Tag Archives: bordeaux

Chateau de Macard 2015, Bordeaux Superieur, France

18 Thursday Oct 2018

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A very clean, pure purple of lighter opacity in the glass.  On the nose black cherry, espresso and currant extract.  On the palate I get black fruits, a hint of cassis, vanilla and coffee bean.  The mid palate exhibits a lighter shade of the berries, somewhat more reedy.  The finish shows off tart black berries and slight tannins.  They build up after a while to a dry finish.  I’m doing Chorizo tacos as a potential pairing….  we will see how that works.  89 points and 3 stars for this $14 wine.  Drink till 2022.  Salut….

Cap Royal Bordeaux Superieur 2015, France

18 Thursday Oct 2018

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Light to medium density in the glass.  A lighter shade of purple that offers up plum, star anise and a stony minerality on the nose.  On the palate, it is somewhat sour and lacking in upfront fruit.  I have to coax some dark fruits, mainly plum out of the midpalate.  There is a herbaceous component that disjoints the wine coupled with volatile tannins.  The lack of fruit bothers me somewhat.  The overpowering dryness is quite dominant making this wine not very pleasant nor technically very good.  83 points- a pass of 1 star, save the $15.  Salut….

Chateau Leoville-Las Cases ‘Clos du Marquis’2006, Saint-Julien, France

17 Friday Aug 2018

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I have had the 2005 Close Du Marquis, twice.  This vintage is not as solid and lacks depth.  My Danish buddy brought it to our tasting and we saved it for the finale.  Unfortunately, the best was not saved for last- the best was the Pioneer Pinot that we tasted first.

Very dark and opaque in the glass.  The nose resonates with plums, Kirsch and Pepsi cola.  The palate has a definitive edge- plums, gripping tannins, acidity and pencil lead.  Cassis appears on the mid with a blue fruit and cedar component.  The finish is somewhat short, but pleasant with kirsch and cassis dominating while the  tannins recede.  89 points and for $55, 3 stars.  Salut….

Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou ‘La Croix de Beaucaillou’ 2010, Saint-Julien, France

18 Friday May 2018

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This is the second wine of Ducru Beaucaillou, and comes from the good 2010 vintage.  I have been given 2 bottles from my buddy, it’s Friday night and there are Porterhouses that need some company.

It looks somewhat murky in the glass, somewhat opaque in depth.  The nose is classic Bordeaux.  Cassis, leather, tobacco, dark fruits.  I am excited.  The palate offers up delicious Claret flavors, black berries, tobacco, cassis, leather and that classic terroir that you only get from the region.  The wine transcends the whole palate with the same flavor profile.  Tannins are well integrated and the acidity is barley noticeable, but balanced.  The wine has a decent length finish that keeps giving that Saint Julien terroir.  I am really enjoying this wine and it is drinking on pointe.  The steaks are going to pair beautifully, alongside the roasted Sprouts, Radishes and Beetroot.  I am going 92 points on this wine, it is rich, full bodied, flavorful and will age for another 10 years.  $60 is not a cheap price, but when the moment arrives- this is a great wine to pop.  5 stars from me.  Salut….

Chateau Giscours 2013, Margaux, France

30 Monday Apr 2018

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Purple, nice.  Mint, plums, wintergreen on the palate.  Very interesting.  The palate is fresh, young and tannic.  Blue fruits, sasparilla and cedar dominate.  Fine-grained tannins are evident but not overwhelming.  On the mid palate I get a strong blueberry component along with cedar.  The finish is short to medium in length and offers blue fruits, gentle tannins and some mild acidity.  This wine is rather basic, bland and thin.  It offers short term pleasure but is not age worthy.  Drink now.  88 points and 2 stars for this $50 Third-growth Margaux.  Salut….

Clarendelle 2013, Bordeaux, France

30 Monday Apr 2018

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Dark and murky.  The nose features plums, oak, black cherry.  The initial palate has blueberry, fine grained tannins, more black cherry.  The finish is quite dry, with blue fruits dominating.  87 points and 3 stars for this $15 Bordeaux from a relatively weak vintage.  Drink up.  Salut….

Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2008, Saint-Julien, France

22 Sunday Apr 2018

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Continuing on with the Birthday weekend celebration Moxie took us out for the most enjoyable dinner at my favorite restaurant.  L’Auberge Chez Francoise has been a local fixture for over 40 years and is consistently the best dining I have ever had.  Their wine list is extensive and meets all needs, but I really wanted to take two bottles from my cellar for the momentous occasion.  We started out with the 2008 Brainaire-Ducru, which runs about $65 currently.  I did not write notes on the wines, only a memory of the experience.

I was a little dismayed at the thinness of this wine.  It should have been at peak but instead I found it lacking much fruit, secondary flavors or even much tannic structure. I enjoyed it for what it was and would give it 90 points and 3 stars.  We drank it with Braised Wagyu Beef Cheeks, then the salad course.  Salut….

Chateau Gloria 2010, Saint-Julien, France

22 Sunday Apr 2018

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My buddy brought this wine, which I was really excited to try.  Unfortunately, it was a major let down.  Color was right but the nose and flavors were earthy with a tar note.  I did not bother to write further as I was really tired and just wanted to relax.  Overall, I would have given this wine 86 points and probably a pass for the $60 price tag….until I read some more posts about it on the web.  It rated very highly with the pros and sells for its price point, so maybe I got an off bottle.  I will reserve further judgement until I get another opportunity.  Too bad.  Salut….

Chateau Lynch-Bages 2000, Pauillac, France

20 Friday Apr 2018

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It’s my birthday.  I hit the big 5-Oh and pulled this one out the cellar to mark the occasion.  I bought 8 bottles of the 2000 vintage back in ’02 for $59 each, at Costco.  They go for $ 200+ nowadays.

The wine is still a vibrant purple with no signs of age, except the cork that broke in half on extraction.  The nose is heavenly.  Pure Pauillac, with loads of fruit, tobacco, leather, kirsch.  I have wondered for 16 years if this wine would open up like the amazing ’89.  So far, so good.  On the palate- it’s all I had hoped for and more.  Blackberry, cassis, leather, maduro leaf- to name a few of the initial components that meld right in with the fine-grained tannins.  The tannins are very fresh and vibrant, caressing the gums and balancing the gentle acidity to near perfection.  The mid plate is full of cassis and more tobacco leaf.  There is also a fig component that just hit me.  The finish exudes class.  Full of fruit, but with plenty of tertiary flavors mixed in.  Simply amazing.  This wine is young, fresh, vibrant and juicy yet displays grace, a maturity and great structure.  It fulfilled every possible desire I had for a super special treat and has truly rewarded my patience.  I am going with 96 points for this stunner and 5 stars.  It’s a privilege to be able to drink such magnificence.  The family are all working the kitchen to make a special meal, with my 15 year old manning the grill for the Ribeyes.  Salut….

Chateau Leoville Barton 2008, Saint-Julien, France

27 Tuesday Feb 2018

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My buddy brought this bottle from home, where it has been resting since he bought it en primeur.  I love this chateau, they produce classic Saint Julien and are consistent, fairly priced and good quality.

Nearly black in the glass, it shows off beautiful legs.  The nose offers up charcoal, plum, black berries, a whiff of alcohol and cassis.  On the palate it is somewhat thinner than expected but fresh, bright and still young.  I get more dark fruits, gorgeous tannins, ripe acidity, capsicum, leather and Maduro leaf.  Black tea shows up in the midpalate with some tar and plum.  The finish is medium length, quite dry from the persistent tannins and gives off a white pepper note.  Overall this is a delicious, young wine that will stand up to hearty meats, grills, cheese or just by itself. 91 points from me.  It currently runs $90, and got an average of 92 points from the pros.  For my points, it gets 4 stars, just because I love good Bordeaux!  Salut….