Welcome to our En Primeur Bordeaux 2012 Blog - Monday
We started the day at Cheval Blanc with a tasting in the new winery. Both Petit Cheval and Cheval Blanc were well structured, elegant, precise wines. as usual a high proportion of Cabernet Franc. It was good to see Pierre Lurton, Director winemaker of Chateau Cheval Blanc who commented "2012 was a technical vintage, long harvest that was great for Cabernet Franc. Interesting and exciting to make. "
Next stop was the Syndicat de St Emilion tasting in the Salle des Dominicains in St Emilion where I ploughed through the majority of the 60 plus Grand Crus before looking at Puisseguin and Lussac. Will try to go back today if I have time to look at the Castillons, Fronsac etc if I can find a spare ½ an hour. Overall I was impressed.
Up to Fombrauge to taste all of Bernard Magrez wines, Pape Clement Blanc was my favourite. The reds were of a modern, creamy, polished style that will please the masses. Our Lunch stop was impressive, cooked by Joel Robuchon, Michelin starred chef who owns a number of restaurants including L'Atelier in Covent Garden, unfortunately I had to run half way through to go down to Libourne for my appointment at the Moueix tasting.
Edouard Moueix said “it's a vintage which will be approachable young. Average on 40% down on last year due to the second generation bud break. It is similar to 2001 but we need to see if it will age as well”. What happened is a cold front came through during budding and split the crop. They took the decision to cut off the second generation fruit before both went red in colour over wise the danger is they have un ripe fruit in the final blend. I was also tipped off the Moueix might be releasing their wines next week. Wines were more finesseful that some of the Grand Cru Classe's that I tasted but should be enjoyable in a couple of years. My favourites were Belair Monange and La Grave, Pomerol and Plince from his more entry level wine.
From Moueix I went back to Chateau La Couspaude for Grands Cru Classes tasting to finish off the GCC's that I hadn't tasted before lunch. Then it was on to Chateau La Gaffeliere for the Grappa tasting which was all Stephane Derenoncourt wines, this was my first chance to Smith Haut Lafitte and for the second time Domaine Chevalier Rouge again which was majestic!
