Blind Tasting of Value-Priced 2005 Bordeaux
Here are the group results from our tasting tonight of value-priced 2005 Bordeaux along with some of my tasting notes. None are first growth. One is grand cru and most were grand vin. With the exception of the Haut Medoc, all are East Bank I believe.
No. 1 Reignac 2005 Bordeaux Superieur Vendanges
$25 (WS 90)
Dark purple color, fragrant nose of licorice and tobacco. Very dry with currants, plum and cigar box flavors. Long elegant finish. Nicely balanced considering the young age.
No. 2 Chateau Pipeau Grand Cru 2005 St. Emilion
$35 (WS 92, RP 90)
Brick red in color, slight earthy nose with cocoa and leather. Tight tannins yet complex chewy layers of dark cherry, black fruits and chocolate. Long finish highlights the masculine style of this wonderful Bordeaux. Will age nicely. (this was my No. 1 wine of the flight)
No. 3 Chateau Puyguraud 2005 Cotes De Francs
$26 (WS 92)
Garnet colored. Closed initially with faint aromas of licorice, and barnyard. Slightly off-dry with muted flavors of plum and black cherry. Long finish with balanced tannins.
No. 4 Chateau Combon La Pelouse 2005 Haut Medoc
$19 (RP 89)
Garnet color with violet edges. Nice bouquet of leather, plum and green pepper. Rounded taste with cherry and currant notes. Medium finish. The best bargain of the evening because Parker rated it below 90.
No. 5 Domaine De La’ A. 2005 Cote De Castillon
$40 (WS 92)
Dark purple color. Nose of plum, clove and anise. Slightly off dry taste with prominent cherry and soft tannins. Long finish.
No. 6 Le Fleur De Bouard 2005 Pomerol
$40 (WS 90)
Garnet color with amber edges. Powerful cedar and fennel nose. Hard tannins with plum and olive tastes. Medium finish.
Funny how some of the most expensive wines were ranked the lowest. If you’re confused and interested in how we rank these wines, see my post on our Group Scoring Methodology. Oh, and by the way, the fresh baked bread was a hit. I think I’m getting the hang of baking artisan bread.
Eric
I briefly spoke to you and your lovely wife Sheri at Sixth Avenue Wine Bar early in May while visiting Seattle from NZ. You shared some of your wine with me and gave me your card.
I always find these chance meetings fascinating more so because one gets to meet some very interesting people if only for a moment.
I am back in New Zealand in Christchurch on the South Island. As I write I am sipping away at a NZ pinot noir which I can only urge you to try if you can.
The 2007 vintage from Central Otago was ever so good – the 2008 is disappointing – overcropping.
Of course NZ pinots are a fascination for me and I am still an absolute novice but do know what I like. There are clearly different terroirs expressing themselves between the 3 major areas i.e. Central Otago, Marlborough and Martinborough ( my favourite for more subtle expressions of pinot). The Central Otago pinots are very fruit forward and I certainly enjoy these. The Peregrine 2007 is absolutely lovely.
Anyway thought I would send you an e-mail and see how you all are.
Take care
Sean