Finally, the 2003 proved yet again how that torrid vintage could excel in the cooler northern Medoc, with more Cabernet than Merlot. I think Robert Parker underrated this wine, as has been proven in previous tastings with others, including Jane Anson of Decanter a few years back at the château. It lacks the same weight as the 2010 (or even the 2009), but exuded charm and freshness – and length. The 2005 came off sleeker than either, with a certain tension that I had noticed when first opening the bottles. More charming, and with noticeable tannin, but not as “potentially complex” as the 2010. For current drinking, the 2009 is likely better, but somehow not quite as robust, or as substantive, as the 2010.
Large scaled yet elegant, it had power yet class, and it seduced you even if it requires another 10 years to enter a more optimal drinking zone. The star seemed to be 2010, proving yet again for much of Bordeaux (especially on the Left Bank) that this vintage seems to amplify all the good while muting out anything possibly bad.
And if underlined, too? A kind of wine nirvana. I was not sure about the choice of … mackerel tenderloin to match reds, but – as the French say – je fais abstraction de la situation and enjoyed the delicious fish, while assessing the wines.Īs usual, if the vintage is in bold, I liked it in particular (not hard with Pichon Comtesse). Thanks Lisa! And many thanks to friend and fellow wine writer Bijan Jabbari, who linked the fine restaurant to the château for this dinner. It was great to see many friends among the participants, who included wine industry representatives such as Jennifer Legge of Calvert Woodley and Tim O’Rourke of Zachys Wine, Washington Post wine writer Dave McIntyre, and bloggers like Christian Schiller, the aforementioned Nix-Gomez and Lisa Denning, of and staff writer of the Grape Collective, who traveled all the way from New York City to participate in the dinner. There were larger houses, too, including a brisk and refreshingly dry Pol Roger 2008, which I brought. The evening began with loads of Champagne generously donated by participants, including fine grower bubblies, such as a delicious La Closerie by Jerome Prévost, an Extra Brut Agrapart Terroirs both savory and sleek, a lovely Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs, and a wonderful Domaine Cedric Bouchard among others. It was important not to make too rushed judgments, especially when tasting so many wines in one sitting of only three hours or so. For some more detailed notes already published, with some varying opinions, check out what participants Keith Levenberg and Kevin Shin published in Cellar Tracker, for example. I did not take detailed notes, but tasting the wines a few hours before dinner – and then tasting again over dinner – showed how some vintages evolved over time and in glass. We double decanted almost every vintage (save for the 19) between three and six hours before they were served. Some seemed fresher than others among the older vintages – but that is natural.
Maria and I opened all the bottles beforehand to check for faulty notes, and it was pretty amazing that none had any cork issues. Restaurant service was excellent, as was sommelier Maria Ortiz. The photo from the balcony, above, was taken by blogger James Aaron Nix-Gomez. The restaurant provided a spacious setting in alluring red colors, and with a balcony to boot. Estate director Nicolas Glumineau brought over the two barrel samples of the 2016, which had been bottled and put on his flight. And many thanks to Mark Wessels and the team at MacArthur’s, for covering the not insubstantial cost of importing the wines for the dinner: two bottles each of 14 vintages. All were delivered to MacArthur Beverages ex-château, with the exception of the 2002 vintage, donated – thanks so much Randy McFarlane – by one of our 24 dinner participants. We enjoyed a fine meal at Taberna Del Alabardero, accompanied by no less than 16 vintages of Pichon Comtesse, from 1975 to a barrel sample of 2016. After Château Montrose in January and Château Léoville Las Cases in March, this time it was Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, with estate director Nicolas Glumineau.Ī triple hat trick in 2017 of super seconds? Why, yes! By Panos Kakaviatos for įor the third time this year, it was great to welcome a top Bordeaux wine to Washington D.C.
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