Minneapolis
Wine Club
Bordeaux Tasting
Basil's Restaurant Downtown Minneapolis
Friday, April 11
This was a great look at Bordeaux with a focus on the great 2000 Vintage with a few other pleasant surprises. Here are the results from our event:
The theme tonight was Bordeaux from 2001 or older. We had a good mix of ages and appellations. The participants were John G, John R, Michael M, Nate M and me. As usual a good time was had by all.
2006 Artesa Carneros Chardonnay $$
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Lemon, spice
Taste: Lemon, spice
Finish: Medium with lemon, spice, and mineral
Evaluation: Not nearly as impressive as the 05 but this is a much lighter style wine. I am assuming this so much less oak then 05. 85 points
2000 Chateau Olivier Pessac-Leognan Graves Bordeaux Blend $$$$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Earth, smoke, black pepper
Taste: Dusty notes with pepper, vanilla, mild oak, with a touch of cherry
Finish: Medium and complex wine that is quite balanced
Evaluation: Certainly an earth forward wine that is showing well. 90 points
Chateau Lafon-Rochet St. Estephe Bordeaux Blend $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Very subtle
Taste: Wood, a touch bitter, cranberry
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: This was not corked but was an off bottle.
2004 Chateau Lascombes Margaux Bordeaux Blend $$$$$
Color: Dark Purple
Nose: Plum, cherry, earth, oak, vanilla
Taste: Fruit and earth blended together. Being an 04 tannic
Finish: A buttery note along with cherry, cranberry, and nutty. Medium finish and really complex.
Evaluation: Buy if it is $55. This wine has the structure to reward those who are patient. 92 points
2000 Chateau Grand Mayne St. Emilion Bordeaux Blend $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Plum, oak, vanilla
Taste: Cherry, vanilla, oak, raspberry, espresso
Finish: Medium with cherry, vanilla, wood, espresso
Evaluation: Solid wine that if you can buy under $45 try it. 90 points
1997 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac Bordeaux Blend $$$$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Tobacco, pencil lead
Taste: Tobacco, little vegetal, raspberry
Finish: Not as concentrated as the other wines but featured tobacco, raspberry, and smooth tannins
Evaluation: Good under $50 Pauillac from a less then stellar vintage. 88 points
1991 Chateau Leoville Las Cases St. Julien Bordeaux Blend $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Truffles, cherry
Taste: Truffles, cherry, vanilla, well integrated tannins
Finish: Medium and pleasing
Evaluation: Tied with the Lascombes for my wine of the night but and great contrast tot it. Another reminder to age good Bordeaux. 92 points
Thank you gentleman for a wonderful evening. I look forward to the next event.
John Glas
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Bordeaux wines are some of the most expensive in the world and often the most misunderstood.
Bordeaux is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blended together. Each are of Bordeaux will combine grapes differently and with various percentages.
Malbec and Petit Verdot are sometimes blended in the mix but every Chateau is different.
Right Bank- More Merlot in the blend
Left Bank- More Cabernet Sauvignon