CHAPTER ONE: March France and Spain Round Up

It has been an exciting March, a trip to France and Spain. Let's round up what we tasted there.

La Conseillante Pomerol 2006
La Conseillante, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.1stars; 91pts

Great fruit and balance.

Bourillon Dorleans La Coulée D'Argent Vouvray Vieilles Vigne 1989

Bourillon Dorleans, Touraine, France

Main Varietal: Chenin Blanc

Ratings: 4.0stars; 92pts

Complex. Botrytised. youthful.

Clarence Dillon le Dragon De Quintus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France

Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.0stars; 87pts

Clean cassis driven nose and palate, the latter which lingers nicely.

Clarence Dillon La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France
Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.5stars; 89pts

Pleasantly forward. Clean and lingering finish.


Clarence Dillon Le Clarence De Haut Brion 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France
Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.5stars; 90pts

Good depth fronted by nice fruit.


Clarence Dillon Chateau Quintus Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France

Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.5stars; 89pts

Still tight, possibly brooding but good structure evident

Clarence Dillon La Clarté de Haut-Brion 2013

Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France
Main Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Ratings: 4.0stars; 91pts

Expressive nose but does not follow to palate.


Domaine Clarence Dillon Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France
Main Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Ratings: 4.0stars; 92pts

Balanced elegant and persistent.

Margaux Echantillon Pavillon Blanc 2013

Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Ratings: 93pts

100% souvignon blanc, barrel aged (30% new oak). White flowers, white currants, grapefruit, soursop and a hint of citrus. Expressive nose, not so complex but very attractive.


Margaux Echantillon 2013

Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Ratings: 93pts

Soft yet intense cassis, blueberries with floral notes and a hint of spice

Margaux Echantillon Pavillon Rouge 2013

Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot
Ratings: 90pts

Almost dense cassis with floral and blueberry hints

Rauzan-Segla Grand Cru Classé Margaux 2013
Château Rauzan-Ségla, Médoc, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot
Ratings: 3.5stars; 90pts

Deep and soft cassis notes with a hint of blueberries. 


Sichel Chateau Palmer 2013
Maison Sichel, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.5stars; 93pts

Intense nose depicting blackcurrant cassis and an savory/earthy note. Seductive. Long.



Château Palmer Alter Ego Margaux 2013
Bodegas Château Palmer, Médoc, France

Ratings: 4.0stars; 91pts

Almost dense textured cassis driven palate with gentle oak.

Sichel Chateau Palmer Margaux 1995
Sichel, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.5stars; 90+pts

95 palmer Impressive balance and mouthfeel. Long and elegant. Evolved secondary notes. Good 10 years to go. 5.13.17.8+=93+ 08 alter ego Soft and almost mature. Tannins lightly firm but very supportive in palate.

.....to be continue