On Dec 16, 2:21*pm, Lawrence Leichtman > wrote:
> In article
> >,
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> *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.

While there were some wines I stylistically didn't like, I think my
overall impression is good though not great vintage. Of course small
sample.
I might be a buyer if there are some good price reductions.