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Union des Grand Cru de Bordeaux: Seattle
Tasted January 23, 2020 by Winning_Wines with 264 views
Introduction
Many of top Bordeaux Chateaux presented their latest 2017 vintage, which has just been bottled. Many of the Chateau owners were in attendance, which was the first time the Union des Grands Crus has come coming to Seattle on their annual tour.
Flight 1 - Pessac-Leognan (3 notes)
Red
2017 Domaine de Chevalier
88 points
Hints of green pepper dominated the dark fruit undertones. Even though it was well balanced with smooth tannins, I was really expecting more from this. Something seemed missing. This was my first wine of the night, so maybe that had something to do with it.
Red
2017 Château Haut-Bailly
This year's vintage consists of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot,, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petite Verdot. I was really disappointed by this wine tonight. I am usually a big fan of Haut-Bailly, but this just did not match up to my expectations or others here on CT. I am really hoping this was an off bottle, as the wine was showing spicy herbal dark fruit and was very weak on the finish, as well as lacked acidity. I rated this taste with an 86, but I will try again in hopes of a better experience.
Red
2017 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
88 points
It's bright fruit was complimented well with its silky tannins. Very easy drinking, but this didn't stand out to me as anything overly special.
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Flight 2 - Saint-Emilion (3 notes)
Red
2017 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
93 points
This is good stuff! 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Delightfully rich and full nose. Violet, hints of mint, floral, and light, but present fruit. Great acidity and fine silky tannins. What a winning wine!
Red
2017 Château La Dominique
91 points
Rough nose that was a little hot. However, this was full of rich dark fruit and licorice, with bold, but somehow at the same time, subtle, tannins. Long long finish that was remarkably enjoyable. With more time to integrate, this will be wonderful. 89-92.
Red
2017 Château Villemaurine
91 points
Bright fruit that was fresh and delightfully yummy. Hints of gummy bear? Regardless, this was drinking extremely well already, smooth tannins, lots of fruit on the palate, and nice acidity.
Flight 3 - Pomerol (2 notes)
Red
2017 Château Clinet
90 points
Lots of floral notes, earthy undertones, and light and fresh on the nose. Finish is long (at least 30 secs), but fairly flat. Overall, not on par with what I expect from Clinet. I'm not sure I will be buying any Clinet from this vintage.
Red
2017 Château Gazin Pomerol
I must have had an off tasting, as I only noted a disappointing flat finish and weak palate. I would like to try again and hope for more.
Flight 4 - Listrac-Medoc (1 note)
Red
2017 Château Clarke
92 points
My rating is probably high because of my pleasant surprise, but wow was this an enjoyable experience. Beautiful nose with both sweet and tart fruit. Simply perfect. On the palate was silky smooth tannins, both red and dark fruit, hints of chocolate. It was almost new world in style.
Flight 5 - Haut-Medoc (3 notes)
Red
2017 Château Beaumont
91 points
Bright fresh fruit with hints of oak on the nose led to a lovely balanced, fruity, and structured tannins on the palate. A great wine.
Red
2017 Château Cantemerle
Super acidic with bright red fruit. Drinks fairly easily, but wasn't overly wowed.
Red
2017 Château Coufran
86 points
85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. This really didn't provide much character or anything special. Just ok.
Flight 6 - Margaux (6 notes)
Red
2017 Château Brane-Cantenac
92 points
Nose full of baking spices, dark fruit, cassis, while the palate was rich and light, with lovely dark fruit that had a beautiful long silky smooth finish.
Red
2017 Château Giscours
92 points
Mild nose that had some oak and dark fruits. However, I was blown away with what it delivered on the palate. It was GORGEOUS! Powerful, bright, fruity, and silky. This was a winning wine, especially for this vintage.
Red
2017 Château Kirwan
93 points
An extremely complex and beautiful nose of dark fruit, licorice, menthol and oak. On the nose was even better dark blackberries and cherries, gravel, earth and oak. Very smooth and long evolving finish. Delicious!
Red
2017 Château Lascombes
90 points
Baking spices, mix of both red and dark fruit, oak and hints of honey. A slightly weak finish, but the fruit was bountiful.
Red
2017 Château Prieuré-Lichine
92 points
Oak, spices, dark fruit, but still remained very bright. Great balance with a smooth long finish. This was great.
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Red
2017 Château du Tertre
88 points
This was a big wine. Big bold tannins, hints of green pepper, oak, minimal fruit and a medium finish.
Flight 7 - St. Julien (5 notes)
Red
2017 Château Beychevelle
91 points
A fairly weak nose turned around quickly on the palate. Delicious dark fruit and complex balanced tannins that just do not quite. Great finish and acidity.
Red
2017 Château Gruaud Larose
93 points
Black pepper, oak, espresso, baking spices, and both bright and dark fruits. This was very well balanced and enjoyable. It is coming together very well and I anticipate it getting only better from here.
Red
2017 Château Langoa Barton
93 points
Amazingly balanced oak, spices, and mixed fruits. Simply delightful on the palate with its delightful characteristics, acidity, and tannins. This really impressed me.
Red
2017 Château Léoville Barton
88 points
Disappointing showing. Lots of oak, but lacking acidity and strength. Felt tired and lackluster.
Red
2017 Château Léoville Poyferré
93 points
Black pepper, oak, and gravely earth led to bountiful fruit, balanced tannins, and a long smooth finish. Contender for the WOTN!
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Flight 8 - Pauillac (3 notes)
Red
2017 Château d'Armailhac
92 points
Full red fruit, spices, oak, and smooth silky tannins that was superbly balanced with great acidity. A great showing.
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Red
2017 Château Clerc Milon
92 points
This was just great. Smooth, medium length finish, supported by great full fruit. Not overly complex, but so enjoyable.
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Red
2017 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
90 points
Currant, black cherry, oak, and spices with a complex 3-part finish. It starts with a big fruity punch, then quickly falls off, but finalizes with a really unique comeback out of nowhere.
Flight 9 - St. Estephe (1 note)
Red
2017 Château Phélan Ségur
93 points
This was a big surprise. The previous CT notes did not lead me to expect much, but this was delightful. Dark rich fruits, earthy spices, balanced oak, bold tannins, and medium finish. This is really starting to come together. Wine had been opened for a couple hours, but not decanted, before tasting. Another contender for WOTN.
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Flight 10 - Sauternes (3 notes)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2017 Château Bastor-Lamontagne
92 points
Syrupy sweet honey, apricot, quince and tropical fruits. A classic Sauternes that performed well.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2017 Château Coutet Barsac
Honey, tropical fruits, lots of floral notes, but the finish was weak. Was better with bigger sips, but didn't hold up to the others tasted.
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White - Sweet/Dessert
2017 Château Guiraud
96 points
Surprisingly not overly tropical. Honey and lemon curd were present, but not overwhelming. This had a unique earthy, almost hint of gamey, characteristic that I have never experienced in a Sauternes, which surprised me and won me over. Bright acidity and floral finish. I really enjoyed the amazing balance of the wine.