I organized this tasting as an item to be auctioned off as part of the Benedictine College (my alma mater and employer) Scholarship Ball. I went with Bordeaux as a theme likely to attract wine-loving donors, and after looking at my options on line, went with second labels as an affordable way to offer some high-class wines. As it happens, this tasting was won by my own family, and so became part of celebrating my grandpa's 90th birthday. My wife and I spend months planning and two days on food prep, and in the end it was a great success.
A few thoughts about the wines: I've felt for some time that 2008 has a superficial resemblance to 2005, having a similarly fleshy texture, but with a darker fruit profile (similar to 2006). The 2009s were firing on all cylinders with big concentration and big tannins. My personal favorite was the Marquis de Calon, but the most impressive was the Croix de Beaucaillou. Across the board, these were classy wines, and all reflected good longevity for second labels, especially the 2009s.
Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St. Julien 2006
Excellent nose: cedar, leather, cured tobacco, red berries, and lots of lush blackberry, with violets; dark and perfumey, very 2006. On the palate, dark fruits with lots of blackberry, and some nice supporting tartness; medium bodied, a little short, but attractive. Classy. Can go 5 more years. 3 Stars [8/6/16]
Clementin du Pape Clement, Pessac-Leognan 2008
Good class on the nose, with gravel, tobacco, black cherry and blackberry, some cedar, and lots of nice earthy depth, though a bit herbaceous. On the palate, lush, dark fruit; medium-full in body and fleshy in texture. Can go 5 more years. 3 Stars [8/6/16]
La Dame de Montrose, St. Estephe 2008
Low key nose at first, but gets better with air: blackberry, gravel, dust/cocoa, sweet leather, tobacco, and orange rind. On the palate, medium-full bodied, rich, with a nice savory, peppery texture. Will benefit from more time, and there may be a lot of upside here; 10 years ahead. 3.5 Stars [8/6/16]
Alter Ego de Palmer, Margaux 2008
Lovely, deep nose of gravel, roses, blackberry and currant; wonderful nose. On the palate, rich, somewhat lush fruit supported by good tartness. Full bodied, fleshy, and succulent. Lovely. Will benefit from more time. 10 years ahead. 3.5 Stars [8/6/16]
Marquis de Calon, St. Estephe 2009
Excellent nose, rich, dense, and dark, with black cherry, blackberry, black currant, tobacco, dust, and leather; rather liqueur-like. Good class on the nose. On the palate, ripe and dense, with loads of blackberry and currant; very peppery. Big body, with succulent texture. Love it. 10 to 15 years ahead, with lots of upside. 4 Stars [8/6/16]
Croix de Beaucaillou, St. Julien 2009
Not much nose: impressions of blackberry liqueur, currant, and tobacco. Same personality on the palate, rich, ripe and absolutely huge, with equally huge peppery tannins. Great concentration. Not particularly exceptional in terms of complexity and expression, but its sheer power and concentration are extremely impressive, and time will probably reveal the rest. 10 to 15 years ahead. 4 Stars [8/6/16]