Bordeaux Off The Rails (Not in a Good Way)

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“Hello.  My name is Rodney and I like French Wine.”

When given the choice, more often than not, I will choose a Sancerre from the Loire Valley over a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Burgundian over an Oregonian Pinot Noir and a Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon over, well, from just about anywhere else in the world.  I am fully aware that equal or higher quality expressions of these varietals can be found throughout the world.  This is not to say that I don’t like them, just that I tend to lean east when given the opportunity.

Ok, maybe I should have said, “Hello.  My name is Rodney and I am a French wine snob”.  There I’ve said it.  First step to the cure is admitting that I have a problem.

So, I greatly anticipated the “Bordeaux Off the Beaten Track” seminar at the 2010 Boston Wine Expo.  Although I didn’t expect the wines to be ‘off-the-hook’, listening to Margaret Calvet and her fellow presenter (who’s name I have selectively forgotten) gush over each and every wine had me wondering if purchasing was obligatory.  Without the charming women winemakers from the region, I probably would have left half way through.  If this seminar is on the schedule for next year, I’ll be skipping it.

I did find the wines to be perfectly acceptable although not particularly exceptional.  I’ll list the wines here to judge for yourself.  The samples I found interesting are in blue after the jump.

2006 La Freynelle, Sauvignon/Semillon 50% Sauvignon & 50% Semillon

2005 La Freynelle, Merlot/Cabernet Suvignon 50% Merlot & 50% Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Chateau Bellevue Peycharneau 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc.

2005 Chateau Roland La Garde 67% Merlot & 33% Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Chateau Coutet 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec

2005 Chateau St-Andre Corbin 75% Merlot & 25% Cabernet Franc

2005 Chateau Picque Caillou 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc

2007 Chateau Doyac 70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Larose De Gruaud 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

2007 Chateau Mongravey 70% Cabernet Sauvignon & 30% Merlot

2006 Chateau Fonbadet 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot & Malbec

2005 Chateau L’Ecuyer 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc

2005 Chateau Les Tuileries, Sauternes 90% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle

Tagged as: Boston Wine Expo, France