Wines of Saint-Emilion are divided into two categories: Saint-Emilion and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru wines are classified as Grand Cru Classe and Premier Grand Cru Classe. This classification is reviewed every 10 years or so.
This is a tasting of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe wines.
Soils here (clay and chalk) are more suitable to Merlot or Cabernet Franc than Cabernet Sauvignon.
At this tasting, each winery presented current vintage (2015) and another older vintage.
80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Herb and caramelized nut. Smooth texture.
Clos des Jacobins 2011
80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Lovely aromas of flower and cosmetic. Powdery tannin.
71% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 2% Carmenere
Rose, cherry, dried fruit and coffee.
Fine tannin.
Chateau de Pressac 2013Fine tannin.
72% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, 1% Carmenere
Rose, nut and cherry.
Fresh greenness of pyrazine.
Both vintages were very good.
77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Quince, dried cherry and dried flower.
Chateau Grand Corbin 2012
77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bell pepper. Some funkiness.
I tasted this with dried fig. Very good together.
JC thought this wine would do good with foie gras.
Chateau Grand-Pontet 2015
88% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fresh fig, dried fruit, plum and coffee.
Chateau Grand-Pontet 2010
70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Dried mushroom and pickled fruit.
Coffee and sweet dried meat.
I liked both vintages.
Chateau La Tour Figeac 2015
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc
It was youthful, but something about this wine reminded me of matured wine.
Caramel and tobacco. Soft tannin.
Chateau La Tour Figeac 2014
75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
Light and classic.
Dried flower, currant, fresh plum, plum skin.
Really good with cheese.
Chateau Laroze 2015
62% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aromas of concentrated red fruit and pine. Soft texture.
Finish was short.
Chateau Laroze 2012
66% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon
Dried and pickled fruit. Coffee and red berries.
Tannin was well integrated.
It was my first time to try so many Saint-Emilion at one occasion.
In my impression, aromas of flowers from Cabernet Franc really stood out, then softness of Merlot.
How these aromas will develop or fade in years. Hope I'll have a chance to find out.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.