A Tasting of 2000 Bordeaux

Another 95/95 tasting, all wines served blind with corks pulled several hours before serving.


La Petit Cheval

Overview: St. Emillion, 50% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot.

Notes: Reticent nose with underlying dark fruits and lots of tobacco and earth. On the palate delicate structure, well integrated tannins, and dark fruit. My favorite of the tasting.


Branon

Overview: Pessac Leognan, 50% Cabernet, 50% Merlot.

Notes: Nose of skunky marijuana and no fruit. On the palate barnyard flavors covering hints of bright fruit.


Pichon Lalande

Overview: Pauillac, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot

Notes: Loads of oak, vanilla, pepper, and spice on the nose. Palate similar to the nose, hidden fruit, slightly vegetal, barnyard


Troplong Mondot

Overview: St. Emillion, 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc

Notes: Nice fruit, stony, deep minerality, plush with strong tannins.


Gruaud-Larose

Overview: St. Juilen, 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec

Notes: Earthy tobacco nose. Well structured with eucalyptus and menthol notes


Leoville Barton

Overview: St. Juilen, 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc

Notes: Gamey nose, wild brambly fruits. More new world than most. Non-fruits on mid palate, flat on the finish.


Pichon Baron

Overview: Pauillac, 70% Cabernet, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Notes: Damp moldy cellar nose, bright fruit on the palate which turns to non-fruit funkiness. Evolving tannins. Consensus winner of the tasting.


Certan de May

Overview: Pomerol, 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot

Notes: Ripe fruits, menthol, lacking...


Monbousquet

Overview: St. Emillion, 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes: Chocolaty notes on the nose, extracted woody tannins.


Figeac

Overview: St. Emillion, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot

Notes: Nose pops with vegetables (Franc). Ripe fruits, nice plushness, hidden tight tannins. Slightly thin on the mid-palate. Green beans.


Pavie Macquin

Overview: St. Emillion, 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot

Notes: Dark berries on the nose, bright on the palate, cleaner than most but not distinctive.


Bonus!

1976 Margeaux

Slightly bricked, no real fruit on the nose, toffee, better on the palate, rotten-style cherries (but in a good way)


2001 Rieussec

Thick with honeyed melons and tropical fruit, unctuous but not cloyingly sweet. Delicious!