CUWS M10 - Horeau-Beylot

First proper tasting of the term for CUWS, a selection of right bank wines from Bordeaux, all made by Horeau-Beylot.

Ch du Fort Pontus 06, Fronsac.
B+(+)

Really closed nose, not yielding much. Palate is quite bricky, metallic. Fruit is good and forward, generous enough on the palate, tannins still grippy. Just not expressive enough at the moment, could be good but really can't tell. Don't think there's enough acid to carry this too long.

Ch du Fort Pontus 01, Fronsac.
A-

More leather, tobacco, cedar and cinnamon, beautifully rustic on the nose, proper older more settled. Some floral touches too, alluring. Smooth, well aged, drinking nicely now. Nice red fruits, acidity nicely evident, tannin quite resolved.

Ch La Renaissance 06, Pomerol
B+(+)

Nice, straight forward, not particularly expressive, substantial weight on the palate which is good to see. Full width, wider and filling on the palate. Tannin needs to resolve.

Ch St Pierre 05, Pomerol.
A-(+)

Fuller, more depth to this, acidity more prevalent. More serious wine, integrated flavours, but currently still quite taut, not fully opened up. Expect this to be good, given time. Only sold on trade, which is a shame.

L'Esprit de Bellevue 07, St Emilion.
B

Straight forward, somewhat confected nose, plum, red fruits. Nice, pleasantly fruity, but not substantial enough, unimpressive, lacklustre. Under £10 and it shows.

Ch Bellevue 07, St Emilion Grand Cru Classe
A-(+)

Deeper expressive nose, tobacco, woody, some leafy, cedar, nice red fruits and even touches of violets. Good depth of flavour, nice width, fine grained tannins which shows even now. Weight good and concentration too. 98% merlot.

Ch Bellevue 03, St Emilion Grand Cru Classe
A-

Ripe nose, almost sweet, quite alcoholic. Gumdrops, pastilles, cassis, ribena. Palate is ripe and wide but not as intense, bit flabby, finish could be longer.