WTN: Poujeaux 96, 00, 01
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:22 pm
I like Poujeaux. They make a true tasting Bordeaux and are priced fairly. Also, they tend to age well while being accessible young. I was happy to taste through a couple vintages that have recently been available here in the cold dreary north.
Poujeaux 1996
Cassis and cigar box - almost stereotypical Bordeaux aromas, but sooo delicious! It does seem a bit reticent, so it could do with a few more years aging. The tight palate supports this view: much tannins, there is a great concentration of fruit also, but it is a bit shy. Great length and great freshness. A delightful wine and gave me immense pleasure despite being a bit closed.
Poujeaux 2000
This did not give me great pleasure. I know I'll make myself unpopular by saying this, but I beleive foremost in honesty so I'll say this anyway: I like cooler vintages. This didn't smell ripe. It smelled over-ripe. This didn't taste fruity, it tasted almost confected. There was also that strange lactic scent which I so often get with super-ripeness and new oak (though I have no idea how much new oak this sees). It was more like blueberry liquer than wine. There is some acidity showing, but not quite the amount to make the aftertaste fresh. This may be well made, but since I want to be honest, I'll admit that I didn't like it.
But I have a question about these warm vintages. The 2000s have been present in many tastings over here, and they always seem to show, if not explosive, at least expressive. Don't warm vintages close down?
Poujeaux 2001
Quite a delightful wine! The nose was herbal, savoury, leafy, but with nice fruit. The palate was similar. There was great balance for my tastes and great freshness on the long finish.
Despite my short note, this was maybe the most memorable of the three for me for its freshness and "naturalness".
Poujeaux 1996
Cassis and cigar box - almost stereotypical Bordeaux aromas, but sooo delicious! It does seem a bit reticent, so it could do with a few more years aging. The tight palate supports this view: much tannins, there is a great concentration of fruit also, but it is a bit shy. Great length and great freshness. A delightful wine and gave me immense pleasure despite being a bit closed.
Poujeaux 2000
This did not give me great pleasure. I know I'll make myself unpopular by saying this, but I beleive foremost in honesty so I'll say this anyway: I like cooler vintages. This didn't smell ripe. It smelled over-ripe. This didn't taste fruity, it tasted almost confected. There was also that strange lactic scent which I so often get with super-ripeness and new oak (though I have no idea how much new oak this sees). It was more like blueberry liquer than wine. There is some acidity showing, but not quite the amount to make the aftertaste fresh. This may be well made, but since I want to be honest, I'll admit that I didn't like it.
But I have a question about these warm vintages. The 2000s have been present in many tastings over here, and they always seem to show, if not explosive, at least expressive. Don't warm vintages close down?
Poujeaux 2001
Quite a delightful wine! The nose was herbal, savoury, leafy, but with nice fruit. The palate was similar. There was great balance for my tastes and great freshness on the long finish.
Despite my short note, this was maybe the most memorable of the three for me for its freshness and "naturalness".