Brief TNs--2000 Bordeaux with 05 Guiraud and couple others

For a rarity, I decided not to scribble as Victor Un, Tran Bronstein, my friend Dave He, his friend Ray and I descended on our friend Frank’s steakhouse to have a quick look at some 2000 Bordeaux. This is from memory a few days later, so may not be as precise as usual [grin.gif]

2000 Chateau Cantemerle

I got this from a friend’s father’s cellar that she was selling off, I think I paid about $40 or so for it. Certainly got my money’s worth at the outset, as very nice slightly sweet plums and berries notes curl up, along with maybe roses. Extremely velvety texture with good overall balance, quite surprised Dave. The only complaint is that it did fade away significantly after the first hour and a half. However, as our starter, I was best pleased. No doubt right in its drinking window, just make sure you consume it quickly.

2000 Chateau Bernadotte

Good to have this Haut-Medoc to compare to the Cantemerle. By contrast, reticent nuzzie of herbs, a bit of tobacco and sour cherry. This does have some structure dans la bouche, but is missing some fruit certainly at this point, and is kind of light overall. I don’t say it won’t grow into itself with a bit more time, some potential lines are there, but chancy, I’d say.

2008 Black Hills Nota Bene

This is a meritage-style from B.C., Victor is a limited partner and I think it’s among the best, if not the best, stuff coming out of there. At first, this presented as fairly gangly and unresolved. However, some air time fixed that and it turns into a nice drink, spicy meats and cherry-and-plum nose, the plums and darker fruit are more apparent on the palate, with some nice accenting rosemary. Good stuff and still young, glad to try.

2000 Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion

Had to swirl quite a bit to coax out some violets and dark berry fruit. Unfortunately, the palate is extremely light-bodied and just with no real features of interest. This is quite a curious study for all of us…I had not really considered that Graves-based wines could be so sensitive to vintage. i hope my 83 Mag of this stuff is in decent shape for its anticipated summer uncorking

1999 Chateau Petit-Figeac
Dave decided to bring this and I’m very glad he did. Brooding nose which gives little but earth and herbs at first but with time gradually opens up with splendid pipe tobacco and even some tar accents to boysenberry and blackberry fruit. The palate is fine indeed, lots of structure, nicely integrated tannins and some aromatic follow-through with add-ons of plums and some mineral feel. It has plenty of life left and really presented as a very complete and multifaceted bordeaux. #2 tonight.

2005 Chateau Guiraud Sauternes

No match for this, however. A halfsie, I decided to pop-and-leave for a full day and I’m glad I did. Utterly enchanting aroma of honey, dried apricot, pineapple and orange, with all of it working back and forth to maintain interest. And that’s not the best part----the palate is just dazzling, with terrific freshness and acidity combined with a just-right level of sweetness and botrytis and plenty of citrus, honey, pineapple and vanilla follow-through. It keeps us talking for the rest of the night and absolutely holds throughout about 45 minutes. I am thrilled by this, have to say it’s extremely close overall to the Climens for this year. A triumph and I’m very glad indeed I have about 6 more of these. agiven how it performed, I strongly recommend the day’s air.

salud,

Thanks for the notes. I completely agree on the 05 Guiraud… a very nice wine. I’ve had the Bernadotte before and was not impressed. Overall I’m finding that most entry level 2000 Bordeaux are drinking well right now and likely won’t improve, but most also seem like they have many years of life ahead. There are some exceptions of course… the 2000 Marjosse is one that I had to drink up very quickly since I thought it was aging rapidly.

2000 Larrivet Haut Brion is a really nice wine. I have had nothing but good success in opening it up, and my initial impression at release was that it would be a 93 point wine at maturity, so I’d think you’ll be OK with this one with your other bottles.