Pauillac, Médoc
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1995
Still remarkably youthful, it’s rich, dense and dark fruited, layered with classicism of cigar box, cedar and spices. The palate is concentrated and powerful with a silky texture and incredible length. 95 is nowhere near its peak. Many more years to go. And while I’ll never be a real Bordeaux lover, it’s clear what makes these first growths special. — 12 days ago
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000
Happy birthday honey. 🎂🥳🎉❤️
The Chateau that got my wife Sofia to finally love Bordeaux (1995). Expected more from the this property in 2000. But 2000 is still either the stubborn I think it is or just not as good as critically advertised. 20 years in bottle and think it needs at least 10 more years. Also, a touch of v/a-bandaid. It has nice balance with soft fruit & earth. It just lacks the wow factor for the property & vintage. Maybe, it is in a dumb faze. But, I’ve been waiting 20 years for 2000 to come out of its shell. I love this property but it is not up to its reputation…even for lesser vintages. It might be outstanding in another 20. This bottle is a little flawed and perhaps maybe (?) a better 2nd day wine. Tonight it is leaner than I would expect. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Sweet lead pencil, charcoal, volcanic ash, spice, nutmeg, some cinnamon, vanillin, dry tobacco, sandalwood, limestone, dry crushed rocks , dry pebbles, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, dry herbs, hints of Worcestershire sauce, moist clay, withering mid floral bouquet with excellent acidity and a wire to wire finish that is balanced, nicely tensioned and elegance that lasts minutes. One of the few slightly flawed bottles in 25 plus yrs of collecting. I can count them on just over one-hand.
Picture of Sofia picking the 2012 Mouton Rothschild Merlot. — a month ago
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
2003 vintage. Last tasted 10.16.22 (9.1) and a relatively disappointing showing then. This time round, decanted and tasted multiple x's after 1.5 hours-3 hours. Decent sed yet less than expected. Good fill but cork seemed a tad dry. The blueberry, cocoa powder nose was there with the quintessential, P-L hallmarks. Light-medium body. A billowing, smoky initiation, then plum along with graphite and touches of cedar + espresso crema. Left me wanting just a little more and thinking a different bottle of this same P-L vintage just might yield a 9.5. This and La Mission Haut-Brion fave two red BDX producers and this did nothing to change that. Hopefully, another P-L 2003 cycles through soon enough to prove my theorem. Thanksgiving 11.23.23. — 14 days ago
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
2005 vintage. Wowzers. Never been the biggest Lafite guy. Have had all the big vintages since/including 1961 but never been officially “wowed” or wowzered by Lafite. Achievement unlocked. Decanted and tasted after 2.5 hours. Threw a pretty respectable amount of sed. Cork was pristine. Nose was slightly more forward upon a high decant than usual. Light-medium body. Great, underlying richness flowing through from start to finish. An incredible 45 second denouement. Showing fantastically currently but no rush to crush. This ain’t goin nowhere. 11.5.23. — a month ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
Sipping Fine Wine
Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, floral spice and cedar notes, blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry with cacao, tobacco, licorice and oak. Fine grainy tight tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar and earthy floral mineral character. Very nice, will age well but wait a few more years to really enjoy! — 3 days ago