I am here for some guidance. While my first love is a Napa Cabernet, I have recently begun to steer my interest towards Bordeaux, specifically Left Bank from Pauillac. Its not that I have lost my affection for Northern CA, its just that I have amassed a nice sized collection from there, and with the prices from Napa just getting ridiculous ($200 is the new $125), I am wanting to broaden my horizons and cellar, with the hopes of finding some better relative values.
While I did visit BDX back in 2018, my time was spent in Saint Emillion. While pleasant wines ( I tasted at Troplong Mondot, Beau Sejour Becot, and a tasting in town that featured about 15 various estates), it just didn’t get me going. My aha moment was tasting a 2015 Pichon Baron, after I told the host that while Right Bank was nice, I preferred a more cab dominated blend. Since then, I have had random Pauillac’s (more Pichon and Lynch Bages) and this area speaks to me much more than its neighbors to the East.
My preference is for a modern styled wine (in Napa, my favorites include Fait Main, Memento Mori, Maybach), but I also enjoy a more nuanced BDX blend (think Ulysses, Insignia, FUTO). I am not looking for a BDX that tastes exactly like a Napa, but if there are resemblances shared then all good.
So, that all being said, any suggestions on Pauillac wines that I should begin to explore? (and I am open to expanding the search to neighboring areas such as Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien, but drilling down on P would be preferred, at least for now)
I didn’t feel the 2016 was backward on release and perhaps it is too traditional for his palate. I just felt it was a really nice example of Pauillac for under $100.
Don’t get me wrong – I like GPL. But Brian said he was looking for Pauillacs that lean more in a California cab style, and I wouldn’t put GPL in that category at all.
GPL might be a good suggestion, though, if our goal is to get Brian to appreciate more traditional Medoc wine!
I would also consider Saint-Julien … our comprehensive tasting of all 11 GCCs in February showed a high winemaking level. Leoville-Poyferre could be your style … or Saint-Pierre and Gloria … perhaps Lagrange …
I’d recommend trying Pichon Comtesse Reserve (2nd wine of Pichon Lalande). They drink very well young. Both the 2018 and 2019 are very good. 2018 is a bit flashier so possibly a better match. The only caveat I’d have is that they have more Merlot than most Pauillac.
I can appreciate most styles of wine, and while I like my Napa’s tilted a bit more modern, I prefer for example the traditional style of Brunello (forgot to mention that in my original post).
Pontet Canet and Pape Clement are estates that I am familiar with (at least knowing the names, no clue on style, QPR, etc).
Board member Jeff Leve also loves more modern styled wines and he has a free web site with more tasting notes than I have seen anywhere for Bordeaux.Everything About The Wine Cellar Insider and Jeff Leve I suggest looking at this. I think you will love it.
A few wines you might like are Pontet Canet (Pauillac), Lynch Bages (Pauillac), Cos D’Estournal (St. Estephe), Leoville Poyferre (St. Julien) and Domaine de Chevalier (Pessac). But, I must say you should try more types of wines. You like more modern styled California wines, but of the three Bordeauxs you mentioned, the one you like (Pichon Baron) is much more traditional in style (although quite rich) than are the two St. Emilions you tried and did not like (Beau Sejour Becot and, esp., Troplong Mondot). So, I recommend not pigeon-holing yourself in a style until you try more wines. You may surprise yourself.
In that regard (trying more wine), an organization called the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux does tastings each year at several sites around the US. [Or at least they did before Covid, not sure anymore.] Home | Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux If you ever get the chance to go to one of these somewhat near you, go. Great way to taste wines from numerous estates.
M Rolland is your man, but I’m not sure if he consults in Pauillac.
Malescot mentioned above is great value but Margaux not Pauillac. I’m no Napa expert but I wouldn’t think of this as Napa styled rather a modern Bordeaux.
Def try range of styles and communes not just Pauillac, and mature examples if possible. you might be surprised. I’m not sure of the logic of looking for Napa in Bordeaux. Look for Napa in Napa and see if you find some Bordeaux , or some aspect of it, that you like for what it is.
I am not sure what your horizon is for drinking, but I might suggest Duhart Milon is close in price point to your napa pricing and drinks well early and +15. Exemplifies Pauillac and is a lovely wine. The challenge with GPL is the time window for optimal drinking…but if you have the time is one of the great values in Pauillac (the 2019 and 2020 were fantastically priced).
Pauillac is not like Napa, it’s Pauillac. IMO, some of the best wines in the world come from Pauillac. And once past the first Growths, while they are not inexpensive, for wines at that level of quality they are competitively priced.
While I think it’s good to find specific producers, I find that it’s also more vintage dependent then Napa. Although my 2019s are still pending arrival, I would think that 18/19 might be vintages to target for a more sun kissed touch
Given your preference for more modern styled, you might want to explore St Julien. I generally find them to have brighter fruit than Pauillac. I am not saying that St Julien is modern styled, rather that their brighter personalities are likely to be more appealing to someone with greater appreciation for more fruit forward. Branaire Ducru and Leoville Poyferre come to mind but there are others. Cheers.
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