To celebrate my 10th anniversary of conducting wine tasting classes at the Mt Airy Learning Tree (MALT) in Philadelphia, we returned to the region featured in my very first class in 2009 - Bordeaux! Many fine vintages have made their mark in this world-renowned region in the past ten years, and we had the opportunity to sample a select cross-section of both reds and whites. Although the price points are noticeably higher than most selections in my classes, they are definitely worth the investment, especially for the reds that may be cellared for many years to come. In fact, they will continue to improve over time, mellowing out the tannins and melding the flavors together into a cornucopia of sensations for the nose and palate.
We necessarily sampled the red wines at an early stage (2014/2015 vintages), but already the complexity, depth and expressiveness are very apparent and showed the promise of the greatness to come several years down the road. My personal favorites were the Château d'Aguillhe, Château Kirwan and Château Haut-Batailley (The whites are fully enjoyable at this point in time.)
If you truly want to experience what all the fuss is about with regard to Bordeaux wines, I highly recommend splurging a little on one of these fine reds, and sock it away for at least 5-10 years in a cool, dark environment, and then share it with someone special. You'll be glad you did!
And here's some info on how to store a wine for a long period of time:
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-store-wine-for-a-long-time-2015-8?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-slideshow&utm_campaign=bodyurl
A votre santé!
Château
Tour de Bonnet Blanc 2016
Appellation : Appellation Entre Deux Mers Contrôlée
Varietals : Sauvignon Blanc ; Semillon ; Muscadelle
Production/Tasting Notes :
Crisp, fruity (citrus, pear), tangy with lemon-rind and crushed stone
character; medium bodied; bright
acidity; lively finish. (91 point James Suckling)
Food Pairing: light
hors d’oeuvres; apéritif
Alcohol: 12%
Château
Doisy Daene Blanc 2016
Appellation:
Appellation Bordeaux Contrôlée
Varietals:
Sauvignon Blanc; Semillon
Production/Tasting Notes: Bouquet of white peach, orange
pith and citrus notes seamlessly integrated with the oak; extremely
well-balanced palate with nice touch of
acidity; precise, razor-sharp
finish. (93 points, Wine Advocate)
Food
Pairing: light seafood, dessert, or on its own as an apéritif
Alcohol: 12%
Château
Garraud Lalande de Pomerol 2015
Appellation: Appellation Lalande de Pomerol Contrôlée
Varietals: 93%
Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc,3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Production/Tasting Notes: Aging:25%
in new oak barrels, 33% in 1 and 2 year-old barrels, 42% in vats. Intense walnut, plum and blackberry character;
full-bodied, velvety. (93 points, James Suckling)
Food Pairing: beer
tenderloin; grilled duck breast; roast leg of lamb; entrecote steak
Alcohol: 13.5%
Château
Grand Corbin Manuel 2015
Appellation:
Saint Emilion AOC
Varietals: 80% Merlot - 15 % Cabernet Franc - 5 % Cabernet
Sauvignon
Production/Tasting Notes: Hand-picked; grapes are sorted out in the vineyard then in the cellar thanks to a vibrating
sorting table; destemming by hand; winemaking in temperature-controlled
stainless steel tanks (tank capacity from 60 to 70hl); cold maceration for
3 days; malolactic fermentation in barrels; vatting time 20 days; maturing in
new French oak barrels ( 50 %) and one-wine French oak barrels ( 50 %).
Plum pastries with violets and spiced
blueberry fruits; impressive plushness on the palate with a rich, fleshy
appeal; round, ample mouth feel; well-built structure; long finish.
Food pairing: beer
tenderloin; grilled duck breast; roast leg of lamb; entrecote steak
Alcohol: 13.5%
Château
D’Aiguilhe Côtes de Castillon 2015
Appellation:
Côtes de Castillon AOC
Varietal: 80% Merlot; 20% Cabernet Franc
Production/Tasting Notes Harvesting: By hand, into small crates to
avoid bruising. Sorting before and after destemming; no crushing. The grapes
are put into vats by gravity flow. Fermentation: In temperature-controlled
wooden and concrete vats for 25-30 days depending on the vintage. Extraction by
pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap). Malolactic fermentation and ageing: In
new oak barrels (up to 50%) on fine lees .Fining and filtering as necessary,
depending on the vintage. Duration of barrel aging:15-18 months. Average vine age:
28 years.
“ a swath of toasty, singed vanilla
starts off, quickly backed by waves of currant and plum preserves. As the
flavors knit, a graphite spine emerges and drives the anise- and apple
wood-tinged finish. Let this settle in with a little cellaring. Very solid.
Best from 2020 through 2027 (92 points, Wine Spectator, “Smart Buy”
Alcohol: 13.5%
Appellation: Appellation Saint Julien Contrôlée
Varietals: 76% Cabernet
Sauvignon; 18% Merlot; 6% Petit Verdot
Production/Tasting Notes:
Troisème Cru (3rd Growth); Traditional Bordeaux vinification
is carried out in 92 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats of varying
capacities, thus allowing a separate vinification to respect the character of
each plot and soil-type, each terroir; vatting time between 16-28 days depending
on the tannic development in the fermenting wines ; firm, dry with solid
tannins; black currant and berry fruits with crisp , juicy acidity. (94 points, Wine Enthusiast)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Chateau Kirwan 2014
Appellation: Appellation Margaux Contrôlée
Varietals:
Production/Tasting Notes:
Troisème Cru (3rd Growth)
Mainly gravel soils, but some are also clay; fruit is picked and sorted twice by hand, then vinified in separate batches corresponding to individual vineyard parcels; half the oak barrels used to age the wine for 18 months are renewed every year. Deep brilliant ruby red color reflects a nose fo black and red berries - cherry, black currant, blueberry, enhanced by aromas of spices (cinammon), pink peppercorns and vanilla; this vintage has a strikingly tactile quality; it starts out mellow, then offers the taste buds a rich body, with nearly imperceptible, velvety tannins and an acidity that perfectly balances out its silky texture; cocoa and coffee complement a broad aromatic palette; extended finish blends hints of perfectly ripened cherry and subtle roasted notes that continue to carress the palate. (96 points, Wines Enthusiast, Editor's Choice)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Château Haut-Batailley
2015
Appellation:
Appellation Pauillac Contrôlée
Varietals:
72% Cabernet Sauvignon; 28% Merlot
Production/Tasting Notes: Cinquième Cru (5th
Growth); matured in 60% new oak;
nose and palate bathed in blackberries and dark plum; blackberry, boysenberry,
tobacco and cedar aromas; long, fresh tannins; oak is highlighted with spicy
flavors and bolsters plush grape tannins in a harmonious finish; aging potential:
25-30 years(94 points, James Suckling; 94 points Wine Advocate)
Alcohol: 13.5%
What separates a $20 Bordeaux from a $300
(or $3,000) Bordeaux:
-
Place where grapes are grown
-Age
of Vine
-Yield
of the Vine
-
Winemaking technique
-Vintage
-
Demand: Blame the Chinese!
Factoids
about Bordeaux
·
Left
Bank (Pauillac, St Julien, Pessac, Graves, Medoc, etc.) –
Cabernet-based wines
·
Right
Bank (St Emilion, Pomerol, etc.) – Merlot-based wines
·
French law dictates that a château may appear on a wine label only
if the château really exists.
·
Major red varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
(also, Petit Verdot, Malbec as blending grapes)
·
Major white varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
·
57
Appellations: Major Bordeaux classifications: Médoc, Haut Médoc, Graves,
Pomerol, St Emilion, Sauternes
·
10,000 Châteaux
·
13,000 Grape Growers
·
5 Premiers Crus (First
Growths) according to 1855 Classification
1. Château
Lafite-Rothschild
2. Château LaTour
3. Château Margaux
4. Château Haut-Brion
5. Château
Mouton-Rothschild
Notes on a few of the Châteaux
Lagrange
A place of great agricultural activity even back in
Gallo-Roman times : from the Gallo-Roman VILLA RUSTICA to the « GRANGIA » in
the Middle Ages which was to give the estate its name.
Lagrange discovers an early winegrowing vocation thanks to
the Templars who join together two domains :
– The « maison noble de Lagrange de Monteil » to the West joins the « Tenure of
Pellecalhus » (meaning « peeled stone ») to the East. In the present-day
vineyard, the names of two vine plots bear witness to this era, « l’Hôpital »
and « La Chapelle »;
– Lagrange becomes the largest wine producing estate in the Médoc.
But the history of the different owners cannot be
reconstructed until after 1631.
The 18th century brings renown to
Lagrange
Baron de Brane, a Bordeaux parliament member, and owner of
Mouton, acquires the property and its renown thus becomes more widespread.
In 1790, Jean-Valère Cabarrus, an influential merchant known
to be very active in the shipping business, invests in the property and
establishes his own sales network. In 1820, he commissions Visconti to build
the Tuscan-style tower that is to become the emblem of Château Lagrange.
From Jefferson to Duchâtel, the story of a classification
During a trip to Bordeaux In 1785, Thomas Jefferson, then
President of the United States, judges Lagrange second among the Third
Classified Growths. In 1855, Lagrange ranks among Third Classified Growths.
This is thanks to the work of Count Duchâtel, owner from 1842 to 1874. In 1842,
Count Charles Tenneguy Duchâtel and the Countess bring change to Lagrange :
– Innovation with a pottery drainage pipe factory.
– Château Lagrange now stretches over 300 hectares of which 120 are under vine.
– The Count is a politician, Home Secretary to King Louis-Philippe.
– Passion for the arts, Member of the Académie des Beaux Arts.
The Japanese group, Suntory, acquired the domain when the
purchase was signed by the company president, Mr Keizo Saji, in1983.
Marcel Ducasse was then recruited along with Kenji Suzuta to
undertake the complete restructuring of the vineyard and a spectacular
renovation of the whole estate. This first step was to mark the rebirth of
CHÂTEAU LAGRANGE.
After twenty years of dedicated work, as well as human and
technical investments, Lagrange had once again found recognition amidst its
peers and had achieved a certain sense of fulfilment.
Today a new tandem, Matthieu Bordes and Keiichi Shiina, have
taken over this quest for excellence. A second phase of investments began with
the 2008 vintage, offering Lagrange the technical means to follow its
ambitions: The production of refined, elegant and expressive wines, in the best
Saint-Julien style. There has also been an evolution of production methods towards
a greater awareness of the environment and a reduction of ecological impact on
the property.
This philosophy is reflected not only in the respect shown
for the domain’s History, and the nurturing of its truly exceptional Terroir,
but also in the unique experiences shared all over the world around a glass of
one of Lagrange’s wines.
Haut Batailley
The Cazes family,
which heads Château Lynch-Bages, are the proud new owners of Château
Haut-Batailley, an 1855 Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac owned previously by the
Des Brest-Borie family. Both families have had strong roots in the Pauillac and
Médoc landscape for generations. Château Haut-Batailley, acquired by the
Brest-Borie family in the 1930s, was until now managed by FrançoisXavier Borie.
“We are delighted that Château Haut-Batailley has been accepted into the fold
of the Cazes family, who are committed to continuing the work undertaken at the
estate. We're confident that they will maintain the identity and character of
the property,” said François-Xavier Borie. Château Haut-Batailley today
comprises some 40 hectares, 22 hectares of which are already planted. In terms
of grape variety, the property has 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5%
Cabernet Franc. Its vines are on average 35 years old. The property also has
its own technical facilities, in perfect working order. “Château Haut-Batailley
is a magnificent property that has always produced great wines. We're
particularly happy that it has passed between two families who have friendly
relations and know each other well,” said Jean-Charles Cazes, general manager
of the family-owned group. “This acquisition will strengthen our presence in
Pauillac with the aim of undertaking a project distinct from Lynch-Bages. In
order to respect the estate’s identity and the integrity of its vineyard, the
property will be managed independently and have its own dedicated team of
technical experts.”
