary flavours to the fore, very elegant and balanced, drinking perfectly now, unlikely to improve further but still has a few years ahead of it (drink in next 3 years).

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Flight 3 - Pauillac (2 Notes)

Firmer tannins, more powerful wines. 2000 past its best.

  • 2009 Château Batailley

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    74% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 2% petit verdot, 2% cabernet franc.
    Deep ruby.
    Clean nose, medium (+) intensity aromas of cassis, blackberry, vanilla, cedar, graphite, tobacco. Developing.
    Dry, medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol (13%), full body, medium (+) ripe tannins, medium (+) intensity flavours, medium (+) finish.
    Very good quality, can be drunk now but suitable for further ageing, just into drinking window. Structure and concentration to last 20 years.

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  • 2000 Château Batailley

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Deep garnet.
    Clean nose, medium (+) intensity aromas, cooked cassis, blackberry, vanilla, smoke, tobacco, raison, forest floor, vegetal. Fully developed.
    Dry palate, medium acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), medium body, medium (+) fine tannins, quite chalky, medium intensity flavours, slightly thin. Medium finish, a little dry.
    Drink now, not suitable for further ageing, possibly just past its best.

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Flight 4 - Saint Estephe (2 Notes)

Greener, less ripe, firm tannins. 2006 needs more time.

  • 2006 Château Montrose

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    72% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot.
    Medium garnet.
    Clean nose, medium (+) intensity aromas, cassis, bramble, hint of green herbs, vanilla, cedar, leather. Developing.
    Dry palate, high acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), medium (+) body, medium (+) firm tannins, medium (+) intensity flavours, medium finish, a bit drying,
    A big wine. Personally I think this needs more time to soft and integrate the various elements.

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  • 2004 Château Montrose

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    64% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot.
    Medium garnet.
    Clean nose, medium (+) intensity aromas, cassis, prune, green herbs, mint, cedar, earth. Developing.
    Dry palate, medium acidity, medium alcohol (13%), medium body, medium (+) firm tannins, medium (+) intensity flavours similar to the nose, medium (+) finish.
    Very good quality, quite mature St Estephe, drinking now and over the next decade.

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Closing

Personal favourite of the night was the Langoa Barton 2000 - beautifully elegant mature claret with lovely intensity.

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