Volcanic Wine Awards | The Jancis Robinson Story

Red bordeaux for... drinking

Monday 28 March 2011
Image

Below is a collection of recent tasting notes on several dozen red bordeaux from vintage 2007 back to 1975, the great majority of them currently drinking well. A few of the older wines are past it and some of the grander young ones are best kept in the cellar for a while, but I hope that some of the reviews below are useful for those with wine collections.

Please note that on Wednesday I'll be publishing a comprehensive set of tasting notes from a single look at about 60 significant 2001 bordeaux (red and sweet white).

2007

Red
Dark crimson. Sweet and vanilla nose. Very seductive and not too sweet. Racy and well done. Good blend of old and new styles. (JR)
Drink: 2011 – 2023
Red

Very dark purple. Rather odd oak notes. A little overworked. Slightly uncomfy. (JR)

Drink: 2012 – 2019
Red
Very dark purple. More integrity on the nose than some. Nourishing though still very youthful. (JR)
Drink: 2011 – 2023
Red
Formerly Bélair and presented by M. Edouard Moueix (though Moueix only took it over in 2008!) Palish crimson. Very fragrant light touch. Lots of acidity. Bit lean for the moment. (JR)
Drink: 2012 – 2020
Red
Dark crimson. Light and polished. Neat and very unforceful. Slightly dry underripe end. (JR)
Drink: 2012 – 2024
Red
Mid crimson. Much more aromatic than most. Very fresh and even with a hint of green. Very racy. Long and fresh. (JR)
Drink: 2012 – 2026
Red
Mid crimson. Very nicely balanced and early maturing. Is there a hint of brett? But there is real life here – not too sweet. Attractively dancing. (JR)
Drink: 2010 – 2018
Red

Lift and life and subtlety. This flies, sings and dances. Bravo! Though it is not as ripe as some. (JR)

Drink: 2014 – 2026
Red

Lightish crimson. Very perfumed and then rather rustic tannins. An unusual note of green. Sudden end. (JR)

Drink: 2012 – 2018
Red
Mid dark crimson. Lightweight 'relaxed' old-style nose. Still quite tight as though it has quite a way to go but there is lots of substance here. Quite long. (JR)
Drink: 2012 – 2022
Red
Very very deep crimson. Very light nose and very tart. Uncomfortable taut on the end. Very odd and tarry and drying at this stage. (JR)
Drink: 2013 – 2023
Red

Deep purple. Attractively dry on the nose. Fresh and distinctive. No heavy hand. Though quite transparent. (JR)

Drink: 2010 – 2020
Red

Smells quite developed. Really light and sweet. Not very fresh but flattering. Quite long. (JR)

Drink: 2010 – 2019
Red
Pretty sweet and light without real bottom but already attractive. (JR)
Drink: 2010 – 2019

2004

Red
Still very young but recognisable. Still chewy. (JR)
Drink: 2014 – 2030
Red
Thick, sweet and heavy. Sweet. (JR)
Drink: 2009 – 2020

2001

Red
Succulent and lively and complete. Juicy and beguiling. Long. Fresh and mineral. (JR)
Drink: 2008 – 2020
Red
Very mature and quite treacly on the nose. Light and just slightly lean but good luncheon claret. (JR)
Drink: 2007 – 2015
Red
Complex, sweet and very Margaux even if not that subtle and very slightly tart on the end. (JR)
Drink: 2008 – 2015
Red
Very pale crimson. Very light in body and colour. A fresh elegant waft of classic claret but dry on the end. Not for Australians. (JR)
Drink: 2006 – 2013
Red
Very mellow and sweet with a real undertow. Quite evolved. Fresh fruit. Polished and so charming. Long. (JR)
Drink: 2009 – 2030
Red
Dense. Dry. Aromatic. Really vital. Dry and vibrant. Long. Woo hoo! Long. Damson compote flavours. (JR)
Drink: 2008 – 2035
Red
Tobacco nose. Very firm and almost brûlée. Melting a bit but I would keep it a bit longer. (JR)
Drink: 2011 – 2024
Red
Very attractive bouquet and rich, deep flavours – drier than usual. Really resonant. Impressive! Quite a bit of acidity. (JR)
Drink: 2009 – 2023
Red
Lots of aromatic evolution. Round and gentle – much gentler and more flattering than the Langoa tasted immediately before. Firm appetising finish. Very refreshing. (JR)
Drink: 2007 – 2018

2000...
Become a member to continue reading
Member
$135
/year
Save over 15% annually
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
  • Access 287,194 wine reviews & 15,842 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
 
Ideal for collectors
  • Access 287,194 wine reviews & 15,842 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
  • Access 287,194 wine reviews & 15,842 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
  • Access 287,194 wine reviews & 15,842 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Pay with
Visa logo Mastercard logo American Express logo Logo for more payment options
Join our newsletter

Get the latest from Jancis and her team of leading wine experts.

By subscribing you agree with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

More Tasting articles

Alder's most memorable wines of 2025
Tasting articles Pleasure – and meaning – in the glass. In reflecting on a year of tasting, I am fascinated by what...
view of Lazzarito and the Alps in the background
Tasting articles For background details on this vintage see Barolo 2022 – vintage report. Above, the Lazzarito vineyard with the Alps in...
The Overshine Collective
Tasting articles The second tranche of wines reviewed on Jancis’s recent West Coast road trip. Above, the new Overshine Collective, a group...
Les Crus Bourgeois logos
Tasting articles Classic, affordable bordeaux made for pleasure and selected for an independent, reliable and regularly updated classification. For all that we’ve...

More from JancisRobinson.com

Las Teresas with hams
Nick on restaurants Head to the far south of Spain for atmospheric and inexpensive hospitality. Above, the Bar Las Teresas in the old...
cacao in the wild
Free for all De-alcoholised wine is a poor substitute for the real thing. But there are one or two palatable alternatives. A version...
Sunny garden at Blue Farm
Don't quote me Jet lag, a bad cold, but somehow an awful lot of good wine was enjoyed. This diary is a double...
Novus winery at night
Wines of the week A breath of fresh air that’s a perfect antidote to holiday immoderation. Labelled Nasiakos [sic] Mantinia in the US. From...
View of Serralunha d'Alba
Inside information A pleasant surprise, showing more nuance and complexity than initially expected. Above, a view of Serralunga d’Alba. 2022 is widely...
View from Smith Madrone on Spring Mountain
Free for all Demand, and prices, are falling. A version of this article is published by the Financial Times. Above, the view from...
Albert Canela and Mariona Vendrell of Succes Vinicola.jpg
Wines of the week A rosé to warm your winter, from £17.30, $19.99. Above, Albert Canela and Mariona Vendrell of Succés Vinícola. The wind...
View from Le Ripi towards Monte Amiata
Inside information Brunello farmers never knew what nature would throw at them next in 2025. Yet somehow they managed, even claiming that...
Wine inspiration delivered directly to your inbox, weekly
Our weekly newsletter is free for all
By subscribing you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.