2010/6/12
@孔雀
未成年請勿飲酒
In Bordeaux, 2007 is not a good vintage due to its rainy weather. The quality and harvest quantity of grapes are worse than 2006 and 2005, and even the previous years. According to the vintage charts of Robert Parker, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, Bordeaux left-bank only gets 86~87. However, A worse vintage is the "show time" of wine makers.
Although it's a bad vintage for red wines, 2007 is a good vintage for white wines in Bordeaux. I think that might be because the rainy weather makes the temperature decreases. And, in general, lower temperatures are good for white grapes to form the acidity.
Chateau Carbonnieux
Pessac-Leognan. Grand Cru de Grave. Owned by Eric Perrin.
Grave is the best white region in Bordeaux, and Pessac-Leognan is the best in Grave.
65% Sauvignon Blanc, 34% Semillon and 1% Muscadelle (for more flavor).
Light blond color. Grass, fig, sweet pepper, wood, a light salty flavor, creamy and a sweet hint of boiled corns. I think it can be kept for 5~10 more years.
Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere
Grand Cru de Grave. Owned by Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie.
80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon.
Light blond with light green hue. Mellon, honey, light wood, fig and grapefruit.
The flavors and aromas are not as dense as Chateau Carbounnieux, but this Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere is perfect to drink now, even in the consecutive few years.
Chateau Camensac
Haut-Medoc. 5th growth in 1855 classification. Owned by Celine Villar-Foubet.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.
It changes quickly in the nose, but keeps densely aromatic for a long time. White pepper, raspberries sweet, black cherry and licorice.
Chateau Camensac only label "Haut-Medoc" as its region, so the price is not as high as other grand crus with some more "specific" wine regions. However, that's a good news for wine lovers to have a outstanding 5th growth with a economic price.
Chateau La Tour Carnet
Haut-Medoc. 4th growth. Owner is Bernard Magrez.
51% Merlot, 40% C.S., 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. More Merlot than C.S., it's rare in the left-bank Bordeaux.
Green pepper and light perfume at the short beginning. Blue berries. Turns into raspberries and floral smells after 30 mins. After that, some chocolate and mandarin medicine aromas.
Young Tannin, should be kept for a few years.
Chateau Prieure-Lichine
Margaux. 4th growth. Owner is Louis Ballande, who bought this chateau in 1999 from Sacha Lichine. Sacha Lichine lived in Switzerland for a few years after 1999, and then he went to Provence and bought Chateau d'Esclans. Chateau d'Esclans makes the most expensive Rose wine all over the world nowadays.
56% C.S., 41% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.
Green pepper, leather, white pepper, black berry, and chocolate. Some floral and raspberry appear after 2 hours. Good wine.
Chateau d'Armailhac
Pauillac. 5th growth. Owned by Baron Philippe de Rothschild co.
Philippe Dhalluin is the director of wine making, and Herve Berland takes the responsibility of business affairs. Philippe Dhalluin was the manager of Chateau Branaire-Ducru before his join of Baron Philippe de Rothschild co. in 2003 (or 2004?).
57% C.S., 23% Merlot, 18% C.F. and 2% Petit Verdot.
Fresh and bright tone flavor. Black pepper and a log of berries. BUT, a little bit disappointed to this wine from the renowned Baron Philippe de Rothschild, maybe it need more years for maturing.
Chateau Branaire-Ducru
Saint-Julien. 4th growth. Owner is Patrick Maroteaux.
Very close to Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou and Chateau Beychevelle.
70% C.S., 22% Merlot, 5% C.F. and 3% Petit Verdot.
Black pepper, black berry, soil and wet leaf. Some cinnamon. Young and good body.
Chateau Lafon-Rochet
Saint-Estephe. 4th growth. Owned by Michel Tesseron.
Lafon-Rochet is located in the most southern of Saint-Estephe, and is just a short distance north of Chateau Lafite (Pauillac). BTW, this chateau has a golden exterior and a pink cellar. :p
55% C.S., 40% Merlot and 5% C.F.
Black pepper, earthy, light salty, and Chinese pepper.