OK - anything but an ordeal. Our 4th year at this event and we absolutely love it. Not a blockbuster year, but clearly didn't need to be. Two things stood out in the vast majority of these wines. First, is how well balanced they are, unlike many "contemporary" styles that I find out of whack. The other is that they kept their alcohol levels under control - none of the alcohol bombs that we are producing here. A few were a bit hot, but none approaching the combustible level some of the California wines have reached.
Since there are a number of wine lovers on the board, I thought you might be interested. Unfortunately, we had to pass on the white Bordeaux; with only 4 hours available it was daunting just getting through the reds and Sauternes. Some of my favorites (not in any particular order); my wife will have a few others in her notes....
Red:
Ch. Larrivet-Haut-Brion
Ch. Malartic-Lagraviere
Ch. Angelus
Ch. Beau-Sejour Becot
Ch. Pavie-Macquin
Ch. Franc-Mayne
Ch. Trottevieille
Ch. La Tour Carnet
Ch. Kirwan (!)
Ch. Haut Bages Liberal
Ch. Pichon-Longueville (both - slight nod to Baron)
Ch. Pontet-Canet
Ch. Phelan Segur
Sauternes:
Ch. Bstor-Lamontagne
Ch. Guiraud
Ch. Suduiraut(!)
