TN: 2000 Bahans Haut Brion & 2005 QC Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet

WINE TALK
1

Monday, August 24, 2009 12:27 PM

2000 Bahans Haut Brion …I first had this “second wine” of Haut Brion in either 2004 or 2005 and it was still very primary. The wine has now really evolved. Medium body with notes of leather, earth/minerals, and dark plum on the nose. Shows both a lot of clarity and complexity for a second wine. Elegant but not feminine and a touch of bret/funk on the palate but it a good way. A very cerebral wine!!

2005 Quilceda Creek “Galitzine Vineyard” Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon …decanted for about 9 hrs. A touch of menthol on the nose along with blackberry, coffee/chocolate, and a touch of vanilla. A full bodied with a very polished mouth feel and very different from their flagship wine. Pumping out Loads of chocolate and dark fruit on the palate, it is a big wine that should age a very long time. A touch hot (alcohol) is the only flaw I detected but otherwise an outstanding young wine.

From a profile standpoint, the Bahans Haut Brion was our WOT. BTW, don’t let the Parker rating of 89 fool you. It is much better than that!

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Anthony - by the ‘menthol’ note, I’ll assume that the Galitzine is likely aged in the same ‘in house’ barrels that QC typically uses, from their forest in Virginia or wherever that is?

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Todd, the wine was aged 22 months in new French oak. I should have said eucalyptus instead which is a profile I see in some Napa wines because the eucalyptus trees in and around Napa which impart that profile in the soil.