Château Ségur de Cabanac 2004, AC Saint-Estèphe, Cru Bourgeois, France

Again, another wine from Saint-Estèphe which has blown me away. Such rich and masculine aromatics of black fruit, blackcurrants, roasted coffee beans, soft leather, cloves, cedar wood and minerals notes. On the palate this blend has firm texture and tannins but not overbearing with good acidity. Medium length on the finish with layered dark fruit wrap with grainy tannins. The Château Ségur de Cabanac 2004 is a blend of  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Frans and Petit Verdot with alcohol coming in at 13%. Here is a wine with lots of class, elegance and finesse, drinking well right now but with enough "stuffing" and tannins to evolve over the next 3-4 years. Awesome wine and strongly recommended. Score 92 points.

This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO New Release at $39.95.

Chateau Haut-Marbuzet 2002, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

Having my brothers family over for dinner this Thanksgiving I thought I would open something special and that special something was a Bordeaux that I purchased in France this summer. Once I pulled the cork I knew that this was going to be a memorable evening. An explosion of aromas from this nine year old wine; cherry, dark fruit, red currants, soft leather and tobacco leaf aromas. Incredible smooth mouthfeel with soft seductive fruit, fine ripe tannins and fresh acidity. More of the same on the finish, smooth, fresh with all elements of this wine well integrated. A little research on the web was not helpful, I coud not find the exact blend of this Saint-Estèphe wine. Finding the blend of a Bordeaux is sometimes as impossible as finding the most secret recipes (aka the Colonel's blend), my guess is mostly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc rounding out this blend. Lovely wine to smell, well balanced, elegant and drinking beautifully, right now.

This wine was purchased in Ajaccio on the Island of Corsica in France.

Chateau les Ormes de Pez 1999, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

Here is one cork that will not find it's way into my cork collection. Once removed from the bottle, it was slightly damp and broken in two. Of course, what is more important is the wine, right?  So how was this 11 year old wine?  On the nose not a whole lot of fruit, due to the age, more like vanilla, sweet spices, damp earth and earthy funk (yes like the farm). On the palate, medium body, silky smooth tannins, just enough to give this wine some structure, balanced acidity, cedar and mineral flavours on the mouthfeel. The finish is medium length with minerals and earthy funk; which I actually enjoy, as long as it’s not over the top. An enjoyable wine, but I must admit I was expecting a little more. I think it may have had a little more structure and flavour 2 or 3 years ago. It was not quite over the hill, but if you have one of these in your cellar, I say it's time to drink up. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

This wine was purchased this summer in Ajaccio on the Island of Corsica in France for 40 euros.