Spicy, appealing oak on the nose and some farmyard. Very savoury, oaky and not richly fruity, but with enough fruit to balance. .
(lower price from 3 for 2 offer)
29/10/2008

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mel

Inflation has not hit Lavillote at £11.99 it would seem ! I have drunk the illustrious 1982 vintage at 10 years, I had two bottles. The wine just as Mel says was heavy on the oak for the fruit, but was never-the-less, a remarkable and unforgetable St Estephe for the money. Perfumed, rustic terroir and undergrowth earthy flavour, some Pauillac style violets from a higher proportion of Cab S, not much softening Merlot here, ......But too oaky. Then I had the super ripe 89 vintage....at 7 years, exactly the same problem but some mint and vanilla this time. It would appear that the proprietor has a great following from his local customers for this style, since the super ripe 2003 vintage also has that steeped old oak flavour dominating the cuvee, INSPITE of super ripe fruit in St Estephe that year.
Oh well, one can't understand why the proprietor keeps overdoing the oak. I remember this wine was about £12 in 1991 when I bought the 89, I feel sure the wine would fetch a much better export price of around £20 if he concentrated on the fruit and character, and racked off the wine much earlier. Is it too much battonage as well ? Do they use those huge 500 litre Bordelais barrels from the outset ?
The wine was unfiltered when I had it on the two prior occasions, and produced a black / dark brown & purple chunky sediment, remiscent of the shavings from the keel of the Marie Rose !
A very interesting and rustic St Estephe to impress your "claret loving" guests. If you like this style, a bargain for the sunny 2003. "Vin du guardish"
Please don't blame me if you buy a few bottles from a less sunny, colder or wet vintage, and won't admit to only enjoying new world Cab, that of course, unless you are looking for liquidised french oak and St Estephe perfume

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Duncan