Chateau Bernadotte, Haut Medoc 1996

[Otto Nieminen]

Chateau Bernadotte, Haut Medoc 1996

Classic Claret with all the stereotypical phrases attached (cassis, lead, etc. ad inf.). It isn't weighty at all, yet it is fully ripe and expressive. Really wonderful, refreshing wine. Drink and hold.

[AlexR]

A good value wine belonging to Pichon Comtesse, and thus Champagne Roederer.

I've always been puzzled as to why it's priced so modestly.

All the best,
Alex

[Elmo]

I've had the 2001 a couple of times over the last year and liked that too.

[Claudius]

Interestingly, I've found the 96 Bernadotte to be a bit TOO light and simple.
Correct, but maybe a bit boring??

[AlexR]

Ah, but we're not talking grands crus here...

It's an A.O.C. Médoc.

All the best,
Alex

[rjsussex]

I found the 2000 light, simple, even watery...

Richard

[Chasse-Spleen]

I enjoyed the 2003.
BTW, isn't it an Haut-Medoc, cru bourgeois, Alex? I think it has an interesting style for the price, usually around $20.
-Chris

[AlexR]

Yes, Chris, an Haut-Médoc.

As you know, the cru bourgeois classification is inoperative at present.
it's high time they got that sorted out...

Alex

[Houndsong]

I thought the 03 was pretty plush and walnutty. But it did not motivate me. It's all I've had of this wine.

[Blanquito]

I've enjoyed my bottles of the 2000 Bernadotte so far. Good value at $14.

Like Hound, I didn't care much for the 2003, but since I have a few bottles more, I'm going to try and let it integrate some of that plushness with bottle age.

The 1996 cru bourgeois that has consistently underwhelmed me is the Potensac, especially given Parker's praise for it. The Lanessan 1996 isn't great either but I am holding out (higher) hopes that it will round into form soon.

[Ramon_NYC]

The 1996 cru bourgeois that has consistently underwhelmed me is the Potensac, especially given Parker's praise for it.

I've had 3 bottles of the 96 Potensac over the last 6 months, and I'm in total agreement with you. The bottles simply didn't have anything for me to write home about.

[Houndsong]

I've had some good 96 Potensacs, but a like number of lousy ones. It's the poster child for bottle variation/lack of quality control.

[Otto Nieminen]

Interestingly, I've found the 96 Bernadotte to be a bit TOO light and simple.
Correct, but maybe a bit boring??

One thing I have noticed is that I do seem to like my wines on the lighter side than most here. For my preferences, this was just delightful and I am hoping to find more. Correct can, indeed, sometimes be boring, but usually in my experience correct is only a good thing - as it was here.

[stefan]

Lanessan 1996 has improved a lot in the last 1-2 years, IMO. La Bernadotte 2000 is OK for me if rather tight, but Lucie dislikes it.

stefan

[Blanquito]

Good to hear about the Lanessan, Stefan, as I have quite a bit of it. I drank my most recent bottle over 2 years ago, and it gave me hope. Time to crack another.

[AKR]

I've been enjoying a bottle of the 2010 Bernadotte [Haut Medoc] over the last day or so. It has opened up on the second night and has become a lovely wine. I like this even more than the 96, 00, 03 if I am recalling those. (I missed the 2005 unfortunately, and the 2009 I ordered years ago ended up having a delivery glitch, and turning into the 2010.) So I haven't had so recent years from this estate, which has also had some ownership changes, and is now part of an Asian property empire. It used to be a side effort of Pichon Lalande, and a generally good buy in years when its big brother got the raves. Dark purple color, still a hint of oak on the nose, but just right. Incense and minerals here too, currants and plum fruit on the palate. Good depth, 30 seconds of finish. I get some tobacco flavors too. This is a very solid Medoc, that can be enjoyed right now. I'd slot it into the B+ category.