Community Tasting Note
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Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 96 points
February 6, 2021 - Decanted for over half hour. On the initial pour very floral and fruit bouquet which was less pronounced by the first glass. On the palate a little tightly coiled at first then later sips revealed red and dark fruit and above all dark chocolate with wood and graphite undertones. Bright acidity which eased somewhat and a medium plus finish of dark chocolate and graphite. Very drinkable with an hour plus decant. Over time the palate became a little spicier with exotic spices and the nose became smokier. Beautiful wine if tasted blind I never would have guessed Napa and thought a classic Pomerol. 95-96+
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9 Comments
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MJP Hou TX commented:
2/6/21, 8:24 AM - We enjoyed a bottle of this vintage last year and I totally agree on your take. Fantastic wine that has a lot of life ahead of it. One left in the cellar which will mark a special occasion.
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wren460 commented:
2/6/21, 9:02 AM - Of the hundreds of bottles over the many years tasting wines this wine is definitely on my Top 10 list of all time. It is so precise and elegant is difficult to describe
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Lord of the Bottles commented:
2/7/21, 3:16 AM - Thank you MJP Hou Tex and Wren460! This is definitely up there for me. I suspect I might have scored the wine a point higher if it wasn’t somewhat mispaired with very acidic tomato beef pasta, but have some more bottles of this and the 2012. I’ve only drank Petrus a couple of times and that too older vintages so hard to compare as some of the professional critics do but I can see some resemblances to top Pomerols. On a separate note have either of you tried Tusk? That’s another micro winery from Cali that seems to have found its way over here to UK but the prices seem aggregious. Thanks again and stay in touch!
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MJP Hou TX commented:
2/7/21, 7:10 AM - Lord of the Bottles. Yes, I've tried Tusk and have 14-16 in the cellar. I think if you were state side and could enjoy the benefits of a lifestyle brand then maybe you could justify the spend. It's really well made and should be tried once to see what you think.
My favorite Pomerol is Vieux Chateau Certan. Gravette is the 2nd label and is fantastic! 16 &17 should not be missed. -
Lord of the Bottles commented:
2/7/21, 8:30 AM - Thanks for the advice. The 2010 Tusk is available here for similar price as in the States so maybe I can justify the spend to try just 1 bottle. Not that I care too much about the label but as some people compare it to Screagle (which is at even more absurd prices here relative to the absurdity in the States) maybe it’s worth a punt. Thanks for the tip on VCC. I have drank the 2009 but it was very closed however the grower is definitely tops. My favourite Pomerol is Lafleur which is very expensive but non top vintages a great buy. I also like Conseillante.
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wren460 commented:
2/7/21, 8:54 AM - Wow, we have very similar tastes ! VCC is by far my fav Pomerol and although I have not had the 16 I have a few in my cellar. Other Pomerol that I enjoy a lot is La Conseillante. Of the Saint Emilion I like many as well but Troplong Mondot gives me a lot for my pleasure and money spent. Cheers!
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MJP Hou TX commented:
2/7/21, 11:00 AM - Great thread for lovers of Right Bank BDX!
16 VCC is amazing in the early going. Do be afraid to try early and spend a week with it. Structure for days! With that said the 16 & 17 Gravette de Certan delivers well above it's price point. Plus, it doesn't break the bank.
Claude Blankiet & team do an amazing job with clay soils near the wine cave. It delivers some of the best merlot in the valley. -
MJP Hou TX commented:
2/7/21, 11:08 AM - I would love to hear your thoughts on the 2010 Tusk. I'm sure Melka is very hands on with this project. With as many projects as Melka Consulting is involved in, it can be hit or miss on delivery per each producer.
As for the lifestyle brand comment. I didn't partake in the Tusk parties which I should have being a member. I've heard they were over the top. -
Lord of the Bottles commented:
2/7/21, 1:57 PM - Yes great thread! I still hanker after Petrus and Le Pin but have been very impressed with Blankiet so far. I’ll keep posted when I try Tusk.