Giramondo Wine Adventures
Bordeaux Tasting, Tuesday 9/25/07
2003 Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte White (Pessac Leognan): This had a smoky, farmy, compost aroma, medium-full body, rich and good structure.
2000 Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte Red (Pessac Leognan): Blackcurrant and black cherry, the oak seemed evident but well balanced. A plush wine, but the cab franc brought a nice dry counter to the smooth oakiness. Drink now.
2000 Ch. Beau Sejour Becot (St. Emillion): Cherries and peppercorns on the nose, medium body, this wine tastes very young and somewhat austere. Good now, but definitely could wait a while.
1995 Ch. Latour a Pomerol: The first impression is of stewed tomatoes, hearty game and a bit of pepper. Much sweeter/fruitier on the palate with a nice sour cherry taste. Very smooth, not much structure or finish.
1995 Ch. Latour Haut Brion (Pessac Leognan, 2nd lable 1st growth): Tobacco and dried leaves, perfect round tannins lead to a wonderful rolling finish.
1995 Ch. Pontet Canet (Pauillac, 5th growth): A lot of herbs on the nose with this one…anise and something just out of reach of my memory, maybe lavender. Black cherries on the palate, the tannins were a bit chalky but worked. I noted that it tasted a bit green after having eaten, and I’m not really sure what I meant by that, but I have two stars next to it which means I must have liked it a lot despite the less than stellar notes. I think it was probably the herbal/floral character that did it for me.
1982 Chateau Branair Ducru (St. Julien, 4th growth): Blood, mushrooms and cherries on the nose and subtle rhubarb on the palate, this may be coming out of a sleep and seems like it could go for far longer, although it’s quite nice now. Milestone for me, I think this is probably the oldest wine I’ve tried.
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