IMW The Annual Claret Tasting on 2007, Sain-Julien and Sauternes

Saint-Julien;
Talbot;
Nice fruit, a bit lean, coffee hints in the finish. 89

Léoville-Poyferré;
Lean and acidic. 86

Léoville-Las Cases;
Simple, fruit driven, good acidity, might be closed. 86

Léoville-Barton;
Feels riper than most this vintage, even sweet, but hardly so in a different context, lovely finish. 89

Langoa-Barton;
More elegant, nice texture, good length. 88

Lagrange;
Nose closed, more body, lovely texture, more structure as well. 88


Branaire-Ducru;
Fresh acidity, playful, lively, elegant body. 90

Beychevelle;
Elegant nose and elegant body and texture, lovely acidity. 90

Sauternes;
Suduiraut;
Tropical, fresh and lively, elegant and refreshing, very long. 94

Lamothe-Guignard;
Very fresh, elegant and lively, not too concentrated. 89

Lafaurie-Peyraguey;
Intense, complex, elegant, very long. 92-93




Guiraud;
Fresh, lively, pure apricots, lovely acidity, mouthwatering. 92

Doisy-Védrines;
Fruity, simpler style but refreshing. 88

Climens;
Fresh, lively, gorgeous acidity and balance, long. 94

Yquem;
Plae golden, tropical, closed, good acidity, again closed on the palate as well, fresh, lively, lean (closed?), extremely long. 94 for now.

Dr.Harris, probably the best shaving soap on the planet. (For all those who preffer quality, not some tacky Gilette foam).

Conclusion;
2007 is a lean vintage and many wines are lacking in fruit and texture. Estates like Palmer and Las Cases should maybe have stuck their nose out a bit more! in a blind tasting. Most wines are really good drinking wines all ready, lacking the excitement of all recent vinatges, maybe except for the 2002. Saint-Julien dissaponted the most I think, and strange how so many Right Bank wines tend to feel extracted and sweet even in such a vintage. The enormous bell pepper notes I found earlier, even this year, generally throughout the vintage is now more subdued. The sweet ones from Sauternes are beautiful, and will gain in complexity and beauty in the years to come. Andreas Larsson has stated he feels the vintage might be as good as the 01, I'm not fully convinced, especially Suduiraut and of course Yquem made legends in 2001, not so in 2007. Climens 07 was more refreshing than usual, and it suits it perfectly.