Bordeaux 2010 - 10 Years On - 61 Reds: Bordeaux 2010 after 10 years. 61 reds, mostly big names, tasted blind. Average score 92.1 and lower than the more open and charming 2009 vintage last year (93.4). A few observations: A) It’s not yet the harmonious, complex, classic, clean vintage. Especially the masculine appellations of the left bank need at least 5 more years to just open up, potentially longer to soften. B) Left bank trumps right bank thanks to less detectable alcohol, cleaner lines and the two best wines of the vintage (Mouton, Margaux). C) Pomerol shines bright with many strong wines which can all mask the high alcohol levels (best AOC slightly ahead of Pauillac). D) As in 2009, there are several right banks already past peak, incl. big names (Duffau Lagarosse, Ausone). All in all, 2010 is a very good vintage with pockets of greatness but today 2009 shows more open and hence complex. More information, top and worst 10 list, appellation rankings from five participants in the story link.
TN: This is my first time trying a wine of this Chateau and sadly, this is another right bank, which already shows notes of premature oxidation, especially on the nose. The palate shows very well-defined sweet red fruit but isn’t as soft and polished as many other right banks. All in all, rather a disappointing showing.
Decanting: A short one or two hour decant in hope of a better showing?
Group average: 90.4 Group rank: number 52 out of 61 wines
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Grand Bordeaux 2010 ten years on tasting; 6/21/2020-6/22/2020 (Fribourg): Big Bordeaux 2010 2-day horizontal hosted by a private collector. My 3 main takeaways from the vintage were 1) more frequent perception of heat, 2) a slightly stronger left bank and a less consistent right bank, 3) while in general it is still too early to pop the 2010s, wine selection is key as some appear to be in decline already, especially on the right bank. The top wines were Mouton (99), Margaux (98) and VCC (98). The biggest positive surprise was Clos Manou (95). Biggest disappointment was Pape Clement (86). More details and complete tasting overview included in the tasting story.
Tasting note: Ripe red fruit, rather simply structured and slightly alcoholic. Fruit forward palate.
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Inky, dark purple and opaque in color, the wine explodes with no decanting. It’s scary to think air and time will make this sublime wine even better. Aromas of boysenberry, creamy black raspberry, espresso, vanilla, truffle, flowers and stone open to a powerful, concentrated, full bodied, rich, intense wine with silky tannins, freshness and flavors that expand in the long, mouth coating finish. The owner Stephan Niepperg prefers 2010 to the 2009. I am not sure I agree, as I like the sensuality of the 2009, over the structure of the 2010. Regardless, either vintage offers an extraordinary expression of the estates limestone rich terroir. Based on a sublime 1964 tasted recently, this will age and develop for decades!
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Huge colour; Lush, seductive velvet tinged plum fruits on the nose; concentrated and rich on the palate. Lots here - very, very impressive, the flavours fan out wonderfully on the finish. A beauty. 95-97.
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Dark color, this minerality based wine is complicated by scents of blackberry liqueur, flowers, spice and earth. With rich, plush textures and round tannins, this powerful, concentrated wine ends with layers of deep, spicy, black fruit and glycerin. I tasted this wine in April and later in July. According to the owner, Stephan von Neipperg, some vats of La Mondotte have not finished malolactic fermentation by July! 96-97 Pts
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6/29/2020 - Cailles wrote: 89 Points
Bordeaux 2010 - 10 Years On - 61 Reds: Bordeaux 2010 after 10 years. 61 reds, mostly big names, tasted blind. Average score 92.1 and lower than the more open and charming 2009 vintage last year (93.4). A few observations: A) It’s not yet the harmonious, complex, classic, clean vintage. Especially the masculine appellations of the left bank need at least 5 more years to just open up, potentially longer to soften. B) Left bank trumps right bank thanks to less detectable alcohol, cleaner lines and the two best wines of the vintage (Mouton, Margaux). C) Pomerol shines bright with many strong wines which can all mask the high alcohol levels (best AOC slightly ahead of Pauillac). D) As in 2009, there are several right banks already past peak, incl. big names (Duffau Lagarosse, Ausone). All in all, 2010 is a very good vintage with pockets of greatness but today 2009 shows more open and hence complex. More information, top and worst 10 list, appellation rankings from five participants in the story link.
TN: This is my first time trying a wine of this Chateau and sadly, this is another right bank, which already shows notes of premature oxidation, especially on the nose. The palate shows very well-defined sweet red fruit but isn’t as soft and polished as many other right banks. All in all, rather a disappointing showing.
Decanting: A short one or two hour decant in hope of a better showing?
Group average: 90.4
Group rank: number 52 out of 61 wines
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6/22/2020 - sirpat00 wrote: 92 Points
Grand Bordeaux 2010 ten years on tasting; 6/21/2020-6/22/2020 (Fribourg): Big Bordeaux 2010 2-day horizontal hosted by a private collector. My 3 main takeaways from the vintage were 1) more frequent perception of heat, 2) a slightly stronger left bank and a less consistent right bank, 3) while in general it is still too early to pop the 2010s, wine selection is key as some appear to be in decline already, especially on the right bank. The top wines were Mouton (99), Margaux (98) and VCC (98). The biggest positive surprise was Clos Manou (95). Biggest disappointment was Pape Clement (86). More details and complete tasting overview included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Ripe red fruit, rather simply structured and slightly alcoholic. Fruit forward palate.
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5/8/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
Inky, dark purple and opaque in color, the wine explodes with no decanting. It’s scary to think air and time will make this sublime wine even better. Aromas of boysenberry, creamy black raspberry, espresso, vanilla, truffle, flowers and stone open to a powerful, concentrated, full bodied, rich, intense wine with silky tannins, freshness and flavors that expand in the long, mouth coating finish. The owner Stephan Niepperg prefers 2010 to the 2009. I am not sure I agree, as I like the sensuality of the 2009, over the structure of the 2010. Regardless, either vintage offers an extraordinary expression of the estates limestone rich terroir. Based on a sublime 1964 tasted recently, this will age and develop for decades!
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5/3/2012 - vespasian wrote: 96 Points
Huge colour; Lush, seductive velvet tinged plum fruits on the nose; concentrated and rich on the palate. Lots here - very, very impressive, the flavours fan out wonderfully on the finish. A beauty. 95-97.
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7/30/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
Dark color, this minerality based wine is complicated by scents of blackberry liqueur, flowers, spice and earth. With rich, plush textures and round tannins, this powerful, concentrated wine ends with layers of deep, spicy, black fruit and glycerin. I tasted this wine in April and later in July. According to the owner, Stephan von Neipperg, some vats of La Mondotte have not finished malolactic fermentation by July! 96-97 Pts
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