Probably not the sort of wine or vintage to set anyone’s pulse racing, especially the 2002, but in fact they’re both really good. We had them side by side with friends last night.
Boyd-Cantenac 2001
All the clumsiness of its youth is now a distant memory: it’s powerful, yet refined, a solid base of deep, creamy cherry and loganberries, over which soars a middle section leaning towards redcurrant and hints of vanilla, before a fine, dusty finish which could only come from Margaux.
Once again, a wine for fans of classic, old-fashioned claret, the sort which needs 15 years before drinking. Sadly, not a wine that is easy to find: most bottles will have been drunk a long time ago, before it hit full maturity.
Boyd Cantenac 2002
Dark, brooding colour, typical of Boyd, with a cherries and leather on the nose. The attack is fresh, vibrant and arresting, mainly cherries with a touch of cassis, with a middle section of brambly fruit which is a little muted, before a long finish, but initially, the wine is slightly disjointed in that the youthful attack is not in harmony with the finish. After a few hours, it all comes together and a second wave appears of intense, much lighter raspberry.
They’re equally good, probably worth 91 pts, although I just preferred the 02. I suspect the latter was mainly Cabernet, it tastes like it anyway. Both will keep going and probably improve over the next few years. Incredible value too. RMP gave them good reviews on release and he was spot on. Fine, traditional claret, not oaky, not spoofy, just good.