TN: 2009 Château Patache d'Aux (France, Bordeaux, Médoc)

[jmccready]

• 2009 Château Patache d'Aux - France, Bordeaux, Médoc (7/24/2012)
  Beautiful crimson ruby mix. Nose a blend of red and blue/black fruits, very nice with well integrated oak. Not a modern style. This chateau reportedly
  makes an early drinking style and this 09 seems to reflect that. But the sheer power of the vintage does not suggest early consumption, unless the
  beef on the grill is Argentine chewy. An excellent example of a basic Medoc at a great price. The terroir has not changed and neither has the substance
  of this wine, but frankly this Patache is too tart for my taste. Fans of this chateau (vintage), your opinions? (87 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

[stefan]

I like Patache d'Aux and usually drink it when it is young, around five-seven years of age. "Tart" does not come to mind, but I have not tasted the 2009.

[AlexR]

Odd that a vintage like 2009 should be tart.

This is usually a great QPR.

Alex R.

[jmccready]

I don't recall past vintages of Patache giving me a case of the bitters. I hope someone gives the 09 a shot and lets me know
their impression.

[JonB]

http://www.bordeauxwineenthusiasts.com/ ... che#p19298

I tried the 2009 Patache (not the d'Aux) well over a year ago and quite liked it. I don't remember bitterness, but there was an acidic lift. The 2010 seemed to not be as ripe and had more acidity. For $10, my expectations weren't high.

Here's a WS review of the 2009 d'Aux
Toasty and direct, with a cocoa powder note that gives way to a core of crushed plum and fig fruit before returning on the direct, medium-weight finish. Drink now. 20,000 cases made. –JM


Perhaps you caught it in an awkward stage?