Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

An Incredible Value from Saint-Émilion

Chateau Haut-Brisson is located in Saint Emilion, not far from Chateau Monbousquet. The estate was bought in 1997 by Peter Kwok. The 18 hectare vineyard of Haut-Brisson are planted to 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vines are close to 30 years of age. The winery recently sent me samples of two of their more acclaimed vintages. 2005 Chateau Haut-Brisson –…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2005 Chateau Bellefont-Belcier – Bottle Notes

Chateau Bellefont Belcier dates back to the seventeenth century as an estate. The vineyard was officially founded in the middle of the eighteenth century by Count Louis Francois de Belcier. In 2012 Chateau Bellefont Belcier was sold to a group of Chinese investors. That sale marked the first purchase of a Bordeaux classified growth by a Chinese citizen. Chateau Bellefont Belcier was…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

1996 Chateau Clerc Milon – Bottle Notes

The history of Chateau Clerc Milon dates back to the early 1800’s. In 1970 Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the owner of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, acquired Clerc Milon and put the Chateau on course to becoming worthy of its 5th growth status in Bordeaux. In 1983, the illustration for the Chateau Clerc Milon label was changed to a pair of dancing clowns…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2005 Château Rauzan-Ségla – Bottle Notes

The 2005 Rauzan-Ségla was the winning bottle in the September Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The history of Château Rauzan-Ségla dates back to 1661 when Pierre de Rauzan acquired the estate. Rauzan-Ségla grew in reputation and produced some of the most highly rated wines in Bordeaux. They delighted many well-known dignitaries, most notably Thomas Jefferson who came across this…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2004 Chateau Clos St. Martin – Bottle Notes

Clos St. Martin dates back to at least the early 1800’s. The vineyard was owned by the Rieffers family from 1850 to 2013. Clos St. Martin takes its name from the St. Martin, who is the Patron Saint for wine growers, soldiers and beggars. In March, 2013 the Cuvelier family, the owners of Chateau Clos Fourtet, headed by Matthieu Cuvelier,…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

1996 Chateau Cos d’Estournel – Bottle Notes

The 1996 Cos d’Estournel was the winning bottle in the June Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. Louis Gaspard d’Estournel founded Chateau Cos d’Estournel in 1811. Cos d’Estournel was one of the first wineries in Bordeaux to bottle, label and sell their own wine. The Chateau has exchanged hands many times over the years but today is owned and managed by Michel…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

1990 Chateau Lynch Bages – Bottle Notes

The 1990 Lynch Bages was the winning bottle in the April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was decanted for almost four hours and served with steaks off the grill. I chose this bottle to kick off a week of Birthday shenanigans. The was also Day 47 of the #coronaviruswinechallenge. Lynch Bages has a special place in my…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2000 Chateau Talbot – Bottle Notes

Chateau Talbot is a Fourth Growth Bordeaux estate in the Saint-Julien Appellation. The Chateau was acquired by the Cordier family in 2017. The present owners are Lorraine Rustmann and Nancy Bignon-Cordier. Stephane Derenoncourt is their consultant. Crimson in color. 13% ABV. Traditional nose of red fruits, leather, cedar and graphite. Medium body with acidity in spades. Ready to drink with…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2003 Chateau Pichon Baron – Bottle Notes

The 2003 Pichon Baron was the winning bottle in the February Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. Chateau Pichon Baron is a Second Growth in the Pauillac region of Bordeaux. Pichon Baron was once part of a larger estate, owned by Pierre de Rauzan, along with Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. In 1850 the estate was divided into the…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

1995 Chateau Lagrange – Bottle Notes

Chateau Lagrange is a third-growth St-Julien owned by the Suntory group since 1983. The 270 acre estate is situated next to Gruaud Larose. The winery went through major improvements and huge investments in the decades that followed the purchase by Suntory. The vineyard is planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon , 27% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot . Today, the average age…

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