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Posts Tagged ‘eucalyptus’

2005 Les Tourelles de Longueville

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Jan 2009

Black/purple core with a ruby rim. Rich aromas with warm, toasty oak and vanilla surrounding ripe blueberry, sweet eucalyptus, plum and grape Big League Chew Gum. Great entry on the palate with dark black cherry, blackberry and blueberry leading the charge. Full bodied with full, chalky tannins. Toasty, charred oak and blackberry on the finish with a touch of minerality.

This wine is a second label of the famous Bordeaux estate Pichon-Longueville Baron. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.

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2005 Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 12 Dec 2008

Dark purple core with a lighter fuchsia rim. Oak and vanilla aromas float over rich black cherry, cassis and raspberry with dark charcoal, spicy cinnamon and a hint of eucalyptus. Smooth entry on the palate, quickly building to a full bodied wine. Lots of tannins, yet very well integrated and balanced. Cedar and cinnamon are layered over plum and cassis leading to a chocolate, spice and fruit finish. Decant a couple hours and enjoy it now or put some in the cellar and let it keep getting better for several years.

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2005 Petit Bocq

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Dec 2008

Medium ruby core with a bright rim. Charcoal and slate aromas over dusty roses, rich black cherry and a spicy touch of eucalyptus. Big tannins from the front all the way through the back palate. Dark cherry, plum and cassis are underscored by smoky charcoal. Coffee lingers on the finish. Still young and evolving; could get even better with age.

This is a blockbuster of a hidden gem that has managed to fly under the radar thus far. Complex enough to impress any Bordeaux connoisseur, yet priced right for just showing off in front of a few friends. A well made wine that is built to hold up for a while and will keep improving for a decade. Given the hype around the 2005 vintage for Bordeaux, many of the wines have skyrocketed in price, well beyond the value for what they deliver. Fortunately a few, like this one, remain accessible (for now…).

P.S. It’s pronounced “puh-TEET bock.”

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