Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I purchased this one in futures, likely in spring of 06 & delivered in late 07 to Spring of 08. Parked in my storage since then.

As it was then, 2005 was a grand vintage as acclaimed by critics. So, that is when you buy some fringe producers. Buy 2nd Bordeaux wines from excellent producers to fringe regions/producers. More often than not, you’ll find really good value as is the case here. $20 on release I think.

Long coravined two separate glasses.

The nose shows a touch of v/a, but nothing offensive. Mostly…it is good old fashion Bordeaux funkiness. There is mushrooms, soft cedar, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, poached strawberries, mid berry cola, anise to licorice, graphite, tobacco, sandalwood, steeped tea, forest florals that are dark and in a violet frame.

The palate shows no sign of being tired. The fruits still fresh, lush, round & ripe; brambly blackberries, blackberries, black plum skin, poached strawberries, raspberry hues, noticeable, moist, grey, volcanic clay, some chocolate pudding, (it is Saint Emilionish), mid berry cola/licorice, dry tobacco, lead pencil, volcanic ash, dry top soils/crushed limestone, dark spice with mid intensity, some black pepper notes, soft, even layered baking spices-clove, hints of nutmeg & cinnamon, understated vanillin, moist herb notes, dark, rich, earth w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh & withering flowers/red roses, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent tension-structure-length with en elegant, round finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on clay & gentle spice.

If stored as I have, will hold a few more yrs and last another 7-8 yrs. You could make a case for 92 here.

Now some history on a producer likely many have not heard of/embraced. From their site:

This Flemish wine merchant family invested since 1924 in the Pomerol vineyard of Vieux Château Certan and in 1920 with Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion (sold in 1935).

The following generation, in 1946, George and Monica Thienpont, coming from their natal Flanders, moved into Puygueraud, restored the XVth Century chateau. After a long pause in polyculture, undertook the reconstruction of the vineyard whereby the first vintage would see the day in 1983.

In 1981, Nicolas Thienpont, with his father, engaged in the transition between a production oriented viticulture to one of excellence. Since 1983, the first vintage year mark, this approach has continued.

Since 2009, Nicolas and his son Cyrille Thienpont, have worked hand-in-hand for the crafting of this wine that over the last 30 years has become the flagship of the Francs Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation and a veritable jewel of Bordeaux.

Photos of; Chateau Puygueraud, Director-Owner Cyrille Thienpont.

#DSLounge — 5 months ago

Fredybeans

9.0

Pas un grolleau mais un cabernet sauvignon
Robe noire nez gourmand de cerise noire de fumée et tabac
Bouche suave délicate ronde et fraîche au boisé inexistant
Longue vie devant lui — 6 years ago

Rebecca Brickman

9.0

Cream of the valley 💕 — 7 years ago

with Ross, Jeremy and 2 others

Peter Coulthard

9.3

Lovely champers - very enjoyable. — 8 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Lots of plumy fruit flavors. Hints of cola and tobacco. A bit young but quite good for the price point. A little astringent alcohol on the finish, but bottle age should smooth that out. Excellent value for a CDP. Revisited in February 2020. As predicted, the astringency has mellowed out. Wine comes out of the bottle very fruit forward, but the organics come to the surface in short order. Thank you Keith S. — 8 years ago

Serge Mismetti

9.2

Restaurant AT — 7 months ago

Peter Sultan

8.9

Tropics wine continued: at a San Juan natural wine restaurant. Cheverny maker. Tangerine peel, almond paste, semi ripe mango notes; rounded palate & quite good overall. — a year ago

Matt Hartzler

8.9

Wild. Never have tasted a Chardonnay like this before. Tasty! Not at all oaky or buttery or like steel-barrel aged. — 5 years ago

Michel Cerdan

9.8

Surprenant muscadet de clisson, par Cyrille et Sylain Paquereau a Clisson. Il tient en bouche longtemps, un soupcon de miel pour adoucir .. un domaine exploite au 16e siecle par une famille espagnole, les Espinoze, devenu "epinay"¡ por eso que es bueno ! — 7 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.3

Diner chez Cyrille Lignac a Paris. Outstanding cuisine. The wine is one of the most perfumed Pintos we had in some time. Tell tale floral and spicy notes, medium body and medium length, Thibault always does wines that punch above their weight. This is Premier Cru quality for a fraction of the price tag. Wait if you can, or do yourself a favor and drink it. Highly recommended !! — 7 years ago

with Adriana

Erik Longabardi

9.4

Elderflower soda. Yes!!! — 8 years ago

Hieu Nguyen

9.2

Great Brandy for the price. Flavors are balanced and smooth. The aroma is of sweet dried yellow raisins. — 9 years ago

David Koenen

9.1

@delectable: this is the La Quadrature du Blanc. — a year ago

Eric Kememes

9.2

Light Auvergne gamay super fresh clean ethereal finish and body — 5 years ago

Matt Hartzler

9.2

A crowd favorite. Jason’s birthday wine. So yummy. Juicy. Beaujolais without any of that nascent bitterness. — 5 years ago

Fredybeans

9.3

2008+2009
Jaune trouble
Nez épice gourmand dense
Bouche fraiche dense et finale seveuse et épicée — 6 years ago

Justin Shanks

9.0

Roche Grenache noir, very smooth and full of flavor. Would definitely buy again and look forward to having again. — 7 years ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Very nice Cabernet Franc from the Loire. Bright with good red fruit but still good earth and medium minus acid. Hits much of the palate, excellent pairing with a great guinea hen terrine. — 8 years ago

Adam Wright

9.1

The label was slightly different “l’olbrius” super tasty. Imported and selected by our favorite wine guis FiFi! — 8 years ago

with Catherine

Lindsay Christians

9.2

Toasty pear. Tight bubbles, perfectly lovely with our mezze. — 9 years ago