Rancho Cellars Vintage Bordeaux Seminar
January 22, 2010 6:30pm-8pm at Rancho Cellars, Carmel.
(Kerry Winslow, grapelive.com is helping to promote this special event)
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2000 Bordeaux Tasting “A Classic Vintage Ten Years Later”
The wines of Bordeaux, a study in terroir and vintage featuring all red wines from the main regions of Bordeaux from the upper and lower Medoc, plus “Right Bank” and “Left Bank.” All the wines being shown and tasted scored at least 90 Points by the famed wine critic Robert Parker. Learn about vineyards, the grapes, the soils, and the 1855 Classification and the Chateaux of this special wine area. The 2000 vintage was one of the classic years and was rated right up there with some of the best of century, including the fabled 1982 vintage. Only a small number of spaces will be available for this limited presentation and only pre-paid reservations will be taken. This Rancho Cellars Event hosted by Jacques Melac is a rare opportunity for the wine-buying enthusiast that wants to learn about vintage wine in a fun and educational way. Conducted in a serious tasting format with a knowledgeable guide giving commentary, plus time for self evaluation of each wine. This rare and special seminar is part of a long standing and now continuing educational tradition at Rancho Cellars to bring the world’s greatest wines and winemakers to our local area. Don’t miss this the chance to try some of the world’s most famous wines from France’s premier wine region with a decade of cellaring, and from a classic year and book your spot early.
$75 per person, includes tasting and Hors d’oeuvres by Chef Janet Melac
phone: 831-625-5646
www.ranchocellars.com
Featured Wines and Reviews by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Pauillac:
2000 Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac, Bordeaux , France. 92 Points, Parker.
“Like its neighbor, Mouton Rothschild, this wine seems to have closed down considerably after bottling. The impressively saturated opaque purple color offers up some promising aromas of black currants, vanilla, truffle, smoke, and mineral. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, powerful, layered, and enticingly textured, but oh, so backward and firm. The finish is long, but this broodingly backward, large-scaled Pontet-Canet will require considerable patience. Does it rival the brilliant 1995 or 1996? I am not sure. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2030.” List $65-125. ($61 each)
Pomerol:
2000 Chateau Petit Village Pomerol, Bordeaux, France. 90 Points, Parker.
“A striking bouquet of candied black fruits, allspice, cinnamon, and herbs jumps from the glass of this dense purple-colored Pomerol. The intriguing fragrance reveals notes of mincemeat as it sits in the glass, providing an exotic element to this 2000. The wine is rich, ripe, and full-bodied, with outstanding purity, concentration, and thickness. Drink this in-your-face Pomerol now and over the next 15-16 years.” List $80-125 ($75 each)
Margaux:
2000 Chateau Brane Cantenac Margaux, Bordeaux, France. 92 Points, Parker.
“Undeniably the finest Brane-Cantenac in 40-50 years, the deep ruby/purple-colored 2000’s beautiful aromatics of smoke, black currants, tobacco, earth, and flowers jump from the glass. In the mouth, it is pure, elegant, medium-bodied, with savory tannin and adequate acidity, and a measured yet authoritatively flavored mid-palate and finish. How encouraging it is to see this property get its act together. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.” List $71-125 ($65 each.)
Pessac-Leognan (Graves):
2000 Chateau Haut-Bailly Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France. 90 Points, Parker.
“Patience will be rewarded with this style of Bordeaux that typifies restraint and subtlety. The deep ruby-colored 2000 is an impressive youthful Haut-Bailly. It offers endearing notes of black cherries, raspberries, and currants mixed with tobacco smoke, soil overtones, and subtle wood. The acidity is low, the tannin is present, and the overall quality is pure and well-balanced. This is a classic example of finesse and elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.” List $72-142 ($65 each)
Saint-Estephe:
2000 Chateau Cos D’ Estournel Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France. 92 Points, Parker.
“This wine puts on weight and grows in stature every time I go back to it. In fact, from the bottle it was better than ever. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2000 Cos d’Estournel suffers only in comparison with its successor, the 2001. Deep bluish purple in color with a reticent but emerging bouquet of cedar, licorice, blueberry, cassis, vanilla, and lead pencil shavings, this medium-bodied, slightly sinewy Cos d’Estournel has relatively high tannin, an excellent mid-palate, and a persistent finish. Purity and classicism are hallmarks of this top-flight wine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022.” List $150-249 ($125 each)
Saint-Emilion:
2000 Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France. 96 Points, Parker.
“The finest effort since the 1989 and 1990, this dense purple-colored wine has an extravagantly ripe, concentrated style. The 2000 (in a new engraved bottle) offers up aromas of blackberry liqueur and vintage port. As the wine sits in the glass, graphite, wet stones, smoke, barbecue spices, and olives also make an appearance. It unfolds on the palate in layers, is full-bodied, big and rich yet incredibly poised, well-balanced, and pure. Quite backward, this is one of the greatest Angelus made to date. Yields were a modest 35 hectoliters per hectare. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030. Bravo!” Lists up to $388, reg $275 ($244 each)
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*Grapelive is helping to promote this event
** Rancho Cellars has these wines for sale as well, with a limited amount available now online and some being sold the night of the event.
Please call Rancho Cellars at 831-625-5646 to RSVP or to purchase wine