Vinum Annual Sale @ Caveau

A selected tasting of the wines available for tasting at the sale.

1982 Ducru Beaucaillou, St Julien, 2nd Growth (RP94)
WADA rated 85pts
Brownish dirty blood. Dried prunes, lacquer rounded by dried earth and herbs. This is still not at its deathbed but smells like its in the final leg of its journey. However, the palate still triggers a small explosion of red fruits framed by nice oak, dry soil, dried english spices. Elegant and smooth tannins albeit the tiredness of age showing. Could have gotten a higher score if more complexity on the nose.

1999 Leoville Poyferre, St Julien, 2nd Growth (RP89)
WADA rated 85+pts
Dark red. Robust nose of leather that is suspectingly savory. Violets at the back. Exceptionally savory prunes that has a good packaging of mouthfeel, fruits and glycerin. Lean but still sexy and busty. This is your desperate housewives material.

2003 Bass Phillip Belrose Pinot Noir
WADA rated 81pts
Diluted blood red. Very sweet bouquet of raspberry pie, raisiny nectar and a pinch of earth. Definitely new world in approach. This is all about the sweet strawberries but with just a hint of bitter herbs. Also reminds me of grape skins soaking in glycerin solution.

2003 Vignobles Brunier, Vieux Mas des Chateanuef-du-Pape
WADA rated 75pts
Lightish red. Basically very sweetish but did detect traces of sichuan preserved cabbage. However, the palate is just plain artificial sweetner sweet! Too fake without enough acid to balance.

2003 Clos du Caillou, Cote du Rhone, Bouquet des Garrigues
WADA rated 76+pts
Lightish red. This reminds me of sweetish berry flavoured jujube candy. Very singular but I wouldn't say focused. Dainty, simple and sweetish. Similar to the Brunier but much more real.

2001 Quinault En'clos, St-Emilion Grand Cru
WADA rated 74 ??? pts
Nice red. I basically got a lot of wood on this. I though the palate was also overdone by the oak. However, it could be that my palate had been killed by the very sweet CDPs above.

1996 Pibran, Pauillac (RP89)
WADA rated 82+pts
Garnet with diluted blood red. At first slightly off, the nose got better with lots of stewed fruits seasoned with ajinomoto and some lifted spice. Bright yet old cherries on the palate. A pleasant suprise.

2005 Triennes Merlot, Provence
WADA rated 77pts
Good dark red. Lifted perfumery flowers on the nose. Simple cherries amd red fruits.

2005 Oremus, Tokaji Furmint Dry Mandolas
WADA rated 77pts
Citrus and flowers. This is like a mineral and flowery dry riesling.

2000 Oremus, Aszu 5 Puttonyos Tokaji
WADA rated 81pts
Lovely chrysanthemum yellow. Raisiny sultanas coated in nai varnish. This is a marmalade of orange and walnuts. Finishes considerably long, nice and clean.