Highly acclaimed from the outset as a «vintage of the century», 1989 was the earliest harvest (at that time) in the history of Bordeaux. A very hot vintage that produced full, ripe, intense reds with enormous aging potential. These full bodied reds have barely reached their peak, and with lots of structured tannins, should continue to evolve favourably into the next decade. Thirty years later, and for the third time (@ Les Conseillers du Vin 1999 & 2009), an evaluation of this fine Bordeaux vintage was due. Some of the châteaux chosen for this tasting came through with flying colours while others were enjoyable/ready for drinking.
@ Les Conseillers du Vin, thirty years later, we revisited this classic Bordeaux vintage. To verify the evolution, structure and balance of this fine Bordeaux vintage, a group of 16 experienced tasters analysed 7 outstanding Chateaux plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Mother Nature was tough on Burgundy in 2016. She naturally reduced yields with damaging frost and hail. For many experts the 2016 white Burgundies are the result of an outstanding, perfect combination, of ripeness, freshness and concentration. In some sub-regions the frost and hail reduced production by 30%, and in some areas up to 50%. This small production has yielded lively, intense, yet well balanced whites with great aging potential. Many 2016 white Burgundies merit our attention and should find their way into our cellars.
A few days ago @Les Conseillers du Vin a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) 2016 white Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
This very high quality Burgundy vintage is at its peak. From the outset this very warm vintage produced reds bursting with ripe berry flavours and velvety tannins. For the past twenty years this outstanding vintage has been seducing Burgundy aficionados. The 1999 harvest was obviously more favourable for the production of fine reds with good ripeness, character, surprising freshness, good extract and excellent aging potential. Unfortunately some are starting to decline, but the elite wines are still going strong.
Twenty years later, at Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to revisit this 20 years old Burgundy vintage by tasting a selection of wines from reputed producers to verify the evolution of this excellent vintage. As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) red Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
In 2015 Burgundy produced high quality whites with amazing elegance for such a warm vintage. The hot summer produced full flavoured chardonnays with surprising acidity and a charming velvety texture. The producers that managed to preserve acidity, crafted wines that should stand the test of time for a decade or so. A selection of youthful high quality 2015 whites tasted in Burgundy showed remarkable consistency. Many elite white Burgundies arriving in our market offer a much better quality/price ratio than their counterpart reds.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) 2015 white Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
To better understand this vintage it must be mentioned that high acid content in whites is trendy. Many wine writers and sommeliers tend to give better scores to whites displaying higher acid content. This trend has pushed some producers to harvest earlier, or to block/skip the malolactic fermentation to keep sharper acidity in their wines. Many of the participants at this tasting were surprised by such high acid content, in what is reputed to be a fairly warm vintage.
A classic vintage that originally favoured the right bank. In 1998 Mother Nature showed more generosity towards Saint-Émilion and Pomerol appellations, offering very ripe Merlot grapes, the chief varietal of the right bank. From the outset the left bank (Médoc & Graves) reds showed more firmness and structure, while those from the right bank offered riper fruit and richness. Results: medium to full bodied classic Bordeaux reds with fresh acidity and good aging potential. Having reached the 20 years plateau, these elite reds should be at their best. Twenty years later, we decided @ Les Conseillers du Vin to re-evaluate this classic Bordeaux vintage.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters reviewed 7 Bordeaux Crus Classés plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format. Is it time to open all our 1998 Bordeaux or should we leave some for future drinking? One thing is for sure: the top wines should continue to evolve favourably another 5 to 10 years!
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Most experts agree, this very high quality Burgundy vintage produced amazingly charming ripe reds. A very warm vintage offering deep coloured Burgundies bursting with ripe berry flavours and velvety tannins. According to Revue du Vin de France: because of low yields, quality is outstanding. Reds with great aging potential that will surprise many Burgundy afficionados (17/20). During my last visit to Burgundy (2017) the 2015 Crus tasted were quite rich, full and very seductive. The key, was the tail end of the growing season (very warm and sunny), producing perfectly ripe and healthy grapes.
At Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to evaluate this potentially great Burgundy vintage by tasting a selection of wines from reputed producers to assess quality level and aging potential. As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) red Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
When it comes to fine reds that offer richness and elegance, for the past few centuries, Bordeaux stood alone at the top! But since the famous 1976 Paris blind tasting of Napa Valley reds versus Crus Classés from Bordeaux, the surprising results have modified many experts and afficionado’s opinion. Since, lots has changed, the evolution of the Bordeaux style paired with the amazing results from hard working and determined Napa Valley producers annouces a fierce competition.
This tasting was a unique opportunity to compare Cabernet Sauvignon based reds from Napa Valley to Haut-Médoc Crus Classés from Bordeaux.
@ Les Conseillers du Vin: in the usual blind tasting format, a group of 16 experienced tasters evaluated and compared four (4) high quality vintages of Napa Valley Cabs to four (4) Bordeaux Crus Classés.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded for a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
Favourite wines of the tasting:
The Montalcino terroir dealt well with the heat and drought of the 2011 summer growing season. In fact Montalcino faired much better than its neighbor Chianti Classico. According to many experts, the region produced Brunelli that offer ripe flavors with soft tannins for extended aging potential. Full bodied reds with jammy flavors and soft textures all while maintaining good balance. Are these fine Sangiovese reds already charming and drinkable ? Do these full flavoured, elegant terroir wines display fruit maturity and richness as expected ?
At Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to taste a selection of wines from reputed producers to verify the aging potential, richness and balance of this very good Brunello di Montalcino vintage. How long should we leave these fine Brunelli in our cellar? And how much should we pay for these high quality Sangiovese based reds? A group of 16 experienced tasters analysed 7 Brunelli plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: Overall the wines faired well, but not as consistent as hoped. To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
Although wines have been produced in Bulgaria for thousands of years, only recently, following the collapse of the communism regime, has a quality revolution been on the move. I recently visited this beautiful country and would like to share with you the latest trends in this booming wine industry.
Regions and grapes:
As a wine producing country, Bulgaria is quite small, with only 60,000 hectares of vineyards, half the size of Bordeaux. Forty plus grape varieties are planted, divided equally for white (22) and red (22). Slightly over 60% of the vineyard is planted to red, with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominating (30%).
Local red grape varieties such as Mavrud, Melnick 55 and Rubin remain important for quantity and quality wines. As for whites, indigenous varieties like Dimyat, Misket and Buket complement the classic international gapes Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Balkan Mountains divides the country in half. Simply put, you will hear of the Danube plain (cooler climate) in the northern half of the country and the Thracian Valley to the south. But the reality of climate/terroir variations announces five (5) wine producing districts: Danube Plain (21%) and Thracian Valley (41%), but also to the west end the country the Black Sea Coast (19%), on the eastern border with Macedonia, Struma Valley (15%) and in the center of the country just south of the Balkan Mountains, Rose Valley (4%)
CH LAGRANGE vs CH LÉOVILLE BARTON
In the center of the Haut-Médoc, the commune of St-Julien produces elegantly structured wines. With eleven (11) Crus Classés (Classification de 1855 du Haut-Médoc), St-Julien is amongst the best quality communes of Bordeaux. With many top Chateaux, the competition for top dog in St-Julien is fierce. Both Châteaux Léoville-Barton and Lagrange are usually in the running. This tasting was a unique opportunity to compare 4 vintages of two reputed Chateaux from the high quality commune of St-Julien.
@ Les Conseillers du Vin, in the usual blind tasting format, a group of 16 experienced tasters analysed/compared four (4) vintages of both Chateaux. At this point one must remember that wines from the late 80’s and 90’s were not produced with grapes as ripe and concentrated as today’s more recent vintages (2000+). Wines from that era usually offer higher acidity and firmer tannins and tend to be fresher, leaner and more elegant.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
