TN: 2010 Château La Vieille Cure (France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac)

[jal]

• 2010 Château La Vieille Cure - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac (4/30/2014)
  With some spring vegetable ragout, smashed potatoes, and a small pan-seared strip steak.
  
  Opened, decanted and had a glass.
  Purple color, jammy nose, on the palate it is ripe and concentrated with some tannins but there is enough acidity to balance the fruit. Cassis and not a lot of earth, not a whole lot of structure either and the finish is weak but we nonetheless finished the bottle and enjoyed it with the steak.
  
  I crashed shortly after with a massive headache from the 14.50 % alcohol but that's just me, I find that lately I have a much smaller tolerance for alcohol than I used to. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

[AlohaArtakaHoundsong]

I got a sympathetic headache just reading this. I should stay away from tasting notes this early in the morning.

[JimHow]

I think you describe this wine perfectly.
It goes well with steak but in the end the alcohol is just too much.
I haven't tried the 2010 yet.

[brodway]

Jacques, thanks for bearing the headache. you saved me a headache or two. I was contemplating buying this as it was locally available for under $30

[jal]

I have higher hopes for the 2010 Cambon la Pelouse, Emil. $20 and I bought 3 bottles. I'll try one soon and see

[brodway]

That would be great Jacques...i find in the better vintages, the quality is deeper and this board is world famous for finding 4th and 5th growths that drink better than their label suggests. Although i've just had sticker shock when i saw the 2010 Clod Du Marquis retailing at $70.

[hautbrionlover]

What is the story with alcohol levels? Have they all skyrocketed?
I recently opened a bottle of 1982 Gand-Puy-Lacoste, which seemed very elegant and balanced.
We checked the label, which said the alcohol was 12%. 'Nuff said.

[jal]

What's even worse is that I think the alcohol level is probably even higher than the 14.5% stated on the label.

[Jay Winton]

I've been drinking my 2005 Cambon in the past few months. A very nice wine. The 2000 was also good. I think it's adjacent to Mouton so good bones!