If you note, I had agreed with you on Nenin and Fleur de Gay, and thought they should be demoted to Ewing-Mulligan’s Class Three (along with a couple of other changes). Those other notes comparing to the 1855 Classification were hers as well, although they probably are somewhat helpful in understanding what she means by her rankings. I think this is, however, a decent start, unlike the Clive Coats one or [previous ones here). At least I am in general agreement with most of her choices.
Look at Saint Emilion. That’s not exactly a great classification system either. Nor for that matter is the 1855 (and subsequent) classifications particularly accurate today. The issue is, while there are some generally agreed on choices of quality, everyone has their particular taste and quality standards, always making such “rankings” generalizations.
If you note, I had agreed with you on Nenin and Fleur de Gay, and thought they should be demoted to Ewing-Mulligan’s Class Three (along with a couple of other changes). Those other notes comparing to the 1855 Classification were hers as well, although they probably are somewhat helpful in understanding what she means by her rankings. I think this is, however, a decent start, unlike the Clive Coats one or [previous ones here). At least I am in general agreement with most of her choices.
Look at Saint Emilion. That’s not exactly a great classification system either. Nor for that matter is the 1855 (and subsequent) classifications particularly accurate today. The issue is, while there are some generally agreed on choices of quality, everyone has their particular taste and quality standards, always making such “rankings” generalizations.
I agree. She left off some of the smaller producers. I would put Le Pin in the Second Class category myself, but others might put it with Petrus and Lafleur. Not me though.
It’s gotten better, but I would agree with her on the 3rd Class status for now. Remember that there are quite a few that she didn’t give a classification to, so that’s not the lowest status.
During the glory period of Pomerol ( 1940-1950ies ) , the best wines by far were Petrus , Lafleur and Vieux Chateau Certan . ( i.e. 1945 , 1947 . 1948 , 1950 etc ) . These wines are the best Bordeaux wines I ever tasted .
Today , it is more difficult to differentiate because all these top Pomerols are so powerful and many of them are now at the top of their game .
A bit surprised 2005 is mentioned as the starting point for new period of good VCC… as 2004 is excellent (as were 2000 and 1998 I suppose). What has changed?
Had not bought any Pomerol since 2008 VCC, I took the plunge for Clinet 2019… does not rank well here but fingers crossed as it got good reviews. How different is the style compared to say VCC?
Chalk and cheese. VCC is quite traditional, has a brightness and energy to it, and makes for wonderful mature wines. Clinet is more modern and opulent, and doesn’t have the bright structure that VCC does. Or I think the aging capability that VCC has. I recently had a 1989 and it was perfectly pleasant, but was just a softer version of the young wine.
As for the 2005 start date, I had been tasting the wines over many years, and really liked rather than loved some of the older modern vintages. Things changed with 2005, when they made an unbelievably good wine which to me catapulted them to the top wines of Pomerol. I have tasted that wine a couple of times since (I bought half bottles as well as other formats). The first time, about five years ago, it was quite closed, but obviously special. Recently it was still immature, but beginning to strut, and I have no doubt that this is one of the stars of the vintage.
Since 2005, I have begun to pay serious attention, and each vintage has been an almost perfect matrix of vintage and terroir. Even 2007.
Question for the experts: of the pomerol super seconds (VCC, Trotanoy, Eglise Clinet) which is the value pick of the last decade? ‘12 or ‘14? (‘09, ‘10 and ‘16 sitting clearly in a higher piece&quality bracket)
You don’t need to be an expert for that one. 2014 is clearly the better vintage generally, and very close to the three vintages you mention. I have not tasted the 2012 L’Eglise Clinet Or Trotanoy in bottle, but 2014 is quite good for both. I am a broken record on how good the 2014 VCC is, certainly a possible wine of the vintage. Better than the other two, but getting hard to find.