Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Winemaker's Collection from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. This special project of the Bordeaux negociant, Bordeaux Millesimes (called Once Upon a Wine), and its proprietor, Dominique Renard, was originally labeled The Winemakers' Collection, Episode 1, but the name had to be changed. As I wrote last year, in each vintage, one of the world's greatest winemakers (Michel Rolland in 2005 and Denis Dubordieu in 2006) is chosen to focus on a single parcel of a given terroir, in this case, Chateau d'Arsac. Five-thousand cases will be produced in 2005, and everything, including viticulture, fermentation, upbringing, and bottling, is being controlled by the chosen winemaker who has full control over the winemaking team, the yields, the choice of fermenters, the style and type of barrels, the time in oak, and the manner in which the wine is bottled. Michel Rolland was fortunate to be chosen in 2005 as this is an exceptional vintage. It boasts classic richness, deep, smoky, black currant and sweet cherry fruit, a gorgeously opulent texture, decent acidity, high but sweet tannin, and a seamless, full-throttle mouthfeel. This stunning effort competes with some of Bordeaux's finest wines. It should age effortlessly for 15 or more years. -Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 92-94

Red Wine by Ch?teau Sociando-Mallet from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. Aromas of currant and leaves. Medium- to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a caressing finish. Ends chewy. Best after 2009. Wine Spectator 90 points Sociando Mallet's big, extracted, rich, classic 2004 boasts a deep ruby/purple hue as well as aromas of charcoal, wet stones, cold steel, and abundant black currant and cassis fruit. This medium to full-bodied, structured, powerful wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring. It should last for two decades. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 90 points Dark red with ruby highlights. Plum, redcurrant and a whiff of smoked meat on the nose. Supple and vinous, with very good spine and savory character. Notes of plum, currant, dark chocolate and licorice firmed by lively but integrated acidity. Finishes with broad tannins and good grip. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 89 points

Red Wine by Ch?teau Bernadotte from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. Bernadotte's well-made 2004 exhibits a deep ruby/plum/purple color as well as elegant cranberry, black cherry, and currant notes, good acidity, and a spicy, fresh, invigorating finish. Not a big wine, it displays a style completely different from the 2003. Drink it during its first decade of life. Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate Barrel Sample: 86-88

Red Wine by Ch?teau Sociando-Mallet from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. A striking minerality, copious quantities of black currants and plums, along with some dried herbs jump from the glass of this tannic, structured, somewhat severe but large-scaled, muscular wine that oozes testosterone. Virile, structured, and perhaps too tannic for its own good, but impressively built, pure, and a wine to admire (rather than possibly enjoy), this large-scaled 2002 requires 7-10 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025+?. One of the cru bourgeois estates that always performs at classified growth quality levels, Sociando Mallet has, for 20 years, been the insider's choice for top quality wine that will easily withstand two decades of cellaring. Bottles of the 1970, 1975, and 1982 from my cellar are still youthful and evolving! -Wine Advocate Complex, slightly rustic aromas of black raspberry, mocha, smoke, game, leather and mint. Supple, sweet and rather easygoing, showing more of a merlot texture than a sample presented to me a year ago. Offers plenty of personality... -International Wine Cellar

Red Wine by Ch?teau Larose-Trintaudon from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. Graceful and easy-to-understand, an appealing harmony of Cabernet and Merlot. While well-structured and endowed with significant aging potential, Larose-Trintaudon is supple and ready to drink when released. Delicious with all kinds of beef and lamb, slow-cooked stews or pot roast and mushrooms with garlic and herbs.

Red Wine by Ch?teau Greysac from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. A sleeper of the vintage, the gorgeously plump 2003 Greysac may be even better than my score indicates. It reveals hints of sweet cherries, figs, plums, and smoky licorice along with supple tannin, a beautiful texture, medium body, and no hard edges. This luscious, tasty Medoc should drink well for 6-8 years. -The Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Ch?teau Trois Moulins from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. Intense ruby red robe with a deep purple rim. Concentrated nose with delicate hints of ripened fruits and toasty oak aromas. The mouth is ample and rich, containing an abundance of fruit, and ripe tannins. A very well-balanced wine with a long and interesting finish.

Red Wine by Ch?au Trois Moulins from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. Blend: 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot This Bordeaux has an intense ruby red color with a deep purple rim. It is concentrated on the nose with delicate hints of ripened fruits and toasty oak aromas. The mouth is ample and rich, containing an abundance of fruit and ripe tannins. A very well-balanced wine with a long and interesting finish. The average age of these vines are 25 years. Chateau Trois Moulins is the twin of the famous Chateau Cambon La Pelouse in the southern Medoc region of Bordeaux. Although Chateau Trois Moulins is not as well known as its sister, it receives the same meticulous care in grape growing, winemaking and aging. The principal difference is that Trois Moulins is made to be consumed earlier and more attractively priced. The two estates are owned by Annick and Jean-Pierre Marie. Their winemaking facilities, as well as the their vineyards, are adjacent to each other. Chateau Trois Moulins, which dates from the 19th century, is set between Chateaux Cantemerle and Giscours at one of the highest points of Macau. The estate borders the Margaux appellation and its outstanding terroir of quaternary gravel with large pebbles is similar to that of many top Margaux.

Red Wine by Ch?teau Saint-Paul from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is matured in wood for 18 months, with 25 percent new oak. On the nose, typical Bordeaux aromas of cigar box, spice, black currants and blackberry. The palate offers the same flavor profile, with smooth tannins and a medium finish. Lighter style of Bordeuax - an excellent food choice and ready to drink now, although will evolve nicely with a few more years in the cellar.