Bel Air (St Est) v Potensac 05

[rjsussex]

These are terrific.

The Bel Air 04 I recommended some time ago but the 05 is a predictable step-up without compromising its very reserved, traditional profile. The Potensac I also enthused about here so I thought I'd compare.

Geographically close, of course, and similar UK price (c£13), and the cepage is roughly equal Cab/Merlot in both (more Merlot in Potensac these days) but also nice link because Pot matures in (does it still?) used Las Cases casks and Bel Air matures in used Latour casks (sic).

Well, they're both lovely - really perhaps these junior 05s should be BWE wines of year? - but the winner is the Bel Air which just has more classy cassis on the nose, a drier and more subtle profile, and a longer mineral finish. The Potensac is certainly the best Pot I've met but in this company the Merlot is a bit warmer (label says 13.5% alc; the Bel Air says 12.5%) and the overall effect less pure and stylish and less to give in the medium term.

The Bel Air (St Estephe) 05 is a lovely bargain. A really subtle and restrained 05, really a terroir wine too, at a very restrained price - can we believe that?

Richard