Bordeaux Through the Vintages with Anne Malhere at Vinum55 in Scottsdale
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A wine tasting event this week at Vinum55 showcasing some right bank wines from André Lurton Famile of wines. They have been around since 1897. We tasted seven different wines with one being white, the 2023 Chateau de Cruzeau White. This was 100% Sauvignon Blanc which had a roundness, white fruit and light citrus flavors. This is a bit unique as most white wines from Bordeaux are blends of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up were two red wines, the first being a 2020 Chateau Tour de Segur. Right bank St Emilion style that was very dry and soft with 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The next red wine was a 2021 Chateau de Barbe Blanch which was a bit darker than the previous wine. Again, dry with red ripe fruit and medium viscosity in the glass. Made with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The next four wines were all Chateau La Louviere Rouge but different vintages to compare and contrast the terroir and blend changes. Anne Malhere pointed out they were done with the same wine maker and used the same barrel treatment. This was an opportunity to taste different growing seasons and the influence on each taste.
The first was the 2016 vintage that was 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Anne pointed out that the primary flavor is fruit, secondary flavors is the wine making and tertiary flavors come from aging and barrel treatment.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second vintage was 2018 but this time with a 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. This wine was just slightly darker than the previous and yet brilliantly clear.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The next two wines scored the highest points in my evaluation this evening. The first being 2019 vintage being 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. A very balanced wine scoring high on the eyes, taste and finish.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This was followed by 2021 vintage that was 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the darkest of all the wines this evening coming in with a garnet red coloring and luscious red fruits. A solid wine.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While enjoying tasting various right bank wines, I have been more a left bank wine enthusiast over the years, and this reconfirmed my prior perspective. I did appreciate attending the event as I have not often tasted this many right bank wines at one sitting. This was just one winery out of 5600 family vineyards in the Bordeaux region.
Pricing for these wines started at $30/bottle and went up to $70/bottle.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly