An Afternoon of Bordeaux Elegance: A Grand Cru Tasting Experience

Posted by Leo Lee on May 03, 2025

There are few pleasures more refined than tasting Bordeaux’s finest wines in a curated lineup spanning both banks, multiple vintages, and a spectrum of styles. At a recent intimate evening hosted at Wine More Cellars, we gathered a small group of enthusiasts for exactly that — a Grand Cru Bordeaux tasting that offered both intellectual intrigue and genuine sensory delight.

Set against a backdrop of sleeping bottles and flickering candlelight, we embarked on a journey through decades of winemaking mastery. Here’s a closer look at the lineup and the impressions that emerged as corks were drawn and glasses swirled.

Understanding Bordeaux: The Two Banks

Before diving into the lineup, a quick orientation helps. Bordeaux’s wines are traditionally divided by the river Gironde into two broad categories:

Left Bank (Médoc, Graves): Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon; produces wines known for structure, graphite, cedar, and long aging potential. Major communes include Saint-Éstèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux.
Right Bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol): Dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc; generally produces rounder, more approachable wines with plum, truffle, and earthy complexity.

Our lineup deliberately spanned both banks, both sides of the Gironde, and a remarkable 27-year range of vintages. The contrast was instructive and, at times, revelatory.

The Lineup: Seven Bottles, Seven Stories

1. Cos d’Estournel Blanc 2021 (Saint-Estèphe)

We opened with something unexpected: the white wine from Cos d’Estournel, an estate better known for its iconic Saint-Estèphe red. This wine — a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon — is produced in very small quantities and is rarely encountered. The 2021 showed a bright, lifted profile: fresh citrus, white peach, and a flinty, mineral undertone. Still youthful and tightly wound, it promises elegance and complexity with a few more years in bottle. An extraordinary aperitif.

2. Château Canon 2014 (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé B)

Château Canon is one of Saint-Émilion’s most historic estates, classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé B. The 2014 showed beautiful balance: floral aromatics, ripe red fruits, and a seamless, velvet texture that made it immediately appealing. The vintage offered early approachability without sacrificing depth or complexity. A real crowd-pleaser from the Right Bank — and a reminder that 2014, often overshadowed by neighbouring years, produced some genuinely elegant Bordeaux.

3. Château L’Évangile 2013 (Pomerol)

A surprise standout despite what was widely considered a challenging vintage. L’Évangile — a Pomerol estate partially owned by the Rothschild family — crafted a wine of soft, silky tannins wrapped around earthy plum, truffle, and dried herb notes. This is a fine example of how the top producers in Pomerol craft excellence even in difficult seasons: the Merlot-based blend absorbed the vintage’s cooler character and turned it into something expressive and honest. A wine that surprised the room.

4. Château Calon-Ségur 2019 (Saint-Estèphe, 3rd Growth)

If L’Évangile was the surprise, Calon-Ségur 2019 was the showstopper. Powerful yet refined, this bottle showed incredible structure and concentration: dark berries, tobacco, and crushed stones framed a long, resonant finish. The 2019 vintage was exceptional across the Left Bank, and Calon-Ségur delivered one of its finest recent wines. This is modern Saint-Estèphe at its very best — a wine that will reward another decade or two of patient cellaring.

5. Château Montrose 2013 (Saint-Estèphe, 2nd Growth)

A cooler vintage expression from one of Saint-Estèphe’s most celebrated estates. The 2013 Montrose leans toward elegance over power: notes of red currant, cedar, graphite, and a hint of savoury herbs. The structure is refined, the acidity lively, and the finish moderate but clean. It’s classic Montrose restraint — a wine that asks you to slow down and pay attention rather than overwhelming you with scale.

6. Château Montrose 1995 (Saint-Estèphe, 2nd Growth)

The evening’s oldest wine, and one of its most moving. Three decades in bottle have transformed the 1995 Montrose into something quietly extraordinary. Tertiary notes of cigar box, forest floor, leather, and dried fruit offered a graceful evolutionary story. The tannins are fully resolved, the structure now soft and inviting, and the finish long with an earthy, savoury persistence. This was the wine that provoked the most reflection: it demonstrated, more eloquently than any description can, why great Bordeaux is worth waiting for.

7. Château Léoville Las Cases 2002 (Saint-Julien, 2nd Growth)

We closed with a classic claret from one of Saint-Julien’s most respected estates. The 2002 Léoville Las Cases is understated and poised: cedar, pencil shavings, and cassis glide over a firm but well-integrated structure. Now clearly in a lovely drinking window, this is Bordeaux at its most classical — a wine of quiet confidence that rewards the attentive drinker. A perfect final act.

Reflections on the Evening

This tasting was a vivid reminder of Bordeaux’s extraordinary depth and diversity. From the muscular, structured power of Calon-Ségur 2019 to the silken, evolved charm of the 1995 Montrose; from the Right Bank’s velvety Merlot expression in L’Évangile to the classic Left Bank restraint of Léoville Las Cases — the region offers something that no single other wine area in the world can match.

The age range of the bottles, from 2021 to 1995, allowed us to explore how these wines develop their unique personalities over time. The 2021 white was a fascinating opener; the 1995 Montrose was a sobering reminder of what patience, provenance, and great winemaking can achieve together.

But the real joy came not just from the wines themselves, but from the discussions they provoked — about vintages, terroir, the nature of aging, and the common love for fine wine that brought everyone to the table. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just beginning your Bordeaux journey, evenings like this serve as a beautiful reminder of why we fall in love with wine in the first place.

Food Pairing for Grand Cru Bordeaux

The wines at this tasting span styles from delicate white Bordeaux to powerful aged Cabernet — and each calls for a different approach at the table:

White Bordeaux (Cos d’Estournel Blanc) — Butter-poached scallops, fresh goat’s cheese, or roasted snapper with lemon butter.
Right Bank Merlot (Canon, L’Évangile) — Duck confit, mushroom risotto, roast lamb. The softer tannins and plum fruit of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol suit dishes with moderate richness.
Left Bank Cabernet (Calon-Ségur, Montrose, Léoville Las Cases) — Aged beef (dry-aged rib-eye or sirloin), rack of lamb with herb crust, or a classic steak au poivre. The structure and tannin of Left Bank Bordeaux requires the richness of quality red meat.
Aged Bordeaux (Montrose 1995) — Simpler preparations are best with older, more delicate wines. Roast chicken, slow-braised lamb, or a perfectly seasoned veal chop let the wine’s complexity speak without competition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Grand Cru in Bordeaux?

In Bordeaux, “Grand Cru” means different things on different banks. On the Left Bank (Médoc), the 1855 Classification ranks estates from First Growth to Fifth Growth — all are broadly described as Grand Cru Classé. On the Right Bank (Saint-Émilion), Grand Cru Classé and Premier Grand Cru Classé are regularly reviewed and updated. Pomerol has no official classification but includes estates of Grand Cru quality by any measure.

What is the best Bordeaux vintage to buy right now?

For immediate drinking, 2014 and 2016 are in excellent windows and offer great value relative to their quality. For drinking over the next 10–20 years, 2018 and 2019 are outstanding. For long-term cellaring, 2020 and 2022 show enormous potential. Ask our team at Winemore for recommendations based on your palate and budget.

What is the difference between Left Bank and Right Bank Bordeaux?

Left Bank Bordeaux (Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux) is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and produces structured, tannic wines that reward patient aging. Right Bank Bordeaux (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol) is dominated by Merlot and generally produces rounder, more accessible wines with plum and earthy complexity. Both banks produce wines of extraordinary quality; personal preference tends to dictate which side you gravitate toward.

Does Wine More Cellars host regular tasting events?

Yes — we regularly host masterclasses, producer tastings, and curated wine dinners at our Chadstone cellar. Events cover everything from regional Bordeaux and Burgundy tastings to vertical experiences and educational sessions for all levels of wine enthusiasm. Follow us on social media or visit winemore.com.au for upcoming event announcements.

How long should I cellar Grand Cru Bordeaux?

It depends on the estate, the vintage, and your personal preference. A broad rule of thumb: First and Second Growth Cabernet-based reds often need 10–20 years to show their best; Third and Fourth Growths typically open up in 8–15 years; Right Bank Merlot-based wines are often more accessible at 5–10 years. The safest approach is to buy a case, open one every few years, and track the wine’s development.

Written by the Winemore team — Melbourne specialists in fine and rare wine, based in Chadstone.

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