1998 Chateau Coufran

[Drew]

Cru Bourgeois, Haut-Médoc. 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This was probably hard as nails on release cause it's a little tough now. Still purple to the core, an onslaught of tannins hit you right away. I sipped on this for many hours and it only opened a little to display dark fruit with hints of cigar box and a pleasant earthy, bitter note. Saved half for this afternoon to see if this beast will calm any and show a little more fruit and civility. 13% Alc/vol. $17

Drew

[Drew]

Second half consumed last night with no change. Fruit is hidden/overcome by tannins. These experiences support my stance of not drinking bordeaux and I have several "good" third and forth tiers in the cellar.

Drew

[TheEngineer]

Drew,

The '98 vintage has a reputation for the type of wine that you just described. If you are looking for a bit more fruit, try something from '03 especially St. Emilion producers who tend to be a bit more forward. Then again these tend to not be cheap so tried and trues would be a good alternative like Cali Cabs.

[Drew]

Thought the '98 vintage was the "vintage of the centuty"? Also Coufran describes their style as very approachable young but will age. I have '03 and '04 Coufran and a dozen or so of others of the same vintage. Maybe I'll try one of those before I totally give up on Bordeaux. I've always loved the Rhone but struggle with the wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Drew

[winoweenie]

Was either 2 years short or 16 years too late to be considered WOTC. But I'm with you Drewski. Unless it's an atypical vintage (more Calif) I prefer to stick to the new world juice. Call me stupid, call me biased, call me "leather-tongue" just call me when a 10 year-old Caymus, Beaulieu, Stags, et. al are opened. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

[TheEngineer]

Vintage of the century was suppose to have been the 2000 vintage...errrr and then the 2003 vintage,...err and then 2004 was not so bad, errr...and then 2005 was THE vintage, err...and then 2006 was not so bad but more expensive than 2004 and in some cases 2005...err....

For me, 2000 is pretty good and some wines are starting to come around. 2005 is really good and most have not shut down yet (and easily found). 2003 was the ultrawarm year 40 degreesC and 15K+people died in Paris from the heatwave..... Wines were very ripe.

BTW, I love Rhone wines too. Northern Rhone is more structured but southern rhones can be very nice, fruity and ripe. If these are the wines you like, there is nothing much in Bordeaux that will be as fleshy as these....unless you get into the Pavie's etc, which are ridiculously expensive nowadays.... though I had a 05 Pontent Canet and that was about as close as it gets (most would think that it was from Cali in a blind taste test).

[wondersofwine]

Speaking of Pontet-Canet, Engineer, one I have purchased in the past, Green Jug (retail shop in California?) is asking about $179 per bottle for the 2005 Chateau Pontet-Canet which was rated #7 of "Wine Spectator" 100 wines of the year (96 pts.) $179!

[TheEngineer]

I have two cases and two mags of their 05 [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] that should last me a while [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

BTW, JJ Buckley is offering them for $104 a bottle on sale now. I purchased on futures for $89 so this is not too bad, especially considering the other stores were all asking North of $150 for a while.

K&L have Mags for $239 (initial release was closer to $170).

[Bucko]

Makes you wonder what's up. Here is what Suckling had to say about the wine:

Interesting aromas of chocolate, licorice and fruit. Medium-bodied, with velvety tannins and a medium finish. Slightly hollow center-palate, but well done. Best after 2002. 53,330 cases made.

Doesn't sound like the same wine... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/confused.gif[/img]

[Drew]

Maybe I'll pick up another bottle and compare. Comes from a store I've spoken of on the beaches above Lewes, Delaware. The Owner, Sally, has perfect conditions, you should wear a coat year round in her store as she keeps it so cold and dimly lit.

Drew

[Thomas]

Usually, Coufran produced approachable, silky wines. At one time, it was among my favorite Bordeaux wines. But I haven't consumed one in a number of years, and this news isn't pleasant sounding.