The 22nd Wine Tasting (2013-05-17) - France (Bordeaux Right Bank)

I had a very tough month, busy at work and defeated by allergy attack. Words can not describe my happiness of survival, and these wines were the best rewards.

 Bordeaux locates in the south-western France, where the most famous wines are produced. Red Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. The red grapes of Bordeaux are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère; white grapes are Sémillon , Sauvignon blanc , Muscadelle and Ugni blanc.

Three main sub-regions are separated by three rivers (Gironde, Garonne, and Dordogne). On the west side of Gironde and Garonne is called Left Bank; on the east side of Gironde and Dordogne is called Right Bank; the area between Garonne and Dordogne is called Entre-deux-mers (see map).  We chose Saint-Émilion and Pomerol for tasting. They belong to the Right Bank, where the Merlot dominant wines are produced. In Right Bank, soils are mostly clay. The iron-clay gives Merlot a tannic backbone.

1. Chateau les Hauts-Conseillants, Lalande de Pomerol - 2009

Grapes: 85% Merlot + 15% Cabernet Franc;
Alcohol: 14%
Color: purple, young
Nose: black fruit, very fruity
Palate: very concentrated, firm tannin; bitter after taste.

Comments:
For the price, it's a good value wine, but I think it's a little bit too young to drink right now.



2. Chateau Meylet, St.-Emilion - 2000


Grapes: 75% Merlot + 25% Cabernet Franc, old vines, 60+yrs (according to the store)
Alcohol: 12%
Color: orange-brick
Nose: jammy, strawberry jam; earthy; green peppers
Palate: mild, medium (minus) body; acidity is high

Comments:
Simple structure. Moderate, maybe too subtle to encourage me to talk to "her".


3. Chateau Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol - 1996

Grapes: Merlot + Cabernet Franc, 30+yrs (according to the store)
Alcohol: 13%
Color: brick
Nose: Jammy, hint of black fruit; hay (wet?!); spicy
Palate: tannin merge into an earthy and dusty aromas; acidity is lower compared with Ch. Meylet (2000), but full of character.

Comments:
My lady tonight. Mature, but still young in heart (new barrel) with characteristic backbone.