Bordeaux Merlot

Château Lascombes

Margaux Merlot Blend

Typical marguax, which I love. Opens up smoothly to notes of dark cherries, light plums, tobacco, cedar and earth/ forest floor. Tannins well integrated with 14 years of aging and 30mins of decanting. — 8 days ago

Château Talbot

Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2024

Piacevole artigianalita. Naturally expressive. Quite untouched fruit. Finish a bit harsh. May improve. — 14 days ago

Peter liked this

Pétrus

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 1985

My first Petrus was a very special thing. So intense and seductive, really something out of the ordinary. It kept begging my nose going back to the glass and harmoniously gave back so much pleasure. Could feel its presence very clear after a few minutes. Incredible. 98-100. Unique and delicious. — a day ago

Serge, Severn and 6 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Initially this was incredibly closed, but after 2 hours in the decanter it’s starting to open, tannic, very structured, very 1986 in its leanness, but incredible depth and length, not perfect, but still outstanding!! — 9 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Ron and 12 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

Lean doesn’t sound so good.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I personally have mostly felt that 1986 Bordeaux reds have always shown super tight and structured, but without the riper, rounder fruit of other vintages like 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990) — so, my use of “lean” is really intended to convey that the fruit never completely overcomes the harsh tannins and structure. I would say that after a few hours in the decanter, I’d be pretty confident that it will easily last another 10-20 years, or more. Ultimately I like my Bordeaux to show a little more elegance and charm. Hope that helps.
Bob McDonald

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@Doug Powers Thanks for your thoughts Doug. I recall Jancis commenting on this wine “wondering if the tannins would ever resolve”. Obviously built for the ultra long haul. I might try my first one in the next year or so.

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

Shows a little bit of funky, faint Brett aromas, flavors are rich, dark-fruited, and more youthful than the ‘86 Mouton which we also opened, long, lingering finish, very fine!! — 9 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Ron and 12 others liked this

Château Guiraud

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2005

David T
9.4

Second Sauternes pairing with my homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Didn’t use the additional crushed pineapple this time. Both preparations are very good. I think I prefer it w/ less pineapple.

In 2014 I attended the Bordeaux En Premiere. One of the six days, we toured 8 Chateau’s tasting multiple vintages at each in Sauternes & Barsac. Then, went back to Chateau Guiraud for dinner. Before the dinner, Bill Blatch then arranged for a Sauternes tasting after tasting at 8 Chateau’s in Saternes & Barsac. We tasted 50 Sauternes in basically in 60 minutes. After that, my hand was like Winne the Poo in the honey jar from dumping. After, my wish wasn’t necessarily for the forthcoming dinner, but rather wished to go to a Dentist for a teeth cleaning I had so much RS in my mouth. None the less, dinner was fantastic and started with warm Foie Gras & gravy. Perfect as is w/ the Pineapple Upside Down Cake tonight.

This 05 is everything that you taste in the Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Perfect paring. Newly a quarter century and no fading in its evolution.

Dry; stone fruits, pineapple, orange citrus, pineapple. Marmalade, caramel, saline, limestone, honeycomb, beeswax, coconut, vanilla, saline, round acidity with yellow florals, toasted nuts with round acidity for days. Elegance, balance, structure and round, rich polish that goes in and on. Coravined from 375ml.

Bill Batch (who worked for Cristy’s & owned his own negotiate company) has somewhere around 5,000 bottles of Sauternes. He does a Sauternes & Sausage party bi-annually. Good luck getting a well sought after invitation. There are more people in Bordeaux who want to attend then there are available invitations.
— 2 days ago

Bob, Shay and 13 others liked this
Andrew Cullimore

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Great story @David T , fascinating… and a great tasting note too ! Cheers 🍷!

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Massive wine. Seems to be built for the long haul. — 13 days ago

Jan, Freek and 3 others liked this

Château Duhart Milon

Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot Blend 2023

Nicely open. Fruity and lean. Fresh and classy. — 13 days ago

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2023

Beautiful subtle aroma from Merlot makes it pretty. Its free spirit nose makes you feel what the wine is going to be about. Drinkable and fresh. Apparently missing weight but it doesn’t miss a bit all the way thru the tasting. The aftertaste is long and very, very pleasant after one minute. — 13 days ago

Peter liked this

Château La Conseillante

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Dark deep rich color. Lots of perfume and luxury to this wine. It’s very approachable twelve years in. The alcohol is in tune. The fruit is mature and dark. Nice length. It went down very quickly and easily. Stellar wine! — 6 days ago

Jose, Tom and 17 others liked this