Our day began with some initial chaos as the time getting off the train from Paris to acquire the rental car then to get to St. Estephe for our first stop at Ch. Montrose was upended by the timeline. Realizing we'd be significantly late, we called and were notified we'd have to do a later time in the day. Trouble is, the remainder of the day was scheduled and Montrose is a consistent favorite of mine that I really didn't want to miss.
After some phone calls and juggling, Lynch Bages agreed to see us early so we were able to flip flop those two appointments.
We received a "catch up" walk through the stunning facility at Lynch Bages and were then met up with a tour group in English, already in process. We tasted three wines by the house. Due to our timing, I left my notebook in the car and didn't get to take detailed notes.
Following our tasting, we'd already arranged lunch at Cafe Lavinal which is on the Lynch Bages grounds. The winemaker I work with recommended this and I am so glad she did. It was an outstanding lunch and I highly recommend a visit here while in Pauillac or around a tasting at Lynch Bages.
After lunch, we ventured up to Montrose. We tasted three wines here.
2015 Tronquoy Lalande- A Dark nose of spiced plums, eucalyptus, cherry and black currant. The flavors all match, along with cocoa and black cherry. It's a touch green, but it's a pleasant herbaceousness. It's fresh with lots of verve loaded with red and black berries, plum and cassis.
2017 La Dame de Montrose- Bright nose, fresh and vibrant. Sweet pea blossom, cherry and currant. The flavors line up with the aromas with a touch of anise. Big fruit with nice energy. Youthful.
2015 Montrose- Nice warming oak on the nose over layers of cassis and wet stone with hints of cedar. There is a touch of tarragon on the palate with black currant leaf, black plum, black cherry and elderberry. It leans dark in its fruit and that fruit nicely balances the earthy components. Nice now but promises more integration with more time in bottle.
Chateau Pichon Baron was our last stop and what a pictureqsue property! Located across from Comtesse de Lalande and just down from Latour, there is no shortage of photographic moments.
Here, we were treated to a vineyard tour where they explain their terrior and methods. Here I think we lucked out as we were neighboring a Spanish language group with a curated selection, so we got to try a bit more. The cellar sits under the pool which contains a skylight looking up into the water.
2017 Les Tournelles- Red fruit on the nose, with vanilla toast and a touch of sous bois. Hints of white pepper. Lively acid on the palate, with an interesting mix of fresh and dried red fruits. Medium bodied with a touch of tomato savoriness. It has a Pinot-like elegance and drinks nice and easy.
2017 Les Griffons- A stronger white pepper edge on this one, with savory notes over currant and pomegranate with black plum and a touch of spice. Earth presents in graphite, wood and stone. It rests on a savory frame with black cherry and cassis along with black plum and nice spice. Some brightness from toasted vanilla accents.
2017 Grand Vin- Warm cedar/sandalwood aromas over bright fruit, leaning on the red end of the spectrum. Tomato skin savoriness. On the palate, it has a bright entry with lots of red berry and plum. It's complex, but sits at a medium body and texture.
2019 Pibran- Floral aromas over red and black fruit. It has a very pretty nose. On the palate, big tannin mediated by lush black fruit with a savory edge. It's nicely balanced with a touch of spice on the finish.
2019 Grand Vin- More open and generous than 2017. Loads of berry compote, cedar and graphite/iron. It's a riper, richer style lending itself to earlier drinking than 2017. There is an interesting salinity on the entry with lots of black plum and licorice, accented by brighter red fruits. Lots of potpourri and warm spices. The heavier cassis lifts into red currant.
2016 Grand Vin- Right in between then 2017 and 2019, this vintage has a "more together" nose. Red and black currant along with black cherry and plum. Leather, cedar and dried flowers. It has a gorgeous purity of fruit on the palate that has coalesced nicely and is wonderfully balanced. Very well integrated and nice.
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