After having had the '05 Cos over the weekend, and being totally let down, this was (as usual) a nice step up. For me, recent vintages of LLC have really shown a more modern edge to them. More high toned ripeness with slight edges of VA/tanginess to the acidity. I won't say it's flawed or bad, but it's a trait I have never seen with LLC before. This would be hard to decipher from a CA wine. Not really showing any of the earthy/leather/tobacco, Bordeaux character. Deep blood red/black in color. Notes of blackberry, kirsch, violets, crushed rock, and zippy acidity. Ample tannin, but velvety, supple and well integrated. Plenty of fruit to back up the graceful but sturdy structure. Palate staining intensity, and a long finish. I personally like the more traditionally styled 2000, but I won't be too critical here. Should be very good when it all evens out. Tasted over two days, with consistent results. 95+ pts.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dr.darkrichandbold,

quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
After having had the '03 Cos over the weekend, and being totally let down

I thought it was the '05 Cos that was a letdown?

quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
Not really showing any of the earthy/leather/tobacco, Bordeaux character.

Drab, I haven’t been at the wine game very long but isn’t leather & tobacco typically “secondary” flavors that take years of bottle age to emerge? I wouldn’t expect to find those flavors in a young Bord.

Foghorn...

Oops...my mistake....you are correct it was the '05 Cos that was the letdown.

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Drab, I haven’t been at the wine game very long but isn’t leather & tobacco typically “secondary” flavors that take years of bottle age to emerge? I wouldn’t expect to find those flavors in a young Bord.

I think it can go both ways. For me these, along with ripe fruit, and earthiness are hallmarks of traditional Bordeaux. They also show up as secondary characteristics in riper styled wines once they age.

Here's an example (first one I stumbled accross)....JS's release note for the 2000 Lafite:

"Subtle aromas of currants, leather, tobacco and cedar. Classic cigar box nose, with fruit. Full-bodied, with an amazing texture of silky, ripe tannins. This wine completely coats your palate, but caresses it at the same time. This is the best young Lafite ever made. A triumph. Best after 2012. 18,000 cases made. –JS"

Drab, thanks for the response. I have yet to get those characteristics in young Bordeaux but have found them often in aged bottles. When I drink young Bordeaux at tastings I just look for ripeness of fruit, balance, structure/tannins. I’m not really expecting what I consider secondary nuances, like leather/tobacco, etc. Interesting.

I have a couple 05 LLC’s sleeping in the offsite, looking forward to them.

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I have yet to get those characteristics in young Bordeaux but have found them often in aged bottles. When I drink young Bordeaux at tastings I just look for ripeness of fruit, balance, structure/tannins. I’m not really expecting what I consider secondary nuances, like leather/tobacco, etc. Interesting.

I would say that these characteristics have become harder and harder to find in young Bordeaux. The wines from 2003 forward have really begun adopting many of the styles and trends currently being seen on the Rt. Bank. I think the world market is increasingly interested in a more approachable youthful style that is drinkable on release, and this is what the Bordelais are producing more of. Not to mention, critics have been rating wines of this style highly.

quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
This would be hard to decipher from a CA wine.

I'm wondering if more and more high-class (red) Bordeaux wines are loosing their unique terroir characteristics. If this proves to be true I see absolutely no reason why a wine lover should continue buying any Bordeaux at all.

What a drab indeed!! Thanks for posting. Not that I'll care for 20 years!!

Drab,

With all the respect to your oenological faculties, I am wondering about the assessment of 05 bordeaux drunk so young, especially from such a tannic vintage as 2005. Would you not say that the Cos, coming from St-Estephe and known for tannic wines that shut down quicker than say St-Julien's, would be more closed than the LLC? I've tasted many bdx wines young and unfortunately, in a good vintages, they tend to me more disjointed young than similarly aged wines from less "hyped" vintages(2004 comes to mind) as the latter are more approachable in these "off-vintages".

Furthermore, even Suckling admitted that Bordeaux wines in this vintage started to shut down rather early in December of 2007 last year. Could this be a factor?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mimik,

Try asking something he's capable of knowing.

Mimik...

"Could this be a factor?"


Whether it's a forumite here, or a critic printing a review in their respective publication....a TN is merely a snapshot of the given sample at a given time. Anything is possible. This is merely my interpretation at the time I tried it. Take from it what you will.

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Try asking something he's capable of knowing.

Maybe we could talk about head and neck anatomy? I could school you there too?

Did anyone catch that article in Decanter? I think it was Christain Moueix who said something to the effect that great wine will always be balanced. He even went a little further to say that wines will balance with time is a big lie. I admit, I am more in the Board-O camp than the dr.darkrichandboldbold/Mouiex camp as I taste very little from young wines, especially Bordeaux. But I think I am beginning to understand the man dr.darkrichandbold.

quote:

Christain Moueix

I don't know...I think Board-O might have a better idea than Msr. Moueix, but who am I to surmise...

spo...do you have a link to the article? Or do you have to subscribe...

I had the print version. I am looking for it but I might have tossed it as I hate clutter. When I read it I thought of you and Board-O. But I must emphasize. I don't think there is a wrong or right here. Just a difference of anatomy. I recently had an 01 Barolo with a friend who swore the wine had beautiful cherry fruit and some secondaries, all I got was a mouthful of astringency. Which one of us was correct?

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Which one of us was correct?

Very true...

But, I do think that out of balance wine is always going to be that way. I also believe in dumb phases/closed wines, but I think this is far too often used as an excuse for a wine that is really out of balance.

quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
But, I do think that out of balance wine is always going to be that way.

You really have no idea.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
But, I do think that out of balance wine is always going to be that way.

You really have no idea.

It is hard to get a consensus on what balanced is. When I think of about 3 people from here that I share wine with, and sometimes compare notes with, I am amazed at what they consider balanced and unbalanced. But the important thing here guys, is that if I am in your neighborhood, you need to serve something that I think is balanced.

quote:

Originally posted by spo:

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
But, I do think that out of balance wine is always going to be that way.

You really have no idea.

It is hard to get a consensus on what balanced is. When I think of about 3 people from here that I share wine with, and sometimes compare notes with, I am amazed at what they consider balanced and unbalanced. But the important thing here guys, is that if I am in your neighborhood, you need to serve something that I think is balanced.

spo, stop it anytime, but I assure you we will not be drinking a 2005 Bordeaux.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by spo:

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold:
But, I do think that out of balance wine is always going to be that way.

You really have no idea.

It is hard to get a consensus on what balanced is. When I think of about 3 people from here that I share wine with, and sometimes compare notes with, I am amazed at what they consider balanced and unbalanced. But the important thing here guys, is that if I am in your neighborhood, you need to serve something that I think is balanced.

spo, stop it anytime, but I assure you we will not be drinking a 2005 Bordeaux.

Did you mean "stop in", well in that case, I will be at your place Sunday for dinner. Or did you mean "stop it" as in this conversation?