All of these were tasted blind and we opened (not decanted) 2 hours in advance.
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2005 La Fleur de Bouard, Lalande de Pomerol
Fresh nose shows some spicy oak, dried flowers, dark fruit and smoke. On the palate the wine is round with plum fruit and an earthy character on the medium-length finish. Still a bit on the primary side (not surprising). -
2006 Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol
This a very complex nose with baking spices, mocha, earth, leather, cedar and redder fruits. In the mouth, this has a very pleasing texture. Flavors of earth-tinged blackberry, raspberry and a distinct mineral character are very pure and refined. The finish is long and clean where the fruit takes center stage. -
2006 Les Asteries, St-Emilion
This has a very flowery nose with hints of blue fruits and earth. On the palate, raspberry, blueberry and graphite are well proportioned and lifted by fresh acidty on the long, driving finish. This comes across as very mineral driven with aeration, though there is a nice core of fruit as well. A lovely, fresh St-Emilion. -
2006 Le Dome, St. Emilion
This has a spicier nose than the three previous wines and very intense black fruit. On the palate, cracked pepper, cedar and iron frame a huge core of cassis and blackberry. This becomes more mineral-driven on the creamy-textured finish where hints of bitter chocolate come forward. Definitely modern in style, but a pleasure to drink. -
2006 Chateau Monbousquet
An earthy nose melds with new oak here. White chocolate, espresso, and stewed plums. On the palate the wine’s texture is plush and creamy until acidity brings welcome cut to the finish. Lots of black rasperry and cherry fruit sits at the center of this wine. Oak more obvious here than the previous two wines, but the finish is nice. Interesting and quite young.
Before revealing we voted on the top 3 wines
Le Bon Pasteur finished 1st, Le Dome 2nd, with Les Asteries a close third.
Overall an interesting check in on some wines that will age for awhile, though the 06 Le Bon Pasteur is already very nice to drink now.
Anthony