2015 Bordeaux, Médoc

2015 Château Blaignan

Ruby. Floral, dark fruits, some spices, quite charming nose, raspberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe dark berries, spices. 87-89

2015 Château La Cardonne

Ruby. Dark fruits, minerals, spices, red berries, floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, fruity, fresh, lively, quite elegant, bit lean finish. 86-88

2015 Château Delhomme

Ruby. Raspberries, plums, blueberries nose, fruit driven. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, some minerals, quite elegant, good length. 87-89

2015 Goulée

Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, minerals, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, good length. 89-91

2015 Château Les Grands Chênes

Ruby. Dark fruits, some minerals, wood, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, structured, wood up front, juicy fruit behind. 86-88

2015 Château Greysac

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, plums, seems extracted on the nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, jammy and woody palate. 85-87

2015 Château Griviére

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, minerals, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, juicy, dark and red berries, good length if a bit lean. 87-89

2015 Château Haut Condissas

Ruby. Red berries, violets, fruity nose, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, woody, not quite balanced finish. Depending on how it turns out. 86-90

2015 Château Lestruelle

Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe red berries, scented, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity before somewhat leaner, lovely raspberry finish. 85-87

2015 Château Maison Blanche

Ruby. Dark fruits, some floral and scented notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite woody but lovely bright fruit. 86-88

2015 Château Patache d'Aux

Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe notes, light floral touch nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, good length. 87-89

2015 Château Potensac
Ruby. Scented, red berries, spices, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, playful, red berries, blueberries, quite smooth texture, somewhat hollow. 87-89

2015 Chapelle de Potensac
Ruby. Red berries, some spices, floral notes, elegant, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, leaner. 86-87

2015 Château Preuillac

Ruby. Red berries, some spices, elegant nose, light scented note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, ripe, fruity, red berries, good length. 86-88

2015 Château Ramafort

Ruby. Scented, fruity, some cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, bit short. 86-88

2015 Château Rolland de By

Ruby. Dark fruits, bit blackberry jam and vanilla nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, wood, vanilla, spices and coffee, bitter woody finish. 84-86

2015 Château La Tour de By

Ruby. Red berries, blueberries, spices, coffee beans nose, more woody than usual. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fruity, fresh, red and darker fruits, spices, good length. 87-89

 

2015 Château Tour Prignac

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, blackberries nose, slight floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, tight, structured but fairly juicy, good length. 86-88

2015 Château Tour Seran

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, jam and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, juicy, rounded, quite fresh. 87-89

09 and 04 Les ormes Sorbet

2009 Château Les Ormes Sorbet
Ruby. Cassis, leather, light bell pepper touch, scented, quite intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, intense, cassis, structure, long. 91

2004 Château Les Ormes Sorbet
Ruby. Intense, red berries, cassis, leather, tobacco nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, cassis, structured, can be kept another ten years, long. 90

A few from Bordeaux

2008 Château Latour Martillac blanc
Lemon yellow. Grapefruit, tropical notes, vanilla, minerals, smoky notes and spices nose, rich. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, intense, minerals, lemons, fresh, smokey and layered, long. 92

1998 Domaine de Chevalier
Ruby. Closed nose, cassis, fruity, lightly scented, some minerals and light tobacco note far back. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, leaner, some cassis, plums and minerals beneath, long but somewhat lean finish. 92

2007 Château Potensac
Ruby. Cassis, plums, some vanilla, lightly scented nose. Some violets. Fresh acidity, ripetannins, leaner body, fruity, little development but somewhat more polished structure since last bottle, good length. 88

2000 Château Pontet-Canet
Ruby. Corked

2001 Château Certan de May
Ruby. Scented, elegant, exotic, flirting nose, red berries, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner fruit than last bottle, elegant structure, plums, blueberries, cassis, layered and nuanced, long. 93

2004 Château Tertre Roteboeuf
Ruby. Intense, ripe fruits, blueberries, lightly spicy, plums, scented, intense and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, sweet, dark berries, red fruits freshness, long. 93

2003 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
Golden. Rich, intense, botrytis, apricots, pineapples, leaps out of the glass. Fresh acidity, ripe, rounded and fruity, intense, leaner palate than nose suggest, pineapples and almost creamy finish, smooth and long. 94

Grand Cercle de Bordeaux tasting in Oslo

2012 Château Mesille-Aubert
Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, minerals beneath, graphite note, good length. 87

2012 Château Jean de Gué
Ruby. Scented, light red fruits and floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, cassis, fruity, leaner, elegant Lalande. 88

2007 Château de Pressac
Ruby. Rich, fruity, dark berries, spicey nose. Vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, smooth, ripe, minerals, good lnegth. 87

2011 Château de Pressac
Ruby. Rich, intense, dark fruits, vanilla, spices, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, dark berries, graphite minerality beneath, good length. 89

2012 Château Laroze
Deep ruby. Some herbs, dark fruits and vanilla nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fresh, some bell peppers, good length. 88

2011 Château Laroze
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, dark berries, spices, vanilla. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blueberries, ripe fruit, structured finish. 88

2011 Château Croix Cardinale
Deep ruby. Rich, intense, dark fruits, lush, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, ripe, fruity, intense dark berries, spices, almost minerals beneath. 88

2012 Château Fleur Cardinale
Deep ruby. Scented, woody, oak, vanilla, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity, intense, dark fruits but needs cellar time, oak is up front now. 87-88

2011 Château Fleur Cardinale
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, dark berries, somewhat scented, a bit shut. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, smooth, good length. 87

2008 Château Laroze
Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla and spices on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, ripe, smooth, leaner finish, good length. 87

2011 Château Cap de Faugères
Ruby. Fruity, red and darker fuits nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, cherries, elegant and lively. 86

2011 Château de Chambrun
Ruby. Scented, elegant, bright nose, floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, delicate, elegant, good length. 87

2011 Château Faugères
Ruby. Ripe, fruity, blueberries, rich nose, some alcohol. Frsh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, smooth, sweet blueberries, caressing, good length. 88

2011 Château Peby Faugeres
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, intense, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, almost playful, fresh, long. 90

2012 Château du Parc
Deep ruby. Vanilla, spices, dark fruit, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, good length, bright fruit. 85

2012 Château Tour Baladoz
Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, some spices, light mineral note beneath. Frsh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, detailed, elegant, bit woody finish, give it five years in the cellar, should be a charmer. 88

2011 Château Tour Baladoz
Ruby. Ripe, rich, dark fruits, vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, dark berries. Good length. 88

2012 Château La Croizelle
Ruby. Dark fruits, scented, spices, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, bit overshadowed by oak, bright fruit behind. 89

2011 Château La Croizelle
Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, some spices, vanilla, balckberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, playful, mouthwatering even, long. 90

2009 Château Perron La Fleur
Ruby. Dark fruits, scented, blueberries, fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite lively for the vintage, blueberris, good length. 88

2008 Château Vieux Maillet
Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, little bit dry towards the finish. 86

2011 Château St Jean de Lavaud
Ruby. Scented, fruity, blueberries, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,f resh, lively, fruity, leaner, fresh. 87

2008 Château de Lussac
Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, leane, good length. 85

2010 Château Perron La Fleur
Ruby. Ripe, dark fruits, vanilla, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, blueberries palate, leaner, good length. 87

2011 Château Perron La Fleur
Ruby. Ripe, some figs, cassis, vanilla, light floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, figs, wood spices, slightly rustic but charming. 86

2010 Château Siaurac
Ruby. Fruity, blueberries, some vanilla, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, leaner, slightly rustic. 86

2012 Château Siaurac
Ruby. Herbal, bell peppers, blueberries, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, leaner, little bit thin finish. 86

2011 Château Vray Croix de Gay
Ruby. Scented, ripe, fruity, dark berries, blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, some vanilla, fairly smooth. 88

2012 Château Vray Croix de Gay
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, blueberries, vanilla, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, refreshing, elegant, playful, tighter finish. 89

2011 Château Le Prieuré
Deep ruby. Ripe, rich, fruity, dark berries, minerals beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe, tannins, rich, fruity, playful, good length. 88

2012 Château Le Prieuré
Deep ruby. Ripe, fruity, rich, dark berries, scented, some vanilla up front. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fresh, some minerals, elegant and charming, good length. 88

2011 Château Dalem
Ruby. Dark fruits, blueberries, scented, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, lively, fresh, good length. 89

2010 Château Dalem
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, dark berries and red fruits, vanilla, lovely nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, elegant, playful, lively, long. 90

2001 Château Dalem
Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, dark fruits, some figs and leather, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, maturing but still structure for a long life, drink over the next fifteen years. 89

2011  Château La Graviere
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, blueberries, lightly spicey nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,f resh, fruity, leaner, bit hollow. 86

2012 Château La Graviere
Ruby. Dark fruits,s cented, red berries, quite elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripetannins, fresh, fruity, red berries. 87

2011 Château Montviel
Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, fairly playful, good lnegth. 87

2012 Château Montviel
Ruby. Red berries, dark fruits, vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, detailed, elegant and playful, good length. 88

2012 Château Tournefeuille
Ruby. Fruity, some vanilla, dark berries, light floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, rounded, leaner. 86

2011 Château Tournefeuille
Ruby. Fruity, blackberries, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, detailed. 87

2012 Château Lécuyer
Ruby. Scented, blueberries, light rustic note, detailed nose. Intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively, slightly hollower finish, good length. 88

2012 Château Fougas Maldoror
Ruby. Blueberries, fruity, scented, minerals, elegant nose, graphite notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, rounded, spicy, peppery finish. 88

2011 Château Fougas Maldoror
Ruby. Scented, fruity, violets, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe. Tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, rounded, good length. 88

2010 Château Fougas Maldoror
Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, elegant nose, flirting, rich, again violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, detailed, elegant, long. 90

2012 Château Fougas
Ruby. Fruity, ripe dark fruits, some vanilla and spices, bit shut. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, lively. 88

2011 Château Fougas
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, dark berries, ripe and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, sweet, fruity, fresh and rich. 88

2010 Château Fougas
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, rich, scented but also herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, seems to be trying to hard this vintage. 86

2014 Château Sainte-Marie Vielilles Vignes blanc
Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruit, apples, herbs. Fresh acidity, fruity, lighter, fresh, lemons and grapefrukt, floral. 87

2012 Château Sainte-Marie Vieilles Vignes
Ruby. Fresh nose, red berries, some bell peppers and herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fresh, fruity, red and darker fuits. 87

2011 Château Peyredon Lagravette
Ruby. Fruity, red berries, scented, some violets, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, some vanilla, fairly smooth, half Moulis and half Listrac for the vineyards, 2000 cases made on average. 88

2012 Château Peyredon Lagravette
Ruby. Floral, scented, red berries, elegant nose, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, lively, detailed. 87

2012 Château Tour du Mirambeau Cuvée Passion
Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, some herbs and lime. Nettles. Fresh acidity, fruity, narrow, tight, herbal and nettly finish. 85

2009 Girolaté blanc
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some grapefruit and lemons. Fresh acidity, fruity, smooth, balanced, rounded, almost creamy, like a grapefruit sorbet. 87

2010 Château Tour du Mirambeau Cuvée Prestige
Ruby. Red berries, lightly scented nose. Fresha cidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, good length. 84

2009 Château Tour du Mirambeau Cuvée Prestige
(Magnum) Ruby. Vanilla, dark fruits, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe with some herbal notes below, slightly hollow and spicey finish. 84

2008 Girolat
Deep ruby. Ripe, fruity, intense,d ark berries, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fruity, sweetish, good length. 87

2001 Girolat
(Magnum) Ruby, garnet rim. Ripe, fruity, ripe, dark berries, spices, only 3 years old vines. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, sweet, fruity, sweetish, vanilla, good length. 88

2012 Château Guibot La Fourvieille
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, spices, floral notes, rich and fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, fresh, leaner finish, quite smooth. 87

2009 Château Haut Condissas
Ruby. Fruity, scented, darkf ruits, herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leaner, some herbs, bit thin, coffee finish. 83

2011 Château Tour Seran
Ruby. Vanilla, barrel notes, some dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, rounded, leaner. 85

2011 Château Rollan de By
Ruby. Fruity, scented, dark fruits, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, lively, rounded, good length. Bit spicey finish. 87

2011 Château Greysac
Ruby. Scented, vanilla, fruity, ripe dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, leaner, red berries, fresh finish. 87

2008 Château Ramafort
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, some, red berries, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, leaner, fruity, bit short. 84

2009 Château Grivière
Deepish ruby. Fruity, scented, pepper, liquorice, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fresh, elegant, bit leaner. 85

2010 Château La Cardonne
Deep ruby. Fruity, intense, liquorice, cassis, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, detailed,r ounded, needs lots of air. 88-89

2010 Château Brilette
Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe, fresh, scented and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, coffee, dark fruits, varm and alcoholic finish. 85

2012 Château Brilette
Deep ruby. Red berries, intense, fruity, ripe, dark berries, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, lively, good length. 88

2012 Château Sérhilan
Deep ruby. Scented, fruity, vanilla, dark berries, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, elegant, lively, violets, good length. 88

2012 Château Haut-Bacalan
Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe and sweet nose, vanilla. Some herbs far back, Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, sweet, fresher palate than nose, good length. 86

2010 Château Haut-Bacalan
Deep ruby. Intense, dark fruits, ripe and rich nose, sweet. Freshish acidity, ripe tabnins, sweet, fruity, overdone. 84

2009 Château Haut-Bacalan
Deep ruby. Ripe, fruity, vanilla, dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, dark fruits, has freshness but a bit sweet, rich. 86

2012 Château Le Sartre blanc
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, cats pie, yellow plums, fruity nose. Fresha cidity, fruity, fresh, rounded, grapefruits, quite smooth, good length. 89

2011 Château Le Sartre rouge
Ruby. Fruity, ripe, dark berries, vanilla on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, leaner, fairly fresh, good length. 88

2012 Château le Sartre rouge
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, spices nose. Minerals beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, fruity, vanilla, needs time, not fully together now, good length. 87

2009 Château de Myrat
Pale golden. Rich, apples, vanilla, fruity, some grapefruit notes. Fresh acidity, fruity, leaner, elegant, fresh, rounder Myrat, fresh apricots finish, good length. 89

05 Grgich, 05 Goulée and 03 Tourelles de Longueville

2005 Grgich Hills Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep ruby. Rich, intense, fruity, cassis, blackberries, some vanilla on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, structured, opened up more with air, good length. 89

2005 Goulée
Deep ruby. Cassis, some spices, fruity, light cedar note, some figs and vanilla on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, getting less fat each time I taste it. 89

2003 Les Tourelles de Longueville
(2nd Ch Pichon Baron) Ruby. Youthful, fruity, cassis, some vanilla, fairly intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fairly raw first and needed an hour in decanter to open up and polish down, fruity, quite refreshing for the vintage and still very youthful. Long. 90

Six fairly inexspensive Bordeaux

2011 Château Sénéjac
Ruby. Red berries, scented, some oak on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,f ruity, lively, fresh and elegant, good length. 87

2010 Château Roche de Gaby
(2nd Ch. Gaby) Ruby. Fruity nose, some blackberries, slight vanilla note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounded and fruity, more together now than last bottle, evolving nicely. 85

2004 Château La Tour de By
Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, starting tobacco nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh and evolving, bit lean finish.  88

2008 Château La Tour de Bessan
Ruby. Vanilla, spices and dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, bit lean. 86

2011 Château Le Coteau
Ruby. Vanilla, fruity and spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, more elegant palate than nose, fresh. 87

2007 Château La Gurgue
Ruby. Red berries and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leaner, fresh, pruney finish, good length. Drink soon. 86

Médoc/ Haut-Médoc 2013 Primeur

2013 Château d'Agassac
Ruby. Red berries, slight floral note on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, fresh, bit short. 85-87

2013 Château Bernadotte
Ruby. Scented and red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively if leaner and a bit thin. Good length. 85-87

2013 Château Cambon La Pelouse
Deep ruby. Rich and fruity nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, extracted even if leaner, easy going, tries to hard. 84-86

2013 Château de Camensac
Ruby. Vanilla, red and darker berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, oaky, spicy, unbalanced, to much oak. 82-86

2013 Château Cantemerle
Ruby. Red berries, scented, blueberries and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively and delicate, refreshing, bit lean finish. 86-88

2013 Château Citran
Ruby. Scented, barrel notes a bit up front, red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity if leaner, good length. 86-88

2013 Château d'Hanteillan
Ruby. Violets and red fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean, fresh and lively. 83-85

2013 Château Lamothe-Bergeron
Ruby. Vanilla and rich dark fruits on the nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, easy going, short. 83-85

2013 Château Potensac
Ruby. Scented, fruity, red berries, some blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, leaner, quite fresh, textured, good length. 87-89

2013 Château Sénéjac
Bright ruby. Red berries, floral and some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fresh, fairly elegant, bit lean finish. 84-86

2013 Château Sociando-Mallet
Ruby. Red berries, fruity, floral, some vanilla, more subdued nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, refreshing, good length. 87-89

2013 Château La Tour de By
Ruby. Red berries, floral and fresh nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leaner, fresh, quite elegant. 86-88

2013 Clos du Jaugueyron Haut-Médoc
Ruby. Scented, red berries, flirting nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, leaner, elegant, good length. 85-87

99 Potensac

1999 Château Potensac:
Ruby. Red berries, cassis, vanilla and leather nose, anise, evolving. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, delicate and nuanced, good length. 87

Heitz, La Tour de By and Baron-Fuente

2006 Baron-Fuente Grand Millésime Brut:
Pale lemon yellow, small bubbles. Yellow apples, some minerals and yeast, fresh baguettes. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, fruity, subdued minerals, fruitier than a bottle a month back but also served warmer, good length. 89

2008 Château La Tour de By:
Ruby. Cassis, dark berries, vanilla, ever so slightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, if you like it young it's starting to come around but still very youthful. Good length. 88

2005 Heitz Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon:deep ruby. Deep ruby, cassis, some plums, rich, slightly scented, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rich, ripe, sweet, slightly alcoholic, long finish. 90

2010 Cantemerle and Chasse-Spleen

2010 Château Cantemerle:
Ruby. Fruity, elegant, nuanced and slightly floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, lively, elegant and long, beautiful Cantemerle. 92

2010 Château Chasse-Spleen:
Ruby. Fruity, scented, elegant, nuanced nose, bit tight at the moment. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, refreshing, lovely balance, long. 92

Four from Latour de By

1998 Château La Tour de By:
Ruby, thin garnet rim. Tobacco, cassis, leather, vanilla and anise nose, maturing. Slight cedar touch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, leather, some vanilla, elegant Médoc, starting to drink well now, kan be kept another ten years. 87

1996 Château La Tour de By:
Ruby, thin brick tim. Cassis, plums, starting figs, leather, vanilla, spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leanish body for the vintage, anise, evolving, good length. 88

1991 Château La Tour de By:
Ruby, brick rim. Tobacco, figs, prunes, leather and anise nose. Some herbs in the back. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean body, just starting to dry, slightly dusty finish. Drink soon. 85

1982 Château La Tour de By Heritage Marc Pages:
3000 bottles, 80 CS, 20 M. Ruby, thin brick rim. Scented, anise, red berries, leather, figs and cedar touch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, palate, rich for médoc, fairly nuanced, long. 90

96 Lanessan, 01 Potensac and 06 GPL

1996 Château Lanessan:
Ruby, garnet rim. Cassis, leather and a touch of cedar on the nose. Layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite a vibrant and alive feel to it, quite elegant, maturing, good length. 88

2001 Château Potensac:
Almost a house wine. Ruby, scented, cassis, leather, starting figs, evolving nicely. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, refreshing and long. Slightly more evolved notes than two bottles in July. 90

2006 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste:
Ruby. Scented, cassis, leather notes, floral and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite intense, loosing the 06 edge now, but still far to young. Wait four years or more. 92

2010 Sociando Mallet

2010 Château Sociando Mallet:
Ruby. Cassis, red berries, vanilla, scented nose, bit tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, tight, very tight even, fruity behind, needs five to ten years in the cellar. 90

10 Poujeaux and Pedesclaux and 02 Potensac

2002 Château Potensac:
Ruby. Scented, cassis, vanilla, evolving nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fairly fruity, rounded texture, texture polishing off, quite elegant, good length. 88

2010 Château Pedesclaux:
Ruby. Red berries, cassis, vanilla, floral and intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and fresh, good length. 89

2010 Château Poujeaux:
Ruby. Cassis, herbs, vanilla nose, bit tight now. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, lovely balance, fresh and long. 92

Inexpensive Bordeaux, second wine of La Tour de By

2010 Château La Roque de By:

Deep ruby, garnet rim. Fruity, cassis, touch of vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, good length. 84

Five from Bordeaux

2011 Château Canon: (Canon-Fronsac)

Ruby. Some cassis, minerals, vanilla and red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner than 09 and 10 and lacks the freshness of '12 but still quite lovely. Good length. 85

2007 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot:

Ruby, garnet rim. Fruity, scented, elegant and nuanced nose, some anise, floral notes, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and refreshing if a bit lean, lovely balance, drink now-2020. 90

2007 Château Potensac:

Ruby. Fragrant, cassis, slightly floral notes, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner palate, maturing nicely and ready to drink now and over the next five years, good length. 87

2001 Château Potensac:

Ruby. Cassis, floral, scented, some vanilla and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity after the 07, has more of everything and almost feels younger, good length. Now til 2022. 89

2008 Croix de Beaucaillou:

Ruby. Cassis, violets, anise, elegant and seductive nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounder than last bottle, elegant, lovely. 90

2001 Potensac

2001 Château Potensac:

Ruby. Fruity, scented, nuanced and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leather, slightly more youthful than a bottle two weeks back, good length. 89

01 Ducru-Beaucaillou, 08 Trévallon and more

2009 Château Greyssac:

Ruby. Tight and raw first, needed air to open. Fourty minutes in decanter and cassis and some tobacco notes came forth. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite elegant, good length. 86

2003 Mauro:

Deep ruby. Fruity nose, blueberries, vanilla, scented, ripe and a bit sweet nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity but also hollow, a bit sweet and alcohol shows. Good length. 87

2008 Domaine de Trévallon:

Ruby. Red berries, scented, raspberries, slight spicy note, fairly nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity even if somewhat leaner palate, refreshing, long finish. 91

2001 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou:

Ruby. Scented, tobacco, cassis, refined and nuanced nose. Complex and seductive. Starting figs touch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant body and texture, nuanced and refined, long and refreshing. Beautiful. 94

Some 2010 Cru Bourgeois tasted

2010 Château La Cardonne:

Ruby. Scented, floral and dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite lively, good length. 88

2010 Château Les Ormes Sorbet:

Ruby. Scented, fruity and red berries nose. Fresh acidity,ripe tannins, fruity and lively, elegant, good length. 88

2010 Château Hanteillan:

Bright ruby. Elegant, spicy and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, again fruity and elegant, good length. 87

2010 Château Larose Trintaudon:

Ruby, scented, fruity and some barrel notes on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and elegant, lively. 85

2010 Château Peyrabon:

Bright ruby. Fruity, scented and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and elegant palate, good length. 87

2010 Château Sénéjac:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and pure feel on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and good length. 87+

2010 Château Tour du Haut Moulin:

Ruby. Fruity, floral and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, some plums palate, good length. 86

2010 Château Branas Grand Poujeaux:

Ruby. Fruity, scented, rich and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, good length. 86

2010 Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux:

Bright ruby. Fruity, spicy and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, good length. 87

2010 Château Deyrem Valentin:

Ruby. Scented and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity palate, good length. 86

2010 Château Grand Tayac:

Bright ruby. Fruity, scented and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, riper, maturing feel to it, good length. 85

2010 Château Haut Breton Larigaudière:

Ruby. Fruity and easy going nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, easy again but fresh. 84

A few Bordeaux tasted

2006 Château Beauregard:

Ruby. Fruity, scented, blueberries and floral nose, nuanced and flirting. Fresh acidoty, ripe tannins, fresh fruit but also some prunes and leather, evolving. Softer texture for a 06, long. 91

2006 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion:

Ruby. Cassis, plums and slightly ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity but lacks nuances. This could be an not perfect bottle, or the oak is still hiding some of the fruit nuances. 87

2006 Château Ormes de Pez:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and lovely fruit and balance, refreshing, good length. 88

2006 Château Cos Labory:

Ruby. Scented, blueberries and lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity if a bit lean, elegant texture, good length. 88

2008 Château Monbrison:

Ruby. Oaky nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh if lean and overoaked, even with air the fruit couldn't speak. 85

2004 Château Labegorce:

Ruby. Fruity and slightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, slightly lean, lovely finish. 88

2007 Château Poujeaux:

Ruby. Herbs, fruity and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean but robust at the same time, needs time for the structure to balance better, wait a few years. 86

2004 Château Potensac:

Ruby. Scented, elegant if a bit shut nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, quite lively palate, elegant, good length. 89