The final wine at the First Growth Bordeaux Lunch at the Downs Club last Saturday…. and what a great way to finish a wonderful lineup. I recall Apricot and Pear on a palate of profound intensity which delivers on the powerful nose. An obviously sweet palate with enough racy acid to keep things interesting and fresh. Will last until the late 2030s at least. Terrific! — 12 days ago
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Deep inky in color with a short purple rim.
Beautiful nose of blueberries, black currants, cooked cherries, light oak, vegetables, licorice, earth, chocolates, Indian spices and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with plums, currants, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, coffee, light tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, earth and black tea.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux. Showing a nice mouthfeel. Fresh, complex and rich.
This second growth wine is still young, but already enjoyable, even by itself.
Drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 7 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.
Well balanced, and good by itself as a sipping wine. A good food wine too.
A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
12.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$215. — 12 days ago
Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.
The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.
We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩
It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.
It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — 9 days ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish/ brick rim.
Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and complex.
Showing black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and light forest floor.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a fabulous 18 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Saint Julien. Rich and balanced. Elegant and fruit forward. Chocolaty and spicy.
This First wine from the 4th Growth is drinking beautifully now, and not showing that much age. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
I had the 2005 vintage not too long ago and this 2007 vintage is drinking better now. Well balanced and complex.
Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with a big piece of steak too.
A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.
13% alcohol by volume.
93 points
$130. — 8 days ago
Classic nose with black currant and cassis, some damson plum and notes of cedar wood & mint. Fresh, pure and very seductive & enticing.
Medium bodied in the palate, very elegant and with great balance. The tannins are velvety fine but still give a nice frame to the dark fruit. Juicy & fresh and with good length.
This is in a very nice place right now and is drinking beautifully.
Such a classic Margaux. — a day ago
+2 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). An amazing dark garnet color. On the nose: You must breathe in this captivating nose of dark red fruit, herbaceous, smoke, sweet florals, worn leather, licorice. Taste: layered, balanced, silky wine with brambly raspberry/cherry, peppery tobacco, gravel, smoked leather, tar, and a long drying finish. YUM! No need to hurry plenty of time to go. — 3 days ago
This was actually the first wine we had at the Bordeaux first growth lunch last Saturday (which wasn’t a First Growth). No notes taken but it did show the quality of the 1982 vintage particularly from Paulliac, and was still going strong. — 12 days ago
Dark and brooding. Tangy plum fruit, roses, blood and dried herbs, iodine. Very intense and serious. Blackcurrant and black pepper with plum and black cherry. Long and quality. — 11 days ago
"Odedi"
Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Beautiful nose of blackberries, black currants, plums, tobacco, cedar, leather, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, herbs, earth, Mediterranean spices and peppercorn.
Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, peppercorn, tobacco leaf and black tea.
This Second Growth Margaux is delicious. Nicely balanced and elegant. Fruit forward and complex. Rich, but not extracted.
This 7 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend is starting to drink beautifully right now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 20 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food. Loved the complexity on the nose.
A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$110. — 3 days ago