1995 Bordeaux

You could always just start drinking screw cap, John........:-)

What is the reputation of the 1995 Bordeaux vintage? I have a bottle of 1995 Chateau Mouton Rothschild and wonder if it should be drunk now or should I wait.

Bill

Michael Broadbent, in a recent book, rates Mouton 1995 very highly, giving it his top five star mark, and finding it the equal of 3 other first growths. In 1991 he found it beginning to open up, but quite a way from peak. He suggests it may drink best between 2007 and 2020. If your bottle has been stored well under cool conditions, it likely still is a baby and would repay keeping from a few to many more years.

Correction: In 2001 he found it beginning to open up, but quite a way from peak.

No specific info on the Mouton, but most bigger left bank 95s are still rather closed. Vintage has very good rep, but hasn't been showing much in Medoc (Right Bankers are opening nicely). I think Cwdjryx has it right, with good storage this should be a baby.

" snipped-for-privacy@san.rr.com" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com:

I have been one of the proud guests of a wonderful tasting last september with 20 1995 California Wines and 20 1995 Bordeaux wines, that was held at Chateau Guiraud under the auspicion of the Grand Jury Europeen. My perception on the 1995 bordeaux was that they were quite closed by now and difficult to approach, specially when compared to their californian counterparts.

I scored Mouton Rothschild 1995 in the midst of the range (91 points in my scorecard). I feel that five more years will help softening the tannins a bit.

Best,

S.

I had same with the Prieure Lichine. At first this wine was given great scores from Parker. So, I ordered a case as it was inexpensive. Then he re-rated after in bottle from mid 90 score to 80+.

The wine really was tired and dried out tasting from the beginning. I gifted most of mine.

Chateau Pichon Baron- tight nose with a hint of barnyard and graphite. Cassis notes on the palate a bit tight and tannic with little improvement over the next hour. Needs ten years. (B-)

Prieure-Lichine -A bit brickish color profile. Nose of red cherry, wet earth and tar. Tannins are fine but drying on the palate. A bit of red fruit with a medium body. Tasted a bit tired. (C)

Ch Margaux-Deep purple color with little hint of age. Very expressive nose with big anise and vanillin notes. Plenty of black fruits on the palate, cassis, blackberry. Elegant feel and balance even with a big tannin profile. Should round out in a few years and hold for at least twenty years.(A)

Cheval Blanc-Entirely different than the rest of the wines. Deep rich meaty nose with ripe plums spicy vanilla and cocoa notes. Rich, fat, ripe mouthfeel brimming with fruit and spice. A bit exotic spice and smooth tannins. Really enjoyable now but how long will it last? (A-)

Ch Latour-WOW. Almost black in the glass. Nose of sweet black currants and plums with a hint of wet stones and tobacco. Expressive on the palate with layers of fruit-spice-mineral-graphite. Firm yet fine tannins and alush feeling yet well balanced. A real beauty now but will blossom into something spectacular in ten years. WOTN (A+)