Bordeaux 2019 In Bottle: Pauillac
No surprise given what I’ve posted on St Julien in 2019, but Pauillac too has crept into its shell following élevage and bottling. These are strong wines in this excellent vintage, with plenty of extract, alcohol and acidity. Again many will need a decade before they bloom but all the elements are there for a set of classical yet powerful Pauillacs. Of those shown by the UGCB, top of the tree is a monumental effort from Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. This was breathtaking from cask and it continues to show spectacularly well in bottle. Château Pichon Baron is not at all far behind and displays wonderfully pure blackcurrant aromatics. Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a beauty, almost seductive in the company of the other properties, and continues to show what a great value wine ‘GPL’ is. Château Batailley‘s 2019 is glossy and intense, chalking up another success at this ever improving estate.
Château d’Armailhac, Pauillac, 2019
Deep and glossy looking; some of the apple notes, alongside blackcurrant and savoury meaty tones; earthy notes too; palate is structured; has crisp acidity and tannin; little more angular at present, especially coming immediately after the wines from St Julien. Fresh and clean Pauillac. [62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2028-2040. 90+
Château Batailley, Pauillac, 2019
Deep at centre; nice purity on the nose; blackcurrants; has intensity and nicely integrated oak; glossy; nice entry to the fruit on the palate; blackcurrants again and dark chocolate; considerable intensity. Plenty of flesh on the bones. Again needs five years and will last a few decades for sure. Very good Batailley. Textured on the finish. [62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2026-2045. 94
Château Clerc Milon, Pauillac, 2019
Mid depth; earthy purple at edge; stones; schist; some blackcurrant; tight at present; blackcurrants come through strongly on the palate; has freshness but again this is a Pauillac that feels a little angular at present [like stablemate d’Armailhac]. Nevertheless, there is genuine depth here and texture to the tannins. [72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2029-2045. 91
Château Croizet-Bages, Pauillac, 2019
Mid depth; leafy blackcurrant tones on the palate; some tea; forward and quite appealing; blackcurrant flavours on the palate; freshness; some texture on the finish. Not the strongest in the line up but open and easy. [66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2025-2035. 88+
Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Pauillac, 2019
Deep; purple at edge; schist and stones; some soft Merlot tones; herbal notes and blackcurrant aromatics; nice clean entry on the palate; crisp and this wine has freshness and some layers; acidity good and firm finish. Good intensity here this year. [53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2027-2037. 90
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, 2019
Glossy and deep; perfumed blackcurrants and plums; seductive as ever; not quite coquettish but it almost feels so in this company; clear and fresh on the palate; nicely balanced; lots of cool, ripe blackcurrant fruit. Needs 5 years but this is another beauty from Xavier & Emeline Borie. [83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2026-2045. 96+
Château Lynch Bages, Pauillac, 2019
Deep and arterial looking; tight on the nose but aeration reveals smoky blackcurrant notes; inky; cassis; but very tightly woven on the nose and on the palate; lots of extract and matter on the palate; good balance; plenty of fruit; plenty of flesh and tannin too. This is another Pauillac that needs a decade. Should be brilliant. [70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2029-2050. 96+
Château Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac, 2019
Deep and saturated; colour tight to the rim; the anniversary vintage of 100 years of Casteja; creamy blackcurrant aromatics; lots of ripe fruit on the palate and well handled; clean and fresh; has genuine volume this year and works really well. Lots of blackcurrant fruit on the finish. A joy! [73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2025-2040. 92
Château Pichon Baron, Pauillac, 2019
Deep and intense looking; earthy purple at edge; fresh and clear blackcurrant aromatics; lovely fresh inky character to the fruit on the palate; has freshness, depth and structure; next texture to the fruit and the tannins; very well handled; excellent PB! [87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2028-2050. 96
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac, 2019
Deep and dark; creamy and voluptuous black fruits on the nose; fresh stalky blackcurrants; savoury and intense; creamy beauty on the palate; lovely wine; beautiful blackcurrant fruit and fabulous depth; love the texture to the tannins; this wine is just as impressive in bottle as it was from barrel. Seriously impressive and one of the wines of the vintage. [71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2028-2055. 98+
Tags: 2019, Bordeaux, Bordeaux 2019, Chateau Batailley, Chateau Clerc-Milon, Chateau Croizet-Bages, Chateau d’Armailhac, Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse, Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Chateau Lynch Bages, Chateau Lynch-Moussas, Château Pichon Baron, Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, élevage, Pauillac, vin, wine, winelover