Los Angeles, CA. June 7, 2016. Approximately 115 wine were poured.  Retail price points ranged from about $10 USD to almost $80/USD per bottle. Vintages varied from 2006 to 2015. There were some disappointments in the group–Mostly the second labels, such as:

Chateau Pichon Longueville Reserve de la Comtesse de Lalande 2006, with a suggested retail pricing of $52, 46% Cab Sauv, 32% Merlot, 13% Cab Franc, 9% Petit Verdot was nothing like its bigger brother. It did not show enough acid, and was monochromatic on the palate–with a simple mid palate fullness and nothing more. Perhaps it needed more age and air. WB 85.

(Similar experiences with other second labels)

What was ironically more approachable and accessible was:

Chateau de Pez, 2011 with a suggested retail of $45, 52% Cab Sauv, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, from Saint Estephe with a suggested retail pricing of $45, was quite a bit more engaging with a rustic feel, better balance, better acid, and more overall accessibility than the above Pichon. WB 88.

A low price, great value red:

Chateau du Retout, 2011 with a suggested retail price of $19.99, 65% Cab Sauv, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot from Haut Medoc, almost stole the show. Rich red palatte, with a barnyard like funk on the nose and good overall balance made this wine not only very interesting, but a great value as well. One of the best red wines of the tasting with a great price point. WB91.

There were a few interesting dry whites:

‘G’ Chateau Guiraud, 2014 with a suggested retail of $22.99, 50% Sauv Blanc, 50%Semillon from Bordeaux was very endearing because of is balance, accessibility, abundance of minerality while having an air of sophistication. A pleasant surprise in this price range. One of the best white wines of the tasting, also with a very good price point. WB89.

Chateau des Gravieres Blanc, 2014 with a suggested retail of $14, 80% Sauv Blanc, 20% Semillion from Bordeaux was a best value and we gave  it the highest rating for a dry white in this tasting. Elegant, fresh, good acid (about 3.2 pH), with notes of green apple and dry gooseberry. It needs a year or two in the bottle to integrate. WB90.

There were two desert whites that were very engaging:

Chateau Dauphine-Rondillon Cuvee Classique, 2009 from Loupiac with a suggested retail of $17 was the best price/value desert wine of the event. Rich and full like a classic Sauternes, however with a very engaging price point. Sugar is 119 gm/l . Its rich viscosity engages the palate, and it could use a bit more acid, but at this price point, how can one complain. WB89.

Chateau Dauphine-Rondillon Cuvee d’Or Vielle Vignettes, 2007 from Loupiac with a suggested retail of $25 was probably the best wine of the event. It could hold its own against many classic Sauternes, even vintage. It had layers of fruit, essentially ripe peach that permeated the palate. Multidimensional. Intriguing. More sophisticated, engaging and alive than a young d’Yquem. It has a botrytis-like richness at an amazing price point. Find it, buy it. You will be thankful. WB93-94.

While the other wines at the event could have shown better, they did not at the time of the tasting. Perhaps several hours of additional air could have brought some of them to life. -P. Ronen with contributions by S. Woods.