TN: Chateau Serilhan 2006 St. Estephe
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:25 am
Chateau Serilhan 2006 St. Estephe
I found this wine at Warehouse on Broadway along with a bunch of other interesting cheapies from recent vintages including '04 and '05 plus of course, the usual overpriced stuff but maybe not - 2nd wine of Poyferre Moulin Riche '02 for $23? Anyone care to comment? Anyway, RP rated the '05 of Serilhan 82 -84 among the also-rans, so I was encouraged by his attention but not by the verdict. But on to the wine...
This is one of the most California styled wines that I've had from Bordeaux since the 2003 St. Estephe Chateau Clauzet, a wine that I adored in 2000. Is there something about St. Estephe that has shown the way to such new world defectors? The bottle itself is a tip-off, with that upwardly tapered shape that spells Cali. A clear red with a dark core and lightening at the rim. The nose is where it gets interesting, and no doubt about it, an interesting and complex nose: Red fruits - cherries, some berries, spices but also this candied element that reminds me of California and Australia. Some flowers at times, I want to say roses but I can hardly believe it. Maybe a hint of earth. It shows good complexity, changing from moment to moment. The candied element starts to subside after awhile.
On the palate, more red fruits and a bit of earth and spices. Medium body with smooth texture and a decent finish. Soft tannins and well balanced acidity. Very drinkable but very modern. The Bordeaux version of California. But it's hard to escape the balance and polish of this wine. It cost $15 after all. You could say that the nose outshines the palate, but the palate is hardly a no-show. It says 55% Cab Sauv and 37% Merlot with the remainder Cab Franc (8%) but I would have guessed at a much higher merlot percentage. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but for a completely unrated chateaux in a non-vintage of the century, they did a pretty commendable job with this wine.
-Chris
I found this wine at Warehouse on Broadway along with a bunch of other interesting cheapies from recent vintages including '04 and '05 plus of course, the usual overpriced stuff but maybe not - 2nd wine of Poyferre Moulin Riche '02 for $23? Anyone care to comment? Anyway, RP rated the '05 of Serilhan 82 -84 among the also-rans, so I was encouraged by his attention but not by the verdict. But on to the wine...
This is one of the most California styled wines that I've had from Bordeaux since the 2003 St. Estephe Chateau Clauzet, a wine that I adored in 2000. Is there something about St. Estephe that has shown the way to such new world defectors? The bottle itself is a tip-off, with that upwardly tapered shape that spells Cali. A clear red with a dark core and lightening at the rim. The nose is where it gets interesting, and no doubt about it, an interesting and complex nose: Red fruits - cherries, some berries, spices but also this candied element that reminds me of California and Australia. Some flowers at times, I want to say roses but I can hardly believe it. Maybe a hint of earth. It shows good complexity, changing from moment to moment. The candied element starts to subside after awhile.
On the palate, more red fruits and a bit of earth and spices. Medium body with smooth texture and a decent finish. Soft tannins and well balanced acidity. Very drinkable but very modern. The Bordeaux version of California. But it's hard to escape the balance and polish of this wine. It cost $15 after all. You could say that the nose outshines the palate, but the palate is hardly a no-show. It says 55% Cab Sauv and 37% Merlot with the remainder Cab Franc (8%) but I would have guessed at a much higher merlot percentage. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but for a completely unrated chateaux in a non-vintage of the century, they did a pretty commendable job with this wine.
-Chris