The 1995 Vintage in France

TASTING REPORT

Please find attached the report of our tasting from Monday April 20, 2015 on the theme of the 1995 vintage in France.... A very lovely evening thank you all!

1) Château Prieuré Lichine 1995 Bordeaux white:

A gold, old gold robe, without orange reflections, in appearance slightly younger than the second wine. The nose however is somewhat more evolved with notes of almond and dried fruits on a honeyed touch and a hint of oxidation. On the palate finally, the wine seems younger, the acidity is present but it clearly lacks complexity.

2) Château de Fieuzal 1995 white:

The robe is quite similar to that of its predecessor in gold, old gold tones. The nose is honeyed and floral, with notes of candied citrus, butter and cream. The palate is very elegant with much finesse. One finds citrus and white fruits. There is a lovely length that finishes on honey and butteriness. An elegant wine with a lovely acid structure.

3) Olivier Leflaive Meursault 1er cru Charmes 1995:

A very intense almost orange robe, and a nose on oxidation. An attack on the palate on praline and caramel notes. The palate is less overwhelming than the nose even if a clear bitterness emerges at the end of the palate.

4) "Intruder Wine" - Italian Wine Ca' del Bosco Terre du Franciacorta 1995:

The robe is of medium intensity, rather matte with tile and orange reflections. The nose reveals earthy and peppery notes that are found on the palate on very present tannins and a big acidity.

5) Alain Burget Gevrey Chambertin En Reniard 1995:

A very evolved robe, slightly cloudy and not very intense with tile reflections. The nose is smoky, meaty and bacon-like. Very animal on the 1st nose, it also reveals floral, mentholated and blood orange notes. The palate meanwhile is much more fruity with a very lovely length. Nice surprise!

6) La Croix Saint Georges Pomerol 1995:

The robe, rather tile-colored, is less intense than that of the following wine. A nose of cooked fruits, on prune, smokiness and earthiness with menthol notes. On the palate, the tannins are round, one finds aromas of blackberry and cooked fruits. A wine that still lacks a bit of complexity but remains nonetheless very harmonious. More concentrated and less complex than the Gevrey Chambertin, it can age further to allow more aromas to express themselves.

7) Château Haut Marbuzet 1995:

The robe of this wine is more intense and luminous than that of the previous one, revealing less evolution. The nose is slightly vanilla-scented and still somewhat closed, it reveals itself more on the palate where one finds floral notes and crushed fruits.

8) Domaine de Saint Benoit Châteauneuf du Pape 1995 – Grande garde cuvée:

The robe, slightly cloudy, is intense and evolved. The nose is complex: jammy, smoky and bacon-like but with some notes of "old cellar". Slightly floral, the aromas remain delicate with notably saline notes. The palate, although pleasant with notes of bitter orange and cooked fruits on melted tannins, confirms that the wine is not perfectly clean. To be tasted again on another bottle.

9) Gérin Côte Rôtie Les Grandes Places 1995:

The robe of this wine is slightly more intense and somewhat less evolved than that of its predecessor but remains quite similar. On the nose, one discovers superb notes of cooked fruits, leather, sweet spices, rubber and black olive. On the palate finally, the acidity is more present as are the tannins but harmoniously. One finds aromas of black fruits, menthol and tobacco. A wine with lovely balance without too much alcohol.

10) Château de Chantegrive Cérons 1995: 

A very golden robe without tile reflections. One finds rhubarb, ginger, exotic fruits but also vegetal notes. The palate lacks sugar and fat, and finishes on bitterness.

11) Château Rabaud Promis 1995:

The robe is evolved and the first nose takes us more toward alcohol than botrytis. However, more acidic than the previous one. Longer and more mellow, one finds notes of bitter orange, caramel and pineapple. A wine with lovely balance on marked acidity but which lacks a bit of lightness.

Wines are available for purchase on our website!