6 inexpensive from Bordeaux

2011 Château de Roche (Loupiac)

Pale golden. Apples, and some tropical notes on the nose. Quite fresh, easy going but quite lovely. 84

2006 Château Priban:

Ruby, brick rim. Quite lovely nose with some cassis and figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean and drying palate. First vintage under new Norwegian ownership where they had no hand in the first vintage. Only 900 bottles made. 77

2004 Château Lamarque:

Ruby with garnet rim. Some cassis, figs and leather on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean but has all it should have for an inexpensive Haut-Médoc. 85

2004 Château Rocher-Bonregard: (Pomerol € 12,-)

Ruby, garnet rim. Some plums, anise and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured, towards a bit rustic in style, lean and slightly dry finish, more of the structure and not quite enough fruit than being too old. 84

2011 Château de Fontenil:

Ruby. Floral, fruity and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing and fruity, fairly elegant. 86

2010 Château Larruau: (Margaux)

Deep ruby. Scented, lovely fruit, easy going nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and elegant palate, quite refreshing, good length. 84

Ever tried a Loupiac?

I have to say that I hadn't, at least not that I can put my finger on. So, what is Loupiac? It's a sweet Bordeaux wine made next door to the more famous Cadillac, and I read they were supposed to be more mineral than the Cadillac's. Sort of Bordeuax flavours on Riesling minerality feel sounded interesting (at least that was what I could read out of the description) so I had a go for it.

2009 Château Jean-Fonthenille;
Pale golden, some apples, actually Rieslingish nose! Fresh feel to it, but acidity is just fine, quite elegant and pure, OK length. 81

2008 Château Jean-Fonthenille;
Pale gold, yellow plums, lacks the freshness of the 09, less acidity, OK length. 79

2005 Château Jean-Fonthenille;
Golden, honey, almonds, elegant, quite nice texture, better acidity actually, starting to feel a bit like a Tokaji 3 puttonyos. 82

2003 Château du Cros;
Golden, honney and apricots with burnt almonds, OK acidity, oxidized apples, nice length. 83

2003 Château L'Enclos-Miqueu;
Golden, apricots and almonds, apple cake, balanced, OK acidity, nice length. 81

Even if you might find the scores a bit low to be of interest, these are quite inexpensive, and they are something worth trying, as they have a different expression than Cadillac, and in many ways fresher. It would be interesting to know what they could make here with a little more money, and the wines tend to have a mixed feel of Riesling and Tokaji in the back ground. I have no idea if these are representative producers, two were from 03, an atypical vintage and so on. But I would like to try some more to find out.