TN: 2003 La Ribaud, Médoc

I have just opened a bottle of 2003 Château La Ribaud, Appellation Médoc. This is my first experience with this relatively unknown Cru Bourgeois. Very fruity, notes of cassis, licorice, chocolate, spices, earth and oak. A little bit on the modern side with the typical burnt characteristics of the vintage. Medium to full-bodied with good acidity and noticeable tannin in the finish this really is an excellent Cru Burgeois.

Rudi

[David M. Bueker]

Hi Rudi! Welcome!

We've had a good run on Cru Bourgeois lately. Thank you for contributing.

Thanks for the welcome, David! Yes, I think there are more excellent Crus Bourgeois –and other unheralded red Bordeaux wines of course- today than ever before...

We've had a good run on Cru Bourgeois lately. Thank you for contributing.

We just had a 2000 Chateau de Marbuzet that was very tasty. Nice cherry fruit with some tobacco notes, and a super long finish. I think that I paid $20 for it on release. Wish I could find more at that price.

Sam, nice that you mention Château Marbuzet. I had both the 2000 and the 2001 a few months ago. Both wines were very, very elegant and tasty, and every bit as good as a fine Classé or the better known neighbour Haut-Marbuzet. I, too, wish I had bought more...

Rudi,

I have never had a chance to taste the Haut-Marbuzet, though I would like to. I can't justify the 5X price mark up, particularly when the Cru Bourgeois is so good.