Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

The BWE Bordeaux 2015 trip will forever be etched in the memory. So many highlights but I want to focus in on Smith Haut-Lafitte, where the police were out in force and Alex was hiding in the coach restroom to avoid being arrested..

It was a splendid occasion meeting the Cathairds, Jim presenting them with the Kentucky Derby momento and them reciprocating with some of their 2009 Parker 100 trophy.

Of course this is a wine that had wine the BWE woty award with the 2004, I forget which year, but it is a wine I tried in CT and loved. Likewise the 2002 and 2006.

What are your experiences with SHL? My view is that this estate really moved up in quality around 2000 - the 1996 is decidedly so-so.

I would be particularly interested in views on the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Yes I omitted the 2004 but we know how good it is.

Or, put it this way. If you were offered a case, which one would you take out of the 2001, 2002, 2004 or 2006?

Never having tried any SHL besides the 2006 all I can say is the 2006 was recognizably all that SHL is said to be by those who have had many vintages of SHL often (e.g., Mr. How). Not meaning to be pejorative in any way but it was an instantly recognizable caricature of itself.

The Cathiards were such sweethearts, what a thrill that was to meet them.
I have loved the 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and the ones we drank at the estate.
The one that seemed too crazy to me was the 2005.

Agree that SHL raised itself around 2000. Had 95 SHL an year or so ago, but was tough as nails. Have 04, 05, 08 and 10 in my cellar. When I tried the 10 at UGC, I instantly loved it and remember its seductive nose with coffee and cigar.

Tried Blanc several times, but prefer DDC version by a full horse length. And had premox experience also with SHL blanc.

I remember very old stuff from the 70s when they had the goofy triangular bottles that were not very good at all.

The early 90s they probably became average or so. I remember being distinctly underwhelmed by the 1990, maybe at age ten or twelve.

95, 96 were ok in my minds.

And by 98 I liked them, that was probably my favorite vintage of the various years I've tried. Some balance between the new & old way.

Bought the 2000 as well and it was a popular estate for a while in our tasting group.

I don't think I've had anything post 2004 though.

Ended up letting a lot of that estate go when we moved though.

Pretty much always liked La Tour Haut Brion or Carmes Haut Brion better than SHL if compared, and once SHL's ratings/prices exploded, moved on to other estates.

Not sure why, but I see tons of their second wines out here in the US West.

2001 rocks(literally!) taste like a glass of gravel...awesome stuff

2008 very nice...not as complex but feels like it has a lot to offer in the future....slowly unravels some nice coffee notes

2005 too over the top with oak

2010 and 2010 tasted on release
...both tiiight...but good structure...these will be fine

2004..your head lobbyist for BWE WOTY at your service....some variation with this vintage but all samples were positive...with 1sample that left our jaws touching the tile. Still haunts me

AKR wrote: ...
Not sure why, but I see tons of their second wines out here in the US West.

I picked up a couple bottles of 2012 Le Petit Haut Lafitte at a good price in September.
The first one was good. The other one was put into storage.
It would be interesting to do a side by side with the 2012 Haut-Bergey.

Have the 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2012.

Love the 2000 and 2004. The 2000 is oakier than the 2004 but it's receding/integrating.

The 2005 is ok but hoping the oak mellows out in a few more years. Seen it happen with oakier stuff than this if given long enough, but only time will tell.

Haven't tried the 2012 but bought it based on BWEnthusiasm.

Too oaky and creamy for my preferences overall, though I've not had enough to reach any definitive opinions and most of what I've tried have been young. I was however quite taken by the 1995 version at the '16 convention.

DavidG wrote:BWEnthusiasm

Love it!

I have a couple bottles of 2004 and a full case of 2005 I never opened... Probably will have to wait another 10 years before I open one.... Bummer...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. It is quite an aggressive and exuberant style of wine making, definitely leaning modern. Antoine be patient.

While SHL leans modern my impression is that quality wise if anything it is slightly under-rated, not withstanding The Parker Moniker for 2009.

I liked Robert's description of the 2001, which is outside my notional mindset of an over-achieving 02-04-06 trilogy. I think qualitatively SHL is up there with Haut-Bailly.

My other graves dilemma is whether or not to fund a case purchase of Pape 1995 by selling my Pape 1998. I am sure the former is more to my liking (brilliant and under-rated) but I will lose heavily in the transactions costs. And I am reassured my Jim and Danny's write ups on the 98.

My current feeling is that the 1995s across the board (excepting a few that Parker singled out with beau coup points and those Chateau that are now priced high in every vintage) are still unrated and so undervalued. When the 95s really hit their prime time in 5-10 years, I expect today's prices will seem cheap relative to the quality for many chateau.

Post-Script: I've not had either the 95 or 98 Papes...

Ian

That 98 Pape was too good to take a chance on a trade to the 95 especially if there's a premium to be paid. Maybe the 95 will be better but that 98 was pretty darn good and we had it at the beginning of the night. My judgement may be in question regarding the 2011 Calon Segur(don't think so) being the last of 7 bottles for essentially 3.5 people(girls were light weights on this night too busy yakking!!).I'm sure the case of 98 will give you great pleasure over the years to come and you won't regret holding on to it.Bird in the bush.....kinda decision in my mind.

I will do my BD: go with the 2002 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, the best vintage of the 2000's!

And keep the 1998 Chateau Pape Clement. Or you'll add another statement, in a few years, in alohaartakahoundsound "RSVP Regrets only" post.

Nic

Actually I liked S-H-L even when it was a lousy wine. It was better than most other wines in the same price range.