2007 Grand Crus bordeaux tasting

Yesterday I was at the Drake Hotel, and I was invited to a Grand Cru Bordeaux tasting. We tasted the 2007 Vintage and there were around 81 Chateaus pouring there wine. I am always interested in large tastings structured like this one. They provide you with a ton of information including a Tasting guide and notebook, and a Book that is called Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux edition 2010. Overall my impression is that the Vintage is a little green, and a few bottles contained Co2, most of the wines were average at best and I would think that the 2007 vintage may get a low overall rating. There were a few highlights, but mostly from Merlot dominated wines, and my favorite wine was a Sauternes from the Chateau Coutet. This is one of the oldest estates in the Sauternes region,and is owned by the Lur Saluces family for over a century. Unlike most of the Sauternes, Coutet stood out with a Golden pineapple nose and that translates in the glass with a nice balance of acid and sweetness, it was not a sticky and was very refreshing. Some of the reds I liked were mostly from Saint-Emilion and the highlight that day was Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere, nice nose, soft subtle fruit, and a silky finish, this wine was already showing some potential and we will look to get this wine on our list soon.

Some things I noticed were, it was a little crowded, and the Water was not bottled. If you have ever had Chicago water you will notice a strong taste of chlorine. It was a little disappointing as these things are basic and easily could of been avoided. So in conclusion, we will not be in any hurry to purchase wines from this vintage. Although I do think prices will eventually start to come down and there may be some good value in this vintage if that happens.

gee, did you and i go to the same tasting? those were the most delicicous young bordeaux i have ever tasted. (i've been drinking bordeaux since 1968 and attending the UGC tastings for the last 7 years). i'll plan to post more definitive thoughts and notes; but i just got home.

David, I agree with you, given what I had heard about this vintage I was looking forward to a lot of hard work. These wines I thought were almost exciting (see my notes under Covert's earlier post). This is obviously not '05 or '00, but a decent vintage none-the-less.
IMO the tasting, my first UCG, was very impressive, and having the chateau owners there was a treat. You should have seen Sichels eyes light up when I commented, favorably, about his Cht. D'Argadens '07 Blanc and '06 Rouge. He was really elated that I made the connection, saying that he had both the white and red at lunch the same day with a big retailer in GA and SC. This was my first experience tasting this many young Bdx, so we will see, but I agree with most, that it will be a early drinking vintage, and hopefully with attractive pricing!