This week’s class was a fantastic experience in all things Bordeaux – left bank, right bank, red, white, and luscious Sauternes. We tasted 4 decades of Bordeaux as sommelier Jason Alexander schooled us on the different areas of Bordeaux, their soils, the grape varieties, and the styles. We tasted the reds first from youngest to oldest, moving from Merlot-dominated right bank to Cabernet Sauvignon-focused left bank. We finished with a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Chateau Margaux and an amazing Sauternes from 1976.
The wines:
- Chateau Plince 2005 – Pomerol
- Chateau Monbousquet 2003 – Saint-Emilion
- Chateau Cos d’Estournel 2004 – Saint-Estephe
- Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou 1996 – Saint-Julien
- Chateau Beychevelle 1981 – Saint-Julien
- Chateau Longueville Baron de Pichon 1978 – Pauillac
- Chateau Margaux Pavillon Blanc 2005 – Margaux
- Chateau Nairac 1976 – Sauternes
Unfortunately 2 wines originally in the line-up were oxidized:
- Chateau Leoville Poyferre 1964 – Saint-Julien
- Chateau Haut Brion 1970 – Pessac Leognan
Students enjoyed comparing the different regions, noticing how the right bank wines differed from the left bank wines in structure and body. And of course it was amazing to taste how Bordeaux ages – clearly the region’s wines can be very rewarding with a few decades of age – if you can wait that long!
Thanks to Jason for leading a very informative and exciting class and to all the students for attending. Let us know what you thought!
See you next time…
–Melanie Friedman
