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Bordeaux 1975
There are many sorry stories from Bordeaux where the 1970s are concerned. Disastrous vintages include 1972, 1974 and 1977 - and I mean disastrous. But there were successes too in this decade, with 1975 staking a claim as one of the better vintages of the decade.
The summer months were largely kind to the vignerons of Bordeaux, being hot and, initially at least, dry. A number of storms did their best to wreak havoc in August and September but these did not reach the most important vineyard areas of the left and right banks. The good weather forged onwards through September and October, permitting the harvest to go on uninfluenced by rain. Early assessments of quality seemed to suggest that here was a great vintage. Unfortunately this rating is not one that has persisted in all quarters, and based on my tasting of the vintage, including the wines written up below, I do not feel these early assessments were correct.
At just over twenty years of age many of the wines seem positively geriatric. Many have lost what fruit they had and dried out, while the tannins remain. Some seem dirty and badly made, which may reflect sanitation within the winery and persistent use of old, dirty, infected oak. The rejection of these practices is one of the many contributing factors that account for the dramatic improvement in many of the wines originating from Bordeaux during the 1980s and 1990s. There were some very good wines produced in this vintage, particularly in Pomerol, but there is no easy way to generalise regarding their identification. Extreme caution is required if purchasing. (14/08/02)
Bordeaux 1975 - Tasting Notes
Tasted in August 2002. Click
to locate stockists.
Chateau Lynch-Bages (Pauillac) 1975:
Seems off on the nose. Dominated by aromas of oxidation, with a hint of beef
extract alongside. The palate is quite dead. No flavour, just a rounded texture
and a spice edge. Over the hill. Not rated.
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste
(Pauillac) 1975: A very similar, dark colour. A dry, dull nose, with a raisin
aroma. Oxidation very evident, although not as rampant as the Lynch-Bages.
Seems quite tannic on the palate, although it has good acidity and some
smoky, burnt fruit to match. Quite full, and with good length, but drying
out in the finish, and marred by that oxidation. Not rated.
Chateau Langoa-Barton (St Julien) 1975: A dark wine, cut through with a tawny hue,
but richly coloured. Fading a little around the rim. Fairly classic on the nose,
with a seam of restrained fruit, which is impressive for a wine of this age. The
palate has a quite full and rounded texture, and is perhaps a touch tight. Some
tarry, woody fruit, with spice towards the finish. Still a little tannin, and
correct acidity. 16/20
Chateau Léoville-Las-Cases (St Julien)
1975: A good colour. Another wine with a fairly classic nose. A tarry
edge and some suggestion of fruit. Good texture and weight on the
finish, although somewhat short on flavour. There are nuances of floral,
gravelly fruit, although this fades through the endpalate. Another wine
beginning to dry out. 15/20
Chateau Palmer (Margaux) 1975:
This is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
This has a wonderful colour, and this is followed by a sweet, burnt, plum jam
nose, although it has a lean citrus edge. The palate, however, is hard and
drying out. There is still a little tannin present, but the fruit has largely
faded. Good weight though, soft acidity, and a bit of yeast extract character.
On the way downhill, and somewhat disappointing after an initially promising
nose. 14/20
