Community Tasting Note

Cailles wrote:

Monday, November 15, 2021 - Bordeaux 2019 - 15 red / 2 white / 4 sweet wines: UCG Arrivage Tasting. A few observations on the red wines: 1) Overall quality: 2019 is indeed another great vintage for Bordeaux reds. The quality was good across the board. 2) Ripeness: 2019 is less ripe than 2015/2018. Out of 15 wines only one (Gazin) showed overripe. But 2016 still wins in this category with the freshest and purest fruit expression. 2019 is in between 2015/2016. 3) Complexity: 2019 will not reach the heights of 2016 but is almost on par with 2015/2018, although the latter one will need to flesh out for quite some time reveal all nuances. 4) Precision: I found superb precision in many wines, however, again not on the level of 2016. 5) Structural frame: The tannins are ripe and very fine, the acidity is generally high (but not as high as in 2016), the texture is nicely airy (unlike with many 15s/18s), no alcohol heat (a problem in 2018) and the wines are very harmonious. 6) Best wines tasted were a magical Canon (96+ pts), a superb Leoville Barton (95 pts). Unfortunately, they were all out of Pichon Lalande - supposedly one of the wines of the vintage.

TN: Leoville Poyferre is usually not among my favorites in the appellation as it is usually a touch riper, creamier and in hot vintages sluttier than the LLC, Barton or Ducru. On the upside, the Poyferres usually show good early on. This 2019 showed that once more: only medium expressive on the nose but open and very creamy with lots of fruit (but not too ripe in 2019) at the core and some herbal and spice notes around it. Ripe, round, velvety tannins, medium acidity and well integrated, very creamy texture and feel, good length. 92-93 points with some upside to 94-95 points once this will hit maturity. Didn‘t stand a chance against the superb Leoville Barton we had next to it which shows more complexity, much more precision, much better freshness and classic, aristocratic proportions and even a touch sweet magic I haven‘t encountered in many other Bartons.

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