tirsdag 30. juni 2020

2019 Primeur Saved by the rain, twice!



Bordeaux saved by the rain, that must be a typo? Well, 2019 was hot. Very hot. And dry. Amongst the driest summers. It was cold in January, then unusually warm in February, Haut-Bailly saw 28 degrees at one point. Budbreak here was already late March. Then frost in April and again early May. May was unusually cold and that put the vintage back to a more normal track. Very dry summer and all the rain in the exceedingly hot July fell on one day. Both at Haut-Bailly and Cos d’Estournel the date and amount were seen as more or less perfect timing, and it is about two hours drive between the two properties, telling you that this wasn’t a local phenomenon. August hot and dry and then rain just before harvest got the plants going just before hydric stress would have set in and risking grapes turning to raisins. Not often Bordeaux is saved by rain. And especially not twice. 

As we all now know, 2020 is turning out to be a quite different year for most of us than we planned. I left France and Burgundy just twelve hours before the borders closed and was supposed to visit both Burgundy again, Loire and Bordeaux over the next few weeks. That did not happen. My almost three weeks planned for primeurs this year was spent in lockdown, mostly in my garden. As cancellations of appointments started to come in, a sad feeling entered. 2004 was the first vintage I tasted primeur, albeit only forty wines or so, but it has become a part of life. 

Then requests for samples started to arrive quickly after that and at first, I said no, I was unsure how they travelled. And knowing Norwegian customs who are slow beyond comparison, I knew this would be a stretch. Then other critics around the globe started receiving samples, and I thought, well, if the samples travel so well to Hong Kong or California, then surely, they should travel without much trouble to Norway as well. And most have. But by then some producers didn’t want to send samples anymore due to summer heat, but nearly 250 samples have reached me to date, and even as I am writing this I have been contacted by one more producer who want me to taste, so there will be at least another one and a half week or two or so of samples arriving. Some brakeage, some were no-one knows were the samples are, some have been returned, I have no idea why, and many more arriving. That has been the quite different atmosphere of this primeurs. 

The good thing is that it is much calmer. No stress with a timetable that would make a State visit look like a holiday, were you try to look calm and poised between running to your rental car that mostly see 5000 RPM’s and running into next visit, take four deep breaths and then try looking calm and poised again. Now, it is sitting down, Spotify, going back and forth between samples, sometimes testing different glasses, every wine gets more time, which is a good thing. I have had several opening and getting much more scented than what one usually finds during this marathon that primeurs is. But I miss the discussions face to face with winemakers and owners, also the small talks in the car park or around the table with fellow critics or negociants or importers, you miss the vibe and the buzz. 

So, 2019, hot or not? Well, it was hot. There were some record temperatures recorded in France and at Haut-Bailly they recorded an unofficial 52 degrees amongst the vines in a part of the vineyard. Yes, it was in the sun, but that is hot. And there is definitely a ripeness in these wines, some on a new level that might not even shine through in their 2009’s. So, if you are a lover of brighter more classic styles, you really need to find comments from palates you trust, because there are some surprisingly ripe wines out there. Surprising, because there are also some restrained ones that shows an atypical grace giving the ripeness. 

I have only tasted a quarter of the wines I did last year, and I lack many names on the list, so this is not complete. Especially Pomerol, from the rather few I have tasted, I would be reluctant to buy if a palate you trust have not tasted. The ones I have tasted have all been noticeably big, sweet and rich for who they are. Merlot can go wild with such heat and water stress was or nearly was an issue. If big isn’t better for you, I would tread carefully while buying. I am not saying they are big, I do not know, but this is a vintage were they easily can be. And it seems the estates mostly sent samples to a select number of critics that many would argue like this style more than others. Just a thought. 

Saint-Emilion has sent me quite a bit of samples and here there are big wines, but most have been very aware of it and been able to handle the fruit well. Not going overboard. Even some of the riper locations have an energy to them. But alcohol is high, the wines are ripe and very fruit driven. Tannins this year is mostly silky. Troplong Mondot clocking in at 15% even if you do not really notice it, the new more precise style here really helps drinkability, and I don’t know how they find red berries flavours with such ripeness, but they do. A very fine wine indeed, even with such ripeness levels. 

Angelus is utterly amazing, but it is also easy to forget how much Cabernet Franc they use. 40% this year, and that gives an epic nose, and this might be the greatest ever from here. I said that last year as well, but 2019 seems to be even more complex, even more scented, even longer finish. So far, the only potential perfect score from me this vintage. Valandraud is also continuing their exuberant but restrained style of the last few vintages, and another sexy vintage, but lacks some of the glamour of the last two vintages. It may also be my sample. But see quite consistent notes. Saint-Emilion this vintage, almost across the board is restrained flamboyance. 

Fronsac shows very well again, and with the bargain prices here, what not to love? And this is a vintage showing very well in areas not so well known to many consumers. Ripeness was never an issue in 2019, restraining ripeness was. Meaning even cooler vineyards that sometimes make lean and even rustic wines made fine and ripe wines. Fronsac has beautiful terroir many places, so this is not amongst those, here the self esteem seems to be growing year in and year out, and why shouldn’t it? Wine press loves their efforts, and most consumers who try them love them as well. But Castillon, M[c1] édoc, parts of Graves, Lalande de Pomerol and the Satellites of Saint-Emilion as well as the different Côtes appelatons have a newfound concentration meaning many of these are the best wines ever from each estate. These properties cannot normally afford to throw away 30 percent of the crop, or declassify it into a second label, because they hardly make money on the first label. When the entire crop is fully ripe, all of a sudden, the wine has what is often lacking. 

2019 as 2009 was, a vintage where you will find it difficult to really find bad wines from lesser known estates. At least from what I have tried. If the styles I have found in these regions is representative, this is an excellent vintage for everyday Bordeaux. But that also makes the top estates prone to overripens. Remember classified properties tend to sit on the warmest land. Spring frost shows why some properties tend to make better wines that usual, spring frost follows the classifications, not without fault, but it indicates. And therefore, I again stress that you find a voice you trust before buying primeur. There might be styles you may not love if you like me, need freshness. 

I would have loved to taste more Left Bank, but I also decided that I am not going to ask every single one out there to send me samples. 250 samples have already been somewhat chaotic at times, imagine if I was to receive the 1000, I tasted for primeurs last year. I have selected a few that I specifically wanted to taste as they have been key the last few years to understand the vintage, and happily most shipped. And I have said yes to everyone that want me to taste. It is also interesting to see who appreciate the 20 plus years I have put into Bordeaux and the more than 15.000 bottles I have tasted from the region. I know I don’t have readerships like some of the bigger publications, but I also know my readers tend not to agree with some of these, so I think we as a whole fill in the different parts of the market. 

I will taste these wines eventually, and in the economic climate we are facing over the next few years, I think these wines even at reduced price will be easy to get. It will be very surprising if prices go up, most of the wines still cost more or less the same of the last few vintages as when released, and you can still get everything. No need to rush things. I am not planning any trips before November, and that is if Covid-19 do not blossom up again. So might be a while. 

Back to left bank, from what I have tasted from Saint-Estephe, wow, these wines are singing. Cos d’Estournel is continuing in their very precise style that we have now seen in a few vintages and the estate that I have found too big in some years are now consistently amongst my favorites. The whites are also superb! Goulée is the best ever, even if that is Medoc. Lafon-Rochet is also singing, this estate has also shown a new level the last few vintages and it will be interesting to taste the rest when time is ripe for it. Also, lesser known estates I have tasted has been singing. Not seen any notes on Montrose, so maybe they did not ship to anyone? I do not know. Some critics are in Bordeaux, especially the French ones and Yves Beck that was locked down there, but not sure if they have tasted it either. Likely to be epic. After the massive Calon Segur last year, I do not know what to believe from there. Meyney and Phelan Segur should be nice. This commune seems to be a star this vintage. 

Not that many tasted from Pauillac, Fonbadet delivers and Pichon Baron is superb. The second labels as well, they are more exuberant and unusually flamboyant this vintage, almost as if you have Mouton in the glass. Exotic spices, beautiful wines. It might be even better than my already extremely high score, as this shipment got a bit of a rough handling, one bottle broke. Griffons and Tornelles are amongst the best ever, so is Pibran. Saint-Julien I have hardly tasted so I am not commenting on this commune. Margaux is also thin on my list, Siran showing beautifully and Deyrem Valentin also showing well. Not really tasted enough to have an idea of the vintage here. Mayne Lalande in Listrac was beautiful, seems the sometimes-formidable structure there has been tamed this vintage. 

As we go down to Pessac-Leognan and Graves, more samples has arrived, and I am still waiting for some more. Here the vintages seem warm, the whites are bigger (not tasted any white Pessac’s yet) and more fruit driven than usual, more tropical and the acidity is lower. On some wines that is a plus, as they can be a bit almost austere sometimes, but if you are an acid freak, these may be to rich for you. I really enjoyed them, but I can see that some may lack some tension. The red show rich and ripe fruit and again restrain was important, especially on warmer vineyards and Merlot that easily hit 15% alcohol or even higher. I would love to wait a bit further to give a better description here as some samples have been delayed, but at least I got to taste Haut-Bailly with Veronique Sanders, Director of Haut-Bailly just before I write this. Wonderful wines. Again, a beautiful mix of richness but also restraint. 

Not tasted many Sauternes, but there are some on the way. The three I have tasted are amongst the best they have made, rich and opulent yet with tension. Can’t wait for the rest of the samples to arrive. 

2019 seems so far to be a vintage with a lot going for it, some estates have made their best wines to date. Again, in the tasting with Veronique Sanders, we talked about how 2009 is already ten years old, it feels like yesterday, but how the precision over the past ten years have increased noticeably in the wines. With ever more cellars are getting finished, built to suit the vineyards and grape varieties, not just to hold the crop, the wines from Bordeaux will for sure see even more precision and finesse over the years to come. 2019 as 2009 will have many beauties that you may not have heard about, but there will also be richer and bigger wines in a style that is not for everyone. I have read some American comments that it has the ripeness and alcohol levels that makes it safe to buy, meaning for the younger generation, and Sommelier that wants more tension, you need to research every wine. 

As a young Christian Moueix has been quoted saying in Napa Valley several decades ago, overripeness hides terroir. 2019 is one of the warmest vintages ever, and amongst the driest. That can be incredibly good. But it may not be what you prefer. I will update with new tasting notes as the wines arrive from now on. Thank you to all producers that has sent samples, much appreciated.Especially all who trust in me in Saint-Emilion. Nearly one fourth of the samples come form Saint-Emilion!

 [c1]

Bordeaux 2019, Part III Saint-Emilion




Saint-Emilion 

2019 Château Angelus
JUN 20 60M 40CF Ruby. Scented, floral, violets, detailed, nuanced, blackberries and spices, blueberries, layered nose, has a depth to it that is a bit shut at this stage. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, red berries, morellos, blackberries, lush and smooth, velvety texture but not too rich, this is a XJ12 with enough power to waft you away effortlessly in sublime comfort, yet so refined you make take it for granted. Probably the most floral I have ever had Angelus at Primeur, this may turn out to be the most seductive Angelus ever made. And that is high praise after the outstanding 2018. 99-100

2019 Carillon d’Angelus
JUN 20 90M 10CF Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries and blueberries, anise, spices, some liquorice, violets notes behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, intense, spices, liquorice, nuanced, fairly playful, a serious Carillon. 92-94

2019 No 3 d’Angelus
JUN 20 85M 15CS Ruby. Anise, spices, blueberries, very pure fruity nose. Elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, red fruits, leaner bodied, elegant texture. 87-89


2019 Clos Badon
JUN 20 Ruby. Anise, blackberries, some spices nose. Quite a bit of wood. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits and spices, liquorice, vanilla, detailed but needs time to swallow the wood. Quite bitter wood finish but seems to have enough concentration to handle it over time. 89-91

2019 Château Bel-Air-Ouÿ
JUN 20 Ruby. Raw, dark fruity, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, anise and spices, liquorice, good length. 89-91

2019 Château Bellefont-Belcier 
JUN 20 Ruby. Plush dark fruits, blackberries, vanilla, tobacco and spices nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, red fruits, juicy and detailed, long finish. Best Bellefont-Belcier to date. 92-94

2019 Château Bellevue
JUN 20 Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, blackberries nose, detailed and intense, graphite minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, blueberries and spices, liquorice, juicy, lovely balance, long finish. A beautiful Bellevue. 92-94

2019 Château Cantin
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

2019 Château Carteau Côtes Daugay
JUN 20 Ruby. Rich of dark fruits, anise, spices, vanilla and coffee nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite woody and spicy, dark fruits, bit short. 86-88


2019 Clos des Jacobins
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries and anise, spices, nuanced, rich and deep nose, layered. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, detailed, intense, spices, liquorice, layered, long. A superb Clos des Jacobins! 92-94

2019 Château La Commanderie 
JUN 20 Ruby. Detailed and scented nose, blueberries and spices, detailed nose, minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, detailed, nuanced, elegant texture and fruit, long. A beautiful La Commanderie! 91-93

2019 Château Corbin 
JUN 20 90M 10CF Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, cherries, anise, liquorice and vanilla nose, rich and deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits and spices, rich, denser yet with brighter elements, impressive, long finish. 92-94

2019 Château Croix Cardinale
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries and anise, blueberries and spices nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, elegant texture, good length. 88-90

2019 Château Daugay
JUN 20 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, blackberries and faint of spices nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, harmonious and elegant, lovely texture, red and darker fruits, long finish. 90-92

2019 Château Destieux
JUN 20 Ruby. Sweet, ripe and jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet, overripe and jammy. These have a tendency to lose a lot of fat and sweetness with age, maybe I just never understand them while young. 85-87

2019 Clos Dubreuil
JUN 20 Ruby. Very ripe and rich, sweet and big nose. Medium acidity, rich and ripe, dark fruity, jammy, big and alcoholic. 87-89


2019 Château Fleur Cardinale
JUN 20 76M 20CF 4CS Ruby. Scented, blueberries and anise, blackberries nose, dark fruits, faintly floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, intense, nuanced, bright and layered, superb Fleur Cardinale. Alcohol on the high side at 14,5. One of their best efforts to date. All the work they have done and are doing seems to be rocking in this wine. You think it is finishing before another wave of flavours hits the palate. 93-95

2019 Château La Fleur Morange
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits and spices nose, richer. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, dense and structured, long. 93-95

2019 Château La Fleur Morange Mathilde
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, spices and liquorice, nuanced, minerals, long finish. 92-94

2019 Château La Fleur Morange La Marchode
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, nuanced, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, elegant texture, nuanced, lovely balance, long. 89-91

2019 Château Fombrauge
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, coffee and spices, liquorice nose, fairly deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, long. 90-92

2019 Château Fonroque
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries and cassis, spices, liquorice and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark berries and spices, liquorice, detailed, long. 90-92

2019 Château Jean Voisin
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose, ripe. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, smooth, dark fruits and spices, good length. Bit high alcohol. 87-89

2019 Château La Marzelle
JUN 20 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, spices, some liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, some coffee, long. 89-91

2019 Château Mondou
JUN 20 Ruby. Spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose, coffee and chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, structured, good length. 87-89


2019 Château Moulin du Cadet
JUN 20 Ruby. Red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and blackberries, spices, quite juicy. 89-91

2019 Château Tauzinat l’Hermitage
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices and liquorice, good length. Woody. 86-88

2019 Château Trianon
JUN 20 Ruby. Lightly floral, dark fruits, blackberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, rich, spices, nuanced, detailed, bit of alcohol warmth, long. 89-91

2019 Château Trianon Cosher
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, vanilla, minerals and some exotic spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, smooth texture, elegant, nuanced, dark fruits, good length. 88-90

2019 Château du Parc
JUN 20 Ruby. Spices, dark fruits, richer nose. Fresh acidity, raspberries and blackberries, some vanilla, leaner bodied, probably the best effort yet from du Park. 86-88

2019 Château Patris Querre
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, spices, woody nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, bit flat. 85-87

2019 Château Rol Valentin
JUN 20 Ruby. Anise, spices, liquorice nose, richer, some mint. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, red berries, anise, blueberries, juicy, good length. 88-90

2019 Château La Croizille
JUN 20 Ruby. Anise, liquorice, dark fruits nose, spices, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise and spices, good length. 87-89


2019 Château Godeau
JUN 20 Ruby. Wood, coffee and toast nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blackberries, jammy fruit and lots of wood. 87-89

2019 Château Haut-Brisson
JUN 20 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, vanilla, good length. 88-90

2019 Château Laroze
JUN 20 Ruby. Anise, spices, liquorice, coffee, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy and detailed, rounded, long finish. A beautiful Laroze. 90-92

2019 Château Magrez-Fombrauge
JUN 20 Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, some spices and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits and spices, good length. 88-90

2019 Château du Paradis
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries and faint floral nite nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, red berries, spices, more nuances than what I have tasted from here earlier. 87-89

2019 Château Petit Val
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries nose, dark fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy, spices, detailed, minerals, intense, nuanced and long. 92-94

2019 Muse du Val
JUN 20 Ruby. Vanilla, spices, blackberries nose, raspberries and cherries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, raspberries, spices and tobacco, needs time to integrate the wood. 89-91

2019 Margo Cuvée de Coeur
JUN 20 100 CF Ruby. Scented, blueberries and blackberries, floral, violets nose, fairly intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, juicy, spices, good length. 88-90

2019 Château Pas de l’Ane
JUN 20 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, sweet nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices and liquorice, good length. 86-88

2019 Château de Pressac
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, rich and intense, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, spices and liquorice, juicy, some alcohol warmth. 90-92

2019 Château Roylland
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries and anise, blueberries nose, fruit driven. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blackberries and spices, good length. 87-89


2019 Château Sansonnet
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy, red and dark fruit, a brighter Sansonnet. 88-90

2019 Château Soutard-Cadet
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, jammy, some plums nose. Chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red fruits and dark berries, some spices, good length. A brighter Soutard-Cadet. 88-90

2019 Château Tertre Roteboeuf 
JUN 20 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, spices, detailed and nuanced, almost floral, exotic spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark and red fruits, detailed, intense, spices, liquorice, detailed, rich and long. 94-96

2019 Château Trimoulet
JUN 20 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries and spices nose, fruit driven. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, good length. 86-88

2019 Château Tour Baladoz
JUN 20 Ruby. Dark fruits, red berries, anise and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, red berries, a faint whiff of TCA on this sample so should be better. 88-90

2019 Château Tour Saint Christophe
JUN 20 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice and faint minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, juicy, firmer, long. 89-91

2019 Château Troplong Mondot
JUN 20 Ruby. Floral yet rich and dark fruity, scented, blackberries, anise, spices, nuanced, detailed, minerals, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, lush yet structured, detailed and layered, superb balance of the elements, long. 95-97


2019 Château Valandraud 
JUN 20 90M 7CF 3CS Ruby. Scented, floral, nuanced, blueberries, detailed and layered, minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, juicy, some spices, layered and intense, superb balance between the elements, a beauty! 96-98

2019 Virginie de Valandraud
JUN 20 70M 20CF 9CS 1Carmenère Ruby. Blueberries and blackberries, fruit driven nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, intense, elegant texture, long. Elegant! 90-92

2019 Valandraud blanc
JUN 20 50SG 40SB 10S Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some citrus and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, smooth, elegant and detailed, citrus, rounded, nuanced, somewhat creamy, complex and long. Beautiful! 94

2019 Virginie de Valandraud blanc
JUN 20 50S 40SB 10SG Pale lemon yellow. Pears, grapefruits, light minerals nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, grapefruits, rounded, elegant texture, refreshing and towards creamy. 90

2019 Château Yon-Figeac
JUN 20 Ruby. Anise, spices, liquorice, blackberries, detailed nose. Vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, detailed and intense, juicy, long. 90-92