Bank Note

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards

Right Bank Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Ming L
9.2

The reasonably-priced Right Bank is probably my favorite from the winery. For 2018, it’s a blend of 56% Cab Franc and 44% Merlot.

The perfumed nose offers lush dark cherry, plum, and violet aromas, layered with hints of tobacco, cocoa, and early autumn leaves. The palate is velvety yet structured, with bright acidity balancing ripe fruit and savory spice. Polished tannins lead to a lingering finish with notes of mocha and dried herbs.
— 17 days ago

Tom and Bob liked this

Château Lilian Ladouys

Saint Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2022

2022 vintage. Even better than 7 months ago. The magic of the vintage is obvious here. Black and red fruits, flowers and a distinctive mineral note. Exemplary purity of fruit, fresh and refined,with the silkiest tannins ever for this estate. Long, mineral finish. A very impressive wine that sells for a song. Abv. 14%. — 3 months ago

Peter, Tom and 1 other liked this

Château Sociando-Mallet

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

I think this is peaking. From a marginal year but really nice. Lots of cedar and a little roasted peanut note augmenting some nice, mellow cassis fruit on the nose. A big whack of intense flavors on initial entry, with tannins still there but softening. A teensy bit drying on the finish, but damn this is nice with grilled butterflied leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary. — 3 months ago

Bob, Jay and 16 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

As you probably know, I love Sociando Mallet, though I prefer them older, but that’s just WTSO Al preference. But their wines are always solid and also reasonably priced by Bordeaux standards!

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1966

My first experience with a bdx with this type of age. It had a note of green pepper on the nose and had a lot of life left. — 4 months ago

Ron, Jay and 7 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

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.
— 2 months ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Ted and 18 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Happy Birthday @Vanessa way to celebrate in style!
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Paul K Thank you for the bday wishes! It was an auspicious and delicious way to start my next trip around the sun ☀️ Cheers! And we hope to reconnect with you guys soon! 🍾🥂
Paul K

Paul K

We will absolutely figure out something this summer!!!

Château Figeac

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2024

97-98. Best wine tasted in the right bank.
Pure flowery and fruity aromas of incredible precision.
In the mouth it is simply perfect. Given the challenges of the vintage it is really incredible.
Technical yes, but not lacking personality.
A real great wine.
— 3 months ago

Paul liked this

Château Barde-Haut

Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Super earthy at first, but with air the fruit/earth balance is equilibrating. Loads of irony/clay notes in the nose, with dark plummy fruit. Tannins are integrating but still present. This presents more like a 20th Century right bank wine than what is usual now, with fruit and softness but no overripeness and a nice sense of restraint. — 4 months ago

Rebecca Anne Casagrande
with Rebecca
Pooneet, Douglas and 16 others liked this

Château Batailley

Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

A very good left bank classed growth (5th growth) from a good vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon dominant aromatics (74%). Blackcurrant and cedar - a little tomato bush. A good wine but to state the obvious does not have the class and complexity of the higher classed growths. For example 3rd growth 2009 Chateau Palmer is a stunning wine - very rich, complex with a long life in front of it - very much superior to Chateau Batailley. — 3 months ago

Juan, Ceccherini and 19 others liked this
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

@Somm David T i must apologise, but when we say Napoleon i only think of the guy sinking his hand in his jacket, the one that got defeated in Waterloo. Monsieur Napolene Bonaparte born in Corse. My bad, my views are limited. Napoleon the 3rd is indeed still a Napoleon...sorry😬
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Somm David T Thanks for your comments David. Yes, I can imagine any change to the Bordeaux classification would be very political and expensive with self interest often driving the ship. At the end of the day I guess it boils down to what the punters (us) are prepared to pay for any given bottle of wine regardless of its hierarchy in any classification. Eg. Is Leroy Musigny worth $50K? Or does it become the plaything of billionaires and 3rd world dictators who only buy it because of its inflated price? Probably a debate for another day!
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Bob McDonald @Ceccherini Cristiano I should have said the III. Just assumed it was implied. My bad as well. Bottle prices are quite insane lately and yes it is up to us what we paid. I would add that the wine industry is and has been challenged. More recent gen’s are not buying wine like my gen and there are no easy answers for the industry. We’ll see what happens w/ bottle prices going forward. Especially, given the rollercoaster markets. Good discussions. Cheers! 🍷

Vieux Château Certan

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2024

71 M 20 CF 9 CS
Freschezza floreale e struttura. Finale di tensione con note di genziana e rabarbaro in chiusura.
As always, a wine with exceptional personality.
94-96
— 3 months ago

Paul and Jon liked this

Repris

Right Bank Moon Mountain Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2011

Shay A
9.2

While not on the same level as the 2010 Left Bank I opened a few months ago, the profile of this 2011 Right Bank was squarely on the bridge between Sonoma and right bank Bordeaux.

About 60 merlot/ 40 CabFranc. 13.9ABV

Pours a slightly fading red-black. The entire time this was open, the aromatics sported a distinct funk that I’m struggling to describe…whatever comes before brett, that’s what this was. A mix of earth/forest, mineral, fig and a small hint of leather (I’ve come across a similar profile in older warm vintage right bank Bordeaux…but this is cooler vintage Sonoma). The palate is structured but in a nicely balanced phase…red and black fruits, more fig, and espresso at the finish.

Followed over the course of 4hrs from bottle, and while the last glass seemed to be a bit more integrated, I think these are in “drink now” phase.
— 4 months ago

Andrew, Tom and 20 others liked this