Wine Words & Video Tape

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Posts Tagged ‘2011’

Bordeaux 2011 Primeurs: St Emilion

Written by JW. Posted in Bordeaux

The vagaries of the 2011 season effected St Emilion in pretty much the same way as it did the rest of Bordeaux. A precocious start in spring got the vineyards off to a flying start. Extremely high temperatures at the end of June, recorded at 44C in the shade at Chateau Figeac, caused problems and would have stalled vine growth. Cooler and wetter weather in July and August helped spur things along but clearly the fluctuating climatic conditions necessitated a huge investment of labour in the vineyards in terms of canopy management and the like to maintain a healthy crop. There was also some localised rain at harvest which would have proved problematic although here, as elsewhere, September was generally sunny and warm.

Bordeaux 2011 Primeurs: Pessac-Léognan

Written by JW. Posted in Bordeaux

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In 2011 Pessac-Léognan is a game of two halves. The whites are very attractive, the reds completely irregular. In tricky wet vintages, Pessac-Léognan, with generally well drained gravelly soils, succeeds. Look at 2007 when the region produced some good wines compared with other districts. Drought vintages seem to be more hazardous here and 2011 is in reality a vintage of considerable drought and with other fluctuation for good measure too.

Bordeaux 2011 Primeurs: Haut-Médoc

Written by JW. Posted in Bordeaux

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Chateau de Camensac held the UGCB Haut-Médoc tastings

The top estates here have been great buys in the last few vintages. 2009 especially is an exciting vintage for the Haut-Médoc. I’m afraid it’s hard to get terribly excited about these wines in 2011. The best are lively, sappy wines, but even at a discount, you’re probably better paying more for the 2009s and 2010s still on the market. The highlights are clearly Chateau La Lagune, very much worth considering if the price is right [and way better than most efforts in Margaux too] and Chateau Belgrave which is also usually good value.  Chateau Citran, Chateau Beaumont and Chateau de Camensac have also made pretty good wines, along with Chateau La Tour Carnet, if you can get past the lifted Magrez style. The big disappointment here is Chateau Cantemerle. It may come together but why bother?  There’s still a lot of their extraordinary 2009 on the market for just a few quid more.

Bordeaux 2011 Primeurs: Moulis and Listrac

Written by JW. Posted in Bordeaux

As you’d expect given the vintage Moulis and Listrac have turned in some structured, grippy wines and there’s not much resounding joy to be had here. Chateau Poujeaux is clearly the best effort and feels chewy and deep and should work out well. Chateau Chasse Spleen feels a bit angular to me. In Listrac, Bordeaux’s answer to Madiran, Chateau Fourcas Hosten and Chateau Fonréaud have life and some style. Still if you find yourself considering any of these check to see if any 2009s and 2010s still are still available as these are an absolute joy and will be a far better bet.

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