Commanderie Tasting: Pomerol

Forepaugh's, St. Paul, MN
Tasted Thursday, October 9, 2025 by rocknroller with 86 views

Introduction

This was a MN Commanderie Tasting at Forepaugh's in St. Paul. Foregaugh's is a St. Paul instituition owned by one of our memebers. Our theme was Pomerol. We had a group of around 26 for what was an excellent evening with some wonderful food from the team at Forepaugh's. Thanks to Bruce for hosting all of us!

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 2016 Château Clinet Bordeaux Ronan by Clinet Blanc 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    Light gold color. Drank a glass over 45 minutes. Surprisingly rich and layered, apricot, citrus, orange, cut stones. I really enjoyed this. Drinks so far above the price point. 91+ to 92pts.

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  • 2007 Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    Lovely yellow gold color. Drank a glass from magnum over an hour. Stone fruits, glassy, steely, preserved lemon, stone fruit, honey shellac, florals, long and sensous with a liqueur note on the finish.

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Flight 3 (3 Notes)

  • 1999 Vieux Château Certan 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Dark red color. Splash double decanted and then slow-O for 2 hours. Drank in a flight of '99, '15, and '16. While the '15 and '16 have gotten ridiculous ratings from the critics, it is the beautiful '99 that shines at the moment. Great nose, leather, cherry coulis, cassis, cigar, fresh tobacco leaf, ground pencil. On the palate there's cassis and black raspberry with a little austerit on the finish. Maybe in another 15 years, the '15 and '16 might begin to approach this. Only the '99 La Conseillante topped this tonight. 94+ to 95pts.

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  • 2015 Vieux Château Certan

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Very dark red color. Splash double decanted and then slow-O for 3+ hours. Drank in a flight of '99, '15, and '16. While the '15 and '16 have gotten ridiculous ratings from the critics, it is the beautiful '99 that shines at the moment with its nice purity and a sleek, easy going presence. The '15 shows charcoal, graphite, juicy red and blue fruits, wood spices, subtle pepper. This is a little edgy though, and seems to lack a little depth. Maybe in another 15 years, the '15 and '16 might begin to approach the '99. The '16 comes across with much promise down the road. Current feeling 92pts.

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  • 2016 Vieux Château Certan

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Very dark red color. Splash double decanted and then slow-O for 3+ hours. Drank in a flight of '99, '15, and '16. While the '15 and '16 have gotten ridiculous ratings from the critics, it is the beautiful '99 that shines at the moment with its nice purity and a sleek, easy going presence. The '16 is bigger than the '15, but hopefully in a better way. There's a lot of wood showing that needs to integrate yet, though this has plush tannins and texture that do make it somewhat more approachable. Cassis, boysenberries, black pepper, dark chocolate, velvety. Maybe in another 15 years, the '15 and '16 might begin to approach the '99. The '16 comes across with much promise down the road. Current feeling 93pts.

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Flight 4 (3 Notes)

  • 1999 Château La Conseillante 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Dark red color. Splash double decanted and then slow-O for 1.5 to 2 hours. Drank in a flight of '99, '13, and '18. Well the nose is singing out of the gate. Dried earth and purple flowers abound, perfumed, with lovely dark fruits, raspberry, black currants, and some purple notes, dried herbs, and a sneaky little green note on the palate. There's nice purity and a sleek, easy going presence, This was a fun one. My clear WOTN, maybe surprisingly so.

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  • 2013 Vieux Château Certan 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Dark red color. Splash double decanted and then slow-O for 1.5 to 2 hours. Drank in a flight of '99, '13, and '18. Vanilla, ripe blackberry, satiny, lush, fleshy and a bit brisk.

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  • 2018 Vieux Château Certan

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Dark red color. Splash double decanted and then slow-O for 3-4 hours. Drank in a flight of '99, '13, and '18. Very forward, big, surprisingly approachable, lovely texture. Let's see this down the road, should be great.

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Flight 5 (1 Note)

  • 1986 Château Raymond-Lafon 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Deep golden color. Small glass over 30 minutes. Well this was showing well. I've generally enjoyed the '86 vintage and this was another good one. Tangerine, brown sugar, unctuous, honeycomb, spice, peach and baked apple. 93+ to 94pts.

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