It's been a long time since I've last had a dinner with some Bordeaux. But tonight it was a bit of entrecôte and a couple glasses of Ch. Magdelaine 2005 from St.-Emilion. It had been decanted around mid-day so had had about seven hours air before drinking. And though I've been very bored by Bored-eau in recent years, I must admit I enjoyed this one.
Despite all that air, it still seems a bit shy. And I hate Merlot and this seems very Merlot-dominated, yet that didn't seem to bother me either. Some slight earthiness can be perceived but mostly it is still primary. The worst of the oak seems to be fading into the background and now it's instead a dark fruited, ripe but shy wine. Quite soft tannins but enough of them that is grippy and refreshing on the finish. But the warm year still makes this slightly Californian in style (no problem with that - some of the best Cab Sauvignons and Bx-blends I've had have been from Ridge).
Would I be right in guessing that I should stick to Mouiex's wines in Bordeaux since they don't seem so spoofy? Or is this more a case absence having made the heart grow fonder?