Bordeaux 2011 Primeurs: Minor Appellations
This not-quite-final instalment of my guide to Bordeaux 2011, based upon my experiences in Bordeaux tasting the barrel samples en primeur, completes my collection of tasting notes for the vintage – at this stage at least. As has been the case in previous years, these last few tasting notes describe a rather diverse collection of styles and appellations, taking in what are potentially great, as yet inadequately exploited terroirs such as Fronsac and Castillon, as well as more generic appellations such as Entre-Deux-Mers and the catch-all Bordeaux of course. There is no hard and fast rule to where the quality lies, of course, as lovely wines can be found at all levels in Bordeaux. As, indeed, can majestic flops. So ‘minor’ appellations, as I have chosen to refer to them (for want of anything better – I’m open to suggestions) such as these should not be discounted out of hand. There are often wines here worth buying.
I have bolstered this little collection in the 2011 vintage by pulling out those wines which in previous years I have left in my communal reports, such Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux for example. So, this year, among all the little names here, we also have wines from Cos d’Estournel, Suduiraut, Jacques Guinaudeau of Lafleur, Mouton and so on. In fact, there are wines here from the great and the good of Bordeaux. One or two are likely to give great pleasure and quite possibly good value for money too. Others are likely to be over-priced and over-hyped; lovely wines, perhaps, but simply too costly due to their limited volumes and association with famous first- and second-growth châteaux of the left bank.
Please log in to continue reading: