I happen to be researching an article about less expensive bordeaux and thought I would share with Purple Pagers my tasting notes on some of those so carefully hand-picked by the team at Haynes Hanson & Clark of London SW3 and Stow-on-the-Wold in the British Cotswolds.
Ch Malbat 2010 Bordeaux
95% Merlot. Warm nose (NB alcohol level!) yet fresh and ferny too on the nose. Lively fruit and no mucking about. Good natural ripe fruit and real vivacity from Vignobles Rochet of La Réole. No hurry to drink this. GV (JR)
14%
Drink
2012
–
2016
£8.25 Haynes Hanson & Clark
15.5
Ch Les Reuilles 2009 Bordeaux
60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. From Patrick Todesco of Pellegrue in Entre Deux Mers.
Mid ruby. Sumptuous perfume of very voluptuous ripe black fruits. Quite soft on the palate but with sufficient freshness too. Not especially dense. But it offers masses of pleasure per penny while not deviating from the model of good solid bordeaux. Very rich for the money. VGV (JR)
Drink
2012
–
2015
£8.30 Haynes Hanson & Clark
16
Ch Roc de Levraut 2009 Bordeaux Supérieur
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot from Sauveterre de Guyenne in Entre Deux Mers. Sweet, almost floral nose with a top layer of black pepper. Quite loose and soft. Certainly no obvious oak influence! Easy, fruity wine for early consumption. (JR)
13.5%
Drink
2012
–
2014
£8.80 Haynes Hanson & Clark
15.5
Ch Poitevin 2009 Médoc
Refined and polished with lots of attractive warm fruit on the nose and real structure on the palate. Lots of vibrancy. Obvious potential to age. Good balance – for a young wine. You could drink it now with food but I'd choose to keep it a little while. Very juicy. Smart, stylish, typographical label too. (JR)
13.5%
Drink
2013
–
2018
£13.30 Haynes Hanson & Clark
16
Ch Doyac 2008 Haut-Médoc
Cru Bourgeois. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Interesting to see how many of these Bordeaux petits châteaux give their assemblage on the back label. The nose is very rich and dense – almost 2009 richness and density – but not that much actual aroma. Round and with quite notable acidity. Well made but it does seem a tad meagre after tasting a range of (cheaper) 2009s and a 2010. This wine definitely needs food. Still quite chewy. (JR)
13.5%
Drink
2013
–
2018
£13.85 Haynes Hanson & Clark
15.5
Ch de Clotte 2008 Côtes de Castillon
Mid ruby. Slightly dusty nose verging towards gaminess. Rather diffuse and angular. A little light on the mid palate. Astringent finish. (JR)
13%
Drink
2013
–
2016
£12.70 Haynes Hanson & Clark
15
Ch La Mission 2008 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Bright ruby. Voluptuous and rich on the nose. Very flattering and ripe. Lovely smooth texture yet with considerable fruit and charm and a reassuring, if far from heavy, charge of acidity and tannin. Long and vibrant. Super charming. Long. GV (JR)
13.5%
Drink
2012
–
2018
£19.55 Haynes Hanson & Clark
16.5