Had this wine the other night. Nothing wrong with it. Good chunky Cabernet fruit, some earthy minerality, slightly soupy and stewed as it warmed up. Pretty balanced. Just an ok wine. Boring. The C-Span of wine. Could be the lameness of 1995 Bordeaux as I have never had one that has done anything for me at all. The closest thing I had that did anything for me was 1995 Pichon-Lalande and that actually was kind of hot. I think Cabernet Sauvignon ultimately is just a boring grape. I find right-bank Bordeaux (unspoofed - I might add) to be much more exciting and actually have some energy in the mouth. That's all. Just had to get that out there.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Yawn . . .1995 Leoville-Barton
Had this wine the other night. Nothing wrong with it. Good chunky Cabernet fruit, some earthy minerality, slightly soupy and stewed as it warmed up. Pretty balanced. Just an ok wine. Boring. The C-Span of wine. Could be the lameness of 1995 Bordeaux as I have never had one that has done anything for me at all. The closest thing I had that did anything for me was 1995 Pichon-Lalande and that actually was kind of hot. I think Cabernet Sauvignon ultimately is just a boring grape. I find right-bank Bordeaux (unspoofed - I might add) to be much more exciting and actually have some energy in the mouth. That's all. Just had to get that out there.
I would recommend the 1999 Leoville-Barton without hesitation if you were curious to see how good that wine can be in less heralded years. The wine is still young and tight, and benefits from aeration, but there is no question that the price is right in comparison to other red Bordeaux on the market. And Anthony Barton is good people.
ReplyDeleteI actually have some 2001 in my cellar and am hoping one day something happens to make it good. I will check out 1999 Barton. It is $33 bucks at Varietal wines in Manhasset which happens to be run by Joseph Yi, my old boss at my first retail gig in New York.
ReplyDeletePlease! If it said Joguet on label you'd be creaming yourself today. Try the 1995 Haut Brion to see what is really about that vintage.
ReplyDelete1995 Joguet's are nice and 1996's great but then down down down . . .
ReplyDeleteI have had 1995 Haut Brion
Here is my note . . .
"This had a great nose. Really high-toned with deep spice and tobacco. Gravelly minerality developed after a while. The palate was what I expected out of a '95. Closed awkward and promising but was it? The story of 1995 right now. Another 1970 in the making? Only time will tell....or will it? A paradoxical vintage if there ever was one."
Sacrilege! Merlot - lover! Just kidding, the only '05 I had recently was a Palmer, and I would have to say it was underwhelming vs. the right bank stuff. 1995 Haut Brion? I am not worthy...
ReplyDelete