France, Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
Medium center with light edge. Pungently herbaceous nose. Lighter weight, very Merlot-dominated with fruit that is a bit sweeter than the nose would suggest. Minimal tannin. OK basic cuvee.
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Healthy medium red. Riper nose with a strong wood signature. Round and fairly lush but cut off at back end by excessive oak. Relatively loose, forward style, but not enough material to support the flavors imparted by the barrels.
Moderate saturation, ruby color. Aromatics dominated by greener notes and charcoal. Pretty neutral fruit, not that much concentration or interest. Underlying wood base comes through and the finish is short. Completely unimpressive.
Good deep color. Very reserved on the nose. Riper fruit than most others in this series but with an elegant, airy texture to go with it. Late herbal notes, fine tannins allowing it to be approachable now. Good.
Finally, a wine that LOOKS like it has something to it, with a deep, saturated core. Complex, piercingly fragrant nose. Classic Cabernet-based wine with excellent concentration of black fruit. Significant, rising tannins which make it clear that this is one for the future, not early enjoyment, yet it is still harmonious and has a long, persistent finish. By far, the best of the bunch today.
Medium color, transparent. Some sweet aromatics but the palate is a disappointment-decent fruit, but meager volume and thin feel since acid dominates. Finish is also modest. No.
Light gold. Apricot fruit, little apparent botrytis. Not a heavyweight; in fact, it leaves one wanting a bit for concentration, but it does have nice spiciness in addition to the fruit. I prefer this to the '05 that I tasted last month since it comes across as having brighter acidity and less wood, but I don't think either one represents a high point for this estate.
2006 Château de Birot Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
France, Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
Medium center with light edge. Pungently herbaceous nose. Lighter weight, very Merlot-dominated with fruit that is a bit sweeter than the nose would suggest. Minimal tannin. OK basic cuvee.
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2006 Château Ferrand Lartigue
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Healthy medium red. Riper nose with a strong wood signature. Round and fairly lush but cut off at back end by excessive oak. Relatively loose, forward style, but not enough material to support the flavors imparted by the barrels.
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2006 Château Beaumont
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
Medium color. Lean cassis fruit. Very Cabernet but verges upon being astringent since the fruit is clipped and some acid shows. Not very appealing.
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2006 Château Giscours
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Moderate saturation, ruby color. Aromatics dominated by greener notes and charcoal. Pretty neutral fruit, not that much concentration or interest. Underlying wood base comes through and the finish is short. Completely unimpressive.
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2006 Château Branaire-Ducru
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Good deep color. Very reserved on the nose. Riper fruit than most others in this series but with an elegant, airy texture to go with it. Late herbal notes, fine tannins allowing it to be approachable now. Good.
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2006 Château Léoville Poyferré
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Finally, a wine that LOOKS like it has something to it, with a deep, saturated core. Complex, piercingly fragrant nose. Classic Cabernet-based wine with excellent concentration of black fruit. Significant, rising tannins which make it clear that this is one for the future, not early enjoyment, yet it is still harmonious and has a long, persistent finish. By far, the best of the bunch today.
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2006 Château Calon-Ségur
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Medium color, transparent. Some sweet aromatics but the palate is a disappointment-decent fruit, but meager volume and thin feel since acid dominates. Finish is also modest. No.
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