Pauillac! Bordeaux Series Part II

In our last Bordeaux tasting we visited Pauillac. I wanted to give this region a go because it is considered by many as the top of Bordeaux in quality. Three of the Five Premier Crus are from here, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Latour, and Mouton Rothschild. We had five excellent wines from the region all very different. Pauillac is made up of larger land holdings than other Bordeaux appellations. This gives us wines that through the course of the growing season ,wine making, and final blending, show a broader range in aromas, flavors and even styles compared to other regions. I found these wines differed from each other far more than the St. Emillion wines.

1st with 21 pts. Chateau Carruades de Lafite, 2002 , ~$40

This was a great wine, very new world in style compared to the others, Lots of fruit up front but also showed some crayon, chocolate, and floral characters. As the wine opened up I found an intriguing licorice and mint character developing. Definitely more fruit driven but good structure. The wine showed a polished character that many of the others didn't have. This may be because it is the second label of the famous Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The person who brought this wine got it at an incredible $22. Another person brought the same wine and paid $45, this is more in tune with what I have found online and other retail stores. Definitely one to look out for. A great value!

2nd with 25pts. Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste, Grand Cru Classe, 1999, ~$40

Another great wine but completely different. This was more old world in style and showed it's age very well. Showing some brick red edges on the glass and the nose showed some leather and stink from the bottle but opened up to some beautiful cocoa dust, tobacco, bacon and pepper flavors all wrapped in a blanket of cherry tart. The body was still oozing a velvety texture and flavors of sour cherries, white chocolate and sweet tobacco. The finish was nice and smooth and as long as the everlasting gobstopper. I loved it and rated it #1. It was definitely opened at the right time and maybe even 6 months past its prime.

3rd with 26pts. Chateau Clerc Milon, 2003, ~$45

Right behind 2nd place, this wine brought floral characters of rose petal and violets, sweet alcohol came through on the nose making the wine seem even more ripe, may be because of the very warm 2003 vintage. The palate was nice and full with a long finish. Lot of big tannin and a juicy, jammy mouthfeal, very well balanced.

4th with 34pts. Chateau Gran Puy Lacoste- Lacoste Borie, 2004~$30

5th with 39pts. Chateau d'Armailhac, 2004~$30

6th with 44pts. Chateau Pontet Canet, 1998 ~$40