White Bordeaux

Two bottles recently tasted, one in Beaune and the other rounding off a Saint-Émilion vertical in London. It is a famous vintage for Climens although I wonder whether it now matches the awe-inspiring '49? The second bottle is just as I expected. Deep auburn and slightly burnished in colour, it has a showy bouquet of mango chutney, syrup of fig and quince that might not boast the delineation of the '49, but who cares? The palate is unctuous on the entry, lower in acidity compared to coeval vintages, with mango, honey, quince and marmalade generously lacquered upon the persistent and unctuous finish. Though, there is nothing wrong with this bottle, from experience I know you might chance upon bottles that are better. Tasted at La Trompette restaurant in London. 

-- Neal Martin 95 Neal Martin 2019 - 2039

Rating

92

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

1991 - 2000

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

1st Jan 1998

Source

Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, The Wine Advocate

The staff at Cordier have every right to be happy with this splendidly concentrated, complex, fully mature wine. Tremendous intensity, viscous, ripe, and layered with honeyed, apricot-flavored fruit, this unctuous wine is not tiring or heavy to drink, but lively and effusively fruity. Anticipated maturity: Now-2000. Last tasted, 3/91.

Rating

90

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

1997 - 2012

Reviewed by

 Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

1st Jan 1998

Source

Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, The Wine Advocate

Laville's 1996 is one of the lighter-styled efforts from this estate in the nineties. Nevertheless, it has managed to cram gorgeous levels of complexity and elegance into a citrusy, melony, richly fruity format. While it does not possess the weight and body of such blockbuster vintages as 1994, it is impressive. There is good acidity, and the wine comes across as clean, crisp, and stylish in an understated, restrained manner. This wine should drink well for 12-15+ years. Last tasted 11/97

Rating

(93 - 95)

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

NA

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

29th Apr 2005

Source

158, The Wine Advocate

Space limitations preclude including tasting notes. 2003 is a rich, sweet vintage of powerful, full-bodied wines that possess huge levels of glycerin, alcohol, and residual sugar.

Rating

93

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2016 - 2030

Reviewed by

Neal Martin

Issue Date

28th Jun 2013

Source

207, The Wine Advocate

Tasted as part of a vertical held at the chateau. The 2005 Guiraud has a slightly more reduced bouquet compared to the 2004, with dried honey, marmalade and just a hint of petrol emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous entry, crisp acidity, touches of beeswax and almond defining the harmonious waxy textured finish. This needs another two or three years in the cellar, but it should evolve into a delectable Sauternes. Drink 2016 -2030. Tasted April 2013.

Rating

93

Release Price

$55 - 60

Drink Date

NA

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

30th Apr 2008

Source

176, The Wine Advocate

This stunningly rich 100% Sauvignon Blanc is drinking fabulously well at present, yet it has the potential to evolve for 15-20 more years. Waxy lemon oil, honeysuckle, nectarine, and subtle new oak characteristics are all present in this light gold-colored, long wine.

93-96 RPRobert Parker, Wine Advocate # 176 93 WSRich, powerful, perfumed aromas of lemon pie, cooked apple and melon lead to a full body, with a fabulous density that persists. Gorgeous, with lovely richness and balance. Best after 2011. James Suckling,Wine Spectator 2010

NEAL MARTIN: 98-100

THE WINE ADVOCATE: 98-98

There are probably around seven casks of the 2009 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daene, although that may decrease a little after racking. An equal blend of Semillon and Sauvignon, it delivers a record 220gms residual sugar and yet still exudes astounding minerality and precision, with touches of clear honey, frangipane and cold wet stones. The palate is full-bodied with a mellifluous texture, perfect acidity to slice through that rich botrytized fruit, stunning balance, citrus peel, apricot, Clementine, lemon curd and a hint of ginger. With awesome length, leaving that tingling sensation akin to Szechuan pepper, this wine truly lives up to its name. Wine Advocate.April, 2010

THE WINE ADVOCATE: 94-96

JEANNIE CHO LEE MW: 94-96

JANCIS ROBINSON: 18

DECANTER:

Berenice Lurton and her team managed to pick the crop just hours before rains fell on October 23. Tasting through every one of their lots in 2010, there was a theme of tautness, racy acidity and spice. Focusing upon two batches representing about 14% of the harvest, there was patently exquisite balance and a sense of concentrated but efficient power, counterbalanced by immense purity and effervescence. Their problem will be knowing exactly which lots to deselect! Neal Martin, Wine Advocate May 2011

Rating

93

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2017 - 2040

Reviewed by

Neal Martin

Issue Date

26th Jun 2014

Source

213, The Wine Advocate

Served from an ex-chateau bottle. Consistent notes compared to the sample tasted blind at Southwold, the 2010 Chateau d’Yquem does not quite live up to the billing it showed out of barrel. Certainly it does not possess the concentration of the 2011, the elegance or the symmetry. However, there is fine minerality on the nose and great transparency. The palate is fresh and harmonious, with a fine bead of citrus fruit and a penetrating, spicy finish that offers white peach and honeysuckle notes, yet does not possess anything close to the peacock’s tail of the magnificent 2009. Still, this is a fine Yquem. Drink 2017-2040+. Tasted March 2014.

Rating

94+

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2023 - 2035

Reviewed by

Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Issue Date

31st Mar 2021

Source

End of March 2021, The Wine Advocate

The 2018 Blanc is composed of 67% Sauvignon Blanc and 33% Sémillon and was matured in 7% new barriques (13.88% alcohol). It opens very slowly, with a lot of coaxing, to reveal fragrant scents of lime blossoms, yellow apples and fresh grapefruit plus hints of crushed rocks, straw and sea spray. The medium-bodied palate has a beautiful satiny texture and fantastically intense citrus and apple layers with loads of mineral and herbal sparks on the long finish. Give it a good couple of years in bottle to open up, and drink it over the following 10 to 12 years or more.