The 2019 Chateau Labegorce has been uncorked and other ramblings....

[JimHow]

Just as with the 2015, the bouquet of this vintage jumps from the bottle and permeates the room....

[JimHow]

This tasted a bit modern on the first sips but it is smoothing out with air. It has a attractive spiciness to it.

[JimHow]

Back in the USA for a month after a whirlwind two months in Paris, New York City, Washington DC, Boston, and Bangkok. Here through Christmas and then off to... Hanoi, Vietnam! I'm really looking forward to my first trip to Vietnam.

[JimHow]

Here is Jeff Leve's note on the 2019 Labegorce, I think he describes it well:

"Wet earth, spice, tobacco leaf, oak, smoke, black and red fruits are the first things one notices, but not the last. The wine is rich, refined, elegant and fresh. The fruit is ripe, pure and vibrant. The energy, length and delicious, ripe, sweet fruit and spice in the finish is a treat. Today, it is hard to find a better wine for the money in the ever-increasingly expensive Margaux appellation. The wine is a blend of 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot that reached 14 alcohol. The wine is aging in 40% new, French oak. 92-94 Pts"

Another believer that "it is hard to find a better wine for the money...."

This is an Izak kind of wine, no?

I have 22 more bottles of this 2019 Labegorce, 24 of the 2020. And I'm glad I do.

[greatbxfreak]

JIm,

Labegorce is a pretty wine. I've not tasted 2019, but 2022 and 2023 are splendid, especially 2022.

[ericp]

That's a very lofty score Jim!!

While I haven't had the 2015, I have completely "How'd" a case of the 2016 - which was amazing QPR. Not sure I'd tell the 16 to start a fist fight with Margeaux, Palmer and Rauzan Segla but a blind tasting would be interesting indeed!

[JimHow]

Well done, Eric, very well done indeed. I drank one bottle of the 2016 and quickly bought a case. Based on Izak's report I think a case each of the 2022 and 2023 are in order.

[ericp]

The second case of the 16 is buried mid stack so trying to stay away another couple years! I agree grabbing some 22 and 23 is a good call.

[JimHow]

These young Labegorce bottles are not the only young Bordeaux that are thrilling me these days. The 2019 and 2020 Phelan Segur are spectacular. These and other young Bordeaux wines are giving me hope about the future of the region.

[greatbxfreak]

Jim,

Corbin 2022 and 2023, Haut Marbuzet in the same vintages and Bourgneuf as well are great vlue for the money.

[DavidG]

Am I dreaming, or were posts removed from this thread?

[JimHow]

Not that I’m aware of David.

[DavidG]

Ahh, I was thinking of posts in the other (2015) Labegorce thread.