First glance at 2011 Bordeaux

Since I didn't have the chance to be in Bordeaux for en primeur last April, this tasting at the Opera in Oslo was my first look on the vintage. Below are my notes in the order I tasted them. From these wines it's clear that the vintage isn't as impressive and complex as the last two vintages, but many wines, for me Saint-Julien in particular, showed real finesse and elegance. And Sauternes and the dry whites seems to be particularly good.


Margaux

2011 Château Giscours:
Deep ruby, elegant Margaux nose, fruit-driven with some floral notes and a whiff of perfume. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced, fresh and good length. 91

2011 Château Du Tertre:
Deep ruby, vanilla, chocolate, dark fruit. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, slightly hollow mid palate. 89

2011 Château Ferriére:
Deep ruby. Some floral notes and cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering, elegant and long. Keeps up nicely, one to follow the last three-four years. 91

2011 Château Lascombes:
Deep ruby, rich and fruity nose, vanilla and cassis. Fresh acidity, tannins a bit edgy and maybe not fully ripe. 89


Saint-Julien

2011 Château Beychevelle:
Deep ruby, floral, fruit-driven and very elegant nose. Seems to head towards refined already. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lovely balance, long. 92

2011 Château Branaire-Ducru:
Deep ruby, seems to have gone back to the style it had before the 09 and 10 vintages (unfortunately) and feels green and herbal with cassis behind. I'm not afraid of herbs in Bordeaux, but they should be in the background. Fresh acidity and ripe tannins. 89

2011 Château Lagrange:
Deep ruby, elegant cassis and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, leaner body but still seems to continue its stride since 09 vintage. Refreshing and long. 92

2011 Château Léoville Poyferré:
Deep ruby, slightly floral over cassis and fine fruit. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, long and correct. 92

2011 Château Talbot:
Deep ruby, floral, rich nose of cassis, elegant and for now subdued complexity lurking underneath. Fresh and lively acidity, elegant and ripe tannins, long. 93


Pauillac

2011 Château Haut-Bages Libéral:
Deep ruby, elegant nose of cassis, and deeper notes of leather and anise. Fresh acidity, elegant tannins, again a slightly leaner body that just makes it feel even fresher, elegant and long. 90


Moulis-en-Médoc

2011 Château Chasse-Spleen:
Deep ruby, somewhat perfumed nose over pure cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and lovely balance for Chasse-Spleen, seems to suit the vintage. 90


Saint-Estéphe

2011 Château Phélan Ségur:
Deep ruby. Fruit-driven with violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, minerals, elegant and easy going. Elegant for Saint-Estephe. 90


Pomerol

2011 Château Beauregard:
Deep ruby. Blueberries, pure feel, elegant and fresh. Fresh tannins as well, ripe tannins, balanced, good length. Lovely and seductive style. 90

2011 Château Gazin:
Deep ruby, perfumed and floral, blueberries underneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, slightly grippy now and needs cellaring. Long. 91


Saint-Emilion

2011 Château d'Aiguilhe:
Deep ruby, fresh, elegant nose, fruity with some spices. Leaner body than some vintages, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, suits this style for me. 90

2011 Clos L'Oratoire:
Deep ruby. More barrel notes up front, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, long. 90

2011 Château Canon La Gaffeliére:
Deep ruby. Dark berrie, perfumed, blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweetish fruit but elegant body. 91


Pessac-Léognan

2011 Domaine de Chevalier blanc:
Pale greenish yellow. Grapefruit, lime, minerals, very fresh nose. Fresh and playful acidity, elegant, slightly rich but has perfect self-control. Superb balance, very long. 95

2011 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge:
Deep ruby. Richer nose than normal, spicy, oaky and pessac-minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced. 90

2011 Château Haut-Bailly:
Deep ruby, Pessac-minerals, cassis, elegant nose. Fresh and lively acidity, ripe tannins, lovely fruit and balance. Long. Seems to be back on track after the dissapointing 2010. 93

2011 Château Latour-Martillac blanc:
Pale lemon-green. Ripe lemons, melons, slightly of honey, grapefruit and minerals. Fresh acidity, elegant and more subtle, seems less barrique? New style? I welcome it. Long. 93

2011 Château Latour-Martillac Rouge:
Deep ruby. Intense nose, Pessac minerals and cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and long. 91

2011 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion blanc:
Pale lemon yellow. Minerals, barrel notes over shadow a bit. Chassagne feel. Fresh acidity, elegant and easy going palate, some oak always disturbing. 89

2011 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion rouge:
Deep ruby, licorice, plums, cassis and Pessac-minerals. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, a bit short. 87

2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte rouge:
Deep ruby. Fruity, cassis, Pessac-minerals. Fresh acidity, balanced, elegant, easy-going for SHL. 90


Sauternes

2011 Château Coutet:
Pale golden. Apricots, slightly spicy over exotic fruit, and pineapples in abundance. Fresh acidity, balanced, elegant, and refreshing long finish. 93+

2011 Château Guiraud:
Golden. Apricots, pineapples, exotic and very pure. Fresh and lively acidity, tropical and very elegant. Long. 94