Well-aged Claret offers characteristics that are hard to find in modern, young wines. However much people try to recreate them.
Notes of leather, tobacco, smoke and spice, dark berry fruit, cassis, liquorice, toasted oak, the list is endless. And whilst other wines do hold some of these notes, mature Bordeaux (when made well) marries these characteristics together with elegance and finesse.
Below are a list of Clarets of varying ages and price ranges that offer the soft, supple complexities that make Bordeaux so enjoyable.
1999 Chateau Palmer Margaux £345 per bottle
1999 was an odd year for Palmer but not necessarily a bad one. Weather conditions created high sugar levels making for a more powerful and fresher wine than is usual but also provided a subtle elegance and depth. Given the age this is definitely a wine to be drunk now.
2005 Pavillon Rouge du Margaux £180 per bottle
The second wine of Margaux that undergoes the same vigorous selection process making it fairly close in structure and elegance to their flagship wine. The 2005 Pavillon Rouge has plenty of ripe fruit, the remains of heavy tannins that have settled and mellowed revealing a note of sweetness.
2006 Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien £150 per bottle
2006 was a slightly tricky year for Bordeaux but Ducru-Beaucaillou did a good job at creating a fresh, fragrant and lush Saint-Julien. Slightly floral nose with a medium weight and lovely spice on the finish.
2009 Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande Saint Estephe £50 per bottle
Not the most complex of 2009’s but enjoyable all the same. Dark berry fruit with good acidity and a sweet, smoky finish.
2011 Chateau Clinet Pomerol £90 per bottle
Pomerol wines have become highly prized thanks to the dominance of Merlot and the fruit forward style it creates. Chateau Clinet has definitely been happy to push this style but don’t scrimp on quality. The 2011 has a savoury nose followed by a gentle sweetness on the palate and solid, ripe core.
2012 Vieux Chateau Certan Pomerol £190 per bottle
Another Pomerol that is probably one of the most revered wines in the world. A bold statement but not a ludicrous one. The Chateau is consistent in its output of powerful, fruit heavy wines that have a surprising finesse to them. 2012 has a little more Merlot than some making it inky and dark but with fresh, aromatic notes and a savoury finish.
2015 Domaine de Chavalier Pessac Leognan Grand Cru Classe £70 per bottle
Domaine de Chevalier has always offered value thanks to its consistency and the 2015 vintage is very well priced for the quality. Rich in fruit but with a myriad of earthy, mineral notes that come through to provide balance and complexity.
2016 Les Pagodes de Cos £51 per bottle
The second wine from Cos d’Estournel and one that offers good value for the region. 2016 was a good year for Saint Estephe and this wine is made in a more fruit forward, approachable style making it a good bet for drinking now.