Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

We had some of the local PTA parents over for dinner last night and I opened a bunch of wines. Unfortunately nothing showed well, although that didn't stop anyone from guzzling, since everyone's kids were at a babysitters, and we all live close enough to walk. The bulk had been held since release, and stood up for a week.

96 Lafon Rochet [St Estephe] This was the only one to be decanted. It came across thin and weedy. 2 of the last 3 bottles I have had of this in the last year have been only ok, which for a cru classe, cellared properly isn't a strong vote for the aging process. At least the tannins are now smoothed out, but this example's fruit had slunk off. B- I guess.

95 Croix du Casse [Pomerol] First underwhelming bottle from the case. Lots of leafy, forest smells here. Medium bodied. I didn't expect others to like this kind of wine. I opened it more for me. I'd give it a B.

99 Barde Haut [St Emilion] Bigger and fruitier than the other two, and more popular. It's still going strong and the estate seems to be making even better wines now. A B+ tonight. Probably the best of the bunch.

04 Nairac [Barsac] Chilled, with a fruit tart, and little wine candied jellies. Coconuts, tropical flavors. Golden, medium - full bodied. People liked this, even one lady who was originally not planning on imbibing. Last bottle of this, and I thought the earlier one was better though. B+

One of dads brought over a bottle and that was opened too.

11 Raymond 'Reserve' CS [Napa] I see this producer around a lot locally (K&L, Costco, my market etc.) but had never tried anything from them. This example seemed to have some herbal, celery notes to me. I don't know if that's the vintage or producer. There's still a splash or two left in the bottle so perhaps we'll have it with dinner and see what happens. Maybe a B-.

I think going forward I'm going to stick with younger California wines for dinners like this.

Just one of those days Arv. Been there...

Well, you need medium night like that, to appreciate the great one.

When that happens, you focus on the company instead!

Nic

P.S. i had a very bad restaurant night with some friends Friday : food and wine (a Smoking Loon California pinot) were so pour. Well we had a great time anyhow, but not due to the restaurant.

Yeah, these nights happen, though more often with Burgundy than with Bordeaux. Last night my son in law preferred a slightly corked but still fruity 2003 Chevillon 1er Cru NSG to a 1995 Faiveley Corton Grand Cru. What's worse is that I also thought that the Chevillon is a better wine.

It might be considered heretical in some quarters (and surprising coming from me given my wait-5-more-years reaction to most post-1990 Bordeaux), but I think the 96 Lafon Rochet peaked 5-6 years ago. I’ve drunk nearly a case of this wine from 2004-present, and while still good when on, there’s been a steady decline in the freshness and fruit since circa 2011 when it was truly glorious.

Too bad about the 95 CdC because if I recall correctly you have liked this wine consistently in prior encounters. And that was my experience through my three bottles.

I bought a couple of 96 Lafon Rochet and based on memory alone I don't recall being impressed by anything about them. They seemed to be all structure and not much else.

AlohaArtakaHoundsong wrote:Too bad about the 95 CdC because if I recall correctly you have liked this wine consistently in prior encounters. And that was my experience through my three bottles.

I bought a couple of 96 Lafon Rochet and based on memory alone I don't recall being impressed by anything about them. They seemed to be all structure and not much else.

It was the first 'ok' CdC out of the case - all the rest have been very good. I guess at age 20+ even well stored stuff will have variation due to corks.

I'm thinking the Lafon Rochet might have been better younger too.

Arvind,
The only wine I have had of that line up is the 96 Lafon Rochet, and I think your notes were similar to mine.
I have now had it several times since ordering a case en primeur, and I kept thinking that with time, surely, it will be better.
Not so as the wine never showed any depth or intensity of fruit.
The wine was like a bony kid young, and just never developed into much.