In article
>,
DaleW > wrote:

> Matt got together a small group to try a bunch of midrange 2006
> Bordeaux last night. None of us had bought much, so most of the wines
> came as a group buy, with Matt doing the heavy lifting (literally and
> figuratively). Public did a nice job with stems, decanters and
> service, and the food was quite good. My choices (fried oysters in
> shiso leaf, and a oxtail/snail ravioli) weren't the most Bordeaux
> friendly, but I was in a whatthehell mood.
>
> I had brought a blind starter. Initial guesses were Chablis and white
> Rhone, I said it wasn't Chablis and they went more generally white
> Burgundy. I confused them when I said not Chardonnay, with folks
> guessing Aligote and other minor grapes. Turns out no one was familiar
> with the Pinot Gouges (white sport of PN). 2006 Henri Gouges ³la
> Perrieres² Nuits St. Georges Blanc 1er. Floral, slight honey note on
> nose. Rich, good acids, good length, soil notes. I quite enjoy, and
> saved some for my oysters. B+/A-
>
> On to the reds (non-blind)
>
> 2006 Ch. La Vieille Cure (Fronsac)
> Interesting nose of toffee and red fruit, but monolithic and closed on
> palate. Tight and tannic, nothing to see here at the moment. Might
> turn out nice, but for now B-/C+
>
> 2006 Ch. d¹Aiguilhe (Cotes de Castillon)
> Easily the value of the night for current drinking. Lush, red plums
> and cocoa, drinking well, very tasty. B+
>
> 2006 Ch. Cantemerle (Haut Medoc)
> Blast of brett at first, then it blows off partially. Plums, smoke,
> medium length. B
>
> 2006 Ch. La Lagune (Haut Medoc)
> Good, also just a hint of brett . Nice red fruit, woodsmoke, a bit of
> mineral. Could be worth checking out in Jan sales. B+/A-
>
> 2006 Ch. Malescot St. Exupery (Margaux)
> Really lovely Margaux nose of berries and sandalwood, but I found a
> bit flat and lifeless on palate. Very low acid. Others enjoyed more.
> B-
>
> 2006 Ch. Haut Bailly (Pessac-Leognan)
> Wow, I was really surprised at this, oaky and unintegrated. I'm
> usually a fan of Haut Bailly, but I didn't like this. Maybe time will
> help. B-/C+
>
> 2006 Ch. Lynch Bages (Pauillac)
> I was just as surprised at this, as other than the 1996 I haven't
> really loved a Lynch since the 1989. But this was my favorite of the
> evening, some oak but much more in touch with the fruit, the oak
> cutting more of a cedary swath than a vanilla one. Cassis, herbs,
> cedar. Tannic but they seem fine and manageable. A-
>
> 2006 Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste (Pauillac)
> Overall nice, but there's a funny note I can't put my finger on in
> nose-seaweed? Other than that, nice good Bordeaux, black fruits, ripe
> tannins. B/B+
>
> 2006 Ch. Leoville Barton
> Showing a lot of wood at first, but as black fruit deepens it becomes
> more integrated. Big, blackcurrants, surprising oak but I think it'll
> integrate. B+
>
> 2006 Ch. Pontet Canet (Pauillac)
> Lush, modern, forward, big. I think a lot of people would love this.
> B
>
> 2006 Ch. Duhart Milon (Pauillac)
> I apparently stopped making notes here, but found this simple and
> short. Wrote C+/B-
>
> 1988 Ch. Rieussec (from 375)
> no notes but I know I found it lovely and full, B+
>
> Fun night with nice group. Thanks to Matt for organizing. No true
> stunners, but if good post holiday sales I might seriously consider
> Lagune, Barton, Lynch, GPL, etc. Aiguilhe is probably a decent deal
> already
>
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an
> excellent*wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I
> wouldn't*drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I
> offer no*promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of
> consistency.**

I recently went to a tasting of 2006 Bordeaux wines and as a rule I
found them not that interesting. I think this may end up being a weak
vintage.