Image credit: mtdecoster.com/clos-des-jacobins
A busy day on the right bank started at 9am with visit to Chateau Canon, Chanel's property on the right bank which was as you would expect - graceful and elegant. Then we headed to Pavie to taste the Gerard Perse collection in his palacial New Build . From Pavie we rushed across town to do the Cru Classe tasting at Clos Fortet before heading to Cheval Blanc (very good, superb balance) where we also tasted D'Yquem with Pierre Lurton which was outstanding. From Cheval Blanc we went onto the Pomerol UGC Tasting at Petit Village where the car park had turned into a mud bath that Gastonbury would have been proud of. My favourite at the UGC Pomerol tasting was Clinet. My feeling between the two was that St Emilion was slightly better than Pomerol.
After Lunch we head to the Oxygen tasting at Ch Clos de Jacobins tasting wine made by the young wine makers of Bordeaux. Then onto L'Evangile (Lafite's right bank property) which was excellent. They were comparing the vintage to their 2001 in terms of quality. Then to VCC, Figeac and Eglise Clinet who also produced some very good wines, I was impressed. We then headed to Angelus to taste Hubert de Bouard's collection of wine he consults for; which must be about 70 properties around the world (great job if you can get it!) We then returned to Chateau de Sours to taste Martin's Clos and Petit Cantenac as well as 20 Sauternes that Steve Webb had kindly organised for us. These were good tastings and a good crowd of people from around the world. Lots of talk and a little banter into the night...
Heading to the Left bank today with an early start to get to Grand Puy Lacoste for 8.45am. My first judgement is it is actually very hard to place the vintage against anything else. The fruit is generally all ripe, acidity is good due to the cooler nights when they had the good weather in September; it has added a lovely freshness and vibrancy to the 2014 vintage. Overall there are some charming wines that will give lots of pleasure...
