2006 Chateau De Fieuzal - 89pts

2006 Chateau De Fieuzal (Pessac-Léognan) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Limited
Cost: $35-40
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 17th, 2013

Tasting Notes: With a modest amount of age under its belt, this charming Pessac-Léognan gem delivers the graphite, smoky oak and cassis aromas and flavours that Bordeaux lovers hope to find when then extract a patiently waiting bottle from their cellar. Doesn't have the complexity or length of a classed growth, yet, for the price, makes a nice, approachable wine, perfect for mid-term cellaring. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Chateau de Fonbel 2006 Grand Cru - 88+pts

Chateau de Fonbel 2006 Grand Cru (Saint-Emilion) Bordeaux - France

Availability: BCLDB stores, private wine shops
Cost: $28-35
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Produced by Chateau Ausone's Alain Vauthier, this Right-Bank, Merlot dominant blend (with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Carmenere) offers savoury, elemental characters of graphite, oak, smoke and earthy minerality with a backbone of dark berry fruit. Concentrated with good weight and length, strong acidity and medium-plus, rounding tannins. To make the most of this complex, charming wine, be patient and allow it to develope fully in your cellar for another year to allow the wine to mellow and it's tannins to integrate fully. Drink late-2012-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Chateau Roquetaillade 2005 La Grange - 88pts

Chateau Roquetaillade 2005 La Grange (Graves) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Widely available. BCLDB stores

Cost: $25.99

Alcohol: 12.5%

Date Tasted: January 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: This dark garnet coloured wine offers great value for those interested in Bordeaux wines but are intimidated by the price of many of the more famous Chateau. Produced in the outstanding 2005 vintage, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc delivers old-world subtlety with cassis, blueberry aromas and floral notes on the nose.

The medium-plus bodied palate offers developing flavours of cassis, leather, pencil shavings and vanilla with well integrated, medium-plus tannins and medium acidity. A good wine to pair with roasted, savory meats and hearty vegetables. Drink now through 2013. - LC

2006 Chateau Rieussec - 92.33pts

2006 Chateau Rieussec (Sauternes) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $59.00-$79.90 - 375ml

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Tasting Notes: Excellent example of the complexity of flavours that can be hidden within a full-bodied sweet wine. Light gold in colour with a whole slew of fruit flavours on the nose and palate: apricot, candied-apple, peach, honeyed lemon. Add a touch of rosted-almonds and mineral notes and you have a very complex and satisfying 1er Cru Classé wine. Should develop nicely over the next decade.

Scores: 91 ST, 93 WS, 93 IW, Average = 92.33

2006 Chateau Coutet - 91.75pts

2006 Chateau Coutet (Barsac) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $48.90 - 370ml, $95.90 - 750ml

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Tasting Notes: A light gold colour, the core to rim differential shows little development thus far. Candied fruit and pralines on the nose with delicate fruit flavours drenched in full-bodied sweetness. Shows promise but needs further development to build more complexity on the palate.

Scores: 92 WA, 91 ST, 94 WS, 90+ IW, Average: 91.75

2006 Chateau Pape Clement - 93.25pts

2006 Chateau Pape Clement (Pessac) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $229.00-$269.90

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot

Tasting Notes: One of the standouts from the tasting. A deep and opaque core of ruby. The nose showed tremendous complexity with licorice, coffee, and floral notes. The complexity continued on the pallate with high tannins and coffee. The finish was beautifully long. Overall this was a gorgeous wine that should for age for decades.

Scores: 95 WA, 93 ST, 91 WS, 94 IW, Average: 93.25

2006 Chateau Montrose - 92pts

2006 Chateau Montrose (St. Estephe) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $139.00-$179.90

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot

Tasting Notes: A very concentrated ruby core. A complex nose with notes of licorice. The palate exhibited high acid and tannins with notes of leather and pepper with a long finish. There was good balance and complexity overall however the expectations were higher than the delivery. Flavours are very subtle. This one will most definitely benefit from age.

Scores: 94+ WA, 89+ ST, 93 WS, 92 IW, Average: 92

2006 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron - 92.5pts

2006 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron (Pauillac) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $159.00-$189.00

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes: Concentrated ruby core. Beautiful impression on the nose with complex floral notes. Dusty and smooth with high tannins on palate. Complex, balanced, and extremely well structured. A beautiful wine that will age like a star.

Scores: 92 WA, 92+ ST, 92 WS, 93 IW, Average: 92.25

2006 Chateau Clerc Milon - 90.25pts

2006 Chateau Clerc Milon (Pauillac) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $75.00-$89.90

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes: Lighter ruby core. Moderate intensity on the nose with light licorice and cherry. Good acid and tannins and chocolate on the palate, medium bodied. Decent complexity and balance that will definitely improve with age. Subdued.

Scores: 91+ WA, 90 ST, 91 WS, 89 IW, Average: 90.25

2006 Chateau Lascombes - 90pts

2006 Chateau Lascombes (Margaux) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $115.00 (BC Liquor Stores - Oct 3rd, 2009)

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet colour with good concentration. Intense nose with hints of chocolate, coffee and leather notes. The palate was medium bodied with flavours of pepper, cherry, and leather with a decent finish. Subdued and nice.

Scores: 90 WA, 90 ST, 91 WS, 89 IW Average: 90

2006 Chateau Clinet - 90.5pts

2006 Chateau Clinet (Pomerol) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $153.90 (Private Wine Stores)

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes: Dark core, concentrated garnet colour. Impressive and complex. The small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through with cassis and light floral. Strong tannins and medium bodied with hints of chocolate, spice, and pepper. Long finish. Well structured. This one will age well.

Scores: 90+ WA, 90 ST, 90 WS, 92 IW, Average: 90.5

2006 Clos du Marquis - 90.75pts

2006 Clos du Marquis (St. Julien) Bordeaux - France


Decanted: 2hrs


Cost: $75.00-$89.90


Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes: A thick and concentrated purple core with ruby rim. A complex nose with aromas of berry, chocolate, and slight orange. Good acid and tannins, medium bodied with a shorter finish. Very nice balance and good complexity.

Scores: 90 WA, 90 ST, 92 WS, 91 IW, Average: 90.75

2006 Clos de l'Oratoire - 91pts

2006 Clos de l'Oratoire (St. Emilion) Bordeaux - France


Decanted: 2hrs


Cost: $59.00-$74.90


Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes: This wine had a concetrated core with a garnet rim. The complex nose had hints of vanilla, plum and blackberries. Beautiful impressions on the palate with high tannins. The finish was spicey was nice but seemed to cut short. This was a complex and well balanced with with great aging potential. One worth trying especially at this price.



Scores: 91 WA, 91 ST, 91 WS, 91 IW, Average: 91

2006 Chateau Cantemerle - 88.5pts

2006 Chateau Cantemerle (Haut-Medoc) Bordeaux - France


Decanted: 2hrs


Cost: $49.00-$69.90


Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes: Good concentrated, dark garnet colour. The nose had nice intensity with hints of leather, tobacco, and deep berries. The palate had good acid and nice tannins with a velvety finish. This was a nice young wine that requires 5-6 years of further development.

Scores: 90 WA, 89 ST, 88 WS, 87+IW, Average: 88.5

2006 Chateau La Tour Carnet - 90pts

2006 Chateau La Tour Carnet (Haut-Medoc) Bordeaux - France

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $59.90

Date Tasted: September 13th, 2009

Blend: 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon , 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes: Appearence was moving to garnet with decent concentration. Nose was subtle and notes were difficult to pick up but cherries were evident. The palate was chalky and dry with spice. Fairly straightforward with good acid and tannins.

Scores: 91+ WA, 90 ST, 91 WS, 88 IW Average: 90