2006 Winemakers' Collection Denis Dubourdieu Cuvée No 2 Château d
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Denis Dubourdieu is another of Bordeaux's high-profile wine consultants, even if he has spread his wings geographically more markedly after this wine was made rather than before. His own base is in Graves and Sauternes. Less intense crimson than the No 1 from Michel Rolland. Just mid crimson with some evolution at the rim. Very attractively aromatic, in rather the same way that fine red Graves is – oddly enough! (Perhaps I ought to have been made to taste these wines blind...) Racy and lifted. Rather flattering – not in a sweet, sweet way but in a vivacious, mouthwatering way. Some transparency. Dry finish. Not luscious but very appetising. My style of wine. But not a very long-distance runner. There is some tannin there but no great density of flesh. Impressive persistence though. (JR)
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Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
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Pale to mid ruby. Subtle, low-key nose with a hint of tar and quite a bit of alcohol on the finish. Very different from most Haut-Médocs – almost burnt and more open and diffuse – with quite a bit of tannin on the finish. Not concentrated. (JR)
There are 5,000 cases of the reasonably priced 2006 Cuvee Numero 2. A classic Bordeaux, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue along with sweet aromas of black currants infused with tobacco leaf, loamy, earthy undertones, spice box, and cedar. With sweet, noble tannin, medium to full body, and outstanding concentration, but less sucrosite than the Cuvee Numero 1 (the vintage’s raw materials do not provide the heft and weight of the 2005), it should drink well for 10-15 years. The Winemaker’s Selection is a creative project with a different world class winemaker each year producing a wine from a specific parcel of vines at Chateau d’Arsac. The debut vintage in 2005, Cuvee Numero 1, was made by Michel Rolland, and this second offering was produced by the famed professor of oenology at Bordeaux University, Denis Dubourdieu. The third wine, the 2007, will be fashioned by Italy’s renowned Andrea Franchetti. This is intriguing in many ways. It is the same terroir, but each wine producer is given carte blanche authority to do whatever they wish. Obviously Dubourdieu’s 2006 raw materials were less impressive than Rolland’s in 2005, but Dubourdieu has acquitted himself very well.