1855 classification: the WORST Chateau ?

WINE TALK
1

Which is the worst CLASSIFIED Bordeaux Chateau IYO ?

Not only from the 1855 classification, but also from Graves (Pessac-Leognan) and St.Emilion (Premier Cru only, not all the 50+ GCCs).

My suggestion: Croizet-Bages

2

I second Croizet - Bages … and may add Pedesclaux … and from Graves Bouscaut … what I´ve tasted is a shame for any classification. [beg.gif]

3

D’Alesme Becker. Gary V brought a bottle to our Jets tailgate about 6 years ago. I had never heard of it. It’s a third growth. Pretty awful. Later, I was told the Chateau was sold for not a whole lot but research reflects that the buyer was killed in a ski accident and nothing much has happened since.

4

Ran this through TWA search for giggles… Parker’s 2010 note:

“After making mediocre wines for many years, this estate has gotten on the right track since they brought in Michel Rolland as their consultant, and Rolland’s magic is on display in this beautiful 2010.”

Go Rolland! Is there anything he can’t do?

5

Both Croizet-Bages and Pedesclaux have allegedly made good wines recently, though I’ve never had either. Any experience with recent vintages?

6

Bring the dead back from a ski accident?

Too soon?

7

I think few people have a huge overview about such obscure Chateaux, due to lack of quality and interest.
My experiences with Croizet-Bages is from the 80/90ies only, including the (very disapointing) 1990.
Pedesclaux: only 2 vintages, 2004 quite thin and astringent …

The 2003 was at least soft and fruity, if harmless and simple …

8

74 Croizet-Bages was OK, nothing more… Age had probably done it flavours (;)) but then most 74s would probably just be OK. Pedesclaux has improved of late, but not much.

Nice to see a silent appreciation for Durfort-Vivens!!! neener

9

Ehem…hm…hm, though without great enthusiasm, but some vintages from the 80/90ies were not bad at all … so there are several underperformers I would mention much earlier … [cray.gif]

10

Agreed, Durfort-Vivens is my hidden vice. :wink: 90, 99, 04, 09 and 10 are all wonderfully lovable. Hence my neener comment! :stuck_out_tongue:

[cheers.gif]

11

I’ve really enjoyed the 2000. Found the '05 to be disappointing but obviously still quite young, perhaps time will improve it.

12

FWIW, Marquis D’Alesme made a really strong wine in 2010. They have new owners willing to spend what it takes to make much better wine. It’s a wine well worth tasting in a beautiful style. For details on the estate: Learn about Chateau Marquis d'Alesme Margaux, Complete Guide

Pedesclaux also has new owners and is making better wines today. For info on the wine: http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/bordeaux-wine-producer-profiles/bordeaux/pauillac/pedesclaux/ I thought their 2010 was good, but not at the level of Marquis D’Alesme.

There are several poor classified wines like Corizet Bages, Lynch Moussas in the Medoc. In Graves, Couhins stands out and there are several classified wines in St. Emilion that are on the low end of the quality scale.

13

I had some Bouscauts from the late 80s/early 90s that were quite decent. What has your experience been?

14

Please Keith?

15

My experience is opposite. Besides tasting some 3 or 4 vintages now and then that were quite characterless I had the opportunity (some 5 years ago) to compare 3 vintages of 7 different Chateaux incl. Bouscaut (if I remember correctly 90, 95, 96) … plus Potensac, Lanessan, La Louviere, La Croix, Fonroque and Corbin. Boscaut was the most disapointing …
However nothing tasted after 2000 …