Second Growth
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. — 14 days ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estéphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
A 2nd respected wine label of Cos D’Estournel (a 2nd Growth of the 1855 Grand Cru Classification) with a blend of Cab Sauv at 44%, Merlot at 46,2%, Cab Franc at 5,8% and Petit Verdot at 4% brings out an opulent, intense, deep, yet refined and properly-balanced red. The V’15 is perfectly poised, seductive, and extremely enjoyable. Eruptive fruity, with powerful aromatics in baked red fruits. The level of ripeness and raisins in notably persistent. Pagodes V’15 seats among my top favorites from Saint-Estèphe sub-appellation that will never disappoints and/or falls short of expectations. Cheers! — 2 months ago
Château Lagrange
Les Fiefs de Lagrange St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Very fresh nose right out of the bottle with red fruits, wood and chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, currants, light wood, spices, coffee, earth, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, licorice and black tea.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This 10 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend is drinking beautifully now. Elegant and rich. Fruit forward and complex.
This Second Wine from this 3rd growth winery is delicious. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Soft, spicy and entertaining.
Feels young, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle too.
A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 13 months in (20% new) French Oak barrels.
13% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$40. — 22 days ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
This was actually the first wine we had at the Bordeaux first growth lunch last Saturday (which wasn’t a First Growth). No notes taken but it did show the quality of the 1982 vintage particularly from Paulliac, and was still going strong. — 17 days ago
Château Montrose
La Dame de Montrose Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
The second wine of Chateau Montrose. 91 but if I rounded up with more time in the glass, 92.
Nose not entirely expressive. Not a surprise as this Chateau makes wine for the ages. Nice soft fruits of, dark cherries, blackberries & strawberries. Sandstone, dry herbs, some light non distinct earth with bright red flowers, red roses framed in dark, dry flowers.
The palate is good but is begging to remain in bottle. Nice soft, ripe, fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries. Dark chocolate bar, some chocolate pudding, moist clay, dark spices w/ just a touch of heat, moist herbs-sage, sandalwood, dry tobacco, little in the way of baking spices-clove leading the way, mocha, very little caramel notes, dry top soil, river stone, withering to dry, dark, red flowers with liquid violets, beautiful acidity and a well knitted/made, balanced, nicely tensioned finish that lands on some fruit, clay & soft spice.
Very good value here but would not open one for another 10 years. — a month ago
Château Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1997
From the Downs Club First Growth Lunch last Saturday. Very brief notes. Mid crimson in colour - some bricking at the rim. A meaty note - a lovely red fruited perfume - unmistakably first growth. Just medium weight - a lesser vintage. — 17 days ago
Château Latour
Les Forts de Latour Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Exactly what you would expect from Bordeaux. Excellent. definitely needs more time but really quite an impressive second wine. — 20 days ago
"Odedi"
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Deep inky in color with a short purple rim.
Beautiful nose of blueberries, black currants, cooked cherries, light oak, vegetables, licorice, earth, chocolates, Indian spices and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with plums, currants, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, coffee, light tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, earth and black tea.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux. Showing a nice mouthfeel. Fresh, complex and rich.
This second growth wine is still young, but already enjoyable, even by itself.
Drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 7 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.
Well balanced, and good by itself as a sipping wine. A good food wine too.
A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
12.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$215. — 17 days ago