June 13, 2024 - Right Bank / Left Bank Bordeaux

For our final WAC Wine Club tasting of the 2023-2024 year the impressive Red Bordeaux Blends reign supreme.  We’ll compare three Right Bank wines (Merlot-based) with three Left Bank wines (Cabernet Sauvignon-based) noting the differences and similarities in grape varieties, terroir, climate and more. This calculated art of blending native varietals is impressively accomplished in Bordeaux, the most famous winegrowing region in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and occasionally Carmènere are the lead characters in the creation of Red Bordeaux Blends.

2008 Château Clinet (Pomerol)

Château Clinet is located at the highest point of the Pomerol plateau on Bordeaux’s Right Bank on the famous Günz gravel terrace, origin of the appellation’s most prestigious crus. Château Clinet’s reputation as a fine wine producer was already established by the 19th century, which has carried through to 1998 when Château Clinet was bought by Jean-Louis Laborde. He devoted all his energy and vision to pursuing the evolution inspired by the preceding owners. His son Ronan took over as general manager in 2004, who along with his winemaker, are the youngest team in the Union des Grands Crus (both are in their thirties).

The opaque purple-colored 2008 Clinet is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, notes of sweet crème de cassis, blackberry, plum, Asian spice, licorice and incense are present. The palate is fresh with fine tannin, layers of blackberry and cassis fruit laced with crushed stone—fresh and lively with a hint of peppermint towards the finish and graphite (courtesy of the Cabernet) on the aftertaste. 

2010 Château Pavie Macquin Grand Cru (St. Émilion)

Château Pavie Macquin, took its name from Albert Macquin who is considered a true pioneer as he deserves much of the credit for solving the phylloxera epidemic. The current owners of Pavie Macquin are Benoit Corre and Bruno Corre and Marie-Jacques Charpentier. Starting with their 1998 vintage and new winemakers, things began rapidly turning around for the wines of this St. Emilion château. At Pavie Macquin they have old vines, many are on average close to 40 years of age with some of their oldest vines dating back more than 60 years.

The 2010 vintage is considered an extremely masculine, dense, burly wine—a final blend of 80% Merlot with the rest virtually all Cabernet Franc, with just 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Loads of crushed rock and chalkiness, along with licorice, black truffle, smoked game and black fruits dominate the aromatics and flavor. 

2010 Lynches-Bages (Pauillac)

The Lynch-Bages vineyard (1855 Grand Cru Classé), situated in the lands of “Batges” at the entrance to Pauillac, overlooks the Gironde estuary and stretches over a beautiful gravelly hilltop. Formerly owned by the illustrious Lynch family, of Irish descent, the estate was acquired by the Cazes family in 1939. The focus on generations of family stewardship has added heart and personality to the story of Lynch-Bages. Marking four centuries of history and years of hard work, the family ‘s legacy is meant to be cherished and passed from one generation to another. 

The Lynch-Bages 2010 vintage, made from a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, is opaque, inky, with a purple/black color. The nose is savory, bursting with a complex array of vibrant, mostly black fruit, ranging from black cherry to boysenberry, cassis with redcurrant hints and sweet oak spices. The palate shows lovely fresh acidity and clean cassis fruit. 

2010 Moulin de Duhart (Pauillac)

The history of Château Duhart Milon dates back to the early 18th century, when Pauillac was covered with vines. The classification of 1855 recognized the quality of the soil of Duhart-Milon by positioning it as the only 4th Grand Cru Classé of the commune of Pauillac. Under its powerful brand, considered the second wine under the classification, Château Duhart Milon employes the same winemaking techniques as Château Lafite Rothschild. The terroir of Château Duhart-Milon extends over 76 hectares of vines which are divided between 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. The origin of the name, Moulin de Duhart, comes from the former presence of a windmill on the Carruades plateau, next to the Duhart-Milon vineyard.

The 2010 Moulin de Duhart shows notes of toast, vanilla, spice, and dark fruit. It is full bodied, yet quite light on its feet. Dark raspberries, cherry, and plum emerge on the palate displaying a soft and elegant body. Polished, fine tannins finish it off.

2011 Château Clinet (Pomerol)

The second example of Château Clinet (as described above), this vintage is a blend of 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. It also displays an ink-purple color like the 2008, due to the abundance of Merlot, which is enhanced by the soils of Pomerol, producing an impressive concentration of color and flavor.  On the nose, one experiences scents of wild raspberries and strawberries, together with blackberries and plums in syrup, mingling subtly with essence of vanilla and licorice. Silky and intense on the palate, its soft texture coats the freshly picked wild fruits sprinkled with spices. 

2012 Léoville-Poyferré (Saint-Julien) 

Designated as a Second Grand Cru Classé in 1855, Château Léoville-Poyferré was established in 1840 when Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré added his name to Léoville. Owned by the Cuvelier family since 1920, Léoville-Poyferré is anchored in one of the most intimate appellations of the Médoc: Saint-Julien. Dispersed over 80 hectares and split into several groups, the vineyard reflects all the richness and diversity of the appellation.

The 2012 Léoville-Poyferré is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. It displays a deep ruby/purple color to go along with terrific notes of crème de cassis, loads of blackberry, graphite, lead pencil shavings and violets. It is a rich wine, full-bodied, supple, and forward, with low acidity and ripe tannin. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy notes on the entry, fairly saline with good tension, superb backbone and density on the finish.