Arvi Bordeaux 2019 Arrivage
Dolder Grand, Zurich
Tasted Monday, November 15, 2021 by sirpat00 with 827 views
Introduction
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
In addition to the key takeaways above, I found the 2018 vintage was more elegant than 2018 and better structured with more substance than 2017. I would rank this somewhere between 2018 and 2016 overall. Generally, this seemed a better vintage for the reds than for the whites and sweets. And within the reds, the right bank performed slightly better than the left. On the left bank, however, St-Julien stood out with the highest average score (similar to St Julien).
List of wines, sorted by region and score:
White
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 93
Smith Haut Lafitte 92
St Emilion
Canon La Gaffelière 95
Troplong Mondot 95
Canon 93
La Gaffelière 93
Pomérol
Client 97
Margaux
Rauzan Ségla 95
Rauzan-Gassies 93
Château du Tetre 93
Péssac
Smith Haut Lafitte 96
Pape Clément 93
Larrivet Haut-Brion 93
St Estèphe
Phélan-Ségur 92
St-Julien
Léoville Barton 96
Léoville Poyferré 95
Beychevelle 93
Talbot 93
Paulliac
Lynch Bages 95
Clerc Milon 94
Grand-Puy Ducasse 92
Batailley 90
Sauternes
Guiraud 93
Suduiraut 92
Doisy-Védrine 89
2019 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
The fruit was fresh with Sauvignon Blanc dominant, showing lychee, a spicey overlay and salty minerality. Palate was very fresh with lots of acidity and much more citric in terms of fruit. This is in-line with the previous 4 years, coming across a bit simple and a touch less complex than the Domaine de Chevalier Blanc.
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2019 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This had a smoky touch to it, fine citrus and lychee fruit, an almost sweet oaky layer. Nice and fresh on the palate, not as acidic as the SHL Blanc. Not as salty as the 2018 and not as intense as 2016 or 2017.
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2019 Château Rauzan-Ségla 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Nicely jammy red berry fruit /rhubarb), a bit of earth and also herbs. Quite grippy tannins, by far not as ready as 2018 fresh out of the gates, but again a highlight for the vintage. Pure, refined and elegant.
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2019 Château du Tertre 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Lush, with some mineral and floral perspectives, also mushrooms. Unfortunately what followed was a one-dimensional palate, pretty fruity and lacking in harmony.
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2019 Château Rauzan-Gassies 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Red berry fruit, herbal flavours, scorched earth and black coffee provide for an appealing bouquet. But there was more than plenty of acidity on the palate and this was also a rare case of mouthcoating tannin in the vintage which limited the overall experience.
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2019 Château La Gaffelière 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Fine cedar wood, tobacco, nice red berry fruit, just whiffs of leather, black tea and dried herbs. Very juicy palate, pretty lightly structured but in good balance overall. First time tasting this and even if I would have hoped for more intensity, the complexity to improve was certainly there.
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2019 Château Troplong Mondot 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Nice earthy base notes, red but also dark cherry fruit and herbal tea. There is finesse and nicely layered aromas. The well-structured palate invites you to come back and visit frequently. I have had pretty mixed encounters with Troplong Mondot so far with quite a few underwhelming experiences. But this one could be shaping up to be a real beauty, one of the highlights of the tasting.
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2019 Château Canon 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Quite reserved at first with not much expression. Vigorous swirling revealed a pretty ripe and extracted fruit profile, some sweet notes and fruit tea in the mix. Palate felt ok with soft texture, and some weight behind it. Others disagreed hence revisted for a second glass but with a pretty consistent impression. A solid Canon, but for me this lacked the grandeur of 2015 or even 2018.
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2019 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Very classic profile, fresh and light red berry fruit, fresh green herbs. Nice and juicy with a welcoming sweetness to it. Lightly structure and almost playful with fine layers. A big step-up from the 2018 in my view.
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2019 Château Clinet 97 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Spices and pepper as discerning features, just a pinch of cassis in an otherwise more red berry profile of strawberries and cherry. The fruit was ripe but precise. Fresh herbs round off the picture. An amazing palette of flavours. Fruity with a punch, impeccable balance and well-integrated tannin. Client was already a among the top ranks in 2015, 2017 and 2018 and this year this even comes out on top.
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2019 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 96 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Intense bouquet with mixed red and blue berries, nice herbal features even if much less pronounced than in other recent vintages. It is amazing to see how consistently young SHLs perform. Fresh in the bottle, I have rated every vintage 95-97 since 2015.
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2019 Château Pape Clément 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
A more earthy, barnyard-like aroma profile compared to the rest of the vintage. But also spice, black tea as well as fresh fruit. The palate was comparatively simple, however. This will likely need quite some time, but was no doubt a promising wine – even if not at the level of 2015 or 2016.
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2019 Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Intense with lots of depth. Very earthy but also with floral elements. A firm structure, nice and fruity but with limited complexity.
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2019 Château Phélan Ségur 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This showed mostly blue berry fruit with some leather on the side. The texture had a creamy touch to it, otherwise dense and concentrated. Simple but well crafted. This does give Pape Clement a run for the money, at least at this young stage.
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2019 Château Léoville Barton 96 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Intense with piercingly fresh fruit of mixed berries, leather and earth. Amazingly nice and fresh palate. Great tension. A convincing Léoville Barton, in this vintage one step ahead of Poyferré for me.
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2019 Château Léoville Poyferré 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
A grassy, herbal character, but with fresh berry fruit - both dark and red. Linear and evenly textured palate. Maybe a notch below Barton in this vintage.
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2019 Château Talbot 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Lots of earth and barnyard, spice as well as dark cherry and black currant fruit. Fresh and fruit forward palate, well-made with good substance. A solid Talbot.
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2019 Château Beychevelle 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Nicely perfumed bouquet, surprisingly fine and feminine for St Julien. Smokey minerality. Elegant, offering plenty of attraction not least thanks to a silky palate and fruity palate. Was missing intensity and precision, but otherwise a strong effort.
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2019 Château Lynch-Bages 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Lush and polished with ripe red and dark cherry fruit and cassis, herbs and minimal imprint from oak. Intense palate, well-built and firmly structured. A muscular Lynch Bages that will need quite a few years to settle down.
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2019 Château Clerc Milon 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Earth and barnyard with a quite intense dark berry fruit. Nice and fresh fruit on the palate, decent amount of muscle there too and fresh out of the gates looking almost eye to eye with Lynch Bages – although there is less substance.
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2019 Château Batailley 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
A more floral aroma profile in this vintage, with a slightly chemical or medicinal touch. Mostly cherry fruit, and some fresh herbs. I would say plus points for differentiation, even if not for hedonism. On the palate lacks balance and was clearly one of the wildest in this vintage.
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2019 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Sweet, ripe berry fruit, nice and welcoming even if not overly complex. Maybe somewhat imbalanced on the palate.
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2019 Château Suduiraut 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Lots of intensity here with saffron and honey melon standing out aromatically. Heavy, dense and viscous. This was really nice and there is definitely detail and finesse here, but for my liking this was lacking layers and at this stage was too fat and chewy.
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2019 Château Doisy-Védrines 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Not overly expressive with grassy herbal notes more in the limelight than sweet flavours. A creamy texture, but not perfectly balanced and with a bitter taste to it. This is ok, but not at the level of Suduiraut or Guiraud.
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2019 Château Guiraud 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Tasting of 25 wines (2 whites, 3 sweet, no first growths) at a Bordeaux 2019 in the bottle event. My observations were: i/ the tannic structure was soft and well-integrated across the board, ii/ the fruit was generally fresh and light with no heavy-handed extractions, iii/ Top wines were Client (97), Léoville Barton (96) and Smith Haut Lafitte (96). More thoughts and list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Manages to combine sweetness of honey and apricot confiture fruit with spiciness. There is a good level of detail here. Slightly viscous texture, not as fat and chewy as Suduiraut with a nicer aroma profile than Doisy-Védrine, but for my liking the sweetness was a bit overpowering.
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