The theme was Bordeaux at least 10 years old.
2007 Ch. Carbonnieux – this producer has been very consistent in recent years, slowly improving, if anything. The wine had a light colour, nice nose of grapefruit and peach, pleasant middle and decent finish, although I wonder if this one will last more than a few years. Starter wine, not governed by the rules of engagement. 70% SB, 30% Sem.
2000 Villemaurine – I have never found an example of this St. Emilion that I liked, and this vintage did nothing to break that streak. Decent color and fruit but a bit muted. Mild tannin, medium length, a bit vegetal and a lot forgettable.
2000 Carruades de Lafite – I’ve never been overwhelmed with this wine either, not because the wine itself is poor, because it isn’t, but because it sells for more than many superior 2nd and 3rd growth wines. That makes it, in my eye, a wine for label drinkers more concerned with name than quality. Quite dark, some nice bright fruit in the nose, with some cocoa, and very soft tannins. The finish dropped off quite quickly, which surprised me. For around $400 a bottle, you can keep it!
1990 Les Forts de Latour – this was my wine and I jumped in sooner in the tasting order than I normally would have so that we could taste the two second labels together. A really nice Bordeaux. Nose of mature fruit and cedar. Nice sweet fruit entry, a juicy, tasty middle, and very good length, with a hint of black pepper. This one is still going strong. Wish I’d bought a lot more of it!
1995 La Lagune – I’d tasted this on release and found it a little tannic compared to the fruit, so was interested to taste it again at this point. It now shows as fairly dark, with a sort of Bovril nose with hints of cedar and mint. Middle weight, medium length, this drinks very well now and should be put into current lists for cork pulling.
1999 Armailhac – good deep colour, a fairly good nose of fruit with a bit of anise, decent fruit in the middle, but finished a tad short.
1995 Leoville Barton – dark wine with a pleasant nose of cigar box and plum, decent flavour concentration and medium length. This should be drunk soon, but will hold – I don’t think it will improve any more from this point.
1982 Leoville Barton – cedar and pepper in the nose good colour, smooth middle with good fruit levels and soft tannin, another wine that will hold but can now be drunk without regret. Very nice.
1988 Lafaurie Peyraguay – I’ve had this wine many times and am much taken with it. Now showing quite a bit of colour, it has a fair bit of botrytis in the nose, and honey, and is sweet and long and delicious. The high level of acidity make all the difference in terms of good balance to this wine. Wonderful.