Community Tasting Note
-
csimm wrote: 88 points
September 20, 2020 - Linear and thin upon opening, with a primary and somewhat watery delivery of red currant, cherry, vanilla, and light spice. A few hours in the decanter helped to ease some of the tension otherwise locking up any true expression of flavor, but it remained fairly bound up throughout consumption.
All in all, the overly snowflake profile came off not only primary in stature but also distractingly namby-pamby and diluted. Mid-palate was severely underdeveloped and lacking any real concentration. More translucent and Gamay-like in its build. This is definitely a recruit in need of some soldier fortitude and density. Hopefully 5+years in bottle will help build up some moral courage and meatiness.
Better with food. And yes, I know it's a Bordeaux and I know it was opened too early (so they say), but I've had far better expressions of 2016 BDX that show much more promise than this poor little puppy. And no, I'm not trying to make this into a Napa Cabernet or evaluate it by that standard. I can honestly say this was one of the lightest expressions of BDX or Margaux that I've had in a while. Frankly, I'm not sure how folks are getting much out of this wine right now.
To be fair, my girl said she liked it a lot. When asked why, she commented about how it was nice to have a Cab blend that went well with lighter fare. Well then, if you're looking for a Cabernet to pair with halibut, cucumbers, and quinoa, then I guess this is your wine. For me, I suppose I prefer being more confident double-blind that I'm drinking a Bordeaux and not a Beaujolais.6 people found this helpful 10,931 views
5 Comments
-
LiteItOnFire commented:
9/20/20, 8:55 PM - Thank goodness you found the perfect Quinoa pairing. I have been looking non-stop and now during the pandemic I can rest. Thank you my friend thank you.
Hope all is well. -
Decanting Queen commented:
9/21/20, 3:39 AM - Interesting that this producer is normally one that is approachable younger, yet your note (and others concur) suggests this needs more time—in one of the most approachable BDX vintages. Who would have thought? I won’t open mine anytime soon.
-
csimm commented:
9/21/20, 7:47 AM - Lite: I’m here for all your food pairing needs! Ha!
Jen: Style preferences aside, the take-away here is definitely to hold. Hopefully this will gain some additional concentration with time. For me, for now, it’s underwhelming. It seems like it will always be more on the delicate side of the spectrum and never be an especially intense specimen. -
Chris@77 commented:
1/23/21, 6:53 PM - Drank a bottle of the 2d label 6 months ago. Stunning. Many times Bordeaux’s go through periods of ‘being thin’ or lacking in richness if they don’t close up entirely. In my experience many close up for year(s). Best drink young or wait. Wait to long and it is necessary to wait many more years. I’m waiting with my cases of 2015/16, hopefully to live long enough to enjoy. Suggest wait at this point.
-
csimm commented:
1/23/21, 10:52 PM - Hi Chris. Definitely concur with waiting. The bottle I had surely wasn’t giving up much, so it’s lights out and time for bed for now with this particular wine in my opinion. The lack of overall stuffing is more than a little concerning, even in its stubborn youth. Anyway, here’s hoping it starts to budge sometime before the next ice age.