Getting crocked at lunch
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2019 6:17 pm
Thirty-two-hectare Château Le Crock, a Saint-Estèphe cru bourgeois, is one of those timeless, reliable, good-value wines that rarely disappoint, even if it does not vie with the Médoc’s finest. It seems to be not often cited in the media.
It has belonged to the Cuvelier family of Léoville-Poyferré for over a century.
The château itself is quite impressive, as is the view from the back overlooking beautiful countryside, a pond with swans, and Cos d’Estournel.
With roast chicken, I thought I would open my one and only bottle of the 2005 Le Crock.
I find descriptions of wine color often pointless, but this Le Crock had a tremendously dark, just about opaque hue, with only a touch of brown on the thin rim. My spouse, whom I sadistically subject to blind tasting, thought it much, much younger – as I would have if I didn’t know what it was.
The nose we redolent of forest floor as well as pure, sweet, fresh black fruit and liquorice. It was more promising than developed.
The wine was round and voluptuous to start with, but showed the rigor of Médoc Cabernet on the aftertaste. At first, I thought that this is the type of wine one could enjoy (relatively) young, because of its intense fruit, or else hold for more complexity. However, the more I thought about it, I must admit that this is one for the long haul and if I had another bottle I would hang onto it for some time. Typicity? Pretty much so, with a broad, rich flavor profile that shines at table.
Best regards,
Alex R.
It has belonged to the Cuvelier family of Léoville-Poyferré for over a century.
The château itself is quite impressive, as is the view from the back overlooking beautiful countryside, a pond with swans, and Cos d’Estournel.
With roast chicken, I thought I would open my one and only bottle of the 2005 Le Crock.
I find descriptions of wine color often pointless, but this Le Crock had a tremendously dark, just about opaque hue, with only a touch of brown on the thin rim. My spouse, whom I sadistically subject to blind tasting, thought it much, much younger – as I would have if I didn’t know what it was.
The nose we redolent of forest floor as well as pure, sweet, fresh black fruit and liquorice. It was more promising than developed.
The wine was round and voluptuous to start with, but showed the rigor of Médoc Cabernet on the aftertaste. At first, I thought that this is the type of wine one could enjoy (relatively) young, because of its intense fruit, or else hold for more complexity. However, the more I thought about it, I must admit that this is one for the long haul and if I had another bottle I would hang onto it for some time. Typicity? Pretty much so, with a broad, rich flavor profile that shines at table.
Best regards,
Alex R.