Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

Last time I had this was at a Magdelaine vertical a year and a half ago. It was incredibly promising, but also extremely tight, and I scored it 96+.

I was meeting a couple of friends, but the box of Jouan went missing (later found) so I pivoted and brought the Magdelaine.

The year and a half brought some profound change to the wine but it totally justified the earlier score. Probably could do with a couple of years as the wine did smooth out in the glass over a couple of hours.

The nose was red black fruit, smoke leather, licorice and a slight note of leafmeal. Complex as hell, I was dipping my nose into the glass constantly to take in its perfume. The complexity followed through onto the palate with a little added mint. The finish was long and layered. Balance overall was close to perfect. Now 97+

Stop it Mark, a case of this is nearly £2k all in here in Blighty

Great to hear, as I’m sitting on 14 of these. But I consider you (and Dale) the Magdelaine Muse, so your cues are well noted. That said, I plan to wait until these are at least 20 years old before dipping in a toe, as I seem to most prefer Magdelaine with 25 or 30 years on it.

One of these days I need to sit down with a bottle of Magdelaine and a nice strip sirloin and analyze what all the fuss is about. What is that, a St. Emilion?

I like traditional beautifully made, balanced, low alcohol wines that shows both complex flavors and a lightness of touch, Magdelaine was a standout. It became even more important as Parker et al went for ever larger, more brutish wines, and Saint Emilion was a particularly susceptible, as Merlot is so easily manipulated.

Magdelaine is not a noisy wine, it is easily overlooked in a large tasting and often was. But for those who do, as you just suggested, drink it with food, and spend the time getting to know it, will be amply rewarded.

Comte Flaneur wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2023 9:55 pm Stop it Mark, a case of this is nearly £2k all in here in Blighty

Ian,
I just bought a six pack from Hatton and Edwards for around £500. The deals are definitely out there, and the good news is I have enough, and have stopped looking.

Sounds wonderful Mark!

Very nice notes Mark. I would surely love the 2005. Did not had Magdelaine often, but the 1995, 1998 and 2001 all left me great impressions.

I don't know what would be a good comparison, but i would try to say that Magdelaine is the Lafite/Léoville Barton of Saint Émilion?

Hard to compare with Medoc, but Ducru Beaucaillou and pre 2005 Beychevelle come to mind.

Musigny 151 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 09, 2023 10:51 am Hard to compare with Medoc, but Ducru Beaucaillou and pre 2005 Beychevelle come to mind.

Or mix of the best qualities of the old Château Figeac + the old Château Canon?

Jim, taste it and tell us what you think. I can't believe you never had a Château Magdelaine...

I have indeed consumed Magdelaine before, Nicola, from several vintages, including a 1982 that Stuart pulled out last February.

JimHow wrote: ↑Sat Sep 09, 2023 4:36 pm I have indeed consumed Magdelaine before, Nicola, from several vintages, including a 1982 that Stuart pulled out last February.

Ok, i was not convinced you never had it, as i guess you were there when we also had the 1998.

But i now understand that you mean having a meditation time, with a sirloin and a Magdelaine, to get all the attention on what both have to offer, while posting about your favorite US politicians and blasting Trump on BWE.