After getting to bed at 1am and up at 6am when it was still dark and raining outside it took all my effort not to turn over and go back to sleep.
I drove Steve Webb, Sauternes Guru with Bill out to La Lagune en route to Palmer for an 8.30 am tasting where both the Alter Ego de Palmer and Palmer were really enjoyed – They are graceful and impressive for the vintage and it was interesting to hear about what is going on at Palmer. They have slowly been going bio-dynamic (Organic) as it takes time for the vines to change and adapt. They started in 2008 and the 2013 is now 60% bio-dynamic.
After Palmer we headed for Marquis de Terme for the Margaux UGC tasting where we tasted a huge line up D'Angludet, Cantenac Brown, Brane Cantenac, Dauzac, Desmirail, Giscours, du tertre, Labgorce, Malescot, Kirwan, Marquis de Terme, Monbrison, Prieure Lichine, Siran etc. Really liked Kirwan, Siran and Brane Cantenac to name a few. From Marquis de Terme we head next door to Rauzan Segla for a 10 minute tasting – Great effort, lovely balance with vibrant fruit and up lifting acidity that gave the wine great purity.
From RS we popped the other side of Margaux village to Lascombes where we tasted the Grand Vin blends separately before tasting the Chevalier (Lascombes 2nd wine) and Lascombes. It was interesting to analyse the individual elements in the blend – The Merlot was surprisingly ripe and sweet, hints of greenness on the edge while the Cabernet Sauvignon had a bit more grip with Cassis and Currants and the Petit Verdot added a bit of spice.
Then we headed down to Chateau Margaux where we tasted the Pavillon Rouge and Margaux followed by the Pavillon Blanc which was outstanding – I could taste it 10 minutes afterwards still lingering in my palate. The reds were good, sophisticated with delicate tannins.
From Margaux I picked up Steve from La Lagune and dropped him at the Airport before heading down the Rocade (ring road) to Leognan for a Domaine de Chevalier tasting and lunch. Domaine de Chevalier has become one of my favourite Chateau over the last 5 years and I am pleased to report that the 2013 did not disappoint.
From Chevalier we headed to Malactric Lagraviere for the UGC Graves and Pessac Leognan tasting which was good. Some cracking white Bordeaux –on the white I liked the Ch de Chantegrive Blanc, Pape Clement Blanc, Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc and I thought the Picque Caillou Rouge and Blanc were both very good and reds were Haut Bergey, Haut Bailly, Domaine de Chevalier and de Fieuzal.
From Leognan I headed back to Moulis in the Medoc to taste the Moulis, Listrac, Medoc and Haut Medoc which was an interesting tasting and better than I was led to believe. Sadly La Lagune wasn't at the tasting so I didn't get a chance to taste so I will have to wait until its in the bottle. A real shame as I have been following the Chateau over the last 4-5 years.
Today is the last day on the road. Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion for a late breakfast at 9am followed by a race down the motorway to Barsac and Sauternes to taste Climens and D'Yquem to cleanse the palate before heading for the airport… the finishing line is with in sight of this Yorkshiremans 2013 Bordeaux En Primeur wine marathon... my bags are packed and I can smell the silky top of a creamy Theakston awaiting me on the bar of my local The White Bear. Until next time…
