WTN: 1998 Left Bank Bordeaux

My friend, Dave, a bass player, is playing at the performance of Smoky Joe's Cafe in a newly renovated Long Island theater. We had great fun at the show yesterday, and followed that up with dinner and some wine with Dave and his wife.

Our starter wine was the 2000 William Fevre Chablis Le Clos - light aromas of minerals and honeysuckle which opened up hours later. I've been enjoying a few 2002s and 2004s Chablis (varying producers and vineyards) recently, and it was a nice change to enjoy the creamier and more delicate mouthfeel of the 2000 - drinking nicely at present.

Our theme was 1998 Left Bank Bordeaux. First up was a Grand Puy Lacoste - fresh nose of roses and blueberries. Tight with sweet fruit and a slightly drying finish - still a good showing for this lightweight vintage.

1998 Pichon Baron - an explosive nose of raspberries and tar. Medium to full bodied, with soft, sweet tannins and drinking very nicely. Just a small taste as I was preparing for the next wine.

1998 Margaux - complex but delicate nose of vanilla, lead pencil, and tobacco with a delicious mouthfeel and flavors of sour cherries appearing. Medium bodied and well balanced leading to a sweet finish. No contest as this was WOTN.

It was a fun afternoon and evening. Good weather and a chance to walk around Northport harbor before heading out to dinner was a bonus.

Hi Diane,

4 nice wines, sounds like a very good night.

I recently tried a 1998 Ducru Beaucallou, that was drinking very well and I enjoyed it greatly. A 98 right banker, Ch Beauregard was OK but very tannic and needed more time. I have a 98 Dom de Chevalier also that I was wondering when to open.

I was thinking about bringing a 2000 JM Brocard Le Clos to an offline this Friday. A friend thinks it is too soon to open it, but based on your note on the Fevre maybe I will try it with a double decant.

Best,
Marc

Hi Marc - I don't know how the Brocard will compare to the Fevre. My suggestion would be to sniff and taste before decanting. The aromatics were barely there at first, and as it turned out, we would have benefitted from decanting. So, you may be on to something. Let me know how it works out as I have another bottle of the Fevre.

My next 1998 Left Banker to open will be the Ducru. Good to hear you enjoyed a bottle. The Right Bankers need more time. A recent Tertre Roteboeuf was evidence of that, but, boy, was that a great wine.

Thanks for the notes Diane! I have only one bottle of the Pichon Baron - but based on a taste a year or so ago, I will keep it longer though you say it is drinking nicely. I have tasted many '98s that are very lovable, so I do wonder why it is generally considered an off-vintage.

-O-

Thanks for the notes Diane! I have only one bottle of the Pichon Baron - but based on a taste a year or so ago, I will keep it longer though you say it is drinking nicely. I have tasted many '98s that are very lovable, so I do wonder why it is generally considered an off-vintage.

-O-

Otto - no rush in drinking the Pichon Baron. While it is very nice now, I don't see it fading soon.

Yup, '98 left bank is considered an off vintage. Doesn't matter to me, as I am loving the left bank and they are much more approachable now. Due to lower prices, those are the ones I own.