Bordeaux in the 'burbs

A small tasting of value-priced Bordeaux. Unfortunately these were not opened ahead of time, but definitely should have been. Still, considering the prices, I thought the left bank wines were decent, and I would opt for any of them over the two right bank wines in this tasting.

• 2004 Château Vieux Pourret 83 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Dusty garnet color. Opens with a stewed tomato quality, with underlying earth & herb notes. Dried cherry on the palate. Drying and astringent.

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• 2004 Château Sansonnet 85 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Crimson color. Notes of dust, earth and red currants. Red fruit and earth tones on the palate, but also astringent.

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• 2002 Château Belle-Vue (Haut-Médoc) 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  Notes of potpourri, red currants, truffle and underbrush. Lush red fruit on the palate, with soft spice and earth tones. Nice finish.

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• 2006 Château des Fougères La Raison Clos Montesquieu 86 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves

  Reticent, with dusty currant and forest floor aromas. Nice balance, with red fruit, plum and herb tones.

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• 2005 Château des Fougères La Folie de Montesquieu 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves

  Reticent, with notes of camp fire and plum finally coaxed out of the glass. Flavors of red fruit and leather with a decent finish.

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• 2006 Château Bolaire 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur

  Blue and black fruit tones dominate the bouquet and palate. Tannins are slightly sweet. Finishes well enough with nice structure and fruit.

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• 2006 Château Le Thil Comte Clary 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Notes of dark fruit, leather and violets. Chewy tannins and dark fruit tones dominate the palate. Good structure.

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• 2004 Château Valrose Saint-Estèphe Cuvée Alienor 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

  Aromas of smoke and roasted red bell peppers, with dark fruit and leather qualities. Nice balance, with flavors of dark fruit, earth and smoke. Good acidity and structure. 88+ pts.

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