The final instalment of our tasting notes from the 2019 Bordeaux primeurs, with our favourites from the Médoc this time! And there were certainly plenty of favourites in this group, as this was an accomplished vintage reminiscent of the 2015. They offer superb balance despite raised alcohol levels, as well as structure and elegance.
Even though this year’s primeurs events had to be organised differently, we have nonetheless been able to taste a certain number of samples, either at the estates themselves or at the office, giving us a good overall impression of the vintage. We didn’t get to try as many as usual, meaning that there are some emblematic properties are missing. Take a look at our tasting notes from Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes, and from Bordeaux’s right bank. Read on for our thoughts on the Médoc vintage!
From the Haut-Médoc
- Château Sociando Mallet (55% Merlot – 43% Cabernet Sauvignon – 2% Cabernet Franc)
12-month maturation in barrels (90% new wood)
Spicy nose of pepper, freshness brought by mint, red fruits, floral notes
Lively attack, fresh, tart, tannins appear gradually, silky texture.
Oaky finish with fine tannins, nice length
- Château La Lagune
Lively nose, very fresh (redcurrant, berries)
Lively attack on the palate, delicate underscore, tart with lovely red fruits (redcurrant again)
Oaky finish with elegant tannins, need more time to soften
Overall nice balance and energy
From Margaux
- Château Siran
Pure aromas of ripe, black fruits, pepper
Supple and elegant attack. Velvety and structured mouthfeel, nice tannins, lightly spiced and oaky notes on the finish, good length, made for aging
- Château Dauzac
Discrete nose, pure, expresses notes of red fruit (especially cherry)
Lively attack, full of energy. Tart fruit notes
Final full of finesse and plenty of elegance
- Château Giscours
Intense nose of red fruits, spicy aromas (cinnamon, cacao), lightly smoky
Velvety texture that brings a juice full of fruit
Well-structured with elegant tannins
Fine finish, nice balance
- Château d’Issan (70% Cabernet Sauvignon – 30% Merlot)
Intense nose of black fruit and vanilla notes
Gentle attack, fresh palate, structured and supple, fruity with a tart finish
- Château Marojallia
Beautiful black fruit, lightly spices, very dense, vanilla notes
Supple attack, gentle underscore, acidity, energy and very obvious tannins.
Nicely bitter finish, freshness, good length
- Château Prieuré Lichine (62% Cabernet Sauvignon – 35% Merlot – 3% Petit Verdot)
Discrete nose, red and black fruits
Full-bodied palate, balanced, obvious but supple tannins, good length
- Château du Tertre
Lovely aromatic nose of red and black fruits, lightly toasted, flavoursome
Supple attack, very round and juicy
Finish marked by lovely fruit, lifted by peppery notes. Obvious oaky notes that need to soften
Overall well-balanced with nice length
From Saint-Julien
- Château Beychevelle
Complex nose of red and black fruits
Finesse and elegance on the palate, delicate and supple texture, juicy mouthfeel (blood orange), it seems almost ready!
Nice length
- Château Branaire Ducru
Discrete nose with note of red fruit (redcurrant, cherry)
Round and ample palate, elegant and flavoursome
Altogether supple with nicely softened tannins
Lovely length
- Château Saint-Pierre (79% Cabernet Sauvignon – 21% Merlot)
Nose of indulgent red fruits, lively, hints of maturation and notes of caramel
Gentle attack, precise and structured palate, light finish, persists
- Château Gloria (55% Cabernet Sauvignon – 34% Merlot – 6% Cabernet Franc – 5% Petit Verdot)
Matured in barrels (45% new wood)
Discrete nose, closed, fresh, aromas of red fruit and pepper
Lively attack, powerful palate, lovely texture, precise, ripe fruit, oaky finish, elegant, nice length
- Les Fiefs de Lagrange (53% Cabernet Sauvignon – 44% Merlot – 3% Petit Verdot)
Aromas of dark fruit, oaky and earthy notes
Dense palate, rich but digestible, fresh, balanced, unctuous
- Château Lagrange (80% Cabernet Sauvignon – 18% Merlot – 2% Petit Verdot)
Matured for 21 months in barrels (50% new wood)
Discrete nose, ripe dark fruit, blackcurrant, liquorice, oaky notes
Gentle attack, very dense palate, powerful oaky finish, nice length
- Arums de Lagrange (white)
Nose of citrus, white flowers, honey, almond
Elegant palate, delicate, light texture, fruity. Very nice
- Château Léoville Poyferré
Remarkably fresh and linty nose, combining a beautiful bouquet of ripe fruit and gentle spices
Velvety palate, silky attack, elegant and perfectly ripe fruit revealed
Delicately peppery finish, nice tannic structure that brings good balance
Nice length
- Château Talbot
Charming nose, developing beautiful notes of tart, red fruits (redcurrant, berries) and toasted notes
Gentle attack, elegant tannic underscore, overall well-balanced with much freshness
Delicately toasted and minty finish, nice length
From Pauillac
- Château Grand Puy Ducasse
Very fresh nose, notes of cherry and smoke
Powerful attack, vivacity, ample and velvety, elegant aromas of black cherry and earth. Oak element gives it structure
Nice length and elegant aftertaste
Impressive aging potential
- Château Lynch Bages
Discrete nose, bringing together typical blackcurrant notes with elegant oaky hints
Powerful on the palate, structured by a tannic underscore that hints at long aging potential
Elegant finish, minty, remarkable persistence
- Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Heady aromas on the nose, bursting with ripe, tart red fruits (berries, redcurrants)
On the palate, the wine has ripe fruit (blackcurrant) and spiced notes, along with oaky and smoky elements
Classic length, lovely aging potential
- Château Pontet-Canet (65% Cabernet Sauvignon – 30% Merlot – 3% Cabernet Franc – 2% Petit Verdot)
Matured in 50% new wood, 35% amphora, 15% used barrels
Sorting and destemming by hand for the first time
A real favourite among the Médoc wines tasted
Notes of cherry, blackcurrant, cacao, dried rose, liquorice, earth
Fluid palate, fresh and rich with a velvety texture. Obvious tannins, especially on the finish, nice balance and good finish
- Château Pedesclaux (72% Cabernet Sauvignon – 20% Merlot – 6% Cabernet Franc – 2% Petit Verdot)
Matured in barrels (68% new wood)
Lovely nose of plant aromas, fresh, liquorice notes
Supple attack, well-structured palate, red-currant and blackcurrant, powerful, delicate texture. Ample finish, finesse and power, liquorice, very good length
From Saint-Estèphe
- Château Lafon-Rochet (65% Cabernet Sauvignon – 30% Merlot – 5% Cabernet Franc)
Matured for 12 months in barrels
Warming nose, chocolate notes, fruity attack, heady
Delicate palate, lovely acidity, supple texture, tart finish, balanced, marked by oaky notes, fine tannins, nice length
- Château Lilian-Ladouys (59% Merlot – 37% Cabernet Sauvignon – 3% Petit Verdot – 1% Cabernet Franc)
Matured in barrels (35% new wood)
Supple attack, ample palate, tannins appear gradually, velvety, between richness and freshness
- Frank Phélan
Aromas of red fruit, cherry, flavoursome
Gentle attack, sunny palate, round, lovely tannins, velvety with nice length. A really nice wine.
- Château Phélan Ségur (56% Cabernet Sauvignon – 42% Merlot – 2% Cabernet Franc)
Matured in barrels (50% new wood)
Aromas of cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, notes of liquorice
Gentle attack, full-bodied palate, concentrated, fruity, sunny, velvety with good length
- Château Haut-Marbuzet
Complex nose of red and black fruits, oaky notes
Supple mouthfeel, juicy, tart red fruits, light in texture, fresh with good length
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Here are all our articles about Bordeaux’s 2019 Primeurs:
