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Comments on my notes

(29 comments on 22 notes)

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Red
2005 Château Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
1/11/2024 - Bordeaux 2013 Likes this wine:
93 points
Very good, but not top notch.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    1/11/24, 10:16 PM - Hi Mark, I did not decant it, but it was drunk over four hours, so I could follow its evolution. As I experienced it, not much air is required, maybe half an hour or one hour, as I couldn‘t notice any considerable improvement after. I think you can well open it now. But the wine also still has a long life ahead. My initial comment was more a short note to myself with my rating relative to others and relative to its price. Cheers!

  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    1/12/24, 9:22 AM - Thanks, Joel. Will try with more air next time.

Red
2010 Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
6/24/2023 - Bordeaux 2013 Likes this wine:
94 points
A good decant is needed.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    6/24/23, 8:14 PM - Hi, the wine was very drinkable right from the start, but kept improving while drinking out of the bottle over a two hour period. Don‘t know what would have come after that because the bottle was gone. So I would give it at least an hour in the decanter next time.

Red
1990 Château Cheval Blanc St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
6/8/2023 - Magnum PI Likes this wine:
95 points
Brookie and I drank this bottle from her birth vintage, on her birthday, at V. Mertz, prior to the Matchbox 20 concert. I purchased this bottle many years ago, and have been looking forward to drinking it on a special occasion, which this certainly was. This bottle has been touted as a "wow" experience, a "future legend", and other superlatives. I found it to be nothing of the sort. Very good, enjoyable, but nothing all that remarkable. Very balanced and well-integrated, with a very dominant note of green pepper, which just didn't work for me. The class was undeniable, the finish was above average. There was nothing about it that took it from a very good bottle to the next level. Brookie thought it was exceptionally good, and perhaps the best bottle she has ever had. Ah, Brookie. Happy birthday.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    6/23/23, 8:36 AM - Thanks for your note! Wondering how much air the wine got? Did you decant it and how much time did you spend drinkong it? Thanks!
    I am asking because I am thinking about purchasing it. To me it is the best bottle I ever had, too. But that was seven years ago. :-)

  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    6/24/23, 10:04 AM - Thanks!

Red
2010 Les Pagodes de Cos St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
1/5/2023 - JensAgo Likes this wine:
93 points
This is truly the mighty Saint-Estèphe, nuf said. Such an adventure drinking the second wine of Cos at prime drinking window time. 62/38 CS/M. Deep ruby/garnet, no obvious ageing signs in appearance. Nose is astonishing showcasing distinct cassis, graphite, blackberries, spice & earth. Palate is wow-elegant in a true velvety-style, multi-layered with so much depth, medium+-bodied, still a lot of ripe fruit & fine acidic structure, finishing on a long, concentrated & spicy note with just a bit of grip. Top-notch!
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    1/22/23, 7:29 AM - Thanks for your note. How did you drink it? Did you give it air before drinking? Thanks.

White
2018 Domaine de la Solitude Blanc Pessac-Léognan Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
9/12/2020 - stet wrote:
88 points
Color: medium gold
Nose: rich with pear, lemon curd, vanilla and melted butter
Palate: very buttery and oaky, this is a wine made by its barrel. There is lemon juice and pear
Finish: long

I recognize the quality of the winemaking here, but I'm having oak juice. Really not up my alley. Perhaps with a few more years? Not sure.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    11/12/22, 12:02 PM - Just had a botle now. Really disagree. Was very fruity, the oak no issue at all. Give it another chance.

Red
2018 Le Marquis de Calon Ségur St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
5/25/2022 - Everything Ahead wrote:
95 points
This bottle was even better (!) than the previous one. (Popped and poured and followed over 2 nights). This was amazing from the get-go, with a plethora of mostly dark fruits (prune, blueberry pie, fig, cassis) but also some red fruits (cherry and cranberry) and a striking minerality which reminded me of the 2018 Leoville Barton insofar as the minerals were perfectly alloyed with the fruits. Then: bell pepper, mint, pipe tobacco, charcoal smoke, floral notes (iris?) and a reedy clay note on the finish. Stellar nose that screams Left Bank Bordeaux. More Cab oriented than Merlot even though it is 50/50 apparently. Just phenomenal young Bordeaux with perfectly integrated alcohol (this bottle does not feel like 15%, more like 14%) and acidity. If those tannins can soften more over time this wine will be even more impressive, but it is so complex and complete and balanced now; I prefer it to Calon Segur itself in this vintage as the latter was less integrated at this stage with noticeable alcohol burn (Perhaps I am crazy? Has anyone ever preferred a Second wine to a First before?). Look forward to cracking these open alongside the "grand vin" in coming years. If you have both, you should try the two alongside one another, preferably blind, to see what I mean. Buy all that you can find. Rating: 95+
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    10/30/22, 2:08 PM - Thanks for your helpful note. Yes, I have experienced the same when comparing first and second growths.
    The answer to your question is that while the first growths are built for long term drinking, second wines are often (but not always) produced for ealier consumption - e.g. less tanin extraction from the grapes, less new oak - therefore they are more approachable young. First growth require more aging, but have the benefit of a potentially more complex flavour profile in the future. It might well be that your judgement on the two wines changes if you compare them again in 10 or even more so in 20 years. Keep us posted (if you have the patience…:-))

Red
2010 Château Gloria St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
9/24/2022 - Brent25 Likes this wine:
91 points
Clear deep ruby/garnet; clean medium nose of cassis, balsamic, grilled meat and cigar box; dry; high acidity; medium plus tannins; medium plus alcohol; medium plus body; medium plus flavour intensity; palate is tarter; long finish; drink now with a decant or in 5 or 10 years; shy out of the bottle but opened up after about 45 minutes; lovely subtle wine - rich on the nose and silky on the palate
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    10/6/22, 1:56 PM - I love Gloria as well, but 100 points? For me 100 points is wine that cannot be any better.

Red
2015 Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
6/12/2021 - FredericoWines Likes this wine:
93 points
I was hesitated to open this wine so young. But as I have a few bottles of it, it wouldn't hurt to waste one in worse case. Decanted for 3 hours and drank over the next hour. Colour was beautiful bright but deep dark ruby with no faded rims (still young I guess). Explosive nose of dark fruits, tobacco and moist earth. Tannin was crisp but no rough edge. Spicy and long finish. Strong and concentrate but with a touch of elegance. I'm glad I can open one each year over the next 5 years.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    9/30/21, 1:03 PM - In my opinion, if you do so you‘ll have drunk all of them by the time it‘ll just start to be at it‘s peak… I personally would give it a bit more time.

Red
2016 Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
1/30/2021 - grapenomad wrote:
90 points
Deep ruby red in the glass. Waaaaaay too young, I don't even know how one can enjoy this at this point of time. Loads of oak in your face, with the fruit struggling to come to the surface. Has strong juice to support the decades long aging, but you really can't see this opening up for the next decade.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    5/15/21, 3:39 AM - First growths are made to be drunk not earlier than after 10 or 15 years. It just doesn‘t make any sense to open one now and it give it a (comparably) low score, just because it is not yet ready. It is NOT made for this.

Red
2011 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso Toscana IGT Cabernet Franc
5/13/2021 - Bordeaux 2013 Likes this wine:
93 points
Interesting to drink a pure cabernet franc, and a very good wine indeed. I like it. However, it also shows very clearly why this grape is usually blended with other varieties for more complexity. No need to rush with this wine as it still has a long life ahead.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    5/14/21, 8:32 PM - Thanks, Stefan. You are right, my judgement may be premature. Will definitely try more pure CF when I run across them. I also appreciate the character of CF a lot and believe the grape is underestimated in general. But in the end it all ends up with personal preferences.

Red
2006 Château Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
4/30/2021 - Bordeaux 2013 Likes this wine:
93 points
Past peak, I would drink up.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    4/30/21, 10:42 PM - Hi Mark, I don‘t think it was an off bottle, but maybe it was inferior to other bottles as part of normal bottle variation. My last bottle one year ago was better, therefore my impression that it is on the decline. However, both bottles were drunk within about two and a half hours, so I don‘t know how they would have shown after five hours. I had the feeling that it would not improve with more air, but I might be wrong with that. You‘ll find out, looking forward to read about it.

Red
2014 Château Montrose St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
4/15/2020 - kfran24 Does not like this wine:
88 points
Wow what an epic disaster. Opened on my 34th bday with family. Expecting something special, got a tart mess. Should’ve selected the Vega Sicilia Valbuena, Quintessa, or Corison cab. All would put the 2014 Montrose to shame.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    5/2/20, 7:04 AM - These wines are made to be drunk with about 15, better 20 years of age. No wonder it‘s not good now.

  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    5/2/20, 9:31 AM - Right, actually I specifically referred to Montrose, which generally needs more time than other Bordeaux.

  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    5/2/20, 12:14 PM - I see. Somerimes they are good very young with lots of fruit, but then they close down for a few years before they once open again. Or it might just have bottle variation.

White - Sweet/Dessert
2001 Château Rieussec Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
4/9/2018 - Bordeaux 2013 wrote:
flawed
This was very disappointing given the excellent reviews from others. The wine didn‘t offer much flavours and in adition the acidity seemed too low to balance the heavy sweetness. Hope it was only this bottle (375ml) and that the others will be better. Anyone else who has experienced the same?
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    4/10/18, 11:46 AM - Given the many great ratings from others, I assume (better: hope) this was just an off bottle. Just along the saying ‚there is no good wine, there‘s just good bottles‘ :-)

  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    3/8/20, 2:55 PM - Mistery resolved. I had another bottle today, which was great. This was clearly an off bottle.

Red
2009 Château La Lagune Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend
12/21/2019 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine:
95 points
Another excellent showing of this great overachiever in this vintage. Super fresh, classic, dark and full of minerality. Love this. The tannin might still need a few more years to fully integrate, but it‘s very good quality.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    12/28/19, 9:30 AM - Thanks for the helpful note. How was the evolution after opening - how much air do you recommend? Thanks!

Red
2017 Gantenbein Pinot Noir Fläsch
12/7/2019 - Cailles wrote:
96 points
Informal dinner. No detailed notes. This was the third time I’ve had the newest vintage and this was the best bottle so far. As said before, this is the best vintage of this in the past few years (or since the future legend 2013), it dense and concentrated with the signature roasted oak aromas, fine dark cherries, some sous bois, some earthy tones, wonderful harmony, very fine tannins, perfect acidity and a good length. Probably not the most complex but just darn delicious.

Decanting: No decant needed.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    12/16/19, 3:40 PM - Thanks for your very helpful comments!

Red
2009 Château Meyney St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
10/9/2019 - Redteeth wrote:
First of six bottles I bought on release. When I pulled the cork it had a slight off aroma initially. Likewise the first taste had me concerned it was corked. But over time the aroma and taste improved to where the wine was enjoyable. Just a case of the French Funk? Additionally, there was a lot of sediment. The moral may be that this wine requires some serious decanting. We'll see what the next bottle of this wine and vintage brings.....
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    10/15/19, 8:33 PM - See my note from May 15 - do not pop and pour this wine. It is just a waste considering its potential. From my experience, it is generally not advisable to open a bottle of serious (and still young) Bordeaux, which requires aging, under time pressure. When I did this in the past I later regreted it. Therefore I prefer to choose a more straight forward wine when in a rush.

  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    10/16/19, 4:44 AM - Thanks, John. Fully agree. I do exactly the same. I have also started drinking the Bordeaux Meyney (and some other) 2009s, but what my point on the Meyney is that it is key to give it some decanting currently. From my experience it currently really starts to shine after about 45 mins.

    Means if at this stage you open a bottle without giving it air (pop and pour) and share it with three other persons, most of the wine will be gone after 45 mins, means you and your guests were not able appreciate the real quality of this wine (which is currenently in the 92 to 94 range on my scale).

Red
2009 Château Gloria St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
7/26/2019 - Jimaronson Likes this wine:
94 points
Wow. This wine really came around from 2017. The wine was open with sweet red and blue fruits. Lively through the finish. Huge nose. I was so surprised at how this wine came alive. Medium bodied and typical St. Julien softness throughout. I had a 2005 Lagrange, St. Julien, the other day that was chauky and boring. It seems that the 2009's are still sweeter and more expressive than the 2005's. Gloria is certainly not boring. I used the coravin so it will be interesting to see if my next glass is similar.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    8/17/19, 4:59 AM - Please let us know. So far I only had disappointing experiences with the coravin.

Red
1995 Château Calon-Ségur St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
7/31/2019 - Bordeaux 2013 Likes this wine:
88 points
Past peak. Little fruit left, mainly mushroom, earth and oak flavours. Also had a slight cork impression.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    8/1/19, 1:52 PM - Yes, that‘s what I thought. But the thing is that the cork smell disappeared after a while. So I don‘t know if it was flawed (given the other reviews here) or if it was just like this wine is.

Red
2015 Château Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
3/13/2019 - yourcenar Likes this wine:
95 points
Simply splendid. At full maturity but still with a serious longevity potential. Round, deep, lasting, intense
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    6/10/19, 12:07 AM - Why then not delete the note and move it to 2005? Thanks.

Red
2012 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
4/17/2019 - Mascarello59 Likes this wine:
93 points
Tapped with a Coravin and left in the decanter for 4 hours. Very nice aromas of dark fruit, cedar, some oak but also a decent amount of green pepper. Very silky and elegant in the mouth again with the greenness coming through. However it's not of the overwhelming sort but rather more to give a freshness impression. Very good fininsh with medium length. Early drinker given the very silky tannin?
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    5/30/19, 11:51 AM - Thanks for your note. What is your experience with coravin? I‘ve used it for about 10 bottles since I bought it and each time I was disappointed. Every time the bottle deteriorated significantly after only a few days, even though I was very careful in applying it correctly.

  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    6/2/19, 1:00 AM - Thanks for sharing. Will try it again.

Red
2015 Château Labégorce Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
4/4/2019 - Kathydrinks wrote:
87 points
Acidic but lighter on tannic. I was just not able to identify the strong nose I was getting..it was more like grass than fruit to me, followed by a hint of raspberry. I don’t know the exact alcohol content of this, but it tastes like it has a high alcohol level. Overall, not impressing. I think I should stick with Napa until my palate expands...
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    5/8/19, 2:28 PM - Agree, high quality bordeaux - while nowadays being approachable earlier than in the past - are generally still not made to drink 3 years after the vintage. I don‘t open any of the 15s yet at all. But if you do, at least a long decant is essential.

Red
2008 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
9/15/2018 - acyso wrote:
83 points
HDH auction at Spiaggia (ft. Maison Leroy); 9/13/2018-9/15/2018 (Chicago, IL): Intense, inky black fruit on the nose. Clearly some modernist goings-on here. The palate is extremely extracted, with a lot of sweet black fruit and oak showing on the palate. Modernist and wacky.
  • Bordeaux 2013 commented:

    11/10/18, 1:08 PM - How did you drink this wine? After having had a few bottles of this I cannot follow how this wine should be extremey extracted. To me it is in the opposite relatively muted.

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