Château de la Coste Margaux 2013
A poised and polished blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, Château de la Coste is the second wine of Château Paveil de Luze—here the Merlot shines through with abundant aromas of black cherries, plums, red currants, sweet tobacco, and dried herbs followed by classic Margaux florality—dried violets, a crowning top note. 2013 was a wet topsy-turvey vintage, […]
Château Margaux Grand Vin Premier Grand Cru Classé 1990
Tasted with awe and much contemplation, the 1990 Margaux was one of the crowning jewels at my last tasting in Carmel, a parting gift opened the evening before my move to Portland. Garnet-robed with no bricking, this bottle was delightfully fresh and vibrant with pronounced aromas of forest floor, leather, earth, plums, black cherries, sandalwood, […]
Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge 2000
Pavillon Rouge is the second label of Château Margaux, and the 2000 is a perfumed, silken blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Freshly tilled, loamy soil, leather, forest floor, seedy berries, and black currents evokes the memory of some distant springtime, under cloudy skies. I’m especially struck […]
Château Margaux du Margaux 2009
Tasted at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, I was quite pleased to happen upon the third label of Château Margaux, 2009 is the inaugural vintage. Youthful and fresh, it’s a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. The nose is on the quiet side, with delicate aromas of black currant and blueberries, violets and […]
Château d’Issan 1996
One of the oldest winemaking properties in the Medoc, Château d’Issan has been turning out wine since the late 1,400s. But never mind that, 1996 was an excellent vintage for the Left Bank, and this bottle seems to support that fact. The nose is charming, with aromas of black currant, cassis, anise and lavender sachet. […]