On the Road with the Grape Guy
A Quick Look at The Medoc
12 Nov 2021- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
(November 2020) ... A little late getting to this one as I was not sure exactly what to do with it. It was a tasting held over Zoom with quite a few bottles of Medoc wines - today I release Medoc by the numbers and the reviews of the wines.
By the numbers ...
Makes up 15% of Bordeaux vineyards
16,200 hectares of vine land
1500 Chateaux and brands
20% of those are less than 30 hectares
249 Cru Bourgeois designated estates (new)
Medoc includes some of the most well-known appellations in Bordeaux including: Medoc, Haut Medoc, Listrac, Moulis, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, and Saint-Estephe
The Wines ...
Chateau Moulin de la Rose 2014 Saint-Julien
This is a highly drinkable Bordeaux with aromas of herbal, cranberry, floral and eucalyptus all leading to a complex palate that starts with herbal, clove, cedar and white pepper, then sweeps in subtle tannins and lots of red-ish fruit. Delicate and very drink-now-able. (*** ½+)
Chateau Mauvesin Barton 2015 Moulis-en-Medoc
Very woodsy nose and with fruit that sits on the dark spectrum side: black cherry and mocha with tannins that bite back and it packs a good acid punch - the finish dolls out quite a bit of earthy and woodsy notes too. (*** ½)
Dauphin de Grand Puy Ducasse 2015 Pauillac
This is the second wine of Grand Puy Ducasse ... And for a second wine it delivers at a first quality level: aromas of smoked-blueberry, smoked meat, red currants and violets ... The palate also delivers the goods: dark fruit and meaty notes with smoky-black cherry, leather, tobacco, cassis, and mocha plus a smoky cigar box finish. Layered and lovely. (****)
Chateau Deyram Valentin 2015 Margaux
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot - aromas of leather smoke and cedar; but here it's the palate that shines with a silky-ness that included mocha, black cherry, black cranberry, blackberry, cassis, cigar box and leather; cedar sneaks in on the finish with notes of earth and good acid backbone. (****+)
Chateau Fontis 2010 Medoc - Cru Bourgeois
A 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that's smoky and cedary - but the alcohol comes across quite hot at 14% and you can definitely feel it; very cedary with forest floor and coffee, but it’s the high mocha content that seems to rescue this wine from mediocrity. (*** ½)
Chateau Ducluzeau 2016 Listrac-Medoc
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with 10% Petit Verdot (you do the math) - nice juicy entry with dark fruit: cassis, black and red currants, plus cocoa, all with a smoky - cedary backing. This has really good stuffing and delicate spice on the finish. (****)
Chateau de Serilhan 2016 Saint-Estephe - Cru Bourgeois
This one hits all those notes for red wine fans: lots of dark fruit and dark chocolate with patches of herbal and spice, plus a licorice note that helps tie it all together. (****)
