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Wines of Bernard Magrez
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Wines of Bernard Magrez
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008 |
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Speaker: Nora Z Favelukes, Eastern Sales Manager, Bernard Magrez, USA Inc
Bordeaux native Bernard Magrez has dedicated his life to the production of exceptional wines. The December 15, 2007Wine Spectator called Bernard Magrez "The most ambitious man in Bordeaux". The Magrez portfolio includes some of the finest châteaux in Bordeaux – such as Château Pape Clément (Grand Cru Classé de Graves), Château Fombrauge (Grand Cru Saint-Émilion), and La Tour Carnet (Grand Cru Médoc). Magrez affirms that his Bordeaux estates serve as the standard bearer of his portfolio, evidenced by 90+ scores enjoyed by his top wines. Bernard Magrez is fully committed to the pursuit of quality both at home and abroad for the 35 vineyards he owns in southern France, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Portugal and Morocco, and his first Cuvée d'Exception in Napa Valley released last year. Meticulously picked by hand, each berry is selected with care in typical Magrez fashion. Aged in new French oak barrels, Bernard uses a modern yet minimalist approach to winemaking with no pumping, filtering or fining. The results of all this assemblage is nothing short of amazing. We tasted 12 wines. Prices are full markup retail price. We asked for one vote for favorite white, two votes for favorite red and one vote for favorite New World wine. Château Haut Mouleyre Blanc, Bordeaux 2005 and Château La Tour Carnet Bordeaux Blanc, Haut Médoc 2004 tied for the favorite white. Château La Tempérance, Haut Médoc Rouge 2003 was the favorite red Bordeaux and L’Egrégore, Bordeaux Rouge 2004 placed second favorite red Bordeaux. La Bienvenida, Mendoza Argentina 2004 was the favorite new world red and everyone loved Chateaux Pape Clement Pessac Leognan Graves 2003.
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| Aperitif |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Château Haut Mouleyre Blanc, Bordeaux 2005
Grapes: 50% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Gris, 10% Sauvignon Blanc.Yellow color, the bouquet is ripe white fruits. Crisp, nice texture in the mouth, with a real essence of pear fruit and sufficient acidity. Balanced. A very nice everyday wine.
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15 |
$20.00 |
| Flight I: Whites |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Château La Tour Carnet Bordeaux Blanc, Haut Médoc 2004
Grape Variety : 33% Semillon, 32% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sauvignon Gris, 5% Muscadelle.
Very ripe, full, crisp apple on palate. This is really quite elegant, with good acidity and freshness, but hints of depth and length.
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15 |
$65.00 |
| Flight II: Right Bank |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Château Bois Chantant Bordeaux Rouge 2005
Grape Variety: 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc. Soft, sweet tannins, long finish, mellow, pleasant. |
2 |
$22.00 |
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Château Bois Pertuis, Bordeaux Rouge 2004
Nice color, Good fruit, toasty, licorice, tobacco, chocolate, black pepper. Some tannin, long finish. A classic Pauillac. Grape Variety: 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Bigger fruit, long finish. |
2 |
$24.00 |
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Château Guerry, Côtes de Bourg Bordeaux Rouge 2003
Grape Variety: 50% Merlot, 20% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. 40 year old vines, more expression of fruit, leather, tobacco in finish. Balanced.
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6 |
$32.00 |
| Flight III: Left Bank |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Château Haut Mouleyre, Bordeaux Rouge 2004
Grape Variety: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Closed, needed aeration. Tannin, nice fruit, soft, not bitter, good acid. |
11 |
$12.00 |
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Château La Tempérance, Haut Médoc Rouge 2003
Grape Variety: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot. Darker, bigger, richer, great fruit, great structure, still tannin. The favorite Red Bordeaux.
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25 |
$25.00 |
| Flight IV: Cuvee d’Exception |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
L’Egrégore, Bordeaux Rouge 2004
Grape Variety: 100% Merlot. 25 year old vines. Soft, round, good acidity, tannic. Second favorite Red Bordeaux |
15 |
$60.00 |
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Magrez Tivoli, Haut Médoc 2004
Grape Variety: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 18 months in new French oak barrels. Dense plum/purple color is accompanied by a flamboyant nose of lead pencil shavings, blackberries, plums and road tar. This full-bodied, opulent Medoc exhibits loads of jammy fruit and kirsch-like flavors, low acidity, ripe tannin, and a savory, creamy mouthfeel. It should continue to improve over time but, no need for the impatient to wait because this juicy, hedonistic Bordeaux is drinking nicely now. |
8 |
$84.00 |
| Flight V: New World |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
La Bienvenida, Mendoza Argentina 2004
Grape Variety: 100% Malbec. Violets in nose, soft, fruity, peppery, long finish. The favorite New World wine. |
16 |
$65.00 |
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Herencia del Padri, Priorat, Spain 2004
Grape Variety: 64% Samso (Carignan), 20% Grenache, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. 50 year old vines. Good fruit, finesse, and structure. Port like.
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15 |
$75.00 |
| Finale |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Chateaux Pape Clement Pessac Leognan Graves 2003
Grape Variety: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Produced from yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare. Intense aromas of crushed berry, mineral, tobacco and smoke. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and loads of ripe, rich fruit. The finish is long and persistent. Should last 15-20 years at the minimum. An exceptional wine. Everybody loved it!
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All loved |
$160.00 |
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