TN: 1975 Chateau Pipeau Saint Emilion

[tim]

1975 Chateau Pipeau Saint Emilion: Popped and poured. Light ruby red color. Nose of black tea, licorice, herbal (a bit medicinal), touch of leather. On the palate it has medium tannins but the fruit is thin, with only about 10 seconds of length. My initial impression is that this has a larger concentration of Cabernet than normal for Saint Emilion, although nothing written on the label. It is pleasant to drink, with at least a minimum structure. 87pts.

[AKR]

What does the label look like? The modern ones seem very odd for a Bordeaux

[tim]

It is the same as the modern label. Agreed it is odd, but kinda hip too.

[dstgolf]

Don't know about this one Tim. Sounds a little over the hill with 10 second length and gone??!! Bit medicinal,fruit gone....sounds like this has seen better days.

[AlexR]

It's funny because "pipeau" means "no great shakes" or even "worthless" in French...

AR

[AKR]

We drank a whole case of the 00 somewhat after release. It was great.

I didn't get the sense it would make old bones, even in a peak vintage, but Bordeaux can surprise you.

[tim]

Yes, a bit over the hill, but still pleasant. I think its best days are well in the past.

As Francois has said: il faut pas juger, seulement essayer de comprendre.

[AlohaArtakaHoundsong]

il faut pas juger, seulement essayer de comprendre.

I am out of the judgment business altogether. I've always believed there's nothing to understand. My motto might be relax, and enjoy. I think I'll translate that to French. It sounds rather lazy and careless - actually I can't think of the right word - in English, but on the contrary it takes great determination and discipline, and I'll bet a good translation will have a certain elan or something. It's a virtue, actually.

[DavidG]

I'm with you, Art. Plus je vieillis , le plus laissez-faire je deviens.

[dstgolf]

David,

The getting old part ...I agree with you but the not caring...don't think so. Maybe a little mellow but laissez-faire ne pense pas.

[JimHow]

Je suis feir d'etre Franco Americain.

[Blanquito]

We drank a whole case of the 00 somewhat after release. It was great.

I didn't get the sense it would make old bones, even in a peak vintage, but Bordeaux can surprise you.

You know, this was killer on release, but I held on to a stash thinking it would get even better. It hasn't, but I haven't given up on it yet (I have one lone bottle left).

[Nicklasss]

I had the 2010 and liked it very Much. One more bottle In the cellar.
Nic

[dstgolf]

Nick,

Pipeau when young pretty good value and solid quaffer for early to intermediate drinking but could never see this lasting more than 15 +/- 5-10yrs. Certainly wouldn't consider this Chateaux for a keeper to enjoy 40 yrs later!

2005 and 03 drinking well now with lots of life but can't see these holding together for more than 10 yrs unless you are like some that really enjoy a tertiary taste profile and I must say for the most part when people start talking brewed tea and cellar floor then I'm not hunting for the gem they are describing!!

[AlohaArtakaHoundsong]

^That's funny. I like and often find black tea in RBs especially, and sometimes sweet tea in older wines. Cellar floor, well that's different. Forest floor, that I can go for.

[Blanquito]

^That's funny. I like and often find black tea in RBs especially, and sometimes sweet tea in older wines. Cellar floor, well that's different. Forest floor, that I can go for.

I really like that black tea note in a fully mature claret. I recall you using that descriptor for one of the wines we have at Arv's NYC St. Julien off-line back in the Fall of 2005. I think it was the '89 Branaire-Ducru?