Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I need to start w/ a little preamble.

For me, Pessac-Leognan was a late comer Bordeaux region. The last one I gravitated to in my 26 yr Bordeaux experience.

Nearly all the previous 2000 Bordeaux’s I’ve had up to this point needed a lot more cellaring. Mostly 1st & 2nd Growths, some 3rd. This 2000 started lean…lacking depth & a bigger tannin profile. But that is not entirely uncharacteristic for older Pessac’s. It seemed slightly more late in its drinking window. It picked up weight in the decanter at 2 1/2 hours and then showed more weight & depth w/ my Ribcap.

This started elegant w/ soft Bordeaux characteristics. Beauty & elegance as I understand it in Bordeaux’s from this region and this kind of age. But lacked 2000 earthiness & depth. For me, this is a 3rd tier Pessac producer, my terminology. Not up there with Haut Bailly or Pape Clement and of course Haut Brion.

2000’s up to this point have shown great depth & deep characteristics. Most needing longer than anticipated aging.

This was beautiful, elegant but lean based on previous definitions. Early on it seemly felt like it was a drink up in the next 3 yrs w/o the steak. With a longish decant & steak, more 7-10 yrs.

The nose shows muddled to slightly stewy; dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, both plums to pudding, poached strawberries, black raspberries and haunting blueberries, red cola, dark chocolate, dry herbs, dry leather-tobacco, softened graphite, moist clay, hints of pepper, some mushroom notes, rich, darkish soils with dry leaves, steeped tea, limestone/sandstone, dry twig, dry pebbles-top soils with dark, red, withering flowers.

The palate shows beautiful elegance with nothing that bites back. Perfectly resolved velvety tannins. Ripe, juicy, somewhat ruby fruits. Yet, have slightly stewy characteristics. Dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, both plums to pudding, poached strawberries, black raspberries and haunting blueberries, red cola, dark chocolate, softly layered & even baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid, dark, Asian spices, dry herbs, dry leather-tobacco, softened, nearly sweet graphite, moist clay, hints of pepper, rich, darkish soils with dry leaves, charcoal, volcanic ash, steeped tea, limestone/sandstone, dry twig, dry pebbles, dry top soils with dark, red, withering flowers, near perfect acidity, well balanced w/ softened structure/tension, great length and an elegant finish that goes on and on and long sets on spice & clay.

Almost new cork and little to no sediment.

92-93 with a long decant & a rich, fatty steak-Ribcap. First taste after pouring into the decanter, 90.

Photos of; Haut-Bergey, Paul Garcin-Managing Director and Francois Prouteau-Cellar Master. — a month ago

Jessica Schumacher

9.5

Crisp with mineral tones - awesome with burgers. Perfect bubbles. Jess wants a 6 pack from BP. — 3 years ago

Laura Purdy

9.1

Haven’t had this in ages! Always a good one — 2 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

My first Saint-Bris! Pale lemon yellow color. Plush aromas of citrus fruit, white flowers, chalk and abundant fresh herbs. Flavors of unripe peach, all those savory herbs, green apple and lemon zest. Noticeable mineral backbone on the long and drawn out finish. Lively and crisp acidity. Medium-minus body and wonderful freshness. Vibrant and harmonious! There are Chablis comparisons here. Another example of outstanding white burgundy! — 3 months ago

Jess

9.0

Pale lemon color.
Aromas of lemon, hint of toast.
Dry. Flavors of lemon, mineral, toast is faint. Very citrussy.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 3 years ago

Kevin Barry

9.2

Great with southern foods — 5 years ago

ET

9.3

Beautiful on its own. Outstanding with an aged chuck turned into traditional gulash (braised). Just exploded together with the meat. — 2 months ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Super pleasant chillable quaffer. 70% Gamay, 20% Brauvol, and 10% Grolleau. Organic fruit from Touraine. Fresh, juicy, and earthy in all the right places. — 6 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Juan c sulakman — 7 months ago

"Odedi"

9.5

#AgedWineTuesday

Ruby in color with a wide brick rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, blueberries, dried figs, raisins, light oak, licorice, light tobacco, light earth, chocolates, eucalyptus, light vegetables, herbs, wildflowers, cola and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black plums, figs, dried fruits, coffee, light cedar, tobacco, chocolates, cola, vanilla, licorice, spices, light earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This gorgeous 18 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is drinking beautifully now.

This is a great surprise, as the cork totally crumbled, and I expected the worst, but it really delivered.

Shows nice balance, and great complexity with a velvety mouthfeel.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. As it opens up, tannins come in (45 minutes), and make it more structured and interesting.

A great sipping wine to have all by itself and talk about. The nose is just gorgeous.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$80. — 3 years ago