2016 UGC de Bordeaux / 2013 vintage
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:57 am
It's that time of the year again and this past Monday I attended the UGC tasting in New York. I think that tastings of this nature are invaluable as you get to taste a bunch of properties from each of the appellations which in turn allows you to form an opinion on the vintage and which wines fared better. Please note that not all properties are members of the UGC and therefore this is not a comprehensive tasting of 2013's and also that not all members attend each year (ie. notable missing properties from NYC were Haut Bailly, Figeac, Clos Fourtet, Pavie Macquin, La Gaffeliere, La Dominique, Larcis Ducasse, Pichon Lalande, la Conseillante and Climens). I will have to agree with the press that the 2013's are easily the weakest vintage of the trio of sub par vintages following the blockbuster 2009 and 2010 campaigns. The most consistent appellation for me was that of the sweet wines from both Sauternes and Barsac whereas for the reds, the St Julien's seemed to fare the best.
Wine of the day for me which would rate in the classic range of the scoring spectrum was the 2013 Coutet. And for those appreciating a little more sweetness I would recommend the Suiduiraut as they were the top dogs in show.
Wines I liked and would score in the 90-93 point range
Leoville Barton
Leoville Poyferre
SHL
Gruaud Larose
Pichon Baron
Clinet
Grand Puy Lacoste
DdC
Gloria
Le Bon Pasteur
I would be curious to hear what others thought and if the same estates were present at each of your cities events.
Wine of the day for me which would rate in the classic range of the scoring spectrum was the 2013 Coutet. And for those appreciating a little more sweetness I would recommend the Suiduiraut as they were the top dogs in show.
Wines I liked and would score in the 90-93 point range
Leoville Barton
Leoville Poyferre
SHL
Gruaud Larose
Pichon Baron
Clinet
Grand Puy Lacoste
DdC
Gloria
Le Bon Pasteur
I would be curious to hear what others thought and if the same estates were present at each of your cities events.