Chateau Bouscaut

Part One

When I was younger, so much younger than today, I used to buy the latest Beatles album knowing I wouldn’t be disappointed. That’s really a bit like the wines from the2009 vintage in Bordeaux - they will give a lifetime of enjoyment - and having re-tasted quite a few in the last day, I am more convinced than ever that this is a vintage on a par with, and maybe even better than, the legendary 1982.

The 2010s are maybe more in the Led Zeppelin category - there have been great high points so far and some of the wines might even outperform their 2009 siblings - and it’s a really exciting vintage with flavour profiles right on the edge.

We have tasted in the region of 200 wines on Day One, with the high spots being Lafite, Margaux, Ducru Beaucaillou, Bouscaut, Leoville and Langoa Barton. There’s a massive day’s tasting ahead today with the Left Bank in the morning and the Right in the afternoon. The sun has just come up and a cloudless sky is predicted to deliver some 25ºC. I always think good weather must be worth at least 5 points to the Chateau owners, so it’s important not to get carried away.

Tasting and dinner at Chateau Bouscaut. We tasted the 2010 red and white from cask - the white has all the exotic spice and fresh fruit aromas associated with a top Grand Cru Classé and, when it’s ready to drink in about 5 years, the red will give a decade+ of pure enjoyment. Over a delicious dinner of gambas and fillet with bone marrow and mango we enjoyed the already mature 2009 white, the 2004 red, which was already a pleasure, and the outstanding 2005 red which will stand as testament to the Chateau’s prowess for at least 20 years!

Good Morning it’s 8.30am on Tuesday 5th April and we're off to the land of Cos, Pontet Canet, Talbot and Lascombes and then a quick dash to the Right Bank for a tasting with Jacques Thienpont at Le Pin.

Anthony Barton owner of Château Leoville Barton On the first day of the 2010 En Primeur Tasting

http://bcove.me/ehxzejp1

Bordeaux 2009 available at JN

Part Two

Just finished a massive day’s tasting with around 120 wines hitting the spittoon. The day began at Ausone, continued with Cheval Blanc, Rol Valentin, Angelus and the Union of Grand Cru tastings at Couspade and La Pointe and finished on a high note with Francois Mitjavile at Tertre Roteboeuf who just goes on producing some of the most captivating wines in the whole of Bordeaux.

Pomerol is a real high spot with the wines more balanced, elegant, fresh and restrained in comparison to their Saint Emilion neighbours with their high tannin levels, higher than normal acidity and alcohol readings pushing towards 15%. Petrus was a real star with Cheval Blanc right up there and really good showings from Conseillante, Clinet, Larcis Ducasse and Pavie Macquin.

Angelus and Ausone were my personal disappointments of the day but it’s still early to be tasting these wines.An early start tomorrow as it’s off to taste with JP Moueix and then on to Pessac Leognan to taste what I hear is a really impressive bunch of wines.We will of course be posting details of all the wines we recommend when the tasting glass is packed, the easyJet is up and flying and the sunny days in Bordeaux are but a distant memory.