"Wine Bordeauxphilia" meeting

11 members gathered, generous hospitality, many tasty dishes, many worthy wines, some too young though

• 2016 Angelo Negro e Figli Roero Arneis Sette Anni 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero

  Pale straw yellow with golden reflections due to its bottle age.
  Med+ Aromas intensity of ripe stone fruits such as peach and apricot.
  Subtle floral notes, such as acacia and white flowers.
  Hints of honey, dried fruits, and almond, with a slightly oxidative note, which is typical of aged Arneis wines.
  Earthy undertones, with some minerality and wet stone aromas.
  Med+ flavors intensity of ripe pear, white peach, and citrus zest.
  Nutty and savory undertones like hazelnuts or almonds.
  A distinct minerality, with a saline quality. Medium-bodied with a silky texture and balanced acidity.
  The oxidative character may show on the palate as well, adding depth and complexity.
  Long, persistent finish with hints of herbs and honey.
  Can drink now or age couple of years.

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• 2006 Liberalia Toro Cinco 90 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  - Intense aromas of dark fruits, such as black cherry, plum, and blackberry.
  - Evolved tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, and earth.
  - Hints of spices like clove, black pepper, and vanilla from oak aging.
  - Subtle notes of cocoa, dried figs, and forest floor.
  - Full-bodied with a velvety texture.
  - Rich flavors of dark fruits, including blackcurrant, plum, and blackberry.
  - Layers of savory notes such as leather, cedar, and graphite.
  - Well-integrated tannins that are still firm but have softened over time.
  - Balanced acidity that adds freshness despite the wine’s age.
  - The oak influence is evident, with flavors of vanilla, dark chocolate, and a touch of espresso.
  - Long and complex finish, with lingering notes of dark fruit, spice, and earthy undertones.
  Drink now. Decant for an hour.

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• 2017 Bodegas Bianchi Enzo Bianchi Gran Corte 92 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, San Rafael

  43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Malbec, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc
  Deep ruby red with purple hues.
  Pronounced Aromas intensity, featuring black and red fruits such as blackberries, plums, and cherries, along with subtle floral notes like violet, underlying layers of spice, tobacco, vanilla, and cedar, resulting from oak aging.
  Pronounced flavors intensity of ripe blackberries and dark cherries, complemented by hints of cocoa, mocha, and leather, full-bodied with a rich and velvety texture, oak-vanilla, nutmeg, and sweet spices. Good complexity.
  High integrated tannins, high acidity, long and persistent finish, with lingering notes of dark fruit, spice, and a touch of minerality.
  Overall still too young to fully enjoy.
  can drink now provided 3-4 hours decanting , suitable for further aging.

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• 1998 Château Pape Clément 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot with some Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
  Deep garnet with slight brick hues around the edges, showing its age.
  Med+ Aromas and flavors of dark fruit, such as blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum.
  Tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, cedar, and forest floor. Subtle hints of truffle, cigar box, and graphite.
  Earthy tones, with a touch of smoky oak and spice.
  Medium to full-bodied with well-integrated tannins that have softened with age.
  Flavors of dark fruit (black cherry, plum) are still present but are now more subdued.
  Savory and earthy notes dominate: leather, cedar, and cigar box, with a hint of dried mushrooms and autumn leaves.
  Some secondary notes of cocoa, spices, and a mineral undertone.
  Balanced acidity, which gives it a freshness despite its age.
  Long, elegant finish with a lingering sense of dark fruit, tobacco, and a touch of graphite.
  Drink now. Let 1 hour of air.

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• 2009 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Deep, opaque ruby with hints of garnet at the rim.
  Intense aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, blackberries, plums, concentrated flavors of dark fruits like cassis and ripe cherry. Subtle floral notes like violet and dried roses.
  Secondary notes of cedar, graphite, and cigar box, classic for Pauillac.
  Hints of vanilla, dark chocolate, and espresso from well-integrated oak aging.
  Evolving earthy tones such as truffle, tobacco, and a touch of forest floor.
  Full-bodied, luxurious texture with a rich, velvety mouthfeel.
  Layered complexity with notes of licorice, spices (clove, cinnamon), and mocha.
  Firm, yet polished tannins, giving it great structure.
  Well-balanced acidity, keeping the wine fresh despite its richness.
  A mineral edge with classic Pauillac graphite and a touch of salinity.
  Long, persistent finish with notes of cocoa, blackcurrant, and a refined touch of tobacco and leather.
  Can drink now if aired enough - better age five years more, at least.

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• 2008 Château L'Eglise-Clinet 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Deep garnet with ruby reflections and a slightly lighter rim, indicative of some bottle age.
  Intense complex aromas and flavors of blackberries, dark cherries, and blackcurrants.
  Subtle earthy notes of truffle, forest floor, and tobacco.
  Hints of cedar, leather, and graphite, giving it a classic Bordeaux character.
  Floral hints of violets with a touch of licorice and cocoa.
  A gentle spice from oak aging, with vanilla and clove.
  Full-bodied with a luxurious mouthfeel, showing a remarkable balance between ripe fruit and tannins.
  Silky yet firm tannins, providing structure and aging potential.
  Good acidity keeps the wine fresh, while savory and earthy elements such as truffle and leather become more pronounced.
  Minerality from the Pomerol terroir adds complexity, with a touch of iron or wet stone.
  Long, elegant finish with lingering notes of black fruit, spice, and graphite.
  Can drink now - suitable for further aging
  93

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• 2005 Château Trotanoy 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  A complex and evolving bouquet, starting with dark fruits like black cherry, blackcurrant, and plum.
  Earthy notes of truffle, forest floor, and tobacco.
  Hints of cocoa, graphite, and cedar from the oak aging.
  As it opens, you may also find secondary aromas of leather, spice, and a touch of dried herbs.
  Full-bodied, powerful, and structured with firm but integrated tannins.
  Dense flavors of ripe black fruits like plum, blackberry, and cassis, balanced by a savory, earthy core.
  Layers of dark chocolate, espresso, and minerals.
  Subtle oak influence with notes of vanilla, smoke, and spice.
  Balanced acidity and a rich, velvety mouthfeel, with the wine evolving gracefully as it breathes.
  Long, complex finish with lingering flavors of dark fruit, tobacco, and minerality.
  Can drink now - requires long aeration - or better age further.

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• 2015 Château Léoville Barton 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Complex and intense aromas of dark fruits like blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum.
  Secondary notes of cedar, tobacco, and graphite, typical of Saint-Julien wines.
  Hints of violets and earthy nuances.
  As it opens, there are subtle touches of spice, such as clove, vanilla, and a hint of leather, due to the oak aging.
  Full-bodied and structured, with firm, well-integrated tannins.
  Layers of ripe black fruits, such as blackcurrant and dark cherry.
  Balanced acidity gives freshness, while the mid-palate reveals notes of pencil lead, tobacco, and a touch of mocha.
  The oak influence adds complexity, with hints of vanilla and baking spices, but is well balanced by the fruit and earthiness.
  Long, lingering finish with an elegant mineral streak and slightly chewy tannins.
  Way too young to start enjoying.

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• 2016 Tóth Zoltán Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 93 Points

  Hungary, Tokaji

  Golden yellow to deep amber, depending on the sweetness level and aging.
  Rich aromas of dried fruits like apricot, fig, and raisin.
  Honey, beeswax, and a slight nuttiness are common.
  Subtle floral notes of acacia or chamomile.
  A hint of spices such as cinnamon or clove.
  Earthy notes and a touch of botrytis (noble rot), offering a slightly mushroomy or yeasty aroma.
  Sweet Version: Lush, with flavors of dried apricot, honey, and orange peel.
  Medium to full-bodied, with a rich, unctuous texture.
  Balanced acidity that provides freshness and cuts through the sweetness or enhances the dry finish.
  Mineral notes from the volcanic soil, adding a saline or stony character.
  Long, persistent finish with lingering flavors of honey, dried fruits, and spices.
  Can drink now or age more.

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it was a great escapism soiree which we all needed, great company and ambiance, friendly and enjoyable