Bordeaux1895-1979 By Derek Smedley MW Last Updated 11/5/2016 Derek Smedley MW, Rectory Cottage, Lilley, Hertfordshire, LU2 8LU. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Tasting notes from the following growers: Contents 1899... 4 1922... 4 1928... 4 1929... 4 1937... 5 1945... 6 1950... 6 1953... 6 1955... 7 1957... 7 1960... 8 1961... 8 1962... 8 1963... 10 1964... 10 1965... 12 1966... 14 1967... 19 1969... 21 1970... 21 1971... 22 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 2
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 1975... 23 1978... 25 1979... 26 3 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Bordeaux 1895-1979 See date & place of tasting in italics 1899 Pauillac Château Latour 1er Cru Tasted at lunch with Schröder & Schyler 14 th March 1967 The nose has remarkable depth the palate the richness of ripe black fruits. There is mid sweetness some maturity but no signs of volatile acid the back palate and finish have depth of fruit rich fruit. 1922 Sauternes Château La Tour Blanche 1er Cru Tasted at lunch with Schröder & Schyler 14 th March 1967 The nose is still remarkably sweet the palate fleshy and ripe fruited with apricot and candied peel richness. Slightly dry at the back but the finish is rich ripe quite lush 1928 Graves Rouge Château Haut-Brion 1er Cru Tasted at lunch in Bordeaux at Delor s offices13th March 1967 The nose has a mix of fragrances the leafiness of maturity with bramble and bilberry freshness. Rich in the middle with ripe tannins the black fruits are backed by cedar pencils stylish maturity. The finish has remarkable length. 1929 Graves Rouge www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 4
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Château Laburthe-Brivazac 92 1950-2014 Tasted in Lilley March 2010 This château owned by Pommez Frères was situated in Pessac close to La Mission Haut-Brion and sadly today no longer exists. The colour is remarkable still has a depth of red although the edges are lighter more yellow with brown hints. The nose has the nuttiness of age and although the fruit feels mature there is a remarkable sweetness. Fresher red cherry comes through towards the back with a mix of bilberry and blackcurrant on the finish. I decanted just before drinking and at first it seemed disappointingly light but after 10 / 15 minutes in the glass it filled out. The fruited lasted for a good hour or so. Tasted in Clophill December 2012 92 2012-16 The colour had orange tints but was still quite deep. The nose has black fruited richness with a touch of nuttiness and some lovely sweet fruit with a mix of cassis and bilberry. There layers of flavour on the palate still quite rich in the middle but fresher towards the back with amazing length. Surprisingly it grew opened up in the glass. 1937 Pauillac Château Latour 1er Cru Tasted at lunch in Bordeaux at Delor s offices 11th March 1967 Red fruits and fresher black fruits the nose has a fragrant mix lots of interest. The palate has black cherry and cassis richness and although there is freshness at the back still quite youthful it fills out on the back palate with depth of flavour. Sauternes Château d Yquem Tasted at lunch in Bordeaux at Delor s offices13th March 1967 Rich and ripe the nose has caramelized orange peel sweetness the palate has depth luscious and rich. The sweet fruit the apricot and candied peel richness is balanced by freshness the back palate lighter and drier. 5 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 1945 Saint-Estèphe Château Calon-Ségur 3eme Cru Tasted at lunch in Bordeaux at Delor s offices 13th March 1967 Depth of fruit on the nose the palate has a mix of black fruits power and richness in the middle. The tannins give support but are not aggressive black cherry cassis and liquorice give richness and complexity at the back. 1950 Pauillac Château Latour 1er Cru 97 2011-20 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2011 Both nose and palate are misleading as they have an incredible freshness. It is quite light on the palate with black fruited fragrances and the cedar wood character of maturity. Blackcurrant and blackberry intermingle on the back palate with cedar wood spice giving lots of charm on the long finish. 1953 Moulis Château Maucaillou Tasted at lunch in Bordeaux at Delor s offices 13 th March 1967 Fresh and fruity on the nose the palate has a mix of black and red fruits and is not showing too much maturity. Soft and sweet at the back the finish has cassis and ripe black cherry. Saint-Emilion www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 6
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Château Figeac 1er Grand Cru Classé Tasted at lunch with Schröder & Schyler 14 th March 1967 Red fruited freshness the nose is quite light and the start of the palate bright. Slightly more depth in the middle sweet fruit but at the back the predominant red fruits are fresh quite scented. Pomerol Château La Pointe Rich ripe black plum the nose has depth and the palate a fleshy richness. Lighter at the back an autumn leaf character the finish is beginning to show maturity. 1955 Margaux Château Kirwan 3eme Cru Tasted at lunch with Schröder & Schyler 14 th March 1967 Rich and ripe the nose has depth and the palate starts with fleshy richness. The tannins are soft the mid palate supple and although slightly fresher at the back the finish is sweet and ripe. 1957 Graves Rouge Domaine de Chevalier 91 1971-2012 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2008 The nose has a very attractive nutty redcurrant and cherry mix filled out by cassis and bilberry. Richer fruit comes through on the palate but the mix of flavours is lightened by the underlying 7 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 freshness. The finish has length and interest, slightly nutty red fruits intermingling with the black. 1960 Graves Rouge Domaine de Chevalier 88 1967-86 The nose has a flowery freshness and the start of the palate is sweet. Lighter at the back the finish has leafy maturity and not a lot of fruit. 1961 The growing conditions were good with spring frosts naturally reducing quantity. The summer was for the most part dry, warm and sunny with a little welcome rain in July. This was followed by a very hot dry August and a near to perfect September. The berries were ripe, thick skinned with great concentration. The harvest started on 22 nd September rather later than the great vintage of 1945 a year with very similar conditions. Due to the concentration some wines are still alive today (2013) Claret 9+/10 Drink Now / Past Best Saint-Emilion Château Trottevieille 1er Grand Cru Classé The nose is sweet the palate has depth sweet fruit with a mix of red fruits. Soft and smooth the mid richness is underpinned by freshness the finish still showing youth. 1962 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 8
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Looking back today it is not too dissimilar to 2001. A warm, dry and sunny May ensured a good flowering and although the summer was slightly mixed September was very hot and dry with little rain. The crop unlike 1961 was large and of fair quality. Claret 3+/10 Past Best Médoc Château La Tour Haut Caussan Soft rich and ripe on the nose the start of the palate has sweetness. There is a fresher feel in the middle but back palate and finish are sweet with fair depth. Saint-Emilion Château Coutet Grand Cru 89 1974-2010 Tasted in Newmarket June 2007 It has a very good colour still quite brick red. The nose has sweetness of fruit mixed in with the leathery nuttiness of maturity. The fruit mix on the palate is black fruit dominated; the cassis and bilberry are spiced up by a touch of green pepper. Lovely truffle richness on the finish, farmyard character maturity and still amazingly long Château Pavie Grand Cru Classé Fragrant red fruits the palate starts quite light but there is mid sweetness the back palate soft and fleshy. Red fruits dominate the mix of fruits giving lots of complexity. Barsac Château Coutet 1er Cru Rich sweet apricot, candied peel yellow peach the nose has depth of flavour the palate fleshy and sweet. Rich and luscious on the palate but not cloying the lime and lemon mix gives a balancing freshness the back palate fruity with lots of pourriture on the finish. 9 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 1963 The feature of the year was rain and low temperatures resulting in a late harvest. The resulting wines were very high in acidity and the wines thin and attenuated. Claret 1/10 Past Best Graves Blanc Château Laville-Haut-Brion Tasted at lunch in Bordeaux at Delor s offices 11 th March 1967 Fresh and fruity on the nose the start of the palate has citric freshness. Richer in the middle some sweet fruit the underlying lime and apple refreshing the back palate and finish. 1964 A year that has been likened to 1950 & 1968 and a year that favoured the Right Bank year as they mostly managed to pick before the rains. The year looked good right up until September with a warm spring ensuring an even flowering, a dry summer helping development and then the rain set in. In the Médoc the one real success was Latour which picked before the rain. Claret 2/10 Past Best Pauillac Château Lafite 1er Cru The nose has some powerful black fruits and there is depth of flavour on the palate the mid palate sweet and full. Lighter and slightly fresher at the back fragrant there is the feeling of balance the finish stylish and long. Château Latour 1er Cru www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 10
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 The nose is light and fragrant the start of the palate fresh with a bramble and bilberry mix. Power richness depth in the middle the cassis and black cherry backed by dark chocolate. The robust richness gives way to freshness a feeling of finesse. Tasted in Bordeaux April 2011 96 2011-20 There is a remarkable sweetness of fruit on the nose and depth of ripe black fruits on the palate. Blackcurrant is backed by sloe and black cherry a lovely complex mix of flavours. The mid palate has a chocolate richness the fruit supported by tannins which are rounded. It is lush fleshy yet there is enough freshness to balance and lighten giving a lovely elegant quality to the finish. Saint-Julien Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru 90 1976-2013 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2007 It is remarkably rich on the nose and full, rounded fruits on the palate. Lighter more elegant character comes through towards the back, the youthful feel over taken by a touch of oxidation Graves Rouge Chateau Haut-Brion 1er Cru The nose has black cherry firmness and the start of the palate is quite tight. It fills out in the middle the fruit sweet the tannins ripe quite powerful flavours just lacking a bit of elegance. Pomerol Château Nenin The nose has a fragrant mix of black fruits quite light and the start of the palate is fresh. Sweet in the middle with fleshy black plums the richness balanced by firm tannins yet the back palate is quite supple. Saint-Emilion Château Canon 1er Grand Cru Classé 91 1973-2013 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2007 There is an amazing freshness and depth of fruit, lovely sweet red and black flavours. Good weight of fruit towards the finish. 11 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Barsac Château Climens 1er Cru Rich ripe peach on the nose the palate is fleshy and sweet with apricots and candied peel. There is a touch of citrus in the middle a hint of freshness under the fleshy rich sweetness. 1965 The year is best remembered for the rain, the low temperatures, the unripe grapes and the losing battle against rot. Holding off the start of the harvest until October did not really help and the result was thin somewhat dilute mean wines. Claret 1/10 Past Best Saint-Estèphe Château Calon-Ségur The nose lacks real depth and the start of the palate is fresh. Fragrant in the middle and although there are black fruits at the back they are light with little substance to the finish. Château Cos d Estournel 2eme Cru The black fruits on the nose are fresh the start of the palate sweeter with a mix of cassis and black cherry. Tannins support but feel ripe the mid palate has depth of fruit lighter at the back the finish fragrant with a bramble cassis mix. Château Montrose 2eme Cru The nose is light the palate tends to lack richness but the mix of bramble and red cherry is bright. There is more depth on the back palate with black cherry richness on the finish. Pauillac www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 12
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Château Latour 1er Cru The nose is light but has fragrant charm and the start of the palate lacks a bit of substance. It fills out in the middle with more depth of fruit a strong black fruited mix with richness on the finish Graves Rouge Château Carbonnieux There is not a lot of fruit on the nose and the palate is light lacking in depth. Some sweetness in the middle but very fresh and firm at the back there seems to be a lack of balance. Domaine de Chevalier The red fruits on the nose are fresh the start of the palate light. A touch richer and softer in the middle then freshness and tannin tend to take over and dry the finish. Château Haut-Brion 1er Cru Light on the nose fragrant charming the palate is the same light and fresh. Although there is a richer feel in the middle the back palate tends to lack real substance. Graves Blanc Domaine de Chevalier Fresh and citrusy on the nose the start of the palate lime fresh. Peachy in the middle there is some depth the finish though lighter with mineral lime freshness. Pomerol Château Nenin The nose is light fresh and red fruited and the palate is lacking in richness little substance. There is a hint of sweetness but a lack of any depth. (Will not be sold as Nenin but under the brand name Sans Roche) 13 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Sauternes Château d Yquem Rich and ripe on the nose the palate has depth of fruit with the sweetness of ripe apricots and candied peel real orange marmalade. There is a hint of freshness but both back palate and finish have depth and the richness of sweet fruit. Bordeaux Supérieur Blanc Ygrec The nose has a powerful mix of fruits the palate is fruity with citrus freshness backed by richer ripe pear. Fresh on the back palate the fruit lasts well on the finish. 1966 The summer was average cooler than many and it was September that saved the day. The weather improved with hot sunny days and this lasted into October when picking started. The wines have a classic feel old school with firm tannins but good fruit underneath. Claret 5/10 Drink now / Past Best Saint-Estèphe Château Calon-Ségur 3eme Cru The nose has depth and the palate lots of rich black fruits. Cassis and black cherry on the mid palate are supported by firm tannins but there is nothing aggressive with a rich mix of black fruits giving depth at the back. Château Montrose 2eme Cru www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 14
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Both nose and palate are very firm but behind the tannic structure there is richness and depth with lots of black cherry. Quite tight on the back palate yet the finish is more open with an attractive mix of fragrances. Pauillac Château Latour 1er Cru The nose has brooding depth the palate powerful flavours the mid palate packed with black fruits lots of cassis and black cherry. The tannins are firm but not aggressive an excellent structure. The black fruits at the back are underpinned by liquorice and dark chocolate and although the finish has a powerful mix of fruits there is a feel of elegance. Tasted in Bordeaux April 2011 98 2011-25 It is profound serious deep the nose packed with black fruits. There is a lot of power on the palate rich and deep with dark chocolate underpinning the cassis and black cherry. There is freshness towards the back that lifts the flavours and balances the brooding power. The finish is long with a lovely mix of lingering flavours. Château Pichon-Longueville 98 2013-25 Tasted at the Château May 2013 There is a lovely complex mix of flavours on the nose with the freshness of bramble and the sweetness of ripe black plum. Rounded tannins help the mid suppleness the fleshy fruit backed by fresher black fruits that lighten and give a lovely elegant feel on the finish. Saint-Julien Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru 95 2011-20 Tasted at the Château April 2011 The nose is rich with more black fruits than red in evidence. The palate has power depth and richness of fruit. The layers of flavour give complexity and the underlying red fruits enough freshness to balance the more powerful richer sweeter black. Château Boyd Cantenac 3eme Cru Margaux 15 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Fragrant and flowery on the nose there is lots of sweet fruit on the start of the palate. The tannins are fine the black fruited mix rich the back palate has depth of fruit. Château Brane Cantenac 3eme Cru The nose has depth of fruit the start of the palate is fleshy and rich the sweet fruit supported by firm but ripe tannins. Fleshy at the back but the finish has an attractive mix of fragrances. Château Margaux 1er Cru The mix of black fruits on the nose is fragrant quite fresh and the start of the palate is light with a bramble bilberry mix. Rich in the middle depth of flavour remarkably supple but there is tannic support lots of complexity. Moulis Château Maucaillou Rich and ripe the nose has depth and the palate sweet fruit. Black fruits dominate the fruit supported by tannic structure but the tannins feel ripe the mid palate quite fleshy. The finish has depth of flavour. Listrac Château La Fleur Becade Floral and red fruited on the nose the palate is light slightly green and unripe. There is mid sweetness more black fruits with some rich fruit on the back palate. Haut-Médoc Château La Lagune 3eme Cru Fragrant black fruited the nose has charm and the palate starts with sweet fruit. The mid palate has lots of cassis the back palate firmer with black cherry but the finish is lighter with fragrant charm. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 16
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Graves Rouge Château Carbonnieux The black fruits on the nose feel ripe the palate has sweetness and fair depth. The tannins are firm but ripe good structure but nothing aggressive and the back palate has fruit sweetness. Domaine de Chevalier Rich and deep on the nose the start of the palate has depth of flavour richness and suppleness. Cassis and bramble give complexity ripe tannins add to the mid sweetness the back palate is rich and ripe fruited. Château Haut-Brion 1er Cru The nose has black fruited richness and the palate has depth of flavour lush and fleshy in the middle. The supple richness is underpinned by firm but ripe tannins with the rich mix of black fruits filling out the back palate and finish Graves Blanc Domaine de Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc 85% Sémillon 15% Fresh on the nose there is an attractive mix of fragrances the palate lime and lemon fresh. Sweeter in the middle pineapple richness the back palate fruity the finish is bright with citrus and mineral. Pomerol Château Nenin Depth on the nose the palate has lots of fleshy black plums richness and black fruited power. Supple in the middle the tannins support but feel ripe there is a black fruited richness on the finish. Saint-Emilion 17 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Château Ausone 1er Grand Cru Classé (A) Rich on the nose with a mix of red fruits on the palate the mid palate has depth some rich flavours. Behind the richness redcurrant and raspberry refresh very fragrant but at the back there is some sweet ripe fruit. Château Bel Air 1er Grand Cru Classé Fragrant red fruited the nose has lots of charm. The palate is light fresh at the start but there is mid sweetness. Light and fresh at the back the finish has a mix of red and black fruits. Château Lassegue Grand Cru The fruit on the nose is ripe the palate fleshy and rich. Bright and fresh at the back there is ripe fruit giving more depths on the finish. Blaye Château Les Drouillards The nose is fruity and fragrant the palate sweet and although the mid tannins are firm they feel ripe the back palate has depth, Château Haut Sociondo The nose is tight the start of the palate firm the tannins unyielding. Richer at the back but the finish has an acidic firmness. Château Main Gazin Fresh yeasty on the nose the start of the palate is light. The fruit in the middle feels ripe quite rich at the back the finish though is lighter and fragrant. Château Prieure The nose is firm and the start of the palate tight but there is more depth and richness in the middle with sweet fruit at the back. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 18
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Château Les Ricards The nose is hard the palate very firm the tannins all too obvious. The sweetness on the mid palate is overtaken by bitterness at the back. Bourg Château Rouselle The nose is light the palate lacks richness at the start. There is more depth in the middle with sweet fruit at the back but it finishes hard and short. Bordeaux Blanc Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux Fresh on the nose a citrus mix the palate is rich depth of fruit with peaches and apricots. Racy and fresh at the back the finish is long with an attractive mix of flavours. It has all the hallmarks of great white Bordeaux. Barsac Château Coutet 1er Cru Fruity and fresh on the nose quite light and the palate starts with freshness. There is mid richness more depth of fruit but the citrus at the back gives a lighter feel the finish lacking a bit of concentration. 1967 A year of indifferent weather with a lot of dilution and un-ripeness which meant many of the vats had to be chaptalised. Sauternes was thought at first to be good but it was only d Yquem that really excelled. Claret 3/10 Past Best 19 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Pauillac Château Latour 1er Cru 95 2011-20 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2011 The nose has a lovely depth of fruit with black fruits very much to the fore. The palate has power and depth yet the underlying bilberry lightens it with towards the back a mix of power yet elegance. The black fruits on the back palate are backed by the nuttiness of maturity. This shows what great wines Latour can produce in lesser vintages. Médoc La Tour Pavillon 90 2016-22 Château Loudenne Tasted in Tywardreath October 2016 The nose is sweet the start of the palate has ripe cassis and black cherry. It feels fresher in the middle with bilberry and bramble still remarkably youthful very much alive the tannins fine. Sweet and ripe at the back depth of flavour the finish showing just a hint of maturity. Saint-Emilion Clos Fourtet 1er Grand Cru Classé 86 1980-2011 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2007 The volatile is strong on the nose but it does not detract too much from the fruit fragrance. Red fruits are more in evidence than black, sweet for a time then dryness takes over. Château Coutet Grand Cru 90 1980-2010 Tasted in Newmarket June 2007 Amazing an indifferent year with wines that would not last!! The wine has a good depth of colour, a richness of fruit on the nose, more black fruit than red, all of this backed by leathery truffles. The palate is still rich with sweet fruit, beginning to show maturity on the finish, spice truffle, cedar wood and old leather. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 20
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 1969 The year looked good with a warm dry summer but it all went wrong in September when there was a massive amount of rain which was unusual as so often the weather in September saves the day. The harvest that started on the 6 th October resulted in a small crop of indifferent wines. Claret 2/10 Past Best Côtes de Bourg Château Caruel 88 2014-16 Tasted in Innholders Hall September 2014 The nose has the autumn leafiness of maturity quite light and fragrant. Red fruits show at first but the mid palate has more depth sweetness and although fresher at the back the finish has some rich fruit. 1970 The year was a welcome relief from the heartbreak of much of the 1960 s and proved to be the best since 1961. The weather was good for the flowering resulting in a good large set. June and July were hot and dry with August producing enough cool and damp days to relieve stress. The vintage was large with all the varieties ripening at the same time resulting in problems in the cellar a lack of vat capacity. The wines would have been even better if there had been selection in the vineyard and at the winery. Claret 5+/10 Drink Now / Past Best Margaux Château Deyrem Valentin 84 2014-16 Tasted in Innholders Hall September 2014 Autumn leaves the nose is light red fruited. The start of the palate has red cherry and bramble there is a mid sweetness richer with cassis and bramble. It tends to slide towards the back the finish a bit short. 21 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Pomerol Château L Evangile 87 1985-2011 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2007 Mature nose, the fruit has a fascinating mineral, seaweed character. Light and fragrant but loses fruit fast when open Côtes de Bourg Château La Croix Millorit 70 Tasted in Innholders Hall September 2014 There is quite a gap between cork and wine on most bottles. The nose has a musty and oxidized character and the palate shows lots of acidity and not much fruit. The finish has a dirty grubby character. 1971 The yields were low and due to good weather the fruit was ripe with on the whole good concentration. The Merlot did not flower well in the Médoc so many of the wines had a much higher percentage of Cabernet than usual but the Merlot fared better on the right bank making it more of a Pomerol year with Château like Petrus excelling. The sweet wines were good with Climens succulent opulent stunning. Claret 6/10 Drink Now / Past Best Pauillac Château Latour 1er Cru 98 2011-20 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2011 I always thought that this was a great year and loved them En-Primeur more than the 1970 s and how right this has proved to be. The nose has charm floral and fragrant with more bilberry and red fruit showing than cassis. There is depth of flavour in the middle but the elegance and floral charm is there on the back palate lovely fragrances that linger on the long finish. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 22
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Haut-Médoc Château La Lagune 3eme Cru 92 1980-2011 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2007 Mature feel to the nose which is light and very fragrant. The palate has attractive weight of fruit, sweet, well balanced and giving lots of charm. Graves Rouge Château Chantegrive 89 2016-20 Tasted in Tywardreath October 2016 The nose has red fruited freshness fragrance the start of the palate light but there is mid sweetness. The tannins are fine not obvious more black fruits show towards the back stylish elegant the finish has fair depth and sweet fruit. Saint-Emilion Château Canon 1er Grand Cru Classé 90 1982-2012 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2007 It is very fragrant with lots of raspberry fruit. Mature nutty character with attractive length 1975 The spring was mild but the weather got hotter with very hot and dry days through July, August and September. The northern Médoc suffered towards the end of September from rain and damaging hail. The weather pattern throughout the year produced wines with a lot of tannin not too dissimilar to 1986 but more so. Many wines took a long time to come into balance some never have and so many are lacking in elegance. The vintage was however a relief after the horrors of 1972, 1973 & 1974 Claret 7/10 Drink Now / Past Best Sauternes 9/10 Drink Now / Past Best 23 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Saint-Estèphe Château Montrose 93 2016-20 Tasted at Lincoln s Inn April 2016 Fragrant nutty the nose has charm the start of the palate light and bright. It fills out in the middle sweet and ripe an amazing depth of fruit. Bright at the back with red fruits and black fruits the finish has length fragrance with hints of sweetness. Pauillac Château Pichon-Lalande 2eme Cru 94 2012-22 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2012 There is an autumn leaf tobacco floral charm on the nose with an attractive light fragrant start to the palate. Mid sweetness gives a richer feel with red fruits strawberry and mulberry giving a lovely complexity to the finish. Saint-Julien Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 91 2010-15 Tasted at the WSDC Dinner Painters Hall September 2010 There is a remarkable freshness about the nose, the nuttiness and cedar wood of maturity is there but red cherry and bramble are very much in evidence backing the richer blackcurrant. The mid palate has sweetness a slight lack of depth but still showing lots of fruit. The mature flavours do come through quite strongly on the back palate but the they last well. (There is quite a lot of bottle variation) Margaux Château Durfort-Vivens 2eme Cru 89 1990-2013 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2007 Amazingly rich sweet fruit shows on both nose and palate. There is generosity at the start but the mid acidity is high and rather dominates but sweet fruit does return on the finish. Graves Rouge www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 24
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 93 2015-20 Tasted at the Château September 2015 The nose is remarkably rich and the start of the palate has some sweet fruit. Bright in the middle lots of bramble the fine tannins are not obvious and bitter. There is maturity at the back a hint of sweetness the finish lighter ethereal and fragrant. Sauternes Château Suduiraut 94 2013-24 Tasted at Château Pichon-Longueville May 2013 Rich fruit is backed by fresher fruit with hints of hazel nuts and almonds. The fruit in the middle is still sweet but there is an underlying freshness that balances. Towards the back the hints of maturity add complexity with the apricot tangerine mix backed by hazel nuts. 1978 The growing season was mixed and the Bordeaux growers feared the worst yet the pattern of many years was repeated and the weather in September improved and by holding off the harvest until early October patience was rewarded and some quality achieved. Harry Waugh described it as a miracle vintage. Claret 5/10 Drink Now / Past Best Pauillac Forts de Latour 90 1989-1995 2 nd wine of Château Latour Tasted at the Château May 1989 Tasted at the Château September 1989 The nose has lots of rich black fruits and this weight of fruit fills out the palate. Cassis and sloe are backed by liquorice and coffee. The back palate although firm has sweetness coming through on the finish. 25 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley
July 14, 2012 BORDEAUX 1895-1979 Saint-Julien Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru 93 2011-20 Tasted at the Château April 2011 Truffles overlay the mix of fruits on the nose lovely hints of maturity. The fruit on the palate is sweet with a mix of flavours first all very black fruited then behind some fresher red all quite complex. The tannins although they feel structured do not overpower the fruit or hold back expression. Saint-Emilion Château Coutet Grand Cru 89 1989-2012 Tasted in Newmarket June 2007 The firmness of the year is apparent on both the nose and the palate. Although the tannins are firm they are quite supple and the depth of fruit gives richness of flavour. More red fruits, cherry and mulberry come through on the palate but behind this is the chocolaty black truffle of Malbec. Sauternes Saint-Amand 88 2016-21 Tasted in Tywardreath October 2016 The nose has a fragrant mix of peaches and tropical fruits the start of the palate is light but there is mid sweetness a rich mix of sliced orange peel and apricots. The back palate has fleshy rich fruit the finish lighter fresher with just a hint of spice. 1979 The cold spring meant a late start and the vines never really caught up. July was average but August was cold with some wet weather. The flowering had been untroubled so there were a lot of grapes making it one of the biggest harvests since 1934. The reds were fairly indifferent but the Sauternes truly awful. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 26
BORDEAUX 1895-1979 July 14, 2012 Claret 5/10 Drink Now / Past Best Saint-Emilion Château Canon 1er Grand Cru Classé 88 1988-2012 Tasted in Bordeaux April 2007 Although it is quite firm there is a good weight of fruit on both nose and palate. It shows some maturity but the red fruits have depth of flavour. Derek Smedley MW 27 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley