Bordeaux 2011 at Four Years: Haut-Médoc
I personally put great value in the classed growths of the Haut-Médoc. They are too easily overlooked I think, and yet in these days when it is becoming increasingly difficult to use the words ‘Bordeaux’ and ‘value’ in the same sentence, these châteaux really do have something to offer us. All five have at least some good terroir, whether it be the gravelly slopes to the west of St Julien or on the sparse gravels south of Margaux, and thus all have the potential to give us elegant, classically structured wines.
Château Cantemerle is an eternal favourite, one of my earliest case purchases twenty-or-so years ago, and my last few bottles are still performing well today; in good vintages such as 2005, 2009 or 2010 it is always worth some consideration. I was also impressed by the robust character of Château La Lagune the first time I tasted it, many years ago, and I remain interested in the domaine today.
I have a soft spot for Château La Tour Carnet, sadly not featured here, and although I have less experience with Château Belgrave in recent years I have found some good things in the wines of this château, with the 2005 showing particularly well when tasted a year or so ago, at ten years of age, and more recent vintages also hold promise. I think Château de Camensac has some potential as well, even if I have to confess I am still waiting for this particular flower to bloom.
