Bordeaux Wine Tasting at Café Maxx
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - 06:30 PM
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"Between 5/22/85 and 5/4/88, the French writer Jean-Paul Kauffmann was held chained and often blindfolded in a Beirut basement [by a] Shiite Muslim fundamentalist group. A lover of Bordeaux, Mr. Kauffmann recited daily the list of the 61 greatest chateaux drawn up in 1855. He strove to conjure up the aroma of a Chateau Margaux or a Leoville-Poyferre. Occasionally a small miracle would occur, and the scent of black currants and plum would permeate the dusty heat of Lebanon."
- Roger Cohen, "Ways of Doing Time," New York Times, 5/4/97
Every year around this time I start to get nostalgic about Bordeaux as for several years in a row I made a pilgrimage to Bordeaux to taste the young wines from the newest vintage from the world's most prized wine region for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends.
I have missed the last few years in favor of taking a vacation with the kids instead, they are 7 and 8 years old and this is the time that you can never get back with the little ones so my thinking is that Bordeaux will always be there. Anyway there are plenty of wine critics to cover the story that surrounds the Grand Cur tasting and the newest release of Bordeaux futures.
The 2011 vintage is already being offered for sale and this is only the second vintage that I can remember where we have seen the pricing on top level wines come out before Robert Parker Jr. has released his scores in The Wine Advocate. Could this be a replay of 2008 where several of the early reviews were not very glamorous and then Bobby comes out with rave reviews sending prices soaring once again??? We have our first offering of 2011 futures on this e-mail!!
One thing for certain is that the last two vintages from Bordeaux have been GREAT and with 19 wines scoring 100 points from the 2009 vintage in the Wine Advocate. This makes 2009 the GREATEST vintage of our lifetime according to the world's premier authority on Bordeaux Robert Parker Jr. and that is all that matters when it comes to selling wines en premier from Bordeaux.
Tonight we will focus on this highly anticipated 2009 vintage from Bordeaux along with a few of the newly released 2010 vintage wines and a few selections from the overlooked 2007 and 2008 vintages that you can find at very reasonable prices today and probably even better in the near future. Chef Oliver Saucy will be sending out a few small treats to accompany the tasting wines and the fee for this event is $35 + tax. For reservations call 954-523-9463.
Bordeaux Tasting at Cafe Maxx
Wednesday, April 25th
6:30pm
2010 Chantegrive Graves Blanc
Price: $ 28.5 Sale $25.08 Case $291
A blend of 50 % Sauvignon and 50 % Sémillon. Very pale yellow robe, very fresh nose with subtle acacia flower, honeysuckle and white peach aromas.
2009 Chateau Guirauton Graves Blanc Bordeaux
Price: $19.75 Sale $17.38 Case $202
This wine is a blend of Sauvignon and Sémillon this wine shows the fruit forward nature of this vintage while maintaining that bright and fresh nature that is white graves. Fresh melon and grapefruit citrus with notes of white flowers and gravelly mineral notes. Finish 30+ Very Good
2010 Chateau Vieux Dominique Bordeaux Superior
Price: $12.75 Sale $11.2 Case $130
Nice cherry fruit on the nose with notes of coffee and herbs. Solid core of cherry and plum fruit on the tongue with excellent length, a bit tannic with notes of coffee through the finish. Finish 35+ Very Good
2008 Les Laurets (Baron Benjamin de Rothschild), Puisseguin-St. Emilion
Price: $24 Sale $21.12 Case $245
Puisseguin is a “satellite” growing area close by the more famous vineyards of St Emilion and this is where the most value is coming out of the right bank today from areas like this that are not quite as well known but have an excellent terroir. This property was just recently acquired by the Rothschild family and they have upgraded both the vineyards and the winery. The blend is mostly merlot showing nice plum and spice aromas, with some Cabernet Sauvignon adding structure.
2007 Tourelles De Longueville Pauillac
Price: $51 Sale $44.88 Case $520
This is the second wine of Pichon Baron and this 2007 vintage is already drinking at it peak with these second wines like the Tourelles. This wine is a baby version of the Pichon Baron very similar in style just with a bit less substance and a light drinkable wine in this soft forward 2007 vintage.
2008 Lillian Ladouys St. Estephe
Price: $30 Sale $26.40 Case $306
(89 points) This is ripe and filled in, with a good core of red currant, damson plum and cherry fruit that picks up savory herb, mineral and tea notes as it moves through the focused finish. Drink now through 2016. Wine Spectator (Web-2011)
2009 Chateau La Croix Blanche Montagne St Emilion
Price: $18.75 Sale $16.50 Case $191
Once of the satellite appellations of the right bank that is producing outstanding values like this "sleeper of the vintage" from Chateau La Coix.
2009 Chateau Leboscq Medoc
Price: $19.75 Sale $17.38 Case $202
Deep purple-red, quite good earthy fruit, but a bit raw and lacking in finesse, extracted powerful tannins. Drink 2011-16. Decanter (14 points)
2009 De La Coste Margaux
Price: $39 Sale $34.32 Case $398
This is my first experience with this wine but in vintages like 2009 it is hard to miss even these little no name Chateau turned out excellent wines.
2008 Petit Vedrines Blanc Sauternes
Price: $21 Sale $18.48 Case $214.20
This is the second wine from Doisy Vedrines and this 2008 has a beautiful golden in color, the nose showing notes of honeyed citrus, orange marmalade and honeysuckle floral aromas. Sweet, but not cloying, some pretty honeyed botrytis notes coming out already with orange and lime peel and fresh citrus acidity on the finish.
2009 Chateau La Fleur D'Or Sauternes
Price: $29.75
Pineapple and candied lemon aromas with notes of creme caramel and peach like fruit very bright. Very bright and well focused on the palate with an array of honey and candied pineapple, creme brulee. Lovely acidity lasting through the finish with a lot of sweet pineapple fruit but has plenty of acidity to match. Finish 40+ Excellent
Our first offering on 2011 Bordeaux Futures!!
The good news first- -Prices are way down from 2010!!!
Now the bad news - 2011 will not go down as one of the great vintages of this century....but we have not heard from the world’s ultimate authority on Bordeaux Robert Parker Jr. as of yet, his reviews should hit very soon and then, only then can we determine if the futures campaign will be a success or not.
These wines will arrive in the Spring of 2014. Payment is due at the time of purchase and we have no minimum order on Bordeaux Futures at the Wine Watch so you can order a single bottle if you like.
Cos D'Estournel St Estephe
Futures $184.04
Pagodes de Cos St Estephe
Futures $55.69
Demoiselle de Sociando Mallet Haut Medoc
Futures $22.72
Goulee Medoc by Cos D'Estournel
Futures $32.00
Gazin Pomerol
Futures $76.82
La Fleur Peyrabon Pauillac
Futures $24.76
Croix Mouton Bordeaux Rouge
Futures $13.94
20 MIlle Bordeaux Rouge
Futures $37.15
Mongravey Margaux
Futures $24.76
Ferran Pessac Leognan Rouge
Futures $17.03
Charmail Haut Medoc
Futures $20.64
