WTN: Very Young but Very Open and Delicious Cru Bourg

2004 Chateau Chasse Spleen Moulis Listrac.

I know this was probably way too young, but you know what?...it was pretty captitvatingly delicious to my unschooled palate! Wonderful nose of black cassis fruit and licorice with a hint of herbaciousness to add freshness. This followed through on the palate, with soft tannins, tangy acidity, a hint of green pepper, earth, savory notes but wrapped in wonderful rich black cherry and licorice fruit. Killer wine! I don't necessarily like to buy wine at the national chain stores, but as long as BevMo stocks good Bordeaux... Better than many of the Cellartracker notes suggested.

So far, in my impatience I am finding many 2004 lesser Bordeaux very, very drinkable. For a sub-$30 wine, this was wonderful right now. Any other opinions of 2004 Bordeaux???

[David M. Bueker]

Brian,

I am a fairly big fan of 2004 Bordeaux. Granted my exposure is mostly with classed growths, pricipally Pontet Canet and Leoville Barton (I bought both in solid cases of 375 ml bottles), but what I hae tried I have always liked to a degree that the wines are not only good, they are good QPR. I've seen some backlash against years like 2001, 2002 and 2004 in other places (pricipally where years like 2000 are considered underripe ), but I am very happy with what I have, and always on the lookout for good buying opportunities.

Thanks, David. I have one bottle of 2004 Pontet Canet. My limited experience with the house is that it is much firmer in tannins than some houses, so I am going to actually wait awhile.

Re: 2004 in general: I also enjoyed a lesser Graves red-the 2004 Chateau Le Pape, but that wine had much less fruit and was more savory than this Moulis wine.