IMW The Annual Claret Tasting on 2007, Pessac and Margaux

Some bottles are older than others, the right one from 1722..... Not to be confused with a barrel sample!

Pessac-Léognan Rouge:

Smith Haut Lafitte;
Floral and minerals, elegant cassis, flirting. 90

Pape-Clemet;
Feels rip, and riper than most 07's, stil fresh, lively, good length. 90

Malartic Lagraviere;
Barrel notes, rustic, slightly dry. 87

La Mission Haut-Brion;
One ever so slightly corked bottle, then a second bottle, more fruit, elegant body, towards playful, complex, layered, structured, lot's of tannins. 92


Haut-Bailly;
Complex and layered nose, pure fruit, very elegant, lovely almost subdued acidity, long. 90

De Fieuzal;
Fresh, lively, strawberries, long length. 89

Domaine de Chevalier;
Feels a bit extracted and sweet next to the others, alcohol touch. 86

Bouscaut;
Floral and perfumed, elegant and fruit driven palate, lovely acidity. 89

Haut-Brion;
Slightly mineral and smoky, cassis, again that touch of herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner style, elegant if a bit short. 91


Margaux;

Rauzan-Ségla;
Floral, elegant nose, lean, slightly astringent texture, cheese flavours. 85

Rauzan-Gassies;
Fresh and elegant, if a bit simple. 87

Priuré-Lichine;
Floral, elegant cassis, fresh if slightly hollow, mouthwatering acidity (rare in this vintage). 88

Palmer;
Fresh and lively, cassis and chocolate, good length. 89

Marquis de Terme;
Elegant, refined for the vintage, nicely balanced, good length. 89

Still life of 45 Lafite...

Marquis d'Alesme;
Fruity, OK acidity and length. 87

Lascombes;
Fresh, cassis and touch of floral notes, elegant body, nice length. 89

Kirwan;
Green and herbal. 85

Giscours;
Intense nose, nice acidity, ripe tannins, long length. 90

Du Tertre;
Floral and fruit driven, elegant, lively, lovely. 90

Durfort-Vivens;
Bananas, funky nose, untypical of Margaux, sweet, good acidity. 86

d'Issan;
Fruity vanilla, nice body, lively acidity, ripe feel for the vintage. 89


Desmirail;
Floral, elegant, ripe, fruity, a bit lean. 87

Dauzac;
Closed, fresh acidity, elegant texture, good and refreshing. 89

Cantenac Brown;
Floral and herbs, elegant nose, doesn't quite live up on the palate. 88

Brane-Cantenac;
Fruity, ripe, fresh, elegant if slightly sweet. 89

Margaux;
Slightly floral, flirting, leaner nose, has lost weight since I last tried it, fresh acidity, green mid palate, a bit hollow. 91