2004  Domaine de l'A - Castillon, Bordeaux, France
As opposed to the 2005 and 2006 vintages, 2004 Domaine de l'A is more oaky and slightly below its usual standard, with hints of reduction (probably just an unpleasant temporary stage).
The fruit has been well-extracted and there is considerable volume and length on the palate. Beautifully fresh on the aftertaste.
It will take a few more months to be able to appreciate this wine's fruit and balance. Not rated

 

 2004 Charmail, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux,  France

Deep, dark color.
Well-focused, mostly fruity bouquet with an elegant hint of oak.
Well-tempered structure with refined tannin, wonderful fruit, and considerable poise. Once again, Charmail has made the right choice: relying more on its brains than its brawn.
A fine example of a classic Médoc. 88/100

2004 Clos-Fourtet, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Expressive nose of cherry and roast coffee beans.
Starts out very suave on the palate. This wine has gained in breadth since I last tasted it and has an excellent mouth feel. 2004 Clos Fourtet is both round and distinguished. The power is restrained and the aftertaste medium-long.
An elegant wine, in keeping with the latest vintages from this estate. 90/100

2004 Clos Puy Arnaud - Castillon,  Bordeaux, France

Beautiful bouquet of very fresh red fruit and nutmeg.

Pure fruit on the palate from the very beginning. Concentrated and tasty with elegant, velvety tannin. A beautiful long aftertaste with an interesting mineral quality on the tail end.

In my opinion, 2004 Clos Puy Arnaud is close in quality to the excellent 2001. 89/100

2004 Nairac, Barsac, Bordeaux, France

Elegant, classic bouquet with hints of dried apricot and botrytis.
Extremely pure and well-focused on the palate. Concentrated, but in no way heavy. Subtle texture and beautiful freshness. There is a fascinating mineral side to this wine that carries all the way through to the long, well-balanced aftertaste. 90/100
 

2004 La Prade - Cotes de Francs, Bordeaux, France  

Cocoa and toasty overtones on the nose.
Starts out very elegant and penetrating with a slight bitterness reminiscent of quinine on the middle palate. Despite a fairly strong attack, La Prade's flavor profile develops elegantly, displaying a fine balance between ripe fruit and the touch of bitterness mentioned above. Stéphane Derenoncourt told me that these characteristics are typical of wines from the Côtes de Francs, and that the grapes must be drastically sorted and left on the skins at a relatively low temperature to make good wine.
This wine probably needs more time to achieve its full potential. 87/100

2004 Richelieu-La Favorite - Fronsac, Bordeaux, France

Superbly expressive nose of ripe red fruit, spice, and a refreshing hint of menthol.
Although well-structured on the palate, this wine's tannic texture is ethereal and it is altogether elegant. There is a hint of red bell pepper on the aftertaste.
I very much like this original wine, which is ideal for a summer meal. 89/100

 2004 Roche-Pressac - Castillon, Bordeaux, France

Black cherry and blackberry nose with smoky overtones. This wine does not start off on the right foot because the tannin is fairly dry on entry, and there is a touch of sulfur. However, it goes on to redeem itself with a more pleasant taste, and an aftertaste of acceptable concentration. This having been said, I am not very enthusiastic about the overall impression. 84/100

2004 Rol Valentin, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux,  France

Very pleasant, subtle bouquet of fruit and flowers.

The wine asserts itself on the palate by degrees, with fine tannin and very pure fruit.  Well-balanced and elegant with a distinctive and attractive taste of terroir on the finish. A very successful wine. 89/100

 2004 Senejac - Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

Deep red color. Fruity nose with floral and vanilla overtones. Tight tannic texture of average complexity, but an this is a good, archetypal Médoc with a fine, well-balanced finish. The progress made by the team at Sénéjac since 2001 is patent here. 88/100

Elegant bouquet of ripe fruit and graphite.
Starts out rather reserved, picking up power as the taste unfolds. Despite a tight, austere structure, the tannin is quite fine and has plenty of body. The strong, elegant aftertaste features a chalky, mineral finish. Tertre Daugay is one of my special favorites in 2004! 90/100

AlainBringolf

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