1999 Château Bel Air-Marquis d’Aligre - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (7/13/2022)
– decanted approx. 1.5 hrs. before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over approx. 1 hr. –
– tasted outside, at night, with dinner and company, so this TN should be read as a quick-hitter TN –
NOSE: aged red fruits; stony; expressive; very nice.
BODY: medium-light bodied; obvious bricking throughout.
TASTE: smoky; scorched earth; black cherry; hint of leather; medium to medium+ acidity.
Brian, how did you like the wine? Notes sound intriguing.
I liked it, Tom. However, admittedly, I prefer a bit more drive from my Bdx… This is very elegant/laid-back/understated for a Bdx, imo…
1999 Château Bel Air-Marquis d’Aligre - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (10/4/2023)
– decanted approx. 1 hr. before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over approx. 1.5 hrs. –
NOSE: baked raspberry; some aged Bdx. leather, as well as a background mineral element; smoky beef jerky; pretty expressive, and also high-toned.
BODY: ruddy garnet color of medium to medium-deep depth; medium bodied.
TASTE: meaty – smoky beef jerky; medium+ acidity; no tannin; hint of pyrazine; strikes me as at peak, unless you like your aged Bdx. to taste like black tea, in which case keep waiting. Ash guessed “California.” It’s certainly not “pretty Margaux.” If served blind, I might get to Bdx. on account of “aged Bdx. funk/leather, and hint of pyrazines,” but – more than anything else – this reminds me of a Cayuse Syrah with about 10 years on it. Drink Now.
Thanks for the notes. I have 2 of these in the cellar. Will drink them up!