1998 Château Balestard La Tonnelle

Community Tasting Notes (6) Avg Score: 89.8 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View roederer's profile
  • Report Issue

  12/13/2020 - roederer wrote: 90 Points

  Beau bouchon
  
  Pourpre sombre, quasi opaque
  Au nez : bois, cerise, fruits noirs (cassis)
  En bouche, stupéfiant d'âcreté ; on a des tannins râpeux plein la bouche, presque un goût d'encre - une décoction de chêne, comme disent les Bourguignons. Jamais rien goûté de semblable. D'habitude, j'aime bien... mais à ce point, il y a mieux à mon goût.
  Faible complexité.
  Bonne fraîcheur, bonne longueur en bouche (évidemment).
  
  Un bordeaux à l'ancienne, comme en n'en fait plus, dans un millésime particulier peut-être. Si j'en avais une autre bouteille, je la garderais cinquante ans, à titre de témoin et pour voir ce que ces tanins incroyables sont devenus. C'est un vin indestructible, massif comme un roc, la bouteille ouverte tient des semaines sans fléchir. Pour autant, je ne crois pas qu'il doive gagner en complexité.
  
  
  Un mois plus tard...
  Toujours fermé et droit dans ses bottes - c'est décidément un Bordeaux à l'ancienne. Il n'a rien perdu ni rien gagné, mais ce comportement augure d'une longévité d'au moi ns cinquante an

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Zweder's profile
  • Report Issue

  12/28/2019 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points

  An easy afternoon with close friends; Pomerol, Pauillac and Pessac. (@ PdV): Mature bouquet with ripe red berries and some bell pepper. On the palate red and dark berries, a touch of sweetness, licorice and graphite, juicy acidity and slightly sticky tannin.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View igaf's profile
  • Report Issue

  10/1/2013 - igaf wrote:

  Some cassis, sour dark berries and hints of tar on the medium intense nose. Med+ body, rather plush and lacking structure a bit. Moderate acidity, plums, earth, coffee on the palate with some tannins remaining. Med+ length. Fruity aftertaste with a touch of spice. Good right bank, quite ready.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View wouter83's profile
  • Report Issue

  1/22/2013 - wouter83 Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Beautiful, well balanced wine. Very smooth. Dark fruit and a some herbal notes. Smooth tannins. Drink now

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View rbazinet's profile
  • Report Issue

  1/17/2010 - rbazinet wrote: 90 Points

  I love the nose of this wine - what I expect from good Bordeaux with a few years under its belt – not a massive nose, but a nice balance of barnyard, cassis and oak. Unfortunately the nose on this wine slightly outperforms the taste. I enjoyed this wine, and I like that I was able to buy it with 12 years under its belt, but at almost $70 a bottle I won’t be buying any more (89-90).

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

View all 6 Community Tasting Notes

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.