2009 Château Bel-Air (Domaines Martin)

Community Tasting Notes (10) Avg Score: 87.8 points

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  12/31/2018 - JDZ wrote:

  Old, bad

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  6/30/2018 - forceberry wrote: 88 Points

  Normally a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (3/4) and Merlot (1/4) with a small dose of Cabernet Franc in the mix. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in barriques (approx. 25% new). 13,5% alcohol. Tasted blind.
  
  Somewhat developed, dark ruby red color with moderate translucency. Obviously quite ripe but also rather restrained nose with pleasant and very dark-toned aromas of blackcurrant-driven dark fruits, some sweeter red fruits, a little bit of smoky character, a hint of strawberry jam and a touch of savory wood. Overall the nose feels enjoyably pure and fruit-forward, not obfuscated by oak. The wine is moderately full-bodied and quite ripe on the palate with flavors of juicy dark berries, some sweet red-toned fruit, a little bit of woody bitterness, a hint of chocolatey wood and a touch of blackcurrant jam. The wine is moderately high in acidity with quite gentle, ripe tannins. The finish is long, somewhat sweet-toned and a bit more woody than the midpalate with flavors of toasty oak spice, chocolate, some sunny plummy fruit, a little bit of woody bitterness, a hint of ripe blackcurrant and a touch of rich black cherry fruit.
  
  A good and enjoyable, albeit somewhat polished Bordeaux that is obviously from a warmer year. The nose showed surprisingly and pleasantly little oak character, but the woodier tones became more evident on the palate - especially towards the end of the aftertaste - which, along with the sweeter-toned, sunny fruit, made a rather "Californian" impression of the wine. Overall this feels like a Bordeaux wine that is aimed more towards the fans of Napa Cab, not the friends of classically styled claret. I guess the wine could tone down and gain a bit more sophistication in a cellar, but I have some doubts if the wine can last long enough to integrate the oak fully. Good stuff, but nothing particularly memorable. Priced according to its quality at approx. 16€.

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  1/8/2018 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Gorgeous young Medoc

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  1/7/2018 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Popped and poured. Lovely, dark Medoc. Lots of acid, deep, balanced dark fuit, light-medium body. Drinking beautifully and good QPR.

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  11/2/2015 - Fat cat wrote: 86 Points

  Perfectly pleasant but unexciting. Deep rich red colour, smooth on the palate, just lacking the interest to make you go wow...

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