Farewell Bordeaux

The final 'Harvest'

 

A (significant) number of wines were had at a final farewell dinner. I will just report on a few of them:

- 2009 La Grange (St Julien). Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, with attractive blackcurrant and redcurrant flavours. The wine has good balance with mellowing tannins and a medium finish. You can't go wrong with 2009 (94 points).

- 1989 Saint Pierre (St Julien). This is testing the ageing. From a good vintage, blackcurrant and plum flavours are still apparent. The wine is savoury with mellowed tannins. Good to drink now (93 points).

- 1998 Chateau Margaux. Composition is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. This is an interesting wine. The currants are there, in a feminine sort of way. The wine has good balance, but exposes a slight gap on the mid palate, despite the sizeable Merlot component. But then it comes together beautifully with firm tannins and a long finish (96 points).

- 1995 Chateau d'Yquem. A deep golden colour in the glass. Honey and hazelnut flavours on the palate. The wine has great length and still a fresh finish. How do they do it (96 points)?