Comments on: Finding White Bordeaux http://winexpression.com/2006/03/01/finding-white-bordeaux/ Ratings, News, and more on Wine & Spirits since August 2003 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:38:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Marcus http://winexpression.com/2006/03/01/finding-white-bordeaux/#comment-187 Marcus Sat, 04 Mar 2006 15:09:50 +0000 http://winexpression.com/2006/03/01/finding-white-bordeaux/#comment-187 I am bit surprised myself. But as the Times piece said, sometimes these Sauvignons can age. I think this Côtes de Blaye being from vieilles vignes and from the great 2000 vintage can only help. I've opened this wine twice, once in 2005, when I was worried about it fading and then again last month. To tell you the truth I enjoyed it more this year though some of the sharp fruity notes may have been dulled. I noticed the beautiful golden colour, honeyed aromas and well-integrated oak more. It wasn't close to what I had recalled tasting in 2005 (didn't mention that fact during the ordering quandary in my post). I did write "deep tones" though and I'm still wondering what that wow factor for me was. It was like the citrus element had become caramelized, smoother. Who knows, by the summer it could be falling over the edge. But Asimov writes some white Bordeaux "can evolve and improve for several decades." Wish I knew more for certain about the Haut-Bertinerie and wines its range, and as you can tell, I'm still deciding for myself how much more of this stuff I want to go out and buy. I am bit surprised myself. But as the Times piece said, sometimes these Sauvignons can age. I think this Côtes de Blaye being from vieilles vignes and from the great 2000 vintage can only help.
I’ve opened this wine twice, once in 2005, when I was worried about it fading and then again last month. To tell you the truth I enjoyed it more this year though some of the sharp fruity notes may have been dulled. I noticed the beautiful golden colour, honeyed aromas and well-integrated oak more. It wasn’t close to what I had recalled tasting in 2005 (didn’t mention that fact during the ordering quandary in my post). I did write “deep tones” though and I’m still wondering what that wow factor for me was. It was like the citrus element had become caramelized, smoother. Who knows, by the summer it could be falling over the edge. But Asimov writes some white Bordeaux “can evolve and improve for several decades.” Wish I knew more for certain about the Haut-Bertinerie and wines its range, and as you can tell, I’m still deciding for myself how much more of this stuff I want to go out and buy.

]]> By: jatemack http://winexpression.com/2006/03/01/finding-white-bordeaux/#comment-179 jatemack Fri, 03 Mar 2006 18:03:00 +0000 http://winexpression.com/2006/03/01/finding-white-bordeaux/#comment-179 Herr Doktor, I'm curious about the ageing on a bottle like this. You say it's drinking well, and it's a 2000, 100% Sauvignon Blanc . Could it go much longer than that? I just opened a 2002 Viognier from California that seemed to be past it's prime already. It's amazing how different winemaking styles can effect the ageability of wine. Herr Doktor,

I’m curious about the ageing on a bottle like this. You say it’s drinking well, and it’s a 2000, 100% Sauvignon Blanc . Could it go much longer than that? I just opened a 2002 Viognier from California that seemed to be past it’s prime already. It’s amazing how different winemaking styles can effect the ageability of wine.

]]> By: Marcus http://winexpression.com/2006/03/01/finding-white-bordeaux/#comment-175 Marcus Fri, 03 Mar 2006 14:24:54 +0000 http://winexpression.com/2006/03/01/finding-white-bordeaux/#comment-175 Jathan, I find white Bordeaux so much more approachable (read: affordable) than white Burgundy. I was a bit surprised when I saw Asimov's pitch to get drinkers interested. Tracking down some of this stuff is its own reward. <a href="http://weingolb.blogspot.com/2006/02/lots-of-red-hearts-two-elegant-whites.html" rel="nofollow">This Côtes de Blaye</a> is drinking so beautifully right now. And it's only about $20 CAN. Jathan,

I find white Bordeaux so much more approachable (read: affordable) than white Burgundy. I was a bit surprised when I saw Asimov’s pitch to get drinkers interested. Tracking down some of this stuff is its own reward. This Côtes de Blaye is drinking so beautifully right now. And it’s only about $20 CAN.

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