Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 87
Tasted single blind at the 1985 horizontal tasting, the 1985 Chateau Magdelaine had a very well-defined, pastille-like bouquet that is very typical of the vintage. Reserved at first, it unfolds to reveal kirsch, raspberry coulis and cold stone scents. The palate is nicely balanced on the entry and then just when you expect it to soar away, it is as if this Saint Emilion loses mental concentration; and echoing Robert Parker’s sentiments expressed in his tasting notes from 2003, the finish lacks the weight and the presence that would have completed this wine. It is a tale of two halves really, one for the nose and the other the palate. I wonder if there are superior bottles out there? Tasted July 2015.
Anticipated maturity: 2015-2020
JancisRobinson.com 17
Magnum and no alcohol given then. A chateau that no longer exists – has morphed into Belair Monange. Beautfully shaded dark rust red. Quite a bit of fine sediment. Rather sumptuous on the nose – satiny – and fully evolved. Great freshness and no great intensity of alcohol. I’d guess 12.5% at most. Neat and clean with a hint of biscuit sweetness. A sweet salute from the old guard.
Anticipated maturity: 1995-2020
