© 2003-2008 I.Litwar
Bordeaux 2007 Bordeaux 2006 Bordeaux 2005 Bordeaux 2004
Bordeaux 2003 Bordeaux 2002 Bordeaux 2001 Bordeaux 2000
Old vintages lying safely in Batailley's cellar (left/top) - Treasures of old vintages of Château Gilette (right/below)
ADDITIONAL TASTING NOTES
A
2002 ANGELUS: Big extract, modern style, fruit seems to be well hidden. Needs time to develop. 88+p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2004. Consistent notes.
2001 ANGELUS: Big extract, modern style, ripe and aromatic fruit and long aftertaste. This wine is a big success for the vintage. 91p. Tasted three times - last time in April 2007. Consistent notes.
1989 ANGELUS: Fabulous stuff with black cherries and truffles. Great complexity and structure, lot of luscous berries, stunning balance and long, soft and swettnesful finish. This was excellent performance! 96p. Tasted in December 2006.
2002 D’AIGUILHE: Aromatic with ripe fruit. Well balanced and with nice length on the palate. Needs time to get round and charming. To enjoy in few years time. 88p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.
B
2002 BASTOR LAMONTAGNE: Fine botrytis, qyuit light with good acidity to support fruit, attractive and very enjoyable. 88p. Tasted in August 2005.
2001 BASTOR LAMONTAGNE: It’s a perfect example of this vintage’s fantastic offering with classic style, fabulous botrytis, lot of nuances and long aftertaste. This wine makes me scream and jump of pure joy. Well-deserved 92p. Tasted in September 2004.
2001 BEAUREGARD: Aromatic, well packed with ripe raspberries and tannin, luscious and with splendid structure. Fine aftertaste. 89p. Tasted three times - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes.
2002 BEAU-SÉJOUR BECOT: Identical description and score as for 1999. Tasted in September 2003.
1999 BEAU-SÉJOUR BECOT: Aromatic and full-bodied, fine complexity and structure. 91p. Tasted in September 2004.
2002 BEYCHEVELLE: This wine was a real heartbreaker with its round and pleasant texture, very tasty berries and soft aftertaste. It is a great success for the vintage. 90p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes.
2001 BEYCHEVELLE: Very Cabernet like – tasted of mint. It was sophisticated, very elegant wine with luscious blackcurrants, really catchy and seductive wine. A real treat for your palate! Will keep like that for another 8-12 years. 92p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.
2000 BEYCHEVELLE: Very Cabernet like – tasted of mint. It was sophisticated, refined with glorious elegance, had delicious fruit sweetness, great length and fresh, lingering aftertaste. Totally seductive wine. Tasted in August 2006.
1999 BEYCHEVELLE. Round and pleasant, very tasty and nicely made wine. It’s ready to be enjoyed now. Delicious. 88p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.
2002 BRANAIRE: Lighter version of 2005 with catchy roundness and charm. It drinks very well already. 89-90p. Tasted in August 2006.
2001 BRANAIRE: Delicious, juicy, tight structure, full-bodied with aromatic and tasty berries. Wonderfully balanced, so it ‘ll keep for 10-15 more years. This is pure class. 93p. Tasted in August 2005.
1999 BRANAIRE: On the elegant side. Round, pleasant and really enjoyable wine. It makes good friends with you. 88p. Tasted in September 2004.
C
1946 CALON SEGUR: Powerful, juicy, strong and quite full-bodied. A very fine effort in the contex of the vintage, which is ranked low. At 60 years of age, this wine was still great to taste. Fine old wine. 90p. Tasted in December 2006.
2001 CAMENSAC: Slightly less concentrated and not so well structured, Anyway, it’s a really good glass of wine. 88p. Tasted in August 2006.
1999 CAMENSAC: Nice mature wine, delightfully tasty and perfect to drink now. 87p. Tasted in September 2007.
2000 CANON: Dark red. Very aromatic and very intense nose of raspberries and blueberries. Elegant wine with lot of finesse and fine balance. Very seductive, attractive and tasty. Will keep nicely until 2020. 92p. Tasted in June 2007.
2002 CANON-LA-GAFFELIERE: Charming, fine and tasty fruit, good structure. Will be ready soon for consumption. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.
1962 CARBONNIEUX (white): A Bordeaux wine with such fire, energy, body and taste, I thought was a lie. It was a great surprise and once again a crystal clear proof, that white Bordeaux can age as good as white Bourgundy or even better. Formidable wine. 94p. Tasted in December 2007.
2002 CHASSE SPLEEN: Black fruit on the nose, full-bodied. Long lingering taste and well-balanced on the palate. Impressive wine. 91p. Tasted in September 2003.
1999 CHASSE SPLEEN: Aromatic, round, nice fruit, tasty, pleasant and really enjoyable right now. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.
1996 CHASSE SPLEEN: This one is really splendid. Delicious with lot of concentrated and ripe blackcurrants, very tasty, great complexity and impeccably structured. One to keep for another 10-15 years. 92p. Tasted in August 2005.
2002
2001 LA CLEMENCE: Fat and succulent wine, full of sweet fruit and truffles. Deep, well structured, long and nuanced. It was stunning wine. 93p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.
2002 CLOS DE L’ORATOIRE: Lighter version of 2004, tasty fruit, good length and plenty of charm. 86p. Tasted in August 2005.
2001 CLOS FOURTET: A lot of finesse, sheer elegance, very tasty and with lingering aftertaste. This is a fine effort for the vintage. 89p. Tasted in September 2004.
1999 CLOS FOURTET: LIght but very enjoyable wine with round and tasty fruit. Tasted in August 2005.
2001 LA CONSEILLANTE: Dark red, truffles, sappy, well-balanced, very elegant and with much style and grace. A textbook Pomerol. 92p. Tasted in April 2007.
2002 DESTIEUX: Soft, approachable wine with delicate and luscious fruit, round and very pleasant to drink. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes.
2001 DESTIEUX: Reminds a lot of 2004, with softer tannins and more approachable. It’s really fine quality here. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.
1995 DESTIEUX: Almost ready to drink with slightly dry tannin and warm fruit. 86p. Tasted in September 2004.
2002 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER red: First vintage with Stephane Derenencourt as consulting oenologist. Ripe fruit, good grip and fine ripe tannins. A bit light in structure but provides some catchy roundness and charm. It drinks well already. 90p.Tasted twice - last time in in August 2006. Consistent notes.
2001 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER red: Very aromatic sweet fruit, a lot of elegance and complexity. This was a classic wine, which will provide lot of pleasure in the next 10-15 years. 91-92p. Tasted in September 2004.
2002 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER white: Very intense aroma of acacia flower, apple and citrus. Incredibly rich in nuances with exceptional structure, depth and length. Extremely sophisticated wine and simply a stunner. Will surely keep for 20-25 more years. 96p. Tasted twice - last time in in August 2006. Consistent notes.
1999 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER white: Great character, aromatic, nice acidity, round and incredibly pleasant and long on the palate. This wine is simply a joy to drink now, but will keep for another 10-15 years. 92-93p. Tasted in September 2004.
1995 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER white: Great character, sophisticated, extremely well-balanced and long on the palate. This is a real classy example of thrilling winemaking. 93p. Tasted in September 2003.
2002 DURFORT VIVENS: A pretty and charming wine with nice balance, fine complexity and elegance. 89p. Tasted in September 2003.
2001 DURFORT VIVENS: Nice, round, a bit light wine with slightly jammy fruit. Maturing phase of this wine has really been very fast! 86p. Tasted in August 2006.
1999 DURFORT VIVENS: Quite attractive and well-composed. Nice tasty fruit. 87p. Tasted in September 2004.
E
1970 L'EGLISE CLINET: Dark red, youngful, tight and impressivly structured. Packed with lush cherries and raspberries, long on the palate and with firm but sweetnesful finish. Wonderful wine, which showed brilliantly at 37 years of age. 95p. Tasted in April 2007.
F
1985 DE FIEUZAL: This vintage produced excellent white wines in Bordeaux and de Fieuzal is one of them. Classy and refined wine with wonderful aromas of lemon, heather flower and acacia flower. Fatty, full-bodied and impressive wine, which would do any fish dish great honor. 21 years old white Bordeaux and what a beautiful one. 94p. Tasted in December 2006.
2002 FERRIERE: Delicate, sweet fruit, fine structure and well balanced. This is a pretty wine, which can be enjoyed with a big smile. Makes friends very quickly. 90p. Tasted three times - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.
2001 FERRIERE: Delicate, sweet fruit, light and elegant. It’s a bit dry on the palate. 87p. Tasted in September 2004.
2001 LES FIEFS DE LAGRANGE: Delicious, elegant and very charming. Very enjoyable and uncomplicated wine. 86p. Tasted in August 2005.
G
2000 LE GAY: Lots of blackberries and blueberries, truffles, very concentrated, full-bodied and well-composed. Splendid effort for the vintage. 92p. Tasted in October 2007.
1979 GILETTE
1967 GILETTE
2002 GISCOURS: Well composed with a lot of character. Luscious, ripe fruit, well balanced and strong finish. Keep it for additional 6-8 years. 89p. Tasted three times - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.
2001 GISCOURS: This wine had a fabulous aromatic nose and it was full-bodied, incredibly well-composed, with luscious fruit and lot of potential. This was a real heartbreaker wine of stunning quality. 93-94p. Tasted in September 2004.
2000 GISCOURS: It was strong and dense wine with perfectly ripe, fat and creamy fruit (cherries, blackberries and blueberries). Exemplary balance and structure, immensely refined and with splendid depth and length. A delicacy with a vengeance! This wine was extremely well made and showed very clearly, what Giscours can achieve. One to keep for 25 years or more. 94p. Tasted in September 2003.
1999 GISCOURS: It reminded in some way vintage 1997, but with significantly more concentration and body and better structure. This was a really nice wine for the vintage and very round and approachable. Will stay like that until 2010. 89p. Tasted in September 2003.
1998 GISCOURS: Similar a lot to 2002 concerning the style. Fruit had however more sweetness in 1998 and there was more weight and length. Splendid wine, which Can be kept for 10 more years. 90p.
1997 GISCOURS: The efforts of the new owner did pay off. This wine had an unresistible charm with captivating appeal, silky tannins and round shapes. It went down the throat very smoothly and left you with much pleasure. Definitely a great success for the vintage. It’s already drinkable and will stay like that until 2009. 88p. Tasted in September 2003.
1996 GISCOURS: Made before the new owner cleaned out completely in the vineyard and cellars. Jammy and quite forward in maturing phase. Nice sweetness of fruit and length, but this wine lacks both depth and concentration. Quite disappointing for this classic vintage in
1998 GRAND PUY LACOSTE: Fine wine, not quite ready yet. Tasty blackcurrants, fine balance and depth. One to enjoy in the next 6-8 years. 88p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.
2002 GUIRAUD: Very elegant wine with nice botrytis, good acidity, mango and acacia honey flavours. Very enjoyable to drink now. 89p. Tasted in September 2007.
2001 LA GURGUE: It’s earthy on the palate with some rough edges, reasonable fruit and nice finish. Needs time to come around. 87p. Tasted in September 2004.
H
2002 HAUT BAGES LIBERAL: Prunes and cherries, full-bodied wine with great intensity of delicious berries. Rich and with long aftertaste. Stunning wine for the vintage. 92p. Tasted in September 2003.
2001 HAUT BAGES LIBERAL: Another story here. This is a real classy wine with ripe berries, ripe tannin, fine balance and lingering aftertaste. It fully deserves 91p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes.
1999 HAUT BAGES LIBERAL: Deliciously round and charming, finesse. Tastes really nice. 87p. Tasted in August 2005.
2003 HAUT BAILLY: Deep red. Both fruit and tannin seemed to be on the dry side with slight touch of heat. It was quite concentrated, earthy and with nice length. 88p. Tasted in August 2006.
1999 HAUT BAILLY: Tannic but seems to be in good balance, strong and full-bodied. Needs time to become softer. 87p. Tasted in August 2005.
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2001 LABEGORCE: Round, pleasant, nice fruit, fine length and aftertaste. It is very enjoyable now and for the next 3-4 years. 87p. Tasted in August 2006.
1999 LABEGORCE: Round, pleasant, nice fruit, fine length and aftertaste. Very enjoyable now and for the next 3-4 years. 87p. Tasted in August 2005.
2002 LABEGORCE ZEDE: Succulent, robust and quite strong. Not quite a typical wine for Margaux, but well made and in fine balance. 88-89p. Tasted in September 2004.
1999 LAFAURIE PEYRAGUEY: Incredibly stylish and classy wine. Possesses well-integrated botrytis and deliciously sweet fruit. Splendid structure and long on the palate. It’s a wine of high quality. 91p. Tasted in September 2004.
1981 LAFITE
2002 LAGRANGE: It tasted like a slightly lighter version of 2004 Lagrange. Lot of elegance and finesse, tasty dark berries, superb structure and long finish. It's real steal for the money. 90p. Tasted in November 2007.
2001 LAGRANGE: Classic St.Julien wine with lot of elegance and finesse, ripe red fruit, superb structure and long finish. 87-91p? Tasted twice - last time in November 2007. Not consistent notes.
2002 LEOVILLE POYFERRE: This wine is one of the best and most exciting efforts in this vintage - extremely tasty, round and seductive. 91p. Tasted twice - last time in April 2007.
2001 LEOVILLE POYFERRE: This wine is catchy and a pure delicacy. Closed at the moment but still has a great potential. 92p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005.
M
2002 MALESCASSE: Light, supple, round and pleasant wine with nice fruit and reasonable length. Useful. 86p. Tasted in September 2004.
2001 MALESCASSE: Better in terms of ripeness of the fruit than 2002. More concentration here. 87p. Tasted in September 2004.
1952 MONTROSE: Here I became speechless. From the glass came a phenomenal aroma of truffles. tobacco, you name it. It was stunningly composed with exemplary, incredibly sophisticated and rarely seen complexity. Fantasticly rich aftertaste completed this perfect wine. Here I had all I love about Bordeaux and I wouldn't never trade this to something else. Montrose was particulary strong in '50s with magnifique '53, 55 and 59, but this 55 years old beauty ranks among the best wines of this vintage! 99p. Tasted in December 2007.
2001 MONTVIEL: Change of winemaker did this wine very good. Very aromatic, fresh flavors, scent of truffles, elegant with fine structure and length. 88p. Tasted in October 2007.
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2003 PAVILLON BEL-AIR: Aromatic with nice grip, spicy and earthy fruit. Very good. 86p. Tasted in August 2005.
2001 PETIT VILLAGE: Deep red. It had aromatic and catchy nose of ripe berries, luscious on the palate with finesse and elegance. It tasted better than 2005. 90p. Tasted in August 2006.
1999 PETIT VILLAGE: Light, straightforward and uninspired wine. 85p. Tasted in September 2004.
1996 PETIT VILLAGE: Surprisingly ready to drink already, raspberry jam, a bit dry on the palate. Should be consumed within 2-3 years. 86p. Tasted in August 2005.
2000 PHELAN SEGUR: It was delicious, hugely aromatic and well-structured with robust approach. 90p. Tasted in August 2006.
2002 PICHON BARON: It was very impressive wine with superb compexity, superb structure and delicious fruit. 91p. Tastred in September 2003.
2001 PICHON BARON: Perfectly ripe grapes and beautifully aromatic. Chocolate in big quantities, stylish and incredibly tasty. This wine continues to be simply a stunner and a sheer joy. 95p. Tasted three times - last time in in August 2006. Consistent notes.
1996 PICHON BARON: Aromatic and powerful on the nose, deep on the palate with strong structure. Very concentrated and long on the aftertaste. Splendid wine. 95p. Tasted in April 2007.
2002 PICHON COMTESEE: Deep red. Pleasant and charming on the nose with ripe and aromatic fruit (blackcurrants and cherries). Splendid on the palate with well-composed ingredients, fine structure and long aftertaste. Refined and elegant. Tremendously fine wine for the vintage. 2008-2018. 91p. Tasted in March 2006.
2001 PICHON COMTESSE: Deep red. Very aromatic, black cherries, great sweetness of fruit here. Very sophisticated and elegant, superbly structured and long on the palate. Simply a formidable wine. 2010-2025. 93p. Tasted in March 2006.
2002 PONTET CANET: Elegant and fruity wine with nice balance and long aftertaste. A joy to drink now. 90p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.
2001 PONTET CANET: Even if this wine hadn’t same intensity and power as 2005 version, it still did catch tasters’ attention with aromatic flavours, superb structure and splendid balance. 91p. Tasted in August 2006.
1999 PONTET CANET: Charming and ready to drink. 87p. Tasted in August 2005.
1994 PONTET CANET: A bit green in the nose and on the palate – this vintage simply didn’t provide grapes with enough maturity. 85p. Tasted in September 2004.
2002 POUJEAUX: Delicate and aromatic nose, light but very charming, round and attractive on the palate with tasty and luscious fruit. It’s very enjoyable wine now. 88p. Tasted in August 2006.
1999 POUJEAUX: Delicate, light, but very charming and attractive. Tasty fruit. Drinks very well already and will do that for another 5-7 years. 86p. Tasted in August 2005.
R
2001 RAUZAN SEGLA: Aromatic with fragrances of red fruit, elegant with soft tannins and round finish. Pretty tasty wine. 90p. Tasted in June 2007.
2000 RAUZAN SEGLA: Dark red. Very dense aroma of blueberries and blackberries on the nose, really intense. Extremely concentrated, fine balance and long aftertaste. Really superb structure and great depth. Great effort in a great vintage. 94p. Tasted in June 2007
1996 RAUZAN SEGLA: Robust and strong, well-concentrated. Very much Cabernet Sauvignon wine with exquisite structure and long life. Splendid. 93p. Tasted in June 2007
1989 RAUZAN SEGLA: Still young, sappy, fine structure, length and aftertaste. This wine's splendid balance and long finish make it quite a nice treat. 90p. Tasted in June 2007
2001 RIEUSSEC: Incredibly expressive botrytis on the nose, spicy sugar, lot of alcohol, full-bodied with breed, spicy acacia honey, créme brulée. Very long aftertaste. It will keep for many years due to a perfect interplay between stunning sweetness and just as stunning acidity. 96p. Tasted in July 2005.
S
2002 SMITH HAUT LAFITTE red: Elegant and well-made wine, which offers aromatic and tasty berries, nice smooth tannin and a fine balance. It’s fine wine for the vintage. 90p. Tasted twice - last time in Agust 2005. Consistent notes.
2001 SMITH HAUT LAFITTE red: Powerful and well-made wine, which offers aromatic and tasty berries, nice smooth tannin and a fine balance. This wine is a joy to drink. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in in September 2004. Consistent notes.
2001 SMITH HAUT LAFITTE white: Incredibly aromatic, with extremely catching sweetness and roundness. Powerful with splendid acidity and long aftertaste. Delicious. 93p. Tasted twice - last time in in September 2004. Consistent notes.
2000 SMITH HAUT LAFITTE white: This wine was aromatic with pure elegance and great length on the palate, tasty with splendid structure and depth. It’s extremely fine effort for the vintage and one to keep for 8-12 years. 91p. Tasted in September 2007.
2002 SUDUIRAUT: Fine botrytis and sweetness. Very honeyed and refined. Not as powerful as 2001 and 2003, but nevertheless a splendidly crafted wine. 90p. Tasted three times - last time in in September 2007. Consistent notes.
1999 SUDUIRAUT: Fine botrytis, much finesse and balance. Very honeyed and tastes deliciously of apricots. 91p. Tasted in September 2004.
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2002 DU TERTRE: It provided aromatic and tasty berries, and good length on the palate. 87p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.
2001 DU TERTRE: Aromatic, sophisticated and seductive. It was very classy and very classic wine, which continues its fine form. It fully deserves 92p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2004. Consistent notes.
2000 DU TERTRE: This wine was a real catch for all the money! Dense, superbly concentrated, perfectly ripe blackcurrants, cherries and blackberries, silky tannins, incredibly much finesse and refinement. Very long on the palate. It tasted like a dream. Simply a great wine, which probably is du Tertre's best vintage, Will easily keep until 2025. 92p. Tasted in September 2003.
1999 DU TERTRE: This was a lighter version of 1998, which with its very fruity, charming and round attitude, will quickly win new friends. It was a pleasure to drink, but this wine can stay like that for another 5-7 years. 87p. Tasted in September 2003.
1998 DU TERTRE: Striking change of style here compared with 1997 with much more sweetness, concentration and length. This wine was extremely captivating with delicious blackcurrants and blackberries, splendid balance and exemplary structure. This is tremendous wine to enjoy now and in the next 6-10 years. Well-deserved 91p.
1997 DU TERTRE: The new owner tried without any luck to convince previous owner, that late harvesting would be beneficial for the wine. That’s why du Tertre in this vintage is well charming, elegant and with tasty fruit, but also light and slightly four-squared. It’s ready to drink, but can keep all the ingredients together in a couple more years. 85p. Tasted in September 2003.
1996 DU TERTRE: Very perfumed on the nose with ripe and delicate
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