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Tastings

Mar. ’15 – Bordeaux’s Right and Left Banks

We all love Bordeaux!!  This little old town has become the Mecca for true wine lovers.  All vineyards face Bordeaux.  This month we had acquired from some bottles from collectors that were willing to let some experience them.  David Yarus dusted them off and studied.  He spends his days handling inventory of wines in a wine bank.

With the combination of some good pizza and Brian Connor at the microphone, we had a night of one of the best tastings the club could experience.

As for the right and left banks, can you tell which side of the Gironde River the wine comes from?  The Right Bank is more focused on Merlot as the Left is Cabernet Sauvignon.  They are almost always blended of a few varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbet) unless you have a Chateau Petrus.  Brian kept us updated on the stats of the region.

The list was as follows:

  • Chateaux Léoville Barton 2000 $194 WS 97pts. Left Bank – Medoc: Brick color with strong rim variation.  Ripe Fruit and Leather notes on the nose.  Lead pencil and minerals.  A long finish.
  • Clos De L’Oratoire 2000 $117. WS 92pts. Right Bank – St. Emilion Grand Cru: This can age another 5 years.  Strong coffee, cocoa and soft tannins.  This was a true Right Bank Bordeaux.
  • Chateau-Fageac 2000 $264. WS 89pts.  Right Back – St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe. Brownish brick red. Soft with Cedar/Sandlewood nose.  Soft tannins and a long silky finish.
  • Chateau Palmer 1998 $321 WS 90pts. Left Bank – Medoc Margaux.  Leather nose.  Tobacco and black cherry on the palate with a textured finish.  Still strong and has years more to go.

Each had its own distinct character.  Eventhough they had the blends to help you figure out which side it came from, the age added complexity.

This tasting was memorable as each wine grew into its own not following the standard charateristics.  We loved the variety each Bordeaux made.

Drink plentiful people!