Yeah, the table gods love me and I love them back more. Ruby color, with definite rime variation. On the nose, developed, medium+ intensity, immense amount of spice, cedar, cigar, leather, tons of basement, some black currant, and fading cherry, some oak, and yes there is unmistakable earth. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, faded fruit, but seamless balance, beauty almost beyond description, with medium tannins, medium acidity, and a very long spicy finish. Perhaps on the down side, but maybe going through an awkward stage.
Category Archives: Margaux
1995 Chateau Margaux
1996 Chateau Latour Margaux
Ruby color. On the nose, developed, medium+ intensity, clove, mud, coriander, anise, leather, loads of basement, some plum, currant, cigar, loaded with earth and oak, one of the best smelling wines I have ever come across. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, layered, black fruit, layered earth, oak spices, balance, elegance, medium+ tannin, but the finish falls off before the tannin does. Celebrated vintage that’s been falling out of favor amoungst collectors, still a classic vintage, but not as ageable as the 05.
1999 Chateau Deyrem-Valentin Margaux
Dark ruby color. On the nose, developed, medium intensity, plum, black cherry, cedar, lots of earth tones, cedar, tobacco, stem, bell pepper, perfume, spice, some oak, and certain earth. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium+ tannin, medium+ acidity, big time presence, and nice balance of fruit, earth, and a slew of “other”flavors. Broad and muscular with nice finish. B+
1981 Chateau Margaux
Last bit of the bottle, so very cloudy, ruby with browning. On the nose, evolved bouquet, medium intensity, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, wet leather glove, lots of basement, some fruit left, black currant, some cherry, some oak, and certain earth. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium body, almost no tannin left, medium- acidity, classic Bordeaux flavors but quick fading, with a pretty weak spice driven finish. To be honest I expected more, but everyone should know very few wines last 28 years and are still great. I think this vintage was great once, just not today.
1986 Chateau Palmer Margaux
Two “schmohawks” came in last night and complained about everything, even the beauty of a wine they brought in. Very fading edges, a color I would call brown with some ruby. On the nose, developed, clove, cardamom, leather, tobacco, cigar-box, vegetal component, lots of basement, lots of earth tones, and some oak. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium- tannin, medium acidity, silky, elegant, classic aged Bordeaux, with a nice finish. If you are looking for something fruity, this is not the wine for you. Drink now, not much life left in this one.
2004 Chateau Mongravey Margaux
Although I ordered the 03 that I tasted at a trade event a few weeks ago, from the newly larger Columbia Distributors, and I got some 04. They poured the 03 and 05, so it’s kind of curious. 04 is becoming one of those sleeper vintages, stuck between two that have gotten huge press, but in fact a bit more classic Bordeaux, and a good value. On the nose, youthful but evolved, medium intensity, currants, cherries, dusty basement, bittersweet chocolate, baseball glove, cigarbox, certain earth, and subtle oak. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium tannin, medium acidity, loaded with flavor and texture, earthy and fruity, awesome baseball glove worn leather and sweet tobacco, moderate oak, and solid length on the finish. Great example of some of the depth that Bordeaux has to offer even at $22 retail.
2003 Chateau Mongravey Margaux Cru Bourgeois
Impressively priced, well crafted wine from a Chateau I’ve never heard of before. On the nose, moving toward bouquet, medium intensity, cedar, pencil shavings, loaded with black currants, cherries, plenty of earthy tones, layered with some oak. On the palate, medium+ intensity, medium tannin, medium acidity, vegetal component, spice, cigar box, some basement, a muscular wine that will continue to evolve, and the spices will reward some more cellaring. 2003 Bordeaux for $20, forget about it, I would drink this all the time.
2005 Chateau Mongravey Margaux Cru Bourgeois
Big time nose, medium+ intensity, cherries, figs, plums, cocoa, earth, perfume, with medium- oak, really nicely balanced. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium tannin, great acidity, awesome fruit, extremely well balanced, moderate length with a very spicy finish.