Wineanorak sponsor Transitvin.com
is a UK mail-order-only merchant based in France, specializing in
lesser-known properties that they consider to be Bordeaux's best-kept
secrets. Here are my notes on half a dozen wines they recently sent me
for evaluation. With one exception, I thought these were pretty good:
my favourites were the Lavergne, Brandeau and Saule. After the hype of
the 2000 en primeur campaign, it's nice to the other side of Bordeaux:
tasty, digestible reds at affordable prices.
Château Peyanché Blanc, Côtes de
Francs, Elévé en fût de chêne
A slightly old-fashioned style of white, the nose shows lemony
fruit with honey and toasty notes, and a touch of vanilla. The palate
is quite dense, herby and waxy. There's good balance, some complexity
and a hint of oxidation, so drink up fairly soon. Quite woody.
Good/very good 05/01 (£6.75)
Vieux Château Renaissance 2000 Sauvignon
AOC Bordeaux
Nice leafy nose showing grapefruity fruit with a touch of
gooseberry. The palate shows crisp clean fruit. Archetypal Sauvignon.
Good/very good 05/01 (£5.99)
Château Brandeau 1998 Côtes de Castillon
An organic wine, this has a bright red/purple colour. It's a
medium bodied red with a nose showing attractive leafy, cedary
blackcurrant fruit. The rounded palate is dominated by ripe berry
fruit, with a touch of spicy tannin. It's not a big, concentrated
effort but it's a nice, well balanced, digestable Bordeaux. Very good
05/01 (£6.79)
Château Vieux Saule 1997, Côtes de
Francs
Lovely, open, leafy, cedary nose with some smoky, mineral notes.
There are some slightly green notes the blackcurrant fruit on the
palate, and there are some spicy, stalky tannins. There's a lovely,
savoury character. The next day a delicious minerally character
emerges that remains me of wet pavements. Very good 05/01 (£5.75)
Château Lavergne Cuvée Prestige 1998,
Côtes de Castillon
An oak aged wine, this is a medium bodied red/purple with a sweet
nose of leafy/herbaceous fruit (blackcurrant and raspberry), and some
smoky notes. It's not particularly concentrated on the palate, but
there's a sweet core to the fruit and it's showing good balance. The
next day it has opened out nicely. An attractive, digestible wine for
current consumption. Very good+ 05/01 (£6.99)
Château Montpezat Côtes de Castillon
1996
Bright red colour with a bricking rim. The nose is slightly green
and a little bit volatile. On the palate it is a bit fruitless with
tart acidity. In danger of becoming a bit plonkish. Drinkable with
food. OK/Good 05/01 (£6.99)
