Rauzan-Segla - a Margaux Grand Cru 2nd Growth (1855 classification) isn't the average sort of wine Purple Teeth opens on a Tuesday, but then, this isn't your average Tuesday.
There's a wild thunderstorm outside, and I've got my WSET scholarship contest on Thursday, so this is hubby's attempt to "help with my homework". Yes, he loves Bordeaux.
I never really thought that at 40-something, I'd be trying for a scholarship. But since giving up my corporate career a year or so ago, all kinds of things I'd never have expected have happened, including coming out in the top 1% of WSET advanced students last year... maybe liking Bordeaux could happen? So back to the wine.
Mr Purple Teeth is a huge fan of left bank Bordeaux wines, and he claims this one (average £45 a bottle from independent retailers - this probably came from Selfridges some time ago) is one we should both love.
This is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot. None of these are grapes I crave, though I did enjoy the recent comparative Cabernet tasting we did.
Mr PT wants to climb inside what he describes as a blackcurrant cigar box. "This smells of age".
I try to translate this into the vocabulary I'll need for Thursday - developing nose, potential for further aging, elegant and velvety tannins, medium + body, high acidity. But yes, blackcurrant and blackberry, vanilla, leather, cedar, and smoky toasty notes. Remind me again why I've been avoiding Bordeaux?
There's no doubt about it, this is a classy, full-flavoured delight. And yes, I'm loving it as I write this, though I know there are wines at half the price that I could drink without having to wait 10 years for them to become this interesting and tasty.
Nevertheless, if Bordeaux is your bag, I will happily share a glass of this with you.
Now, can the examiners please bring this on Thursday morning?
I promise I'll go back to studying soil type, climate & pruning methods meanwhile.
Cheers!
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