Ronan by Clinet, Grand Vin de Bordeaux 2009

Ronan by Clinet, Grand Vin de Bordeaux 2009 ($35) I have to break my promise again as this is a economical 2009 Bordeaux but can only be purchased from private sources. However I have to write about it since I tasted it with the Chateau Croix Mouton 2009. This was a 100% merlot wine made with grapes just outside the Pomerol region. Apparently it was made in the same way as the Chateau Clinet 2009 but because the grapes were grown just outside the boundary, it could not be called a Pomerol wine. I decanted it for an hour and found the nose to be mellow. The body was medium, so was the finish. It was not as fruity as the Croix Mouton even though it was 100% merlot. It had characteristics of a typical Bordeaux. It would go well with a good steak. Again if you see it in the States, bring some back.

Chateau Croix Mouton , Bordeaux Superieur 2009

Chateau Croix Mouton , Bordeaux Superieur 2009 ($28.00, SKU 749424) I started my blog by promising to write about wines of good value that you can purchase at the LDB stores. I have to break my promise with this wine since it is good value but you cannot buy it at LDB anymore. This was one of the 2009 Bordeaux release that I recommended to you. One of my friends was kind enough to pick up a few bottles for me while I was away during the release on September 29, 2012. This was not the bottle that the LDB printed in the Bordeaux booklet. This one was a Merlot blend, with 87% merlot. I decided to decant it for an hour despite its low price since some of the review I read online suggested it. The nose was quite sweet when I first opened the bottle. The color was quite dark in the decanter. There was definitely lots of fruit when tasted and the body was medium. It also had medium finish. My tasting panel was surprised at the quality of this wine at this price. One tasting panel member thought this was an Italian wine because of the taste. Wine Spectator gave it 86 to 89 points in the barrel tasting in 2010 but no final score. Robert Parker gave it 89 to 91 points. I think this one is definitely an over-achiever. If you happen to travel to the States, check out the wine stores to see if you see it. Take as many back as you can.