Seeking graphite

[Simon_Gefen]

One of my favorite aromas in Bordeaux is graphite/pencil lead. I pick it up in Ducru quite a bit. Are there other producers that tend to exhibit this aroma regularly? Particular vintages? All price points welcome.

[John_Morris]

I’ll leave it to others to recommend wines.

FYI, the classic aroma of Bordeaux that is sometimes referred to a pencil shavings is cedar, from the pencil wood. Graphite itself is odorless, though there is some wax in pencil lead that might give it a slight scent of a different type.

Sorry, “graphite” as a descriptor drives me nuts. Critics went from saying “lead pencil” → “pencil lead” → “graphite.” It’s all a confusion.

There. Pedantic rant over.

[R.Oesterle]

examples;

The Essence of Wine: Graphite : Vinography

[Simon_Gefen]

I’ll leave it to others to recommend wines.

FYI, the classic aroma of Bordeaux that is sometimes referred to a pencil shavings is cedar, from the pencil wood. Graphite itself is odorless, though there is some wax in pencil lead that might give it a slight scent of a different type.

Sorry, “graphite” as a descriptor drives me nuts. Critics went from saying “lead pencil” → “pencil lead” → “graphite.” It’s all a confusion.

There. Pedantic rant over.

TIL Graphite is odorless! Thank you, but yes I’m referring to the pencil shaving aroma, quite distinct from cigar box/cedar (which I like as well).

[Tom_R_W]

Had to Google, but-
TIL what TIL means

[Paul_Flynn]

Lewelling.

[John_Morris]

examples;
https://www.vinography.com/2013/05/the_essence_of_wine_graphite

“Graphite” is certainly commonly used, but that doesn’t mean that the user has ever smelled graphite itself. I think in 99.5% of the cases, what they mean is cedar. Note that, in the article you cite, they attribute this scent to oak, which suggests they confuse it with wood generally.)

FYI, a friend and I did aroma experiments with graphite, which I posted here:
Graphite and salinity: Lab tests (screen grab below)

In the process, I learned that there may be a bit of wax smell in some pencil lead, because the graphite is mixed with wax so it spreads on and adheres to paper. But I don’t think that’s what anyone is referring to, because the wax scent is very faint.

[Simon_Gefen]

I never meant for this to get so technical, but I’m glad it did. Always happy to learn new things.

You remember when you were a kid and used to sharpen pencils in class (if you’re over 40!)? That smell is quite different from the cedar in a humidor. The latter to me is much sweeter smelling, so “something” in the construction of a pencil gives off a distinctly different aroma. It is that aroma that I’ve picked up on in BDX that I really enjoy.

Anyway, it doesn’t seem like there is an answer as the descriptor may be too fleeting in wine to be a signature.

[TomHill]

I never meant for this to get so technical, but I’m glad it did. Always happy to learn new things.

You remember when you were a kid and used to sharpen pencils in class (if you’re over 40!)? That smell is quite different from the cedar in a humidor. The latter to me is much sweeter smelling, so “something” in the construction of a pencil gives off a distinctly different aroma. It is that aroma that I’ve picked up on in BDX that I really enjoy.

Anyway, it doesn’t seem like there is an answer as the descriptor may be too fleeting in wine to be a signature.

Yup…when I was in grade school in the 5’th grade, one of my tasks assigned by ole Lady Rickey was to empty the pencil sharpener
every day. I did it on the alternate days of Susan Davis, for whom I had the hots. So I developed a deep fondness for that smell.
And it is a different smell from that of cedar roof shingles and cedar of a cigar box humidor. Don’t know if it’s because of the graphite
in there or not.
If anybody knows Susan Davis who grew up in Kansas City, let her know I still have the hots for her.
Tom

[john_stimson]

I never meant for this to get so technical, but I’m glad it did. Always happy to learn new things.

You remember when you were a kid and used to sharpen pencils in class (if you’re over 40!)? That smell is quite different from the cedar in a humidor. The latter to me is much sweeter smelling, so “something” in the construction of a pencil gives off a distinctly different aroma. It is that aroma that I’ve picked up on in BDX that I really enjoy.

Anyway, it doesn’t seem like there is an answer as the descriptor may be too fleeting in wine to be a signature.

The cedar in humidors I think is most often Spanish cedar. In pencils these days, I think it’s most often California incense cedar (I could be wrong about this, but that’s what I found on line). These have different smells.

[TomHill]

I never meant for this to get so technical, but I’m glad it did. Always happy to learn new things.

You remember when you were a kid and used to sharpen pencils in class (if you’re over 40!)? That smell is quite different from the cedar in a humidor. The latter to me is much sweeter smelling, so “something” in the construction of a pencil gives off a distinctly different aroma. It is that aroma that I’ve picked up on in BDX that I really enjoy.

Anyway, it doesn’t seem like there is an answer as the descriptor may be too fleeting in wine to be a signature.

The cedar in humidors I think is most often Spanish cedar. In pencils these days, I think it’s most often California incense cedar (I could be wrong about this, but that’s what I found on line). These have different smells.

Gasp, John…are you suggesting that cedar shows terroir???
Tom

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

I’ll leave it to others to recommend wines.

FYI, the classic aroma of Bordeaux that is sometimes referred to a pencil shavings is cedar, from the pencil wood. Graphite itself is odorless, though there is some wax in pencil lead that might give it a slight scent of a different type.

Sorry, “graphite” as a descriptor drives me nuts. Critics went from saying “lead pencil” → “pencil lead” → “graphite.” It’s all a confusion.

There. Pedantic rant over.

As soon as I saw the thread title and opening sentence I thought of you!

[PeterH]

The new BMW i4 M50 has quite a bit of graphite.
Or maybe I’m in the wrong thread…

[David_Bu3ker]

You really want a glass of the 2001 Sociando Mallet that I just opened. Pencil shavings are all over the place.

[Yao_C]

One of my favorite aromas in Bordeaux is graphite/pencil lead. I pick it up in Ducru quite a bit. Are there other producers that tend to exhibit this aroma regularly? Particular vintages? All price points welcome.

Pencil shows up quite a lot in my tasting notes for Lynch Bages and Pichon Lalande, much more so at 20+ years of age

[john_stimson]

I never meant for this to get so technical, but I’m glad it did. Always happy to learn new things.

You remember when you were a kid and used to sharpen pencils in class (if you’re over 40!)? That smell is quite different from the cedar in a humidor. The latter to me is much sweeter smelling, so “something” in the construction of a pencil gives off a distinctly different aroma. It is that aroma that I’ve picked up on in BDX that I really enjoy.

Anyway, it doesn’t seem like there is an answer as the descriptor may be too fleeting in wine to be a signature.

The cedar in humidors I think is most often Spanish cedar. In pencils these days, I think it’s most often California incense cedar (I could be wrong about this, but that’s what I found on line). These have different smells.

Gasp, John…are you suggesting that cedar shows terroir???
Tom

You bet! you could have pencil tastings–I mean smellings. There are actually pencil geeks (sounds repetitive) who seek out and will only use special pencils. You can get them made from Tennessee cedar, and god knows what else.

[Simon_Gefen]

Appreciate the recs and humor. Thank you!

[Chris_Seiber]

I never meant for this to get so technical, but I’m glad it did. Always happy to learn new things.

You remember when you were a kid and used to sharpen pencils in class (if you’re over 40!)? That smell is quite different from the cedar in a humidor. The latter to me is much sweeter smelling, so “something” in the construction of a pencil gives off a distinctly different aroma. It is that aroma that I’ve picked up on in BDX that I really enjoy.

Anyway, it doesn’t seem like there is an answer as the descriptor may be too fleeting in wine to be a signature.

I’m not saying this to argue with those pointing out that graphite is odorless – it’s a reasonable point and it’s well taken.

But speaking for myself, tasting notes are about communicating tastes, smells and other impressions from the writer to the reader, and if you succeed in doing that, then it doesn’t actually matter how literally correct the words you use are.

This thread is a good example. We all knew what you meant in the wine context, including those who objected to the use of the term. And so, that’s really a success in my view.

I saw a TN where someone referenced a purple Sharpie. I’m guessing that purple Sharpie doesn’t actually smell different than green or orange, but still, the expression successfully conveyed the impression of a certain odor.

So I say, if it works, then it works. If it actually creates a misunderstanding or confusion, then maybe it didn’t work, but that really isn’t the case when someone says pencil lead or graphite.

[B_Buzzini]

I see graphite as dryness, in the best way. Example here…

TN: 2012/2014 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley,...

[Oliver_McCrum]

examples;
https://www.vinography.com/2013/05/the_essence_of_wine_graphite

“Graphite” is certainly commonly used, but that doesn’t mean that the user has ever smelled graphite itself. I think in 99.5% of the cases, what they mean is cedar. Note that, in the article you cite, they attribute this scent to oak, which suggests they confuse it with wood generally.)

FYI, a friend and I did aroma experiments with graphite, which I posted here:
Graphite and salinity: Lab tests (screen grab below)

In the process, I learned that there may be a bit of wax smell in some pencil lead, because the graphite is mixed with wax so it spreads on and adheres to paper. But I don’t think that’s what anyone is referring to, because the wax scent is very faint.

John, this is the geekiest post of the year, and it’s not even May yet.