Château des Laurets 2011 Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 89pts

Château des Laurets 2011 (Puisseguin Saint-Emilion) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $21-40
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 27th, 2019

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. This 'bargain' Bordeaux (relatively speaking and forgiving the crazy import taxes over which it has no control) has aged beautifully, offering the pencil shaving, prune and tobacco/tar notes we love. Dark fruit still present throughout with iodine, earth and spicy, charred oak flavours dominating the intense, full-ish, and leathery-tannin palate.

If you have any in your cellar I would look to open them soon as you don't want to miss the boat to Peaked Island, the next stop, after all, is Waited-To-Long Cove, from whence the ferry shall never return, so get on it. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Maison Calvet 2010 Reserve- 85pts

Maison Calvet 2010 Reserve (Bordeaux) France

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: August 1st, 2012

Tasting Notes: A good entry-level red Bordeaux to explore how Old World blends form a medley of terroir and fruit characters at a bargain basement price.

Not as ripe or juicy as its 2009 predecessor, with more of an emphasis on savoury spice and oak influence, yet the red berry fruit is still front and center. Fuller and more tannic, which is often welcomed, but as an entry-level wine you don't want to wait too long for the tannins to soften. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca