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 — 3 months ago

Timothy Lynch

9.0

A stained cork from bottom to top gave me pause. Phew! All good. Dusty notes dominate early on with stewed plumbs and Aussie scrub (underbrush) not far behind. Let’s see where we are in an hour. Sixty minutes on firmly delivers with a weighty 65% Cab Sauv with, dare I say it, a slight nod to Napa. Chewy tannins with continuous dust rounds it all out. I like this wine. As to down the road…I think we’ve arrived au point. — 4 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.3

Tidying up the house after the container with our belongings arrived; it took "only" 3 and half months😅😅.
A well deserved refreshing juice during a pause
It is going to be a looong week of sweet unpacking..a bit like a belated Xmas😁😁
BTW the juice was really good
Ca va sans dire — 4 years ago

Wulf Losee

9.2

Thyme and sage on the nose. Light red fruit on the front, dominated by pomegranate. A smooth tannic under-structure appears on the front of the tongue and continues until the finish. It’s not heavier than a Beaujolais Nouveau, but its tannins continue to make their presence known against the onslaught of mineral high notes at the middle and the finish. It would be easy to overlook the sophistication of this wine if we didn’t pause to appreciate its subtleties. — 7 months ago

Ericsson

9.1

They say 6 of every 10 Michelin star restaurants in Spain carry wine by this producer. Can’t really confirm that, but I can tell you: it doesn’t just sit in your glass; it transports you. This isn’t a wine for sipping in sterile silence. It’s for spilling on a sun-drenched table, between bites of pulpo a la gallega and the laughter of people who know how to live. It’s Galicia in liquid form—wild, rugged, and unapologetically itself.

There’s a sharp, bracing acidity that wakes you up like a cold Atlantic plunge. Then come the flavors: lemon zest, green apple, and maybe a hint of peach that’s just ripe enough to make you pause. Underneath it all, there’s that minerality—like licking a rock (the good kind). It’s clean, it’s crisp, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome.
— a year ago

Nancy Bernstein

9.0

Luscious example of a Bordeaux blend with elegance and sensuality to allow you to pause from day to day life, relax@and enjoy — 3 years ago

romo

9.2

Yes, high-pitched, bright, 09, cherry, ginger, pause, purple, zing, acid, acid. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Tasted from 1/2 bottle. They come in handy for dinner for two in many cases, but especially at a restaurant that allows corkage. Most do in California. It is even harder to find vintage champagne in 375ml’s.

The 2018 vintage was good to very good. You need to taste and or read up for its best offerings.

A note, I tasted at the Billecart-Salmon property in later October 2022 with Mathieu Roland-Billecart. As insightful as that was, he was asked other than Billecart Salmon champagnes, what was one of his favorite champagnes? His reply was surprisingly an older vintage Paul Bara he had recently. That’s a producer question that gets asked often. Normally generates a pause with some minor angst to answer.

The nose shows; lemon chiffon/meringue, bruised apple to slightly cider, bruised pear, yellow & white stone fruits, just ripe pineapple, orange citrus blend, lime pulp, tropical melons, whipped, white cream, white spice-ginger, yeasty bread dough, saline, crushed limestone pulp, crumbled chalk, sea fossils, white spring flowers set in yellow lilies.

The palate is round & soft. The mousse is delicate w/ micro oxidation. Ripe; lemon chiffon/meringue, white & yellow stone fruit, slightly bruised apple & Bosc pear, lime pulp, orange citrus rind, some tropical melons, cream, ginger white spice, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, saline, sea fossils, dry crumbled chalkiness, caramel notes, heather honey, warm perfectly toasted toast, graham cracker, nougat w/ nuts, yellow flowers set in a field of white spring flowers, excellent acidity with a nicely; balanced, structured, tensioned, polished finish that lasts a minute and falls on limestone laced with soft, dry, powdery chalkiness.

Photos of; the house of Paul Bara, chalky caves w/ riddling racks, old wood basket press & a vineyard picking party. — a year ago

Allison Heilman

9.3

Broadening my horizons and so very glad I did. Echos of burgundy but all it’s own at the same time. A wine that makes you pause and think. — 2 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Notes are cumbersome, so no notes today but plus side, scores are honest and I should be a professional reviewer, LOL. (This wine was crazy, one of the best Gamay I've had...)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this final afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor Michael Tilson Thomas is leading IVES (Psalm 90) and BEETHOVEN (Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus 125).

After a two-year pause, we arrive again to the day when Beethoven concludes on these hallowed grounds. The 9th by Beethoven is always bittersweet for us, as it marks the end of the official Symphony and Pops season for the BSO at their Summer home. It is a wonderful and singularly emotive piece moved with the full force of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus (110+) conveying the message of a divine spark of joy that makes all people one. The music and the day almost bring me to tears on an annual basis...
'Freude, schöner Götterfunken!' / 'Joy, beauteous, godly spark!' — 4 years ago