Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
1998 Horizontal Bordeaux Right Bank Tasting (private)
Essen'z
Tasted November 26, 2022 by La Sprezzatura with 111 views
Introduction
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
Flights:
1: Beausejour vs. Petit Village
2: La Serre vs. Berliquet
3: Rouget vs. Canon la Gaffelière
4: Evangile vs. Ornellaia
5: Figeac vs. Ridge Montebello
6: Valandraud vs. La Fleur Petrus
7: Angelus vs. Trotanoy
8: Ausone vs. Cheval Blanc
Flight 1 - Beausejour vs. Petit Village (2 notes)
Red
1998 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
89 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
on the bouquet sous-bois, sawdust, vegetabil, relatively evolved, seems on the decline
on the palate red and black fruits, rather straight forward, less evolved than on the nose, drying tannins medium, acidity medium, medium length
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
on the bouquet sous-bois, sawdust, vegetabil, relatively evolved, seems on the decline
on the palate red and black fruits, rather straight forward, less evolved than on the nose, drying tannins medium, acidity medium, medium length
Red
1998 Château Petit Village
92 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
on the bouquet distinctive notes of hot paprika, flowery notes, fresh, red and black fruitos mixed, no sings of oxidation,
on the palate rather fresh, pleasable, high acidity, medium tannins, on the peak now, really enjoyable, long
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
on the bouquet distinctive notes of hot paprika, flowery notes, fresh, red and black fruitos mixed, no sings of oxidation,
on the palate rather fresh, pleasable, high acidity, medium tannins, on the peak now, really enjoyable, long
Flight 2 - La Serre vs. Berliquet (2 notes)
Red
1998 Château La Serre
92 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
on the bouquet typical bordeaux nose with cigar box, black fruits, tobacco, compact and fresh, precise
on the palate a lot of tension, a little drying tannins, on the nose better than on the palate, rather long
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
on the bouquet typical bordeaux nose with cigar box, black fruits, tobacco, compact and fresh, precise
on the palate a lot of tension, a little drying tannins, on the nose better than on the palate, rather long
Red
1998 Château Berliquet
90 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
on the bouquet fresh, red fruited, but it seemed rather closed to me
on the palate tannins rather drying, little off balance as well, not much fruit left, length medium+ because of the tannins which stay long, over all not exiting but good quality
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
on the bouquet fresh, red fruited, but it seemed rather closed to me
on the palate tannins rather drying, little off balance as well, not much fruit left, length medium+ because of the tannins which stay long, over all not exiting but good quality
Flight 3 - Rouget vs. Canon la Gaffelière (2 notes)
Red
1998 Château Rouget
91 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
bouquet: really vegetable-like, paprika, pepper, some cigar box, seemed almost like a 100% cab franc
on the palate rather fresh, compact, tannins medium and for the first time this night not drying, still nothing to freak out about
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
bouquet: really vegetable-like, paprika, pepper, some cigar box, seemed almost like a 100% cab franc
on the palate rather fresh, compact, tannins medium and for the first time this night not drying, still nothing to freak out about
Red
1998 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
92 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
55% merlot, 40% cab franc and 15% cab sauvignon
sous-bois, paprika, a little iodine, red and black berries, I had the impression that this was rather closed at the beginning and opened up after some minutes in the glass.
palate also rather closed and not so expressive, tannins as well drying but this makes the wine long, fresh and high acidity, distinctive tobacco aroma and very nice drink flow
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
55% merlot, 40% cab franc and 15% cab sauvignon
sous-bois, paprika, a little iodine, red and black berries, I had the impression that this was rather closed at the beginning and opened up after some minutes in the glass.
palate also rather closed and not so expressive, tannins as well drying but this makes the wine long, fresh and high acidity, distinctive tobacco aroma and very nice drink flow
Flight 4 - Evangile vs. Ornellaia (2 notes)
Red
1998 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia
flawed
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
pirate
very oxidated aromas, not sure if it was only the botte or if other 98 wines from tuscany are „over the hill“ as well… Maybe it had too much air, I would not suggest to decant it at all. the one who brought the wine to the tasting said that he had another bottle 2 years ago and it was amazing, so I think the bottle was flawed.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
pirate
very oxidated aromas, not sure if it was only the botte or if other 98 wines from tuscany are „over the hill“ as well… Maybe it had too much air, I would not suggest to decant it at all. the one who brought the wine to the tasting said that he had another bottle 2 years ago and it was amazing, so I think the bottle was flawed.
Red
1998 Château L'Evangile
93 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
fresh and flowery, coffee, smoke and some, black wood and some vegetables
youthful and powerful, this has still a lot of tension, high tannins, acidity, black berries, long.
You can hold this for another decade.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
fresh and flowery, coffee, smoke and some, black wood and some vegetables
youthful and powerful, this has still a lot of tension, high tannins, acidity, black berries, long.
You can hold this for another decade.
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Flight 5 - Figeac vs. Ridge Montebello (2 notes)
Red
1998 Ridge Monte Bello
95 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
second pirate of the night after Ornellaia 98
5% petit verdit, 1% cab franc 24% merlot and 70% cab sauvignon
saw dust, cigar box and vegetables, finesse and mix between red and black fruits, got really better by the minute in the glass!
symptomatic for the rather disappointing tasting, this was my wine of the night.
palate full of finesse and elegance, nice drinkflow, very fresh, tannins well integrated but present, long, this was a pirate amongst all the Bordeaux but was a welcome refreshment. would never have guessed california blind. this is very great and full of pleasure. 12.4% alcohol and could drink plenty of it.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
second pirate of the night after Ornellaia 98
5% petit verdit, 1% cab franc 24% merlot and 70% cab sauvignon
saw dust, cigar box and vegetables, finesse and mix between red and black fruits, got really better by the minute in the glass!
symptomatic for the rather disappointing tasting, this was my wine of the night.
palate full of finesse and elegance, nice drinkflow, very fresh, tannins well integrated but present, long, this was a pirate amongst all the Bordeaux but was a welcome refreshment. would never have guessed california blind. this is very great and full of pleasure. 12.4% alcohol and could drink plenty of it.
Red
1998 Château Figeac
91 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
bouquet rather closed and thin, remained closed over 30 min in the glass.
on the palate nice acidity and good drink flow, tannins drying and very present.
this could have been a little flawed, but not sure. didnt convince me at all as it was off balance
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
bouquet rather closed and thin, remained closed over 30 min in the glass.
on the palate nice acidity and good drink flow, tannins drying and very present.
this could have been a little flawed, but not sure. didnt convince me at all as it was off balance
Flight 6 - Valandraud vs. La Fleur Petrus (2 notes)
Red
1998 Château Valandraud
94 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
precise and fresh, this is nice, almost no signs of aging, redish fruits, youthful, this was nice to sniff
wild berries, with a lot of tension, well balanced and integrated, good package, high acidity and fun to drink
can keep for another decade at least
this was also amongst my best rated and liked wines of the night
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
precise and fresh, this is nice, almost no signs of aging, redish fruits, youthful, this was nice to sniff
wild berries, with a lot of tension, well balanced and integrated, good package, high acidity and fun to drink
can keep for another decade at least
this was also amongst my best rated and liked wines of the night
Red
1998 Château La Fleur-Pétrus
90 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
90% merlot
rustical and smoky, rather opulent on the nose compared to the other wines of the tasting
powerful and rather alcoholic, very extracted and black fruit-dominant compared to the others, this is not my style at all. the high percentage of merlot is apparently not my style.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
90% merlot
rustical and smoky, rather opulent on the nose compared to the other wines of the tasting
powerful and rather alcoholic, very extracted and black fruit-dominant compared to the others, this is not my style at all. the high percentage of merlot is apparently not my style.
Flight 7 - Angelus vs. Trotanoy (2 notes)
Red
1998 Château Angélus
94 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
60% merlot and 40% cab franc
intense, finesse and elegant, ripe and well balanced black and red fruit, tobacco and cigar box, blueberry, this is well integrated, balanced and fun. one of the wine of the night.
powerful but well balanced, blue- and blackberry, tannins ripe and agreeable, almost no wood... my style
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
60% merlot and 40% cab franc
intense, finesse and elegant, ripe and well balanced black and red fruit, tobacco and cigar box, blueberry, this is well integrated, balanced and fun. one of the wine of the night.
powerful but well balanced, blue- and blackberry, tannins ripe and agreeable, almost no wood... my style
1 person found this helpful
Comments (2)
Red
1998 Château Trotanoy
89 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
evolved on the nose, not enjoyable
very closed and rustical
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
evolved on the nose, not enjoyable
very closed and rustical
Flight 8 - Ausone vs. Cheval Blanc (2 notes)
Red
1998 Château Ausone
92 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
no notes
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
_______
TN:
no notes
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Red
1998 Château Cheval Blanc
93 points
All wines were tasted single blind and were decanted before tasting. 14 right bank bordeaux and 2 pirates. All wines were from the vintage 1998.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
______
TN:
creamy palate, really nice and elegant, nothing distinctive or special. palate and nose was tired after 15 wines.
General observations:
Unfortunately, the tasting was below my expectations. The was no real "wow-effect" at any wines as I had with the left bank tasting 1982-1990 we had a year ago. So I had to find out, that, me, personally, I like more the aged left than the aged right banks. In the end, Ridge Montebello (pirate) ended even up being the wine of the night for me.
______
TN:
creamy palate, really nice and elegant, nothing distinctive or special. palate and nose was tired after 15 wines.
2 people found this helpful
Comment