Wine of the Month - November 2020

This month's selection:

• 1 x Chateau Carbonnieux 2015, Pessac-Léognan;91-93 pts
• 1 x Le Clos du Beau-Père 2014, Pomerol, 91 pts
• 1 x Château Fleur Cardinale 2005, Saint-Emilion, 95 pts
• 1 x Champagne Esterlin Brut Eclat, Champagne, Not rated

Tasting Notes

Château Carbonnieux 2015 - "The 2015 Carbonnieux is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot matured in 30% new barrels for 15-18 months. It has a surprisingly high-toned and opulent bouquet, with kirsch and orange sorbet infusing the cassis and raspberry fruit. The palate is sweet and generous in style, harmonious in the mouth, with the structure only becoming apparent as it wends its way to the finish. Perhaps it just cuts away a little swiftly, but otherwise this remains a very well-crafted and highly enjoyable Pessac-Léognan." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/27/2016, Issue 224), Rating: 91-93 pts, Drink from: 2020-2042

Le Clos du Beau-Père 2014 - "Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2014 Le Clos du Beau Pere performed well above its showing in barrel. It has a modest bouquet: raspberry preserve, crushed strawberry, cedar and faint pencil box aromas that gently unfold in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm and quite strict tannin, matched by a fine thread of acidity. It is very backward as you would expect soon after bottling, however, there is good substance here and there is a very attractive salinity that lingers on the finish. What a fine Pomerol this has turned out to be. Tasted December 2016." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, (2/28/2017, Issue 229)" - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (2/28/2017, Issue 229), Rating: 91 pts, Drink: 2018-2028

Château Fleur Cardinale 2005 - ""A stunning sleeper of the vintage, quality at this property has soared under the relatively new owners, Dominique and Florence Decosters. The 2005, a blend of 70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, was fashioned from yields of 33 hectoliters per hectare. This concentrated wine possesses a gorgeous bouquet of smoke, black currant liqueur, lead pencil shavings, cedar, and Asian spices. In the mouth, it displays a chocolaty richness, a beautiful texture, an expansive, multilayered mouthfeel, and a 45-second finish. A fabulous effort, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and should last for over two decades." - Robert Parker Jr, The Wine Advocate (4/29/2008, Issue 176)" - Robert Parker Jr, The Wine Advocate (4/29/2008, Issue 176), Ratings: 95, Drink: 2015-2030