Co-Op January Clearance.

See the other post in Wine Talk under the Villa Maria heading, to find out what may be available at the Larger stores.
The Inland properties, left bank vintage was said to be similar in style, yet a little fruitier than 2004.

This 2006 Le Bonnat Graves has good minerality (versus the cheap '06 Medocs on clay) and a decent streak of acidity to keep the wine fresh and alive, there is a bramble, touch of plum & black cherry & vanilla on the nose, Oak is nicely integrated, but the fruit is dying. The back label said good till 2015, which is a safe statement - Just. If wanting a claret for roast beef or stewing steak casserole, the acidity will cut the palate well.

Would I buy again at £5 a bottle ? Probably not. I took a punt for £7 out of curiosity and that is OK.
Would I buy this wine on the 2009 or 2010 vintage in the Co-Op sales in the future ? A Yes at under £9.

A nod to Shez - £15 for this full retail, is typical claret hype and massaged by the marketing people ! The nonsence of it all in terms of QPR, is more evident after tasting the '09s and '10s. Shez says some cedar and cassis on the 2008, which is a superior vintage.

Cheap clearance claret is all about the vintage.

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Duncan

This wine performs well after the 2nd and 3rd day of opening. Vacu-vinned overnight each time.

To be fair to this Bonnat '06 Graves, I now know that the fruit was not dying, I think the wine is closed. The Cab in this Graves, or this less fleshy and less ripe claret vintage is very slow to open. 2006 was a harder & stalky, a 'greener' claret, that needs time, so that figures.
On the third day with a glass left in the bottle, the wine was very satisfying, with cedar and mahogany notes from the cabernet sauvignon. I do like Graves ordinaire, Pessac L. much higher up the tree price wise and more fleshy.

So my re-assessment is - If you find this '06 in the Co-Op for £7, decant for 4 hours before supper, splosh around well in the decanter, and then enjoy with the meal. Quite nice - classic - mineral & good cut on the palate.

Worth more for claret folks who are prepared to mess-about serving right.

I shall leave the '08 a while longer.

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Duncan

Dunc, I'd not hold on to that 2008 too much longer. Would say its one to drink up sooner rather than later

Bonnat 2005:
Found alone on a shelf in a random co-op shore for £7. Opened and consumed today.
A little dusty, lacking much fruit. Opened up a little better after a few hours in the decanter but fairly simple and lacking character

Thanks for the advice Shez.

I'm surprised the '05 didn't show a little better than that. I will drink the '08 fairly soon.

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Duncan