Description
Wine enthusiasts rejoice with this collection of Bordeaux wines donated from the private collection of Peter Crowley '81.
Included are 3 bottles each of:
- 2000 Chateau Cos d'Estournel - rated 93
- 2000 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste - rated 92
- 1995 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou - rated 92
- 1990 Chateau Petit Village - rated 90
2000 Vintage - Bordeaux
Vintage quality: Legendary
Current condition: Ready to drink
The 2000 Bordeaux vintage was brilliant.
The winter was mild but a warm, wet spring created a fleeting problem with mildew. However, from July onwards, a spectacular summer dominated with hardly any rain until mid-September when the heavens opened, although it was likely welcome in some areas. Sunny weather then returned for the October harvest only broken by a single day of rain, a boon to parched vines. The producers who picked early risked unripe wines and others who picked later risked jammyness. However, for the majority who picked at the right time, the vintage offered some fantastic rewards.
The resulting wines were rich and ripe with great structure, depth, complexity and tannin. The Médoc was arguably the most successful with Margaux, St Julien and Pauillac all offering lovely wines but on the right bank, St. Emilion and Pomerol also performed very well.
There should be a wealth of wines still drinking well now to choose from.
1995 Vintage - Bordeaux
Vintage quality: Excellent
Current condition: Ready to drink
For Bordeaux, the 1995 vintage is widely recognized as being an excellent year for both banks.
Both the winter and spring were mild, although rain in spring was crucial to rebalancing the water table, and flowering took place undisrupted. The summer was so hot and dry, it broke records. September brought rain which hindered Merlot and meant Cabernet Sauvignon had to be harvested early. The harvest began late September in dry, sunny conditions and the resulting crop was large and healthy.
The majority of wines across the board were rich and structured with intensely concentrated fruit and high tannins. Right-bank Merlot was particularly successful with the appellations of St-Emilion and Pomerol both producing great wines. Left bank Châteaux, like Margaux, generally needed time in the cellar. Graves and Medoc, particularly the Medoc?s St-Julien and Pauillac, all produced excellent wines, however a lack of elegance in many of the wines prevented the vintage from being truly great.
There should still be many good wines to choose from for drinking now, however a few reports have intimated that some wines originally thought suitable for long-term aging have either failed to improve or have declined. The best wines are most likely to be found in Pomerol although Château Margaux was also very good.
1990 Vintage - Bordeaux
Vintage quality: Excellent
Current condition: Ready to drink
For Bordeaux, the 1990 vintage has a legendary reputation as one of the best vintages of the late 20th Century.
The winter was mild and turned into a cool spring with temperatures only heating up in May. Typically, great Bordeaux vintages are a result of hot years, and 1990 delivered a very hot, dry summer. Both July and August broke heat records and were the driest since 1961. Rain at the end of August, beginning of September provided welcome relief and conditions for the rest of the month were cool and clear, ideal for an early harvest.
Every appellation excelled in making high-quality wines. Many of the wines, including even the second wines of châteaux, required more than a couple of years cellaring to reach their drinking potential. Once matured, the wines have become known for their rich, concentrated fruit and roasted notes, balance and velvet tannins.
The wines of Saint-Émilion arguably stole the show. However, both the Left and the Right Bank performed outstandingly, as Saint-Estèphe, Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Pomerol and Pauillac ? in particular the Lynch-Bages, Pichon-Baron and Grand Puy Lacoste estates ? all produced phenomenal wines.
White Bordeaux was also a success, although perhaps not quite as glitteringly brilliant as its red counterpart. Acidity was a little low in some of the wines and many of the wines were best destined for early drinking.
There is likely to be a wide range of wines still drinking well now. Many of the higher-tier wines, predominantly reds but there may be some whites too, will continue to develop until 2025 or beyond. However, they are likely to be extremely expensive.
Item Special Note
This item cannot be shipped. Winning bidder must be able to pick up wine in Boston/Cambridge.
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