Chateau Sainte-Marie Vieilles Vignes 2007

15.0 / 20

Producer: Chateau Sainte-Marie

Region: Entre-Deux-Mers

Country: France

I approached this wine with a bit of caution. Although I liked the 2009 vintage I had tasted a while ago, I did not feel this was a wine made for aging, so at five years old, I was concerned this had long gone downhill.

As I poured it, a deep golden color did nothing to make me more comfortable. On first impact on the nose, a glyceric feel coupled with a lot of boiled pears and apples seemed to hint at a wine past its prime. Fortunately, as time goes by, a nice lime aroma permeates wine and still later, the sauvignon blanc comes forward, with tropical fruits and a touch of vegetable notes.

In the mouth, this is a soft, delicate wine seeming somewhat tired, missing some acidity and freshness. At first, it has a strong citrus feel that, as time goes by, is replaced with some vegetable notes that accompanies the taste till the average length wine that also shows some improvement given breathing time.

Although it was not as evolved as I expected, I would recommend younger vintages if you want to really appreciate this wine, as I found this a bit lacking on acidity and freshness.

Tasted on 2012-06-11

Chateau Marjosse 2007

15.0 / 20

Producer: Pierre Lurton

Region: Entre-Deux-Mers

Country: France

A blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, this french white from Entre-Deux-Mers, near Bordeaux, shows a light golden color, hinting at some evolution.

Discreet cooked apples in the nose, along with a glycerin feel lead the way to an unctuous, fat wine in the palate, with some sweet notes and only a dash of fruit. Balanced acidity keeps it alive throughout the taste that finishes long.

I think this is close to the end of its drinking window. I certainly felt that it could be a bit more lively and fresh. Right now, it is still a pleasurable drink but I don't think that will hold for much longer.

Tasted on 2012-03-25

Chateau Sainte-Marie Vieilles Vignes 2009

16.0 / 20

Producer: Chateau Sainte-Marie

Region: Entre Deux Mers

Country: France

A white wine from Entre-Deux-Mers, an appellation near Bordeaux. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, sémillon and muscadelle it comes along as a fresh, crisp white wine.

Some green tinges, the bouquet shows tropical fruit, not very sweet, and a vegetable feel- green, clean cut grass. More to the background, a touch of white pepper shows up.

It has an average body, clearly supported by a crisp, clear acidity. The vegetable notes linger throughout the taste, keeping up until the average-length finale.

Dry, fresh and lively, this is a very good wine for a light meal or by itself.

Tasted on 2011-06-05