Rauzan-Ségla 2012

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose dark cherries, plums, cocoa powder, green pepper. In the mouth masculine and rustic, with a not very long aftertaste.

Being a still relatively young Second Grand Cru Classé of Bordeaux, I decided to decant it and the experience greatly improved.

The 2012 Rauzan-Ségla is a blend of 54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot. Continue reading “Rauzan-Ségla 2012”

Chateau Troplong Mondot 2013

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose blueberries and dark cherries. In the mouth fresh, elegant and tasty. The aftertaste is discrete.

Chateau Troplong Mondot 2013 is a blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is one of the stars of a very difficult vintage. Continue reading “Chateau Troplong Mondot 2013”

Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2013

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose cherries, strawberries, plums, caffè latte. In the mouth very elegant, silky, fresh and charming. The aftertaste last for a while.

Overall, the 2013 has been a very challenging year in Bordeaux, but this blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot is flawless and a great achievement for the vintage. Continue reading “Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2013”

Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012

The colour is in both cases medium ruby. On the nose also pretty similar. Both display an aroma of herbs, red and black berries, with the addition of leather and tobacco for the 2009, and coffee and chocolate for the 2012. In the mouth they are both very elegant. The tannins of the 2012 are edgier. The aftertaste medium long in both cases.

This the first impression, with the bottles just opened. Continue reading “Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012”

Château Mouton Rothschild 1975

The colour is medium tawny, still clear and lively. On the nose mandarins, cooked black fruits, mushrooms. In the mouths silky and well balanced. The aftertaste is savoury and last for a while.

For this bottle I had very low expectations: 1975 was a tough vintage and the wine level in this bottle was barely mid-shoulder. I was afraid it wasn’t drinkable. Instead, what a surprise! The wine was not only drinkable but even enjoyable! Continue reading “Château Mouton Rothschild 1975”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2010

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose at first muted. After some time, white chocolate, cheddar, mocha, charcoal. In the mouth gripping, but elegant tannins.  This wine has a very solid structure and (hopefully) a great potential, but needs a lot more time cellaring before being able to express its full personality. Despite its youth, this wine presents a very harmonious character. The aftertaste is long. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2010”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982

The colour is deep ruby, intense and bright. Despite the 40 years of age, it is only slightly turning into garnet. On the nose surprisingly fruity, mainly red cherries. After some time, the bouquet turns more towards cigar box kind of aromas. In the mouth very smooth. The tannins are ultra-fine. The aftertaste is very pleasant and very long. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1989

The colour is deep ruby and bright, only slightly turning into garnet. On the nose cigar box, pencil shavings, spices. After some time, the bouquet turns fruitier, with blueberries, black cherries and black berries coming on stage. In the mouth very elegant, almost light. The tannins are silky. Despite the 37 years of age, this wine is still very fresh. The aftertaste is pleasantly fruity and, although subtle, it lasts for a long time. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1989”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1986

The colour is deep garnet. Still very lively. On the nose forest floor, cigar box, fireplace, caramel, spices. In the mouth well balanced, with a good structure. Bright acidity and tannins that are well integrated, but still showing off. The aftertaste is savoury and medium long.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild is located in the Pauillac denomination of the Médoc and produces one of the most sought after and expensive red wines in the world. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1986”

Chateau Lagrange 2009

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose cassis, tomato sauce and herbs. In the mouth a bit too much acidity and tannins. The aftertaste is medium long, but not very tasty.

This wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot. It is made at Chateau Lagrange under the Saint-Julien denomination of Bordeaux. Continue reading “Chateau Lagrange 2009”