Commanderie de Bordeaux: Winter Tasting- St. Estephe
Bucheron, Mpls
Tasted Thursday, February 19, 2026 by rocknroller with 75 views
Introduction
This was our winter tasting event. We're focusing on the left bank in 2026 and starting with St. Estephe and working south with successive events. Our host was the 2025 James Beard "Best New Restaurant " winner, Bucheron from Demi alums, Adam and Jeanie Ritter. I am quite sure from the wonderful f.e.e.dback I received through the evening that newcomers were truly impressed. This was a wonderful event with some stellar wines from St. Estephe.
NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 170ème 94 Points
France, Champagne
Light gold color. Drank a glass plus over 45 minutes. Really lovely and in sync tonight. Pear, ocean and roasted almond on the nose. Fresh, high toned, citrus, chalk, brioche and excellent verve on the finish. Loved it, 94+pts
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1986 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Very dark gold color. Followed a glass over 30 minutes. This was coming off more tired tonight. Very spicy, some alcohol breaking through, baked orange, white lily, peach. The nose was in a better place.
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2021 Château Cos d'Estournel Bordeaux Les Pagodes de Cos Blanc 92 Points
France, Bordeaux
Ultra pale green color. Drank a glass over an hour. Brine, green fruits, lemon-lime, and crustacean minerality and earthiness on the nose. The palate is nice too, very even and balanced, good acidity, lemon, lime zest, brisk, briny, melon and spearmint. Very good, 92+ pts.
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1978 Château Montrose 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe
Dark red color. Drank a glass over 2 hours. This had a good 4hr of slow-O time. Killer nose, surpassing the palate by a good bit, though that's no slouch either. Funk, damp soil, mint, pipe tobacco emerges later, leather and cherry on a perfumed nose. The palate is medium bodied, fairly resolved, cassis, cherry, pencil and dried earth. The fruit is a bit more scarce on the palate. Very enjoyable, a classic aged St. Estephe. Nose 95, palate 92+/93, overall 93+ to 94.
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1996 Château Calon-Ségur 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe
Very dark red plus color. Slow O for 4 hours. Drank a glass over 2 hours. It's been a surprising 7 years since l had this last. This came on strong in the glass and show the glass and lovely '96 vintage nicely. Very minty, saddle leather, sweet tobacco, gravel and mineral driven, cassis, dried herbs, and black cherry. Nice structure and poise. 92+ to 93pts.
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2003 Château Cos d'Estournel 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe
Very dark red/purple color. 4 hours slow O, followed a glass over 2 hours. This was tight, firm and not giving much on the palate while showing a little alcohol. The alcohol faded, and this did open up more showing a mix of dried and damp earth on the nose, with black, lots of wood and firm tannins. Gut feeling today was maybe 90pts.
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2000 Château Calon-Ségur
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe
Very dark red plus color. 4hr slow O, followed a glass over 90 minutes. This was quite primary, showing high toned oak. Very dark fruits, some green notes and an odd raspberry yogurt character. Score reserved.
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2000 Château Montrose 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe
Very dark red color. 4hr slow O time, drank a glass over 90 minutes. This was outstanding, rich, pretty, deep, with dried leaves, damp and seductive forest floor notes, brooding purple fruit on the nose. The palate shows ripe purple fruit, graphite, purple flowers, silky tannins, and a long bright finish. Thisnisnquite polished, impressive depth and character. I'm excited for the future here. Just edges out the equally impressive '00 Cos.
95+(+)pts.
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2000 Château Cos d'Estournel 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe
Very dark red/purple color. 4hr slow-O time, drank a glass over 90 minutes. Ripe and intense cassis, leather, wow this great, pencil, very smooth and silky texture, blackberry, mint, long and succulent. Loved it. Great future! 95(+)pts
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1997 Château Coutet Barsac 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
Light medium-dark gold color. Drank a glass over 30 minutes. Now this was pretty killer. Citrus, tangerine, orange peel, pineapple, lemon zest, fine spice notes, tons of lift, crisp, gorgeous balance. 93+pts.
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