| Bordeaux (Generic Wines and Minor Appellations) |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch d'Aiguilhe 2002 (Cotes de Castillon) 13.5% |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Waitrose £20 |
Glass-staining red. Over-ripe fruit on nose. Oaky tannins with some cooked fruit and acidity under: Fair length, hint of spices. Rather over-extracted, hot finish |
4+ |
| Ch d'Aiguilhe 2003 (Cotes de Castillon) 14% |
CLWS 17.9.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Dark red. Good fruit on nose. Palate is still dominated by tannin: long but astringent and undeveloped on end |
4+ |
| Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe 1999 (Cotes de Castillon) 13.5% |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
|
Some browning. Spice on nose. Structured palate with fruit drying out: some rather astringent length. Drink up |
4 |
| Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe 2001 (Cotes de Castillon) 14% |
CLWS 4.10.06 |
Waitrose £20 |
Dark, Rich Merlot nose, with some oak. Fruit and balanced structure: moderate length with a little development. Should improve |
5- |
| Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe 2004 (Cotes de Castillon) 13.5% |
HASS 21.6.07 |
Waitrose £8 |
Moderate depth. Green plum nose. Acidic fruit: some finish and development, but astringent. |
4+ |
| Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe 2005 (Cotes de Castillon) 14% |
CLWS 17.9.08 |
Waitrose £9 |
Reasonable colour. Plum and spice nose. Some ripe fruit and tannin. Fair length with some development |
5 |
| Calvet Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Bordeaux) 11.5% |
CLWS 3.09.08 |
Waitrose £4.50 |
Young. Restrained goosberry nose. Quite well balanced, with some length but simple |
4 |
| Calvet Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Bordeaux) 11.5% |
CLWS 26.11.08 |
Waitrose £7 |
Yellow, amber edge. Oaky nose. Little fruit, consdierable tannin - some length but not to my taste |
3+ |
| Cap de Faugeres 2000 (Cotes de Castillon) 13% |
CLWS 26.11.08 |
about £15 |
Good colour. Mature ripe nose. Drying palate, some fruit: some length, but a rather hot, medicianl finish.Too old |
5- |
| Clairet de la Clariere 2004 (Bordeaux) 12.5 |
CLWS 12.11.08 |
Laithwaite £7 |
Light red. Soft fruity nose. Crisp palate with ripe strawberry fruit: some length and hints of development |
4+ |
| Ch Doisy-Daene Sec 2007 (Barsac) 12.5% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Waitrose £10 |
Good colour. Oil and flower aromas (mostly Semillon?). Good balance and complexity. |
5+ |
| G de Ch Guiraud 2005 (Sauternes) 13.5% |
IWD 16.12.06 |
Majestic £8 |
Dry white mainly Sauvignon Blanc. Full colour. Tropical fruits on nose. Fully ripe, OK balance: not much development |
5- |
| G de Ch Guiraud 2006 (Sauternes) 13.5% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
Majestic £9 |
Pale. Intense gooseberry Sauvignon character on nose. Fruit and oil on palate with a good bite |
4+ |
| Ch Haut-d'Allard 2006 (Cotes de Bourg) 12.5% |
CLWS 26.11.08 |
Waitrose £5 |
Modest, dull colour. Ink & rubber on nose. Rather thin and tannic with a burning finish |
3- |
| Ch Haut-Magiret Blanc 2007 (Soussac) 12% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Waitrose £7 |
Pale colour. Gooseberry nose. Clean, commercial wine |
4 |
| Chevalier de Larquey 2006 (Bordeaux Rose) |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Laithwaite £6.75 |
Candy pink. Artificial strawberry on nose. Confected palate: short, vaguely unplasant finish. |
2+ |
| Dourthe No 1 Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Bordeaux) |
CLWS 17.9.08 |
Waitrose £7.49 |
Very pale gold. Restrained nose, some gooseberry. Off dry and slightly spritzig. Fruit and citric acidity on palate, some length |
5- |
| French Renaissance Blanc 2005 (Bordeaux) 12% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
Morrisons £8 |
OK |
4 |
| Grain Rose de Larcis Ducasse 2005 (VdeT) |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
Avery £7.45 |
Merlot & Cabernet Franc. Palish pink. Quite aromatic nose. Good structure and fruit with some length. Fresh. |
4+ |
| Ch Meaume 2002 (Bordeaux Superieur) 13.5% |
HASS 21.6.07 |
Majestic £7 |
Dark colour. Plums and tobacco on nose. Some tannin, fruit rather thin: finish has some spice and medicinal notes |
4 |
| Ch Penin Blanc 2008 (Bordeaux Superieur) 15% |
CI 7.10.09 |
Genesis Wines £9.50 |
Pale yellow. Restrained grassy nose. Some fruit, fairly oily palate with good balance and some length |
5- |
|
|
|
|
|
| Médoc |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch la Tour-de-By 1995 (CB) |
CLWS 3.10.07 |
|
Quite deep colour, browning edge. CS fruit and manure. Tannic palate with secondary characteristics. Lacks finesse. Too old. |
4+ |
| Ch la Tour-de-By 1996 (CB) |
CLWS 3.10.07 |
|
Good colour, amber edge. Fruit and farmyard nose. Well balanced fruit on palate: round , developed finish. Near peak. |
6- |
| Ch Potensac 1990 (CB) 13% |
GCS 5.12.08 |
|
Reasonable colour. Not much nose. Little firm, so structure a little prominent: modest finish. Getting old |
4+ |
| Ch Potensac 2000 (CB) |
CLWS 19.3.08 |
|
Fair colour, not much nose. Good Cabernet on palate, but structure is still rather tough. Some finish, but needs time. |
5- |
|
|
|
|
|
| Haut Médoc |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch Belgrave 2005 (5me Cru) 13% |
CLWS 27.5.09 |
Berry Brothers £22 |
Deep colour with a narrow pink rim. Nose has coffee and ripe fruit. Good tannic structure with excellent fruit under: very good length but little development yet. Needs plenty of time. |
6 |
| Ch Cantemerle 1993 (5me Cru) 12% |
CLWS 18.4.07 |
about £25 |
A bit dull. Mature, cedar nose. Subdued palate, lacks excitement |
4 |
| Ch Chasse-Spleen 1998 12.8% |
CLWS 4.06.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Moderate depth with a pale fringe. Some fruit on nose, but rather thin and tannic on palate. Opens a little in glass, with some length, but past its best? |
5- |
| L'Ermitage de Chasse Spleen 1998 12.5% |
CLWS 4.06.08 |
Berry Brothers & Rudd £12 |
Dull colour, some browning. Very mature nose. Some rich fruit, but astringent on finish. Fully ready |
5- |
| Ch Cissac 1990 (CB) 12.5% |
GCS 5.12.08 |
|
Mature colour and nose. Little fruit left but in balance: fair length, some richness and development. Past its peak |
5 |
| Ch Cissac 1998 (CB) 12.5% |
NWB 4.2.09 |
about £20 |
Considerable browning. Mature, plummy nose. Integrate oak on palate: good finish , but showing astringency at end |
5 |
| Ch Clement-Pichon 2002 13% |
HASS 21.6.07 |
Tesco £13 |
Broad brown fringe. Black fruit and oak on nose. Oak tannins over blackcurrant fruit: good weight, some length with vegetal hints on end |
5 |
| Ch Hanteillan 1999 12.5% |
CLWS 4.06.08 |
Majestic £12 |
Hazy, mature nose. Ripe fruit and chocolate on nose. Palate not quite integrated: possible breaking u, although there is some ripe fruit there is little length or complexity |
4 |
| Ch Liversan 2005 13% |
CLWS 4.06.08 |
Waitrose £12 |
Good colour. Ripe fruit on nose. Quite tannic with reasonable fruit: moderate length, with a rather chalky finish |
5- |
| Ch Peyrabon 2005 |
IWD 16.8.09 |
|
Black-red with a broad fringe. Little nose. Undistinguished palate with little finish |
4 |
| Ch Sociando-Mallet 2000 (St Seurin-de-Cadonne CB) |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Majestic £40 |
Deep colour. Blackcurrent nose with little development. Very good concentration but need more time to balance and develop |
5+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Listrac & Moulis |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch Poujeaux 1994 (Moulis Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal) |
CI 3.8.07 |
about £20-25 |
Modest colour. Mature nose with little fruit. Palate has grip but little else. Too old |
4- |
| Ch Poujeaux 1995 (Moulis Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal) |
CI 3.8.07 |
about £20-25 |
Good colour, narrow pale rim. Rather green fruit on nose. Underripe, rather stalky fruit: not much finish |
4 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 19.3.08 |
|
Pale brown to rim. Hints of fruit on nose. Rough tannins, with fruit hints under, thin in middle and hard and unbalanced on finish. |
3+ |
| Ch Poujeaux 1996 (Moulis Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal) |
CI 3.8.07 |
about £20-25 |
Some browning but quite bright. Nose beginning to mature. Palate still quite tannic – good fruit under: good length, showing some maturity, but tannic on end. Needs a few more years to soften. |
5 |
| Ch Poujeaux 1997 (Moulis Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal) |
CI 3.8.07 |
about £20-25 |
Quite a pale, bright colour. Good fruit on nose and palate, with a good balance of structure: finish shows enough tannin and fruit to develop further. |
5+ |
| Ch Poujeaux 1998 (Moulis Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal) |
CI 3.8.07 |
about £20-25 |
Dull colour, broad brown fringe. Slightly corked, cardboardy nose. Palate has good fruit but is breaking up – odd flavours on end. |
1 |
| - ditto - |
NWB 4.2.09 |
|
Considerable browning. Some blackcurrant and tobacco with maturing aromas. Quite rich fruitwith balancing structure, mainly acidity: long, integrated and developed finish - still improving? |
5+ |
| Ch Poujeaux 1999 (Moulis Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal) |
CI 3.8.07 |
about £20-25 |
OK colour, showing some browning. Reasonable fruit on nose, but palate has a slightly sour edge and only moderate length. Might it soften? |
5- |
| Ch Poujeaux 2000 (Moulis Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal) |
CI 3.8.07 |
about £20-25 |
Deep, rich colour. Nose has oak, fruit and maturity hints. Round, rich, spicy palate with a good grip under. Excellent length, some development. Almost ready, buit will soften and open in next 2-3 years |
6- |
| Ch Poujeaux 2002 (Moulis Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal) |
CI 3.8.07 |
about £20-25 |
Moderate colour, slightly dull. Some blackcurrant fruit on nose. Palate tight and stalky – picked rather green? Rather short and ungenerous, with stalky tannins dominating the finish. If it softens, what will be left? |
4+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Margaux |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch D'Angludet 1990 (CB) 12.5% |
GCS 5.12.08 |
|
Quite bright, pale rim. Maturing plum nose. Quite ripefruit, balanced with tannin: good length and some development, rounded at end. Will develop |
6- |
| Ch D'Angludet 1998 (CB) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
Oddbins £18 |
Some maturity. Tannin still dominating palate but fruit developing. Finish has some length and a delicate Margaux charcter, but is a little hot on the end. |
5 |
| - ditto - |
GCS 16.1.09 |
|
Palate is noe balanced on initial attack, but still astringent and undeveloped at end |
5+ |
| Ch Brane-Cantegnac 1998 (2nd Cru) 12.9% |
CLWS 13.1.09 |
Majestic £30 |
Dense colour. Some oak and farmyard aromas. Green, unripe fruit, lots of acidity: short, sour finish |
4 |
| Ch Desmirail 2000 (3me Cru) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
Marks & Spencer £20 |
Young colour. Tobacco nose. Fruit rather dried out on palate: a good length but rather sour on end. |
4+ |
| Ch Dufort-Vivens 2003 (2nd Cru) 12.5% |
CLWS 7.1.09 |
Nicholas £43 |
Quite deep colour. Young fruity nose. Palate shows tannins and some green acidity with fruit under: quite long but little development |
5- |
| Ch Ferriere 2001 (3me Cru) 12% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
Majestic £20 |
Red berries on nose. Slightly fiery, tannic palate, lacking fruit: finish is austere and undeveloped. |
4+ |
| Ch Labegorce-Zede 2000 (CB) 12.5% |
GCS 16.1.09 |
£19 ep |
Fairly deep colour. Some ripe fruit aromas. Rather thin in middle but quite long and complex |
5 |
| Ch Lascombes 1996 (2me Cru) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
about £35 |
Moderate colour with some browning. Smokey fruit on nose and palate. Drying and rather thin, with moderate, vegetal length |
5- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 13.1.09 |
|
Some considerably more maturity and a varnish character. Fruit gone. Well past its best |
4 |
| Ch Lascombes 1998 (2me Cru) 12.5% |
HASS 20.11.08 |
about £35 |
Moderate red, brown edge. Nose rather musty. Thin, no fruit, flat and astringent. Faulty |
1 |
| - ditto - |
NWB 4.2.09 |
about £30 |
Quite deep, some browing on rim. Dark fruits, some green notes on nose. Rather stalky tannins and lean fruit: thin and sour on end |
5- |
| Ch Lascombes 2000 (2me Cru) 12.5% |
HASS 20.11.08 |
about £40 |
Black red. Bramble fruit, with some farmyard aromas. Quite ripe fruit, but stalky tannins: quite long but fails to impress. Vines shut down? |
5- |
| Chevalier de Lascombes 2000 12.5% |
HASS 21.6.07 |
Sainsbury £15 |
Varnish brown Thin, green nose. Flat on palate; lacks weight or character. |
4 |
| Ch Margaux 1983 (1er Cru) |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
Badly stored |
Volatile and dried out, nevertheless original quality shows through. |
1 |
| Ch Margaux 1993 (1er Cru) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
about £110 |
Perfumed nose. Distinguished character but palate rather acidic: delicate, classy finish |
6 |
| Ch Margaux 1994 (1er Cru) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.1.09 |
Andrew Mead £120 |
Moderate colour, amber edge. Elegant fruit and farmyard nose. Not much fruit, and quite astringent: moderate length, some complexity. Past its best |
5+ |
| Ch Palmer 1998 (3me Cru) 12% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
about £75 |
Dull red, with little browning. Vegetal nose. Ripe fruits but rather drying tannins and acidity: interesting finish. |
5+ |
| Ch Palmer 1995 (3me Cru) 12.5% |
GCS 16.1.09 |
about £75 |
Moderate colour, some browning. Maturing nose. Soft palate with ripe fruit: very long, mature finish |
6+ |
| Ch Palmer 1990 (3me Cru) 12% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
about £150 |
Showing some age: quite a mature farmyard nose. Good fruit and structure: long, maturing finish. |
6 |
| Alter Ego de Ch Palmer 2003 13% |
GCS 16.1.09 |
£35 |
Moderate colour. Not much nose. Ripe fruit, balancing structure: good weight and length, but still young and slightly astringent on end: |
6- |
| Ch Prieure-Lichine 1986 (4me Cru) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
|
Fully mature, with a good spicy nose. Well-balanced fruit on palate: charcterful finish just staring to break up on end. Drink now. |
5+ |
| Ch Rauzan-Segla 1990 (2me Cru) 13% |
CLWS 13.1.09 |
|
Mature colour. Fruit and farmyard nose. Porty, ripe sweet fruit with good balance: very good length with masses of complexity. |
7 |
| Ch Rauzan-Segla 1995 (2me Cru) 13% |
CLWS 13.3.07 |
about £45 |
Very dark colour. Spicy nose. Palate dominated by tannin: no subtlty - earthy St Estephe style. |
5- |
| Ch Segonnes 1998 12.5% |
CLWS 19.3.08 |
|
Browning. Corky and volatile hints in first bottle, second bottle worse. Hard and rather nasty on palate. |
1 |
| Ch Siran 2001 13% |
CLWS 4.06.08 |
Andrew Mead £20 |
Moderate colour, browning to edge. Backward, soupy nose. Tannic and very sour, lacking fruit and length, and showing alcohol on end. Not very pleasant. |
4- |
| - ditto - |
GCS 16.1.09 |
|
Deep red. Little nose. Drying tannins with fruit under: some length but little development. Slowly getting better? |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pauillac |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch d’Armailhac (5me Cru) 1994 12.5% |
GCS 14.9.07 |
about £30 |
Bright colour with some browning. Nose starting to mature, and showing green, malic acid notes. Fruit behind acid palate: some volatile acid on finish which lacks roundness. |
5- |
| - ditto - |
GCS 12.9.08 |
|
Fully mature, and intensely stalky with a sour finish. |
4 |
| Ch d’Armailhac (5me Cru) 2001 12.5% |
CLWS 12.5.09 |
Mill Hill Wines £30 |
Moderate colour with some browning to edge. Hints of fruit and cedar on nose. Very tannic palate with little fruit: modest length, tart and hot at end |
4+ |
| Ch Batailley (5me Cru) 2001 12.5% |
GCS 12.9.08 |
about £20 |
Reasonable colour, amber on rim. Light nose. Oaky plate, with light fruit: some maturity, but lacks depth and complexity |
5 |
| Ch la Fleur-Milon (CB) 1999 |
GCS 9.2.07 |
|
Some browning. Spicy, meaty nose. Good fruit balanced by tannins and acidity: finish is quite long but rather dilute and simple. |
5 |
| Ch Grand-Puy-Ducasse (5me Cru) 1999 12.5% |
CLWS 11.3.08 |
about £25 |
Moderate colour, some browning. Rather vegetal nose. Light fruit with considerable tannin: rather dry and astringent on finish. |
5- |
| Ch Grand-Puy-Ducasse (5me Cru) 2000 13% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
about £30 |
A little dull. Cooked blackcurrant nose. Tough, tannic palate with fruit hiding. Good length, but ungenerous. Might soften with time. |
5- |
| - ditto - |
GCS 9.2.07 |
|
A brighter colour, with a backward nose. Ripe fruit with a solid structure of tannins and acidity: good length but rather undeveloped. |
6- |
| Ch Grand-Puy-Lacoste (5me Cru) 1995 13% |
GCS 18.9.09 |
|
Some browning. Little nose. Well balanced, with ripe fruit and some tannin: good length, some development. Nearing peak? |
6- |
| Ch Grand-Puy-Lacoste (5me Cru) 1998 13% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
about £35 |
Dull colour. Nose has cedar and some fruit. Balanced palate, with fruit and tannins: finish is rather acidic and undeveloped |
5 |
| Ch Haut-Bages-Liberal (5me Cru) 1990 |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
about £50 |
Classic mature nose. Very well balanced with good fruit and considerable development. |
6- |
| Ch Haut-Bages-Liberal (5me Cru) 1998 12.5% |
CLWS 12.5.09 |
Huntsworth £35 |
Maturing colour, amber edge. Light nose with some maturing fruit. Palate not yet in balance - ripe fruit, firm tannins and acidity: fair length and some development |
5+ |
| Ch Haut-Bages-Liberal (5me Cru) 2003 13% |
CLWS 11.3.08 |
about £30 |
Young colour. Hard, black fruit nose. Still dominated by fine tannins, with some fruit under: good length but quite austere |
5 |
| - ditto - |
GCS 18.9.09 |
|
Has mayured and softened: rich and ripe with balancing acidity: fair finish. Drinking well. |
6- |
| Ch Haut-Batailley (5me Cru) 1995 13% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
about £35 |
Some browning. Not much nose. Grippy, with some tannin: finish is tight and ungenerous. |
5- |
| - ditto - |
GCS 14.9.07 |
|
Either a better bottle, or a lot of development in eight months. Red with pink fringe. Ripe blackcurrant nose. Fairly youthful, tannin palate with ripe fruit. Very long, development just starting. Not quite ready. |
6- |
| Ch Haut-Batailley (5me Cru) 2000 13% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Majestic £36 |
Resonable colour with broad brown rim. Some blackcurrant fruit. Light fruit, but good balance and length. Should develop further |
5 |
| Carruades de Lafite 1996 13% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
about £50 |
Slightly medicinal nose. Fine tannins but fruit rather lacking. |
4 |
| Ch Latour (1er Cru) 1986 12.5% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
Majestic £250 |
Fully mature nose. Over-ripe fruit and tannins on palate, but the finish is a bit austere. |
6 |
| Les Forts de Latour 1994 12.5% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
about £35 |
Considerable age showing. Mature nose and palate, with acidic structure and finish. |
4 |
| - ditto - |
GCS 9.2.07 |
|
In contrast to last month, this bottle seemed underdeveloped, but still rather ungenerous. |
5 |
| Les Forts de Latour 1995 12.5% |
GCS 9.2.07 |
about £35 |
Good colour. Blackcurrant nose. Good fruit under fine tannins: quite long. Not quite ready. |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
GCS 12.9.08 |
|
This bottle shows more development and intensity on end |
6 |
| Les Forts de Latour 1996 13% |
GCS 14.9.07 |
about £35 |
Good colour. Ripe blackcurrant nose. Quite well integrated – starts with lively fruit, but thins into finish. |
5 |
| Ch Lynch-Bages (5me Cru) 1996 13% |
CLWS 11.3.08 |
Majestic £75 |
Good red, narrow brown fringe. Slightly backward nose, with oak and mint hints. Very good ripe fruit with balacing tannins: long finish, still developing. |
6- |
| Ch Lynch-Bages (5me Cru) 1997 13% |
GCS 18.9.09 |
|
Rather light colour. Some fruit but lacks complexity on noise. Balanced but lacks depth and excitement |
5 |
| Ch Lynch-Bages (5me Cru) 2002 13% |
CLWS 12.5.09 |
about £35 |
Bright ruby red. Cedar nose. Well-balanced palate with ripe fruit and mint: long, slightly astringent. Still needs time |
6- |
| Ch Lynch-Moussas (5me Cru) 1997 12.5% |
GCS 12.9.08 |
Majestic £28 |
Deep colour. Mature but very stalky nose. Palate is green, short and unrewarding |
4+ |
| Ch Lynch-Moussas (5me Cru) 1998 12.5% |
CLWS 11.3.08 |
about £20 |
Moderate colour with pale rim. Very light nose. Some fruit but lacks weight and character: short and bitter |
3 |
| Ch Pedesclaux (5me Cru) 2000 |
CLWS 11.3.08 |
Huntsworth £20 |
Black red with some oak browning. Nose has cedar, leather and blackcurrant. Rather thin and stalky on palate: short and rather bitter finish |
4- |
| Ch Pichon-Baron (2me Cru) 1986 12.5% |
CLWS 12.5.09 |
about £60 |
Good colour, pale amber edge. Mature nose with some fruit. Ripe, well balanced palate: good length and development, with a touch of astringency |
6 |
| Ch Pichon-Baron (2me Cru) 1988 12.5% |
GCS 9.2.07 |
|
Good colour and fruity nose. Rather coarse, acidic structure with green fruit: moderate length and development |
5 |
| Ch Pichon-Baron (2me Cru) 1989 13% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
Lea & Sandeman £145 |
Rich fruit and good structure: very long, complex finish. Just coming to peak. |
7- |
| Ch Pichon-Baron (2me Cru) 1990 13% |
CLWS 11.3.08 |
Majestic £220 |
Dense colour, with oak brown to rim. Mature nose with cedar and blackcurrants. Ripe but rather tight palate with cedary tannins. Excellent length, with some development, but needs more time |
6 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 12.5.09 |
Lea & Sandeman £160 |
Good colour with brown rim. Mature nose with cooked fruit and considerable complexity. Well balanced palate with mature, complex length. Approaching peak. |
7 |
| Ch Pichon-Baron (2me Cru) 1997 13% |
GCS 14.9.07 |
about £35 |
Dull colour, showing considerable aging. Not much nose. Fully integrated palate, good length. Fully ready |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 11.3.08 |
|
Rich colour with a brown fringe. Blackcurrant fruit. A point -rich, well balanced palate with an elegant finish. Slightly better bottle than above. |
6- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 26.11.08 |
|
Fair colour, broad fringe. Ripe, oaky nose with some vegetal maturity. Ripe fruit balanced with acidity; long but slightly dilute finish with some development |
6 |
| Ch Pichon-Longueville (2me Cru) 1986 12.5% |
GCS 14.9.07 |
about £120 |
Good depth, oak browning. Mature, leafy nose. Not much fruit, rather hard structure, especially acidity. Some volatility on end. Past its peak. |
5- |
| Ch Pichon-Longueville (2me Cru) 1989 12.5% |
GCS 14.9.07 |
about £120 |
Moderate depth, some browning. Maturing nose with some fruit and oak. Rich, ripe fruit and balancing tannins. Good complex length, with mint on end. Ready |
6+ |
| Ch Pichon-Longueville (2me Cru) 1997 13% |
CLWS 16.1.07 |
about £40 |
Nose still closed. Palate is elegant and quite well blalnced: finish is rather short, green and undeveloped |
5- |
| Reserve de la Comtesse 2001 13% |
GCS 18.9.09 |
|
Quite young. Mint and cedar aromas. Good rich fruit, but rather green in middle. |
5+ |
| Ch Pontet-Canet 1998 |
NWB 4.2.09 |
about £35 |
Very dark colour. Cedar and mint on nose. Palate has some fruit and balancing structure: good length with herbs and some astringency on end |
5+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| St-Estèphe |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch Calon-Segur (2me Cru) 1996 12.5% |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
about £46 |
Good colour. Rich, mature nose. Rounded, balanced palate: finish starting to show some maturity. A little diulled? |
5+ |
| Ch Calon-Segur (2me Cru) 2000 12.5% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Majestic £30 |
Good colour. Rather backward nose with some dark fruit. Good fruit concentration, but still tannic: long finish, starting to develop. Needs time. |
5 |
| Marquis de Calon 2001 |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
Majestic £15 |
Good colour. Leaves and mint on nose. Rather tin palate, with acidity prominent: OK length |
4 |
| Marquis de Calon 2003 |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
Majestic £15 |
Pale colour, thin fruit on nose. Palate is rather green and stalk: modest length. |
4 |
| Ch La Croix-St-Estèphe 2000 12.5% |
IWD 16.12.06 |
Majestic £13 |
Second wine of Ch Le Crock. Dark colour. Rich fruit on nose. Ripe fruit, some tannin: not much development yet. |
5 |
| Ch La Croix-St-Estèphe 2002 13.5% |
CLWS 8.7.08 |
Majestic £15 |
Bright red. Fruit on nose. Strong green acidity dominates palate: quite long but not very pleasant. |
4 |
| Ch Cos d'Estournel (2me Cru) 1995 13% |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
about £45 |
Mature nose. Good depth and character, with a well-balanced palate: mature,complex finish |
6- |
| Ch Cos d'Estournel (2me Cru) 1997 13% |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
Huntsworth £40 |
Dark, browning on edge. Oak and coffee on nose. Palate rather astringent, with ripe fruit under a veil of tannin: finish has some length and development, but is rather green and stalky, with burnt notes at end. Fully mature. |
5 |
| Ch Cos d'Estournel (2me Cru) 1999 13% |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
Tesco £30 |
Rather dull colour. Good nose. Palate is dull, dilute, hollow and bitter at end. Corked? |
1 |
| Les Pagodes de Cos 1995 13% |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
about £25 |
Mature colour. Volatile acidity on nose. Palate dominated by acidity. Drink up |
4- |
| Ch Cos-Laboury (5me Cru) 1998 13% |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
Majestic £20 |
Slightly tarry nose. Green notes on nose. Palate rather harsh, with coarse tannins and green acidity: some length but not much pleasure. |
4+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
|
A year later, the wine is opening out: broad rim with some browning. Plummy nose. Well balanced fruit and tannins on palate. The finish is rather stalky, with fair length and some complexity |
5= |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 8.7.08 |
|
Another year on, with colour is dull and thin. Nose is light and showing maturity. Little fruit, with the acidity now dominating, and quite short |
4 |
| - ditto - |
GCS 11.7.09 |
|
This bottle deep purple with some signs of maturity on colour and nose. Fruit and some tannin: moderate length but starting to dry out on end. |
5 |
| Ch Haut-Marbuzet 1995 (CB) 13% |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
Helen Verdcourt £30 |
Very dull colour. Unpleasant flat nose. Fruit and structure gone, finish sweet and nondescript. Badly kept? |
1 |
| Ch Haut-Marbuzet 2000 (CB) 13% |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
|
Some browning. Oaky, quite rich nose. Well balanced poalate, with oak and spice developing: long, clean finish. Needs some time |
5 |
| Ch Lafon-Rochet (4me Cru) 1996 13% |
GCS 11.7.09 |
about £30 |
Little sign of againg with a young blackcurrant nose. Ripe fruit but still lots of tannin: fair length and complexity, but will it ever soften? |
6- |
| Ch Lafon-Rochet (4me Cru) 1997 13% |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
Majestic £18 |
Quite young looking> Cooked fruit and oak on nose. Reasonable balance with tannin and slightly green acidity: quite long but lacks complexity |
5- |
| Ch Lafon-Rochet (4me Cru) 2001 12.5% |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
Majestic £20 |
Rather thin colour. Some blackcurrant on nose. Palate rather astringnent: some length and spicy development, but ungenerous |
5- |
| Ch Meyney (CB) 2000 12.5% |
CLWS 8.7.08 |
Huntsworth £25 |
Some browning. Backward nose. Round palate with green acidity but little tannin: not much length or depth |
4+ |
| Ch Montrose (2me Cru) 1989 13% |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
|
Rather dull colour. Nose is a little lean, but has spicy secondary aromas. The palate is still dominated by tannins - oak and stalk. Quite dry on finish, with a complex length |
6- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 8.7.08 |
Fortnum & Mason £150 |
Deep colour with some brown on rim. Mature farmyard nose. Very good fruit with balancing tannins: great length and complexity, becoming dry on end. Near peak. |
6+ |
| Ch Montrose (2me Cru) 1990 13% |
CLWS 14.11.06 |
about £250 |
Solid colour. Nose still undeveloped. Ultra-ripe fruit and fine tannins on palate: complex and very long finish. At peak? |
7- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
|
A year on, the wine is gathering a paler rim. The nose has developed rich, ripe, mature aromas. Palate is now well-balanced , with huge length and continued development. Still developing |
7 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 8.7.08 |
Selfridges £400 |
Another year on, and the wine continues to develop more complexity. Certainly no rush to drink this |
7 |
| Ch Montrose (2me Cru) 1993 12.5% |
CLWS 10.3.09 |
Nicholas £75 |
Pale colour with broad fringe. Rather sharp nose. Liight, acidic palate with hollow centre and little development |
5- |
| Ch Montrose (2me Cru) 1994 12.5% |
CLWS 8.7.08 |
Majestic £45 |
Moderate depth with some browning. Mature nose. Some fruit, with a strong structure, getting a little hollow in middle. On end some complexity and hinmts of volatile acidity. Drink up |
5 |
| Ch Montrose (2me Cru) 1995 12.5% |
HASS 20.11.08 |
Nicholas £85 |
Slightly dull colour. Nose has tobacco, tar and manure. Drying out on palate, with prominent tannins: complex finish. Possibly the year, or a substandard bottle? |
5 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 10.3.09 |
Andrew Mead £55 |
Moderate colour. Mature nose. Good weight and length, but still rather astringent on end |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
GCS 11.7.09 |
|
Some browning. Spicy black fruits on nose. Ripe fruit but still quite tannic: good length but still hard on finish |
6 |
| Ch Montrose (2me Cru) 2001 12.5% |
CLWS 10.3.09 |
Majestic £35 |
Good colour. Earthy nose. Some fruit but quite acidic: rather straigntforward. |
5- |
| Ch Montrose (2me Cru) 2002 13% |
CLWS 10.3.09 |
Tesco £36 |
Solid colour. Young blackcurrant nose. Palate still structured: moderate length, but little intensity or complexity |
5 |
| Ch Montrose (2me Cru) 2003 13% |
CLWS 10.3.09 |
£55 ep: now about £165 |
Deep colour. Young blackcurrant nose, with wood and vanilla notes. Ripe fruit under strong tannic structure with goes through to end. Will take a long time to peak |
6+ |
| La Dame de Montrose 2000 12.5% |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
about £18 |
Reasonable colour. Restrained blackcurrant nose. Rather dry, structured palate, with some complexity and length, but in the old, unapproachable, St Estephe style |
5- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 8.7.08 |
Huntsworth £20 |
Black-red. Spicy black fruit nose. Ripe fruit in front, but hollow and astringent in middle |
4+ |
| - ditto - |
GCS 11.7.09 |
|
Starting to mature. Ripe, fruity nose. Good fruit over remaining tannin: some maturity and length |
6- |
| Ch Phelan-Segur (CB) 1996 12.5% |
CLWS 16.10.07 |
Huntsworth £30 |
Moderate colour, considerable browning. Rounded, spicy nose. Palate is rather light weight but has reasonable balance: finish has some length and elegance. Fully ready |
5 |
| Ch Phelan-Segur (CB) 2000 12.5% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Majestic £23 |
Reasonable colour, broad fringe. Some fruit on nose and palate, but a little thin and astringent. |
4+ |
| Ch St-Corbian Cuvee Tradition 2004 13% |
CLWS 30.1.08 |
Carrefour £9 |
Quite dense colour, starting to brown. Blackcurrant nose with some plums. Stalky tannins, some fruit, quite acidic: not much length or development. |
4- |
|
|
|
|
|
| St-Julien |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch Beychevelle (4me Cru) 1989 |
GCS 02.05.08 |
Andrew Mead £40 |
Considerable browning. Slightly sour, mature nose. Fruit drying out leaving tannins; long finish, fully mature. Perhaps slightly oxidised |
5- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 8.9.09 |
|
A better bottle. Mature colour and nose., with spice and woody notes. Ripe fruit dominates palate: spicy length. Near peak |
6 |
| Ch Branaire-Ducru (4me Cru) 1982 12% |
GCS 02.05.08 |
|
Moderate depth with a broad brown fringe. Fully mature nose with fruit and hedgerow aromas. Good balance, but the fruit is beginning to dry out, leaving the finish complex but a little short. Drink up. |
6- |
| Ch Branaire-Ducru (4me Cru) 1989 |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
about £50 |
Good depth, some browning. Fruit and hedgerow aromas. Lots of stalky tannins, some fruit, but rather green and austere: some secondary characterisitcs. |
5 |
| Ch Ducru-Beaucaillou (2me Cru) 1982 |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
about £200 |
Good colour mature nose: rich and complex. Hints of tannin and secondary fruit on palate: complex and quite long, but drying and getting a little sour on finish. Close to peak. |
6 |
| Ch Ducru-Beaucaillou (2me Cru) 1986 12.5% |
GCS 02.05.08 |
|
Good red with some browning to rim. Good mature fruit aromas. Balanced fruit and tannin: finish is mature and elegant. Fully ready |
6+ |
| Ch Gruaud-Larose (2me Cru) 1996 |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
Selfridges £50 |
Good, bright colour, some amber to rim. Ripe fruit, with vegetal and oak aromas. Balanced palate, with good length and complexity - some spice on end. Still developing. |
6- |
| Sarget de Gruaud-Larose 1997 12.5% |
GCS 02.05.08 |
|
Moderate colour, pink fringe. Nose opening to show some blackcurrant and maturity. Structure of tannin and green acidity with ripe fruit under: good length with some development. Nearly ready |
5- |
| Sarget de Gruaud-Larose 1999 |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
about £17 |
Broad brown fringe. Backward nose. Tannic, thin palate with an astringent finish. |
4+ |
| Ch Lagrange 1995 (3me Cru) 12.5% |
GCS 02.05.08 |
|
Good colour. Fruit and vegetation on nose. Good depth of fruit, but not yet in balance: good length, lacks complexity. Needs longer. |
5+ |
| Ch Langoa-Barton 1996 (3me Cru) 12.5% |
CLWS 8.9.09 |
Huntsworth £38 |
Browning rim. Cooked black fruit and some vegetal aromas. Palate has ripe fruit under tannin: very long, some development |
6- |
| Ch Leoville-Barton (2me Cru) 1990 |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
Waitrose £110 |
Moderate colour with considerable browning. Maturing fruit on nose. Fine tannins overlie ripe fruit: very good length and development. Close to peak |
6+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 8.9.09 |
Waitrose £130 |
Not as good a bottle, slightly oxidised |
5- |
| Ch Leoville-Barton (2me Cru) 1998 |
NWB 4.2.09 |
£60-70 |
Little sign of aging. Yougish blackcurrant nose. Ripe fruit, mouthcoating tannin: good weight and length, with maturity hints on finish. Not ready |
6+ |
| Reserve de Leoville Barton 2000 14% |
CLWS 8.9.09 |
Majestic £20 |
Purple-red. Blackcurrant and plum aromas. Plenty of structure over soft ripe fruit: not much length or depth, and sour on end |
5- |
| Ch Leoville-Lascases 1992 (2me Cru) 13% |
CLWS 26.11.08 |
about £55 |
Fair depth, little browning. . Dusty, mature nose with TCP hints. Cherry fruit, lots of tannin and rather dilute: fair length, some development with herbs and dust again |
5 |
| Ch Leoville-Lascases 1997 (2me Cru) 12.5% |
GCS 8.5.09 |
Majestic £45 |
Moderate colour. Light blackcurrant nose. Quite smooth, well balanced palate with some fine tannins: rather short and simple finish |
5+ |
| Ch Leoville-Lascases 1998 (2me Cru) 13% |
GCS 8.5.09 |
Waitrose £60 |
Reasonable colour. Not much nose. Still quite tannic with ripe fruit under: long but undeveloped |
6+ |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre 1993 (2me Cru) 12.5% |
CLWS 8.9.09 |
Majestic £25 |
Dull, browning colour. Woody nose and palate. Little fruit, rather sour and finish with a varnish aftertaste. Far too old. |
4 |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre 1995 (2me Cru) 13% |
CLWS 8.9.09 |
A Mead £50 |
Good depth with amber edge. Little nose. Palate is veryv tannic, with fruit and acidity under. Not much interest or finish |
5- |
| Clos du Marquis 1982 |
GCS 8.5.09 |
about £55 |
Maturing colour with broad fringe. Fully mature nose and palate: well balanced, spicy and complex in a graceful old age |
6- |
| Clos du Marquis 1990 13% |
GCS 02.05.08 |
Andrew Mead £30 |
Second wine of Ch Leoville-Lascases. Good colour. Blackcurrant nose with some development. Well balanced palate, with jammy fruit: good length and some development. No rush to drink |
6- |
| Clos du Marquis 1993 |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
about £25 |
Mature colour. Rather odd, volatile nose. Ripe fruit, cedar tannins: quite long, some complexity but drying out and showing volatility |
5- |
| Clos du Marquis 1999 13% |
GCS 8.5.09 |
Majestic £30 |
Deep colour with some browning. Little nose. Dense fruit and strong structure, but fades rapidly |
5+ |
| Clos du Marquis 2000 13% |
GCS 8.5.09 |
Nicholas £50 |
Black red. Backward nose. Relatively light weight, but coming into balance: good length |
6 |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre (2me Cru) 1990 13% |
CLWS 10.06.08 |
about £50 HB (Lea & Sandeman £160) |
Solid colour. Mature nose with some ripe fruit. On palate mature fruit , balancing strucutre: long, complex finish. Fully ready |
6+ |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre (2me Cru) 1995 13% |
CLWS 10.06.08 |
Andrew mead £35 |
Deep red. Open fruity nose, with some spice. Blanced palate with moderate length and some development - ready to drink |
6- |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre (2me Cru) 1996 13% |
CLWS 10.06.08 |
Majestic £45 |
Good depth with some browning. Ripe, slightly tarry nose. Structured palate with ripe fruit under: long, but little development yet. Needs more time. |
5+ |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre (2me Cru) 1997 13% |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
about £32 |
Quite a light colour. Red fruits and some oak on nose. Stalky tannins, some fruit under: quite long, but dilute and acidic on finish. |
5- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 10.06.08 |
Majestic £35 |
Still dilute, nose has faded, as has fruit on palate, leaving a boring, rather green and dilute mouthfeel |
4- |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre (2me Cru) 1999 13% |
CLWS 10.06.08 |
Majestic £30 |
Broad pale fringe. Ripe fruit on nose. Balanced palate with good fruit and acidity: some length and starting to develop, but lacks intensity |
5- |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre (2me Cru) 2001 13% |
CLWS 10.06.08 |
about £35 |
Moderate depth with some browning. Some maturity on nose. Palate is green and lacks fruit, with a sour finish. Unpleasant. |
4+ |
| Ch Leoville-Poyferre (2me Cru) 2002 13.5% |
CLWS 10.06.08 |
Majestic £25 |
Good colour. Fruit and oak aromas. Good fruit but quite structured: moderate length and and hard on end. Nedds 2/3 years |
5+ |
| Pavillon des Connetables 2002 13.5% |
CLWS 10.06.08 |
Majestic £15 |
Third wine of L-P. Light colour, considerable browning. Some oak and fruit on nose. Structured palate: rather short and lacking fruit, and with an odd metallic, smoky end |
4- |
| Ch Saint-Pierre (4me Cru) 1995 |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
about £30 |
Dull red with some bowning. Plums and cabbage on nose. Tannic palate with cooked fruit: not much development. Rather Porty on end. |
5- |
| Ch Talbot (4me Cru) 1998 |
CLWS 13.11.07 |
about £30 |
Moderate depth and fringing. Dull fruit and wood on nose. Oak tannins on palate, thin and hollow: some tobacco and astringency on finish. |
5- |
| Ch Talbot (4me Cru) 1999 |
HASS 21.6.07 |
Majestic £25 |
Reasonable colour, some browning. Herby nose with lots of oak and fruit. Dry, slightly stalky palate with reasonable balance: good length, starting to develop. |
6- |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pessac-Leonan & Graves |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch Beauregard-Ducasse 2005 (Graves) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £10 |
Young plummy nose. Soft fruits on palate, some grip under: moderate finish. Pleasant now |
5+ |
| Ch Carbonieux (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Reasonable colour. Some blackcurrant on nose. A bit green and lacking fruit: early picked or vines shut down?? |
5- |
| Domaine de Chevalier 2000 (Pessac-Leonan) 12.5% |
IWD 16.12.06 |
Majestic £35 |
Deep colour. Rich, complex nose. Well balanced palate with considerable development on long finish. Just starting to drink. |
5+ |
| L'Esprit de Chevalier 2000 12.5% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Majestic £14 |
Reasonable colour, but little nose. Well balanced and ready, but rather undistinguished finish |
4+ |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1986 (Pessac-Leognan) 12% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
Andrew Mead £15 HB |
Good brick red. Vegetal nose. Great balance with rich fruit and acidity: good length and development |
6+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 3.09.08 |
|
Now showing considerable browning and a rather hot finish. Drink up |
6 |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1988 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 3.09.08 |
Andrew Mead £15 HB |
Big, dark colour with narrow browning fringe. Rather acidic, green nose. Dry, structured palate with some fruit remaining, but finish is rather astringent |
5- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 11.11.08 |
(in bottle) |
Purple to edge. Very mature, with ripe fruit hints. Well balanced; some length and development mbut a bit hard at end |
5 |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1990 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
Andrew Mead £30 |
Dark colour, browning. Mature nose. Acidic structure dominates fruit: finish fair length but tight and fully mature. Possibly too old |
5- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 3.09.08 |
|
Better bottle: deep colour with broad fringe. Vegetal nose. Rich, well-balanced palate with a long, powerful spicy finish. Not really ready. |
6+ |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1995 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
about £28 |
Good colour. Bramble fruits on nose. Good fruit/acid balance on palate with richness going through to finish. |
6 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 3.09.08 |
Bin Ends £35 |
Moderate colour with some browning. Open, fruity nose. Structure rather prominent, with fruit and tannin but green acidity under: finish is rather stony. Drink up. |
5- |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1996 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
about £30 |
Good colour and depth. Cedar nose with some blackcurant. Quite delicate on palate, with finish mostly structure. Might it open up? |
5 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 3.09.08 |
|
Dark red. Ripe black fruits with siome maturity aromas. Some green acidity on palate, but good fruit and tannins: good length and depth. Will keep |
6- |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1997 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
Majestic £17 |
OK colour. Backward nose. Ungenerous palate with drying tannins: rather green and hollow in middle, with a little fruit on end. |
4+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 3.09.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Moderate colour, some browning. Light nose. Quite good fruit and structure: reasonable finish with some development, but a bit thin. |
5 |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1998 (Pessac-Lognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
Bedales £23 |
Rather dull colour and nose. Some red fruit with vey drying tannins on palate - finish thin and short. |
4 |
| Ch de Fieuzal 1999 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
Majestic £18 |
Reasonable depth of colour. Backward nose. Hard green tannins with some blackcurrant fruit: quite long but not very exciting. |
5 |
| Ch de Fieuzal Blanc 1995 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
|
Faulty bottle - completely oxidised. |
1 |
| Ch la Garde 2000 (Pessac-Leognan) 13% |
CLWS 14.1.08 |
Majestic £10 |
Moderate colour. Nose has ink and prunes. Balance is OK: moderate length and development, but rather thin |
5 |
| Ch la Garde 2005 (Pessac-Leognan) 13.5% |
CLWS 27.5.09 |
Berry Brothers £20.50 |
Young colour. Black fruit nose. Structure dominates fruit still, oaky and developing some length and complexity |
5+ |
| Ch Haut-Bailly 1995 (Pessac-Leognan GCC) |
CLWS 11.11.08 |
Andrew Mead £45 |
Bright, moderate depth of colour. Rather backward nose. Very tannic and stalky. Not to my taste |
5- |
| Ch Haut-Bergey Blanc 2001 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 18.4.07 |
about £17 |
Oily nose and palate, well balanced: long, subtle finish. |
5+ |
| Ch Haut-Brion 1993 (Pessac-Leognan 1er Cru Classe) 12.5% |
CLWS 11.11.08 |
Andrew Mead £90 |
Quite dark. Some fruit on nose. Dilute and rather tannic: good length with some development and an earty finish |
5+ |
| Ch Haut-Brion 1995 (Pessac-Leognan 1er Cru Classe) 13% |
CLWS 14.1.08 |
about £275 |
Reasonable colour. Vegetal maturity on nose. Good structure with some fresh fruit: moderate depth, but good length and developing some complexity |
6+ |
| Ch Haut-Gardère 2000 (Pessac-Leognan) 13% |
CLWS 31.1.07 |
about £16 |
Straightforward: quite well balanced with rather unripe fruit. Finish thin and short. |
4- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 3.09.08 |
Helen Verdcourt £15 |
Browning. Light maturing fruit aromas. Plummy with some acidity on palate and a delicate finish |
5- |
| Ch la Louviere 1989 (Pessac-Leognan) |
CLWS 11.11.08 |
Andrew Mead £30 |
mature colour and nose. Balanced palate, with fruit initially, but development is slightly varnishy. Past its best |
5+ |
| Ch Malartic-Lagraviere 1998 (Pessac-Leognan GCC) 13% |
CLWS 11.11.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Dull black-red, amber edge. Nose has blackcurrant fruit, but a touch of mould? Lacks fruit, sour and tannic on palate; fair length but unexciting. Poor bottle? |
5? |
| Ch la Mission-Haut-Brion 1993 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 14.1.08 |
Cherry Jenkins £50 |
Bright colour. Acidic red fruit nose. Palate has some fruit and tannin with high acidity under: dilute and rather unbalanced finish |
5- |
| Ch Pape-Clement 1996 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 14.1.08 |
Huntsworth £38 |
Bright purple-red. Fruity nose. Quite tannic, with lots of fruit: good length and complexity. Will last. |
6 |
| Ch Pape-Clement 1998 (Pessac-Leognan) 13% |
CLWS 14.1.08 |
Harrods £110 |
Good colour. Some maturing Cabernet aromas. Fruit a little green, and structure is stalky and earthy: reasonable length but rather astringent. |
5+ |
| Ch Smith-Haut-Lafitte 1997 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 14.1.08 |
Majestic £27 |
Wide brown fringe. Fruity nose, but on palate slightly dilute and stalky: modest length and development. Drink up. |
5- |
| Ch St Jean des Graves Blanc 2006 (Graves) 12% |
CLWS 14.1.08 |
Waitrose £6.45 |
Very pale yellow. Slight hints of lanolin on nose. Good fruit, OK acidity: simple, but some length |
4+ |
| Ch la Tour-Haut-Brion 1994 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 14.1.08 |
about £25 |
Modest depth of colour, with considerable browning. Woody nose. Extremely tannic with little fruit, complexity or length |
4- |
| Ch Tour-Léognan Blanc 2005 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 18.4.07 |
Waitrose £10 |
Rather like a Californian Fumé Blanc. Oak rather than oil on structure. Not really a Bordeaux style. |
4+ |
| Ch Tour-Léognan Blanc 2006 (Pessac-Leognan) 12.5% |
CLWS 19.3.08 |
Waitrose £10 |
Pale. Oaky, grassy nose. Good fruit and acidity, quite long but little development |
5- |
|
|
|
|
|
| Sauternes and other Sweet Wines |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch d'Arche (2me Cru) 1997 (Sauternes) |
GCS 8.6.07 |
about £20 |
Deep orange. Slightly oxidised barleysugar nose. Ripe fruit, sweet but little botrytis. Acidity OK, but finish rather short |
5- |
| Ch Bastor-Lamontigne 1982 (Sauternes) |
GCS 8.6.07 |
|
Deep amber colour. Cooked fruit on nose but no botrytis. Ripe fruit, some spice, rather bitter finish |
5+ |
| Ch Bastor-Lamontigne 1986 (Sauternes) |
CLWS 19.3.08 |
|
Gold colour. Rich nose, but little botrytis. Moderately sweet, slightly dilute palate with some spice on finish. A little past its best. |
5 |
| Ch Bastor-Lamontigne 1997 (Sauternes) 14% |
CLWS 14.3.07 |
about £17 |
Pear drop nose. Sweet, not much botrytis: OK balance, fair length |
5- |
| - ditto - |
ONS 7.5.09 |
Waitrose £25 |
Lemon yellow. Marmalade nose. Moderately sweey with good fruit, botrytis and acidity: possibily a little thin in middle with fair length and some development |
6- |
| Ch Bastor-Lamontigne 1998 (Sauternes) 14% |
GCS 12.6.09 |
A Mead £20 |
Light gold. Slightly musty nose. Sweet palate but not much botrytis or acidity: fairly long but not very exciting |
4+ |
| Ch Broustet (2me Cru) 1981 (Barsac) 14% |
CLWS 19.03.08 |
|
Dark amber. Mature Semillon nose. Slightly sweet and oaky on palate, but lacks fruit and acidity: rather astringent on finish. Tired |
4 |
| Ch de la Chartreuse 1975 |
HASS 17.10.08 |
|
Export label of Ch Amand. Full amber colour. Hints of botrytis on nose. Slightly sweer, some marmalade hints: some length, slightly woody at end. Fully mature. |
4+ |
| Ch de la Chartreuse 2006 13.5% |
IWD 16.8.09 |
|
Yellow. Over-ripe fruit aromas. Sweet and sour with some honey, lacks botrytis |
5- |
| Chevalier de Pastel de Yvon Mau 2005 13,5% |
IWD 18.4.09 |
Tesco £6 HB |
Light gold. Little nose. Sweet, lacks botrytis or balance: modest quality |
4+ |
| Ch Climens (1er Cru) 1986 (Barsac) 14% |
GCS 8.5.09 |
Andrew Mead £38 |
Golden colour. Oil, honey and lots of orange marmalade on nose. Very good fruit, botrytis and citric acidity: long spicy finish |
7 |
| Ch Climens (1er Cru) 1990 (Barsac) 14% |
GCS 8.6.07 |
|
Moderate colour. Slightly backward bitter-sweet nose. Marmalade fruit, with good acidity: long, with elegant development |
7- |
| Ch Climens (1er Cru) 1995 (Barsac) 14% |
GCS 12.6.09 |
about £50 |
Light gold. Magnificent nose with some botrytis. Some sweetness, good acidity and botrytis: very long, still developing |
6 |
| Ch Doisy-Vedrines 1995 (Sauternes) |
ONS 4.12.08 |
about £25 |
Pale gold. Barleysugar nose. Not much botrytis. Fairly sweet, well balanced and quite light. |
5+ |
| Ch Filhot (2me Cru) 1997 (Sauternes) 14% |
IWN 16.12.06 |
Majestic £20 |
Moderate yellow. Ripe fruit & honey on nose.: little sign of botrytis. Sweet and fruity, but not much length or development |
5 |
| Ch de Fargues 1988 (Sauternes) 13.5% |
GCS 12.6.09 |
A Mead £50 |
Dark gold. Good marmalade nose with some maturity. Swwet palate with butterscotch, acidity and botrytis: long and developed, showing some bitterness. Drink up |
6+ |
| Ch Grand-Piquey 2004 (Sauternes) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £16 |
Yellow colour. Lots of marmalade botrytis character on nose. Palate sweet, but lacks depth and complexity. |
5 |
| Ch Guiraud (1er Cru) 1983 (Sauternes) 14% |
CLWS 18.4.07 |
about £25 |
Butterscotch colour and nose, with marmalade under. Beginning to lose sweetness, but plenty of botrytis character: reasonable complexity. |
5 |
| Ch Guiraud (1er Cru) 1985 (Sauternes) 14% |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
|
Some marmalade character on nose. Beginning to eat sugar, leaving a rich, moderately sweet, spicy palate: good length and complexity. Near peak |
6- |
| Ch Guiraud (1er Cru) 1997 (Sauternes) 13.5% |
CLWS 17.9.08 |
about £40 |
Butterscotch colour. Hints of marmarlade, hot fruit and vegetation on nose. Slightly maderised, moderately sweet, well balanced: some length and a spicy finish. |
6 |
| Ch Lafaurie-Peyraguey (1er Cru) 1996 (Sauternes) 14% |
CLWS 25.10.06 |
about £35 |
Nose has loads of marmalade. Well-balanced palate with fruit, honey and acidity: possibly a little sweet and sticky on end |
5+ |
| Ch Liot 2005 (Sauternes) 14% |
CLWS 26.11.08 |
Waitrose £10.50 HB |
Pale yellow. Honey and botrytis hints. Medium sweet, fresh, butterscoth taste, without much weight or finish |
5 |
| Ch Mauras 2002 (Sauternes) 13.5% |
HASS 6.8.09 |
Ex cellars €10 |
Pale gold. Some marmalade. Medium sweet, butterscotch and some botrytis, but lacking acidity. Drink up |
5- |
| Ch Rabaud-Promis (1er Cru) 1990 (Sauternes) 13.5% |
CLWS 3.1.07 |
about £30 |
OK but rather unexciting - not much botrytis and lacks structure |
5 |
| Ch la Rame Sublime 2003 (St Croix-du-Mont) |
CLWS 23.9.09 |
Waitrose £17 |
Gold colour. Rich orange and honey nose. Sweet palate with some botrytis: reasonable balance but thins towards end and is slightly drying on finish. Drink up |
5+ |
| Ch Raymond-Lafon 1995 (Sauternes) 13.5% |
GCS 8.6.07 |
|
Bright yellow. Lots of oak and botrytis on nose. Delicate bitter orange fruit, some length and complexity |
5+ |
| Ch Rieussec (1er Cru) 1985 (Sauternes) |
GCS 8.6.07 |
|
Bright gold. Little nose. Sweet, but rather short and bitter |
4 |
| Ch Rieussec (1er Cru) 1995 (Sauternes) 14% |
GCS 8.6.07 |
|
Hazy yellow. Some botrytis on nose. Warm orange fruit, good acidity and finish |
6 |
| Ch Rieussec (1er Cru) 2000 (Sauternes) 13.5% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Berry Bros £18 HB |
Orange. Butterscotch nose. Sweet and well balanced but no botrytis; simple finsh |
5+ |
| Ch Rieussec (1er Cru) 2003 (Sauternes) 14% |
GCS 12.6.09 |
about £35 |
Old gold colour. Botrytis and butterscotch on nose. Moderately sweet with butterscotch, well balanced: possibly a little thin on end |
6- |
| Ch Suduiraut 1997 (Sauternes) |
GCS 12.6.09 |
about £50 |
Dark gold. Some botrytis on nose. Good fruity sweetness, balanced by acidity and oil: good finish, some development. Overripe rather than noble rot |
5 |
| Ch d'Yquem (1er Gd Cru) 1988 (Sauternes) |
GCS 12.6.09 |
A Mead £180 |
Medium pinkish gold. Full botrytised nose. Beautiful balance of sweetness and bitter marmalade: finish is extremely long, with spice and finesse |
7+ |
| Ch d'Yquem (1er Gd Cru) 1990 (Sauternes) 13% |
GCS 8.6.07 |
|
Bright gold. Subtle, rich nose. Ripe marmalade nose, excellent balance: huge, very complex and subtle finish |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Fronsac & Canon-Fronsac |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch Dalem 1998 (Fronsac) |
HASS 11.12.07 |
about £13 |
Black-red. Plums and some vegetation and spice on nose. Ripe fruit blanced by tannins, but a bit thin and astringent on finish |
5 |
| Ch du Pavillon 1997 (Canon-Fronsac) |
CLWS 3.10.07 |
|
Dull colour, browning edge. No nose. Astringent palate with little fruit or development. Not worth keeping. |
4- |
| Ch la Vieille-Cure 1999 (Fronsac) |
CLWS 4.10.06 |
|
Young colour. Some spice on nose. Palate still young hard and tannic; finish rather green |
5- |
| Ch la Vieille-Cure 2000 (Fronsac) |
HASS 21.6.07 |
Sainsbury £15 |
Meaty, oaky nose. Some oak tannins and acidity with OK fruit: moderate length and development |
5+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pomerol & Lalande de Pomerol |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch Ame de Musset 2005 (Lalande de Pomerol) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £13 |
Plum fruit on nose. Slightly austere palate with a rather bitter finish |
4+ |
| Ch Beau-Soleil 1996 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
Waterloo Wines £20 |
Quite a deep colour. Blackcurrent nose. Very tannic with dark fruits: some finish. More a Medoc style (but 95% Merlot!) |
4 |
| Ch Le Bon Pasteur 1998 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
Oddbins £50 |
Big, dark, highly extracted and tannic wine: fades on finish |
5 |
| Ch Certan de May 1997 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
about £30 |
Pale, browning colour. Thin, mature nose. Fully mature, rather green palate: some elgance but not much length |
4+ |
| Ch Certan de May 2001 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
Majestic £35 |
Austere, rather thin and green, alcohol prominent on end. |
4+ |
| Ch Clinet 1995 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
about £70 |
Considerable browning. Blackcurrant nose. Highly extracted, tannic palate: finish OK length, but little development |
5 |
| Ch Clinet 1998 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
about £65 |
Some browning. Mature fruit, violets and some volatile acidity on nose. Tannins overlie some cooked fruit; moderate length astringent finish |
5- |
| Ch la Conseillante 1998 (Pomerol) |
GCS 16.2.07 |
|
Good fruit but getting rather astringent |
5 |
| Ch la Croix 1996 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
Waterloo Wines £25 |
Sandy soil, 60% Merlot, 20% CS, 20% CF. Thin colour with broad amber rim. Very mature nose. Soft fruit and acidity on palate, rather hollow and breaking up; vegetal finish like an old red Burgundy. Too old. |
5 |
| Ch la Croix de Gay 2001 (Pomerol) 13.5% |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
Majestic £25 |
Good purple-red. Plums, prunes and some wood on nose. Rich fruit balanced by acidity: some length, not yet ready. |
5- |
| Ch l'Eglise-Clinet 1995 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
Oddbins about £100 |
Rather dull mature colour. Little nose. Rounded, velvety palate with enough structure: good length. Fully ready |
6- |
| Ch l'Enclos 1989 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
Huntsworth £50 |
Deep terracotta colour with a broad rim. Hint of over-ripe, mature fruit on nose. Ripe, balanced structure with good length and development |
6+ |
| Ch l'Enclos 1990 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 4.10.06 |
about £50 |
Mature colour and nose, with spice and fallen leaves. Secondary characteristics on palate; long finish with nuts and Port tastes. At peak |
6- |
| Ch l'Enclos 1995 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 4.10.06 |
about £25 |
Quite mature colour and nose. Ripe fruit and soft tannins on palate: quite long finish, but alcoholic on end. Fully ready |
5- |
| Ch l'Enclos 1998 (Pomerol) |
NWB 4.2.09 |
about £30 |
Considerable browning. Nose has slight mildew. Palate is OK but lacks excitemnt: some lentgh with flower aromas on end. Not a very good bottle |
5? |
| Ch l'Enclos 2001 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 17.9.08 |
about £25 |
Quite deep red. Ripe plum fruit on nose and palate. Some tannin still showing, giving an astringent mid-palate: some maturity on end |
5+ |
| Ch l'Evangile 1995 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
about £80 |
Moderate colour. Maturing nose. Ripe fruit and tannin structure; good length and depth, but a little volatile. Beyond its peak |
6- |
| Ch Feytit-Clinet Berry's Own Selection Pomerol 2005 13.5% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
Berry Bros £16 |
Modest colour. Nose starting to show some plummy fruit. Ripe fruit and acidity but little tannin and rather thin in middle: hot, spicy finish |
5- |
| Ch la Fleur-Petrus (Pomerol) 2002 13.5% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
Majestic £35 |
Ripe fruit but hard structure: rather short. Too young. |
5 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
|
Moderate depth of colour with considerable browning. Maturing plum nose. Palate is balanced but rather austere; good length with some development. Near peak. |
5 |
| Ch le Gay 2000 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
Huntsworth £45 |
Good colour. Ripe nose with vegetal hints. Good balance with maturing ripe fruit: very good length with some development. Near peak |
6 |
| Ch Gombaude-Guillot 1989 (Pomerol) 13.5% |
CLWS 26.11.08 |
about £40-45 |
Fair colour,, broad browning rim. Fully mature damson nose. Reasonable balanced and quite long, but drying out and perhaps a little volatile |
4+ |
| Ch Grange-Neuve 2000 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 4.06.08 |
Tesco £20 |
Good red, amber edge. Rounded nose with some tobacco aromas. Good fruit and balancing structure: modest length with some development. Ready |
5 |
| Ch Le Bon-Pasteur 2000 (Pomerol) 13.5% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Majestic £60 |
Very dark, with oak browning on fringe. Spicy dark fruit on nose. Slightly young - excellent concentration and depth by slightly astringent and undeveloped on finish |
6+ |
| Ch la Pointe 1998 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
HASS 21.6.07 |
Majestic £20 |
Browning. Plum fruit on nose. Soft fruit balanced by acidity on finish: elegant, but lacks complexity and excitement |
5 |
| Clos Rene 1998 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
Oddbins £35 |
Fair colour, broad rim. Ripe fruit on nose, but palate is rather dry and green: finish is short and unconvincing. |
4+ |
| Clos Rene 1999 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Moderate depth of colour. Unusual strawberry nose. Plate has light fruit and high acidity; modest length with a medicinal, rather unpleasant finish |
4+ |
| Ch Rouget 2000 (Pomerol) 13.5% |
IWD 6.12.08 |
Majestic £55 |
Dark colour, narrow fringe. Plums on nose. Ripe fruit, structure is acidic, with astringency on the finish: good length, just about ready |
6 |
| Ch de Sales 1997 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
Majestic £17 |
Pale red, not much nose. Balanced fruit and acidity, in a classic style: fades on finish. |
4+ |
| Ch de Sales 2000 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
Majestic £22 |
Good colour. Ripe, minty nose. Good ripe fruit balanced by acidity: very peppery on finish - some length but a bit thin at end |
5+ |
| Ch Taillefer 2002 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
Tesco £24 |
Moderate colour. Nose starting to show some vegetal maturity, Overripe fruit and some stalkiness: not much length, sour and rather uninteresting |
4 |
| Ch Trotanoy 1990 (Pomerol) 13.5% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
about £130 |
Considerable age showing. Some fine tannin, but fruit drying out: considerable length and development, but aging. |
6 |
| Ch de Valois 2001 (Pomerol) 13.5% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
Harrods £20 |
Deep colour with brown on rim. Cooked fruit nose. Fruit is quite mature; finish is astringent and vegetal. Past its best. |
4+ |
| Vieux Ch Certan 1989 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
|
Colour aging to amber. Excellent mature nose. Ripe fruit and acidity, good length, starting to break up on end |
5+ |
| Vieux Ch Certan 1994 (Pomerol) 12.5% |
CLWS 13.05.08 |
Andrew Mead £40 |
Good colour with a broad pale rim. Blackcurrant and vegetaion on nose. Ripe fruit and structure in balance; spicy elegant length. Fully ready |
6 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 9.6.09 |
|
This bottle drying out and seems past its best |
5- |
| Ch Vray Croix de Gay 1990 (Pomerol) 13% |
GCS 5.12.08 |
|
Some depth of colour but considerable browning. Mature nose. Good fruit initially but thin in middle and astringent on end. Too old |
5 |
| Ch Vray Croix de Gay 2000 (Pomerol) 13% |
CLWS 8.5.07 |
John Armit £23 |
Rich, ripe fruit with good balance: OK finish, not much development |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| St-Emilion & Satellites |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Ch les Alberts 2005 (Lussac-St Emilion) 14% |
CLWS 12.11.08 |
Laithwaite £9 |
Good colour. Very fruity nose. Ripe fruit overlaid with tannin; finish is long but still astringent. Keep |
5+ |
| Ch Angelus 1995 (1er GCC B) 13.5% |
GCS 4.8.07 |
about £85 |
Good colour, not much nose. Rich fruit, well balanced structure: long finish, lots of development, perhaps slightly hot on end. |
6 |
| Ch Ausone 2002 (1er GCC A) |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
|
Already well balanced and showing its class. Fruit, power and complexity. |
7 |
| Ch Beausejour-Becot 1994 (GCC) 12.5% |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
about £14 |
Before 1996 promotion. Dull colour with considerable browning.. Little nose. Rather thin and astringent: finish has some secondary development. Too old? |
5- |
| Ch Beausejour-Becot 1998 (1er GCC B) 13% |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
about £50 |
Oaky, smoky nose. Ripe fruit, balanced by very fine oak tannins. Greenish and tannic tone though to finish – starting to develop. |
6- |
| Ch Belair 2000 (1er GCC B) 12.5% |
GCS 4.8.07 |
about £38 |
Dark colour. Rich fruit. Ripe tannins and rather jammy dark fruits on palate: good length, but slightly astringent on end. |
5 |
| Ch Belair 2001 (1er GCC B) 12.5% |
GCS 4.8.07 |
about £35 |
Good colour, some browning. Slightly green nose. Underripe fruit, rather acidic: quite long, some spice. Rather disappointing |
4+ |
| Ch Bernateau 1998 (GC) 13% |
ONS 13.7.07 |
Ex cellars £9.50 |
80% Merlot. Black. Blackcurrant leaf and hedgerow nose. Palate has slightly prominent coarse tannins as fruit is drying out. Some length and development, but getting a little volatile. Drink up |
5- |
| Ch Canon-la-Gaffeliere 1993 (GCC) 12.5% |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
|
Quite rich fruit with green notes, quite tannic: finish is short and fading. |
4- |
| Ch Canon-la-Gaffeliere 2001 (GCC) 13.5% |
HASS 20.11.08 |
Majestic £35 |
Dark, oak-brown rim. Cooked black fruit, cedar and vegetation. Trarry ripe fruit, with acidity and tannin under: smooth complex finish with good length. Almost ready |
6 |
| Ch Canon-la-Gaffeliere 2002 (GCC) 13.5% |
HASS 20.11.08 |
Majestic £30 |
Dull colour, brown edge. Light plummy nose with some cedar. Quick rich, tasnnins under, especially on finish: fair length but not developed |
5 |
| Ch Cantenac 2003 (GC) 13% |
CLWS 12.2.08 |
Oddbins £15 |
Modest colour, little nose - a hint of new oak.Stalky tannins and modest fruit: not much length or complexity |
4+ |
| Ch Cantenac Selection Madame 2001 (GC) 13% |
ONS 13.7.07 |
Ex cellars £8.50 |
80% Merlot. Solid colour. Plums and tar on nose. Good fruit and fine tannins, some acidity. Reasonable length, not much complexity: slightly hot on finish |
5- |
| Ch Carteaux-Cotes-Daugay 1998 (GC) |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Wine Society £12 |
Browning. Mature nose. Ripe fruit and good structure: good length with considerable development |
5+ |
| Ch Carteaux-Cotes-Daugay 2002 (GC) |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
Ex-cellers £9.50 |
Fruity nose. Tannin dominates ripe fruit: good length and complexity. Needs time |
5+ |
| Ch Carteaux-Cotes-Daugay 2003 (GC) 13.5% |
CLWS 12.11.08 |
Ex-cellars £11 |
Moderate colour. Oak and some dark fruits on nose. Tannin over ripe fruit: good depth and fair length but a little dry on the end |
5+ |
| Ch Cheval-Blanc 1994 (1er GCC A) 12.5% |
CLWS 12.2.08 |
Andrew Mead £120 |
Moderate colour. Mature fruit on nose and palate. Well integrated, rich: good length and complexity, but slightly dilute and acidic in middle. |
6- |
| Ch Cheval-Noir 2000 |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
Ex-cellars £6.50 |
Dull colour. Tight nose with some plum fruit. Rather thin and tannic on palate. Too old. |
4- |
| Ch Clos-St-Emilion-Magnan 2004 |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
Avery £7.95 |
Quite pale. Backward nose. Fruity palate with acidic structure: hollow and rather bitter on finish |
4- |
| Ch la Couspaude 1996 (GCC) 12.5% |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
|
Fermented and aged in new oak. Strongly oaked nose. Angular palate with cooked, rather green fruit and oak. Long finish, but impressive rather than pleasant. Not a Bordeaux style. |
5- |
| Christian Moueix Private Reserve 2003 13% |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Laithwaite £12 |
Dull red, brown edge. Backward nose. Lots of hard tannins, little fruit: rather sour short finish |
3- |
| Ch Dassault 1998 (GCC) 13% |
CLWS 4.10.06 |
about £25 |
Two bottles, fresher one marked. Rather dry and structured on palate: quite long and complex but not very generous. Drink up |
5+ |
| Ch Faugeres 1998 (GC) |
NWB 4.2.09 |
£25-30 |
Still dark, some brown to rim. Backward, meaty nose. Some fruit, but still dominated by tannin: quite long. Now yet ready |
5+ |
| Ch Fleur-Cardinale 2000 (GC) 13% |
CLWS 19.3.08 |
|
Good colour. Backward, plummy nose. Good fruit and balancing structure: well integrated finish |
5- |
| Ch Fleur-Cardinale 1996 (GC) 13% |
CLWS 25.3.09 |
ep £15-20 |
Some browning. Maturing, red fruit nose. Some fruit and tannin, slightly astringent on end. Possibly too old |
5- |
| Ch la Fleur-Plaisance 1998 (GC) 12.5% |
CLWS 18.4.07 |
about £15 |
Slightly green nose. Fruit balanced by green acidity: some complexity developing. Well made for vintage |
5+ |
| Ch Fombauge 2002 (GC) 15% |
CLWS 12.2.08 |
about £20 |
Very deep colour, brown on rim. Rich cooked black fruit nose, some new oak. Smooth, ripe fruit on palate, with fine tannins and saome acidity: fairly long, rather warm finish. Parkerised |
5 |
| Ch Franc-Mayne 1999 (GCC) 12.5% |
ONS 13.9.07 |
Ex cellars £24 |
90% Merlot, advised by Michel Rolland. Showing some oak browning to fringe. Nose has new oak and ripe dark fruits. A little tight on palate, with fruit concealed by oak and tannins. Quite long, with development just starting. Needs time. |
5 |
| Ch Franc-Pipeau 1998 (GC) |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Wine Society £12 |
Moderate colour, some browning. Fairly light nose. Mature fruit on palate, moderate length and slight hot on end. |
5- |
| Ch la Gaffeliere 1998 (1er GCC) 13% |
GCS 4.8.07 |
about £35-40 |
Slightly dull colour. Maturing plum nose. Good grip and high acidity masking fruit: rather short. |
5- |
| Les Hauts de la Gaffeliere 2005 |
CLWS 12.11.08 |
Laithwaite £10 |
Good colour. Ripe fruit aromas. Palate is rather thin and sour, hot at end |
4 |
| Ch la Grace-Dieu-Les-Menuts 2001 (GC) 13% |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Ex cellars £10 |
Slightly dull red. Ripe fruit and some spice on nose. Oak tannins, good fruit: modest length, rather astringent. Ungenerous. |
4+ |
| Ch Grand-Bersan 2005 (Lussac-St Emilion) 13% |
CLWS 12.11.08 |
Nectar Wine Club £9 |
Reasonable colour. Little nose. Tannin overlies some ripe fruit; fair length, but green stalky acidity prominent |
4+ |
| Ch Grand-Corbin-Despagne 2001 (GC) 13% |
CLWS 12.11.08 |
Laithwaites £14 |
Good colour. Ripe plums on nose. Tannins over juicy fruit; but finish has a green astringency |
5- |
| Ch Grand-Faurie-La-Rose 2000 (GC) 12.5% |
CLWS 4.10.06 |
Majestic £14 |
Light colour, considerable browning. Mature nose, with some flower aromas. Balanced palate: long finish with some secondary fruit aromas and spice. |
5 |
| Ch la Grave-Figeac 1999 12.5% |
IWD 18.4.09 |
Majestic £18 |
Quite a mature colour. Plum nose. Palate is rather thin, with a restrained finish |
5- |
| Ch la Grave-Figeac 2000 12.5% |
IWD 18.4.09 |
Majestic £17 |
Good colour. Ripe plum nose. Good depth of fruit with balancing structure, quite long and still developing |
6- |
| Ch Haut-Bernat 2005 (Puisseguin-St Emilion) 13.5% |
CLWS 27.5.09 |
Berry Bros £15.40 |
Young dark colour. Plum fruit on nose. Lots of oak tannins, ripe fruit under: good length with some development |
5 |
| Ch Larmande 1996 (GCC) 13% |
CLWS 4.10.06 |
Auction £25 |
Browning colour. Austere nose. Plate has mainly tannin and acidity: quite complex on finish |
4+ |
| Ch Larmande 2001 (GCC) 13.5% |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
|
Subtle fruit, balanced structure: moderate, elegant length |
5 |
| Ch Laplagnotte-Bellevue 1999 (GC) 13% |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
|
Pale, little browning. Backward nose. Palate sour, with drying tannins: ungenerous and short. OK but lacks class |
4 |
| Ch de Lussac 2001 (Lussac-St Emilion) 13% |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
Tesco £12 |
Nose has manure. Plenty of fruit but rather rustic tannins, a touch over-extracted and oaky on end |
5- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 7.3.07 |
|
A later bottle had not aged well. Mature plum fruit on nose, but drying out on palate, especially on finish. Far too old. |
4- |
| Ch Magdelaine 1990 (1er GCC B) |
CLWS 12.2.08 |
about £80 |
Moderate colour, with a broad brown fringe. Unforthcoming mature nose. Very rich, with fine tannins under fruit: longbut perhaps a little hot and bitter on end. Drink up |
6- |
| Ch Matras 1999 (GC) 13.5% |
CLWS 12.11.08 |
Tesco £22 |
Deep colour. Tarry fruit and some mature aromas. Jammy fruit and tannins on palate, not yet quite in balance: fair length and density - another year or two? |
5- |
| Clos des Menuts 2001 (GC) 12.5% |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
Ex-cellars £10.50 |
Rather austere, with tannin and acidity dominating fruit. Green. |
4 |
| Ch Monbousquet 2000 (GC) 13.5% |
GCS 4.8.07 |
about £80 |
Dark colour with little fringing. Oak and plum fruit on nose. Rich fruit, ripe tannins, considerable extraction: long but slightly bitter on end. |
5+ |
| Ch Moulin-Des-Laurets 2000 (Puisseguin-St Emilion) |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Auchan €18.80 Magnum |
Mature colour. Nose has acetone. Rather thin and flat on palate, not much length. Oxidised? |
4 |
| Ch Pavie 1995 (1er GCC B) 12.9% |
CLWS 12.2.08 |
Andrew Mead £30 |
Modest colour. Rather artificial cardboard nose - infected? Some jammy fruit, but astringent and volatile: out of condition |
4- |
| Ch Pavie-Decesse 1999 (GCC) 13.5% |
CLWS 12.2.08 |
about £50 |
Black-red with brown rim. Tarry nose with cooked fruit and smoke. Cooked fruit and hard tannins: good length and some spice, but over-extracted and out of balance. |
4 |
| Ch Pavie-Macquin 1997 (GCC) 13.5% |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
|
Deep colour, ripe nose. Tarry, tannic palate, slightly sour, especially on finish. |
5- |
| Ch Pavie-Macquin 1998 (GCC) 13.5% |
CLWS 12.2.08 |
about £50 |
Reasonable depth of colour. Red fruit, with some vegetal maturity. Ripe fruit, tannin and acidity all showing: good length and development, but not quite in balance yet |
5+ |
| Ch Puy-Razac 2000 (GC) 13% |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Ex cellars £6 |
Mature colour, slightly medicinal nose. Rather thin and dusty: modest length. Fully mature. Second bottle badly madierised. |
4+ |
| Ch Quinault-L’Enclos 1998 (GC) 13.5% |
GCS 4.8.07 |
about £35 |
Dark colour. Rich nose with good definition. Ripe fruit with adequate structure under: good length with some development – still needs time |
5+ |
| Ch Roches-Guitard 2000 (Montagne-St Emilion) 13% |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
Laithwaite £10 |
Good colour. Not much nose. Rich fruit balanced by cedary tannins: reasonable length and finish |
5 |
| Ch la Roseraie-Dumont 2006 (Puisseguin-St Emilion) 13% |
CLWS 17.9.08 |
Marks & Spencer £7 |
Pale colour. Thin and acidic on nose and palate. Not very pleasant. |
3 |
| Ch Rozier 1999 (GC) 12.5% |
ONS 13.7.07 |
Sunday Times Wine Club £13.50 |
80% Merlot, advised by Michel Rolland. Black. Tarry, with secondary development. Integrated palate, fair length with some complexity. Near peak. |
5+ |
| Ch Soutard 2000 (GCC) 13.5% |
CLWS 12.2.08 |
about £25 |
Good colour to rim. Some mature aromas. Good fruit and tannins: good length and development. Near peak. |
5+ |
| Ch Teyssier 2002 (GC) 13% |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Selfridges about £20 |
Dull purple. Over-ripe fruit and spice on nose. Fine tannins over cooked fruit: moderate length, but rubbery finish. |
4+ |
| Ch Tour-Du-Pas-St-George 2000 (St George-St Emilion) |
CLWS 14.11.07 |
Avery £10 |
Made by Pascal Delbeque. Rather dull, plae colour. Some fruit and wood on nose. Good fruit and prominent tannins: moderate length and depth with some spice appearing. |
5- |
| Ch Troplong-Mondot 1995 (GCC) 13.5% |
CLWS 10.7.07 |
|
Moderate depth, considerable browning. Plum fruit. Oak and fruit on palate, firm structure: reasonable length, some development but not very generous. |
5 |
| Ch du Val d'Or 2005 (GC) 13.5% |
CLWS 12.11.08 |
Tesco £13 |
Dark colour. Good plum nose with some cedar. Good concentration of slightly overripe fruit, well balanced with tannins: fair length, needs time |
5+ |
| Ch Vieux-Lascours 2003 (GC) 13.5% |
CLWS 8.11.06 |
Ex-cellars £6.50 |
Second wine of Ch Lascours. Rich, fruity palate with good tannin: reasonable length, some spicy development. Still young |
5 |
| Waitrose St-Emilion 2005 13% |
CLWS 19.3.08 |
|
Watery red. Ripe plum nose. Some tannin and fruit, but straightforward with little finish |
4 |
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