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Bordeaux 2012: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (May 2013)

(54% merlot and 46% cabernet franc): Good full ruby-red. Expressive, nuanced nose offers red cherry, strawberry, minerals and a hint of violet. Sweet and round on entry, then increasingly austere toward the back, with peppery and minty elements lifting the dark cherry and cassis flavors. I noticed some bottle variation with my samples on the…

A Century of Bordeaux: The Twos (Sep 2022)

The 2012 Cheval Blanc has a lovely bouquet with raspberry coulis, hints of marmalade and just a touch of espresso, nicely detailed though not intense. The palate is medium-bodied with a strict entry. This is quite backward and tight, lightly spiced with a touch of sour cherry and cracked black pepper on the finish. This…

Vinous Table: Brat, London, UK (Aug 2018)

The 1989 Chasse-Spleen offers chestnut and black truffle on the nose, with a touch of dried blood, comfortably revealing in its secondary aromas. The palate is wonderfully balanced, the dusty black fruit laced with cedar and charcoal, a hint of soy on the “old school” finish. The 1989 has held up wonderfully and, though maybe…

The Annual Red Bordeaux Report (May 2005)

Ruby-red. Ripe black fruit nose shows a distinctly medicinal aspect. Suave and smooth in the mouth, but quite dry, with a flavor of bitter chocolate. Offers good breadth but limited sweetness of fruit. Finishes with substantial tongue-dusting tannins.

2011 Bordeaux from the Bottle (Jul 2014)

Bright red. Blackberry and strawberry on the nose. Strong acidity gives this wine a slightly tart quality but there’s also good clarity and floral lift to the red fruit flavors. Closes on a vanilla note, with good length and soft tannins. No green or harsh elements here at all but ultimately this is a very…

The Comedown: Bordeaux 2011 Ten-Years-On (Apr 2022)

The 2011 La Chapelle de la Mission feels a little flat and tired on the nose compared to its peers. The palate is fleshy and rounded with grainy tannins, the finish balanced with a savoury finish. Not bad, though I prefer the Clarence by comparison. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.