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General tasting impressions are supplied
only for the wines not yet released:2000 Chateau Monbousquet Blanc,
Bordeaux
(Scheduled for early 2003 arrival)
When Gerard purchased Chateau Monbousquet in early 1993, there were about
two acres of estate vineyards that had been recently uprooted. He
planted approximately two-thirds of those vineyards to Sauvignon Blanc,
Sauvignon Gris, and small portions to Muscadelle and Semillon. The end
result has been five consecutive vintages of fabulous white wine from
Saint Emilion. Because by law only red wines are entitled to the Saint
Emilion appellation, it is labeled as white Bordeaux. This rich and dry
white is fruity and Gerard appropriately described it as having "Burgundian
depth and complexity". Rich creamy apples, litchi & hazelnut, and
toasty oak notes are complemented by a buttery texture. Although this wine
is enjoyable now, the good acidity levels promise mid term aging potential
as well.
1997 Chateau Pavie, Saint Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe
1998 Chateau Pavie, Saint Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe
1999 Chateau Pavie, Saint Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe
2000 Chateau Pavie, Saint Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe
(Barrel sample scheduled to be bottled in April
or May 2003)
This wine will spend an unprecedented 30 months in barrels, give or take.
The wine is incredibly massive with a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet
Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. An almost port-like bouquet reveals
creamy blueberries, cherries, and faint plums. The highly
concentrated nose is further enhanced by faint chocolate, spices, mild
maple syrup, and new saddle leather. On the palette the wine reveals an
assortment of berries, including wild berries, cherries, and plums.
This huge wine has rich silky tannins that are well masked by the sumptuous
fruit. Spices and chocolate further enhance the layers of rich
toasty oak. One more word sums it up: WOW!
2001 Chateau Pavie, Saint Emilion 1er Grand Cru
Classe
(Barrel sample scheduled to be bottled at a
future date)
Concentrated nose with cherry and plum liquor, mild spices, and faint
truffles to go with toasty oak. The dry wine has excellent
concentration with wild berries, blueberries, silky tannins, toasty
oak, and lots of smooth black cherries.
1997 Chateau Monbousquet, Saint Emilion Grand Cru
1999 Chateau Monbousquet, Saint Emilion Grand Cru
2000 Chateau Monbousquet, Saint Emilion Grand Cru
(Barrel sample scheduled to be bottled in
March or April 2003)
At bottling time this wine will have spent an amazing 29 months in
casks. The blend is 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10%
Cabernet Sauvignon. This barrel sample revealed a rich, smooth
bouquet with cherry liquor, wild berries, toasty oak, spices, and faint
chocolate. New nuances unfolded with each whiff. The dry taste encompasses
rich creamy cherry liquor, wild berries, toasty oak, with silky tannins
masked by the big fruit components.
2001 Chateau Monbousquet, Saint Emilion Grand Cru
(Barrel sample scheduled to be bottled at a
future date)
The bouquet is more open than the 2001 Pavie right now with rich berries,
cherries, toasty-smoky oak, and Asian spices. The dry wine has a rich
texture with berries, cherries, toasty oak, and spices. Not as
fleshy as the 2000 - but very good.
2001 Chateau Quinault L’Enclos, Saint Emilion
Grand Cru
(Future, scheduled to be bottled at a future
date)
The slightly closed bouquet started to unfold like a flower in the glass
with wild berries and cherry liquor tucked under rich toasty oak and
spices. The dry taste reveals creamy berries and cherry liquor with
silky tannins and toasty oak. This wine shows excellent potential.
1999 Chateau Clos L’Eglise, Cotes de Castillon
2000 Chateau Clos L’Eglise, Cotes de Castillon
2001 Chateau Clos L’Eglise, Cotes de Castillon
(Future, scheduled to be bottled at a future
date)
Huge cherry liquor nose with mild spices, toasty oak, faint herbs and
truffles. The taste is dry with raspberries, cherries, silky tanins,
and toasty oak.
1999 Chateau Sainte-Colombe, Cotes de Castillon
2000 Chateau Sainte-Colombe, Cotes de Castillon
1999 Chateau Faizeau, Montagne Saint Emilion
2000 Chateau Faizeau, Montagne Saint Emilion
2001 Chateau Laussac, Cotes de Castillon
(Future, scheduled to be bottled at a future
date)
This wine is crafted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, using four
different types of Oak. The wine displays a concentrated cherry
liquor nose with spices, mild forest underbrush, and vanilla toasty
oak. The taste is dry with rich silky tannins, berries, and toasty
oak notes.
2001 Coume Del Mas "Schistes", Cotes de Roussillon
(Future, scheduled to arrive in March 2003)
This 100% Grenache is packed with jammy blueberry and blackberry aromas
that are complemented by minerals and toasty oak. The rich taste is
concentrated with spicy, creamy raspberries, minerals, black truffles, and
silky tannins. This is a fabulous example of what can be done in the
Cotes de Roussillon.
2001 Coume Del Mas "Quadrature", Cotes de Roussillon
(Future, scheduled to arrive in March 2003)
Mostly Grenache with some Mourvedre, this awesome wine was barrel
fermented and aged on its lees in 100% new oak. Although our sample
was drawn from barrel, the wine has since been bottled in the last few
days. The bouquet is loaded with concentrated berries, spices,
toasty oak, herbs and more berries. The taste is dominated by creamy
blueberries, raspberries, chocolate-mocha, spices, and cherry
liquor. Yummy! Paul
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