Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

I had two this week,and I didn't take notes. The first was Gruaud Larose on Wednesday night and the second was La Lagune last night. Both are evolving beautifully into classic well balanced clarets with such fine balance and breeding; they have effortless poise and elegance; nothing forced, nothing contrived. I must admit I thought of stefan while I was sipping on the La Lagune last night. A stefan kind of wine; and a stefan kind of vintage?

Yes, I like 2001, Ian. As you know, Lucie and I love La Lagune. I have 20 different vintages of LL, but 2001 is not one of them. I'll certainly buy some if I come across the wine at an auction now that I have your comments about it.

I am going to look out for some, stefan. I have a soft spot for La Lagune, and this is one of the most satisfying examples I can remember drinking; something about it reminded me of the 1970, 75 and 76.

The Bacchus tasting group in PR did a recent single blind tasting vintage review with the following 2001 Bordeaux. The wines were served in no particular order and were not identified until the end.

Cheval Blanc
Latour
Cos de Estournel
Belleveu Mondotte
Grand Puy Lacoste
Lascombes
Leoville Barton
Gruaud Larose
Leoville Las Cases
Faugeres
Pichon Baron
Pape Clement

The wines were of a very even quality and provided great pleasure. Most of the Chateau displayed tipicity both of terroir and of house style with the highlights being Cheval Blanc, Leoville Barton, Gruad Larose, and Pichon Baron.

On a personal level I find 2001's both in Burgundy and Bordeaux to be drinking really well and find myself backfilling on both.

Thanks for reading.

Carlos,

Thanks for your input.

If you remember, can you please tell us what your favorites were at the tasting?

TIA,
Alex

The 2001 Château Pichon Baron I had during Christmas time was very good, but still very young!

Any hint about when the 2001 Château Léoville Las Cases should be open?

Thanks,

Nic

I'm another who will jump on the 2001 bandwagon.

I've loved the Right Banks that I have tried and am increasingly coming round to the left bank wines as well.

2001 Pape Clement a beauty. 2001 SHL too.
Pontet Canet and Lynch, not so much.
I still think He was wrong in downgrading Gruaud Larose for the better part of a decade.

My personal favorites at the tasting were Pape Clement, Cheval Blanc, and Gruaud Larose.

The Pichon Baron and Leoville Las Cases were really good but need in my opinion at least 5 more years.

CD

I wouldn't like to say what my favourite right bank 2001 is, but my favourite two left banks are Chateau Margaux and Leoville Barton.

2001 LLC is painfully backward in my experience and the 2002 is much more gratifying right now.

I am also a big fan of 2001 Bordeaux - lots of good stuff on the left bank. On the other side, I agree with Comte Flaneur on Chateau Margaux (probably the best 2001 red Bordeaux, at least that I've tasted). Also agree with Jim on the Pape Clement - another really good 2001. Haven't had either but I need to see if I can find some 2001 Gruaud Larose and Leoville Barton.

Chris Bublitz

One more big fan of 2001 Bordeaux, but I do find 2001 Pape Clement to be an oaky mess.

Rieslingfan wrote:One more big fan of 2001 Bordeaux, but I do find 2001 Pape Clement to be an oaky mess.

I did too. 'Oaky mess' was certainly an apt descriptor in 2005. That view caused a lot of controversy I seem to remember. It would be interesting to revisit it today.

"Oaky mess" sounds like 96-98 points to me.

Anyone taste the 2010 La Lagune ? Several wine writers have had positive coverage over the last year, although they seem to be all over the map....a wider than usual point spread. Still getting together my 2010 buy list and the 2010 La Lagune keeps popping up on my radar.