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 Phélan Ségur Saint-Estèphe 2007
If my research is correct, the 2007 vintage of Phélan Ségur is pre-consultation with Michel Rolland. Parker routinely scored these wines in the mid-to-lower 80s, clearly he didn’t care for them. The 2007 is old-school Saint-Estèphe, with brooding aromas of coffee grounds, black currents, barnyard funk and freshly overturned soil. Fine tannins on the attack, […]
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. […]
Château Figeac Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé 1995
Figeac has been on my radar for some time now. News of Michel Rolland replacing the existing team at the estate in early 2013 created ripples amongst fans. Revered for its old-school styling, I’m glad to have had the chance to taste it, courtesy Burgnut. Incredibly fresh, the ’95 yields classic notes of black currant, […]
Château Grand-Puy Ducasse 2006
I didn’t have time to take notes on this wine. We drank it in the home of Daniel della Cruz, one of Manila’s most prominent artists. Within the sanctuary of his walls, where tropical plants served as an organic backdrop to every sculpture and painting—the wine blended effortlessly into that rare and sacred space and […]
Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent Blanc Sec 2012
A classic blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, the 2012 Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent Blanc Sec from Domaine de Chevalier is quite a steal at less than $20 per bottle. Fragrant floral notes are rounded out by rich aromas of shortbread cookie, pear, honeydew melon and a hint of freshly mown grass. Full-bodied […]
Château Léoville Las Cases 1990
The 1990 Léoville Las Cases opens with primary aromas of Iodine, blood, minerals, graphite and black cherry. After sitting open for 2-3 hours it exhibits perceptibly sweet tertiary notes of orange peel, roses and baking spice. This is a dark, powerful Saint-Julien with impressive concentration and grip on the attack followed by notes pencil lead, […]
Château Rieussec R de Rieussec 2012
I have long adored Rieussec—but my experience has been limited to drinking Sauternes, what this Grand Cru Classé is best known for. Rieussec Sec is the drier version, tasted blind, I struggled to place it as a Bordeaux white. The nose is expressive and pretty with aromas of ripe peach and apricot, and pomme d’ambre […]
Château Certan-Marzelle 2000
Château Certan-Marzelle has been under the ownership of Christian Moueix since 1999. 2000 represents the first vintage under his management, and is comprised of 100% Merlot, and it’s a tiny operation with little more than 1000 cases. Aromas of plum, forest floor and cedar waft from the glass. Medium-bodied and supple, with brisker-than-expected acidity and […]
Château Branon 2000
The 2000 Branon is a study in power and opulence, the first vintage of this sumptuous Pessac-Leognan to be released, it is perhaps worth noting that the winemaking is overseen by Alain Raynaud and Michel Rolland. An opaque and inky countenance, with rich aromas of plum, fig pudding, tobacco, and asphalt. Surprisingly, there is an […]