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The Vintages of l'Ancien 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
2007 The Press L’Ancien 2007 : 17/20 : Same owner as Garraud and the same Technical Director, Vincent Duret. The Nonys are part of a big family of immigrants from Correze, all coming from the same village (other branches of the family are in Saint-Emilion). Vincent Duret attributes the success of the wines to the Vineyard Manager: "It all starts with Serge Faubet. He’s a good friend. We’re going to the rugby semi-finals together. He works according to the soil ; he was born in the vineyard. L'Ancien has been a unity from the start : Ten years ago we took over the neighbor’s vines, which he worked very well, but harvested every year around September 15th. In the beginning, we worked like we were producing a garage wine. Since 1997, it’s become the base to which we add the old vines of Garraud. 100% Merlot". Tobacco on the nose, a little closed, supple in the mouth, soft, elegant, fresh, little tannins with great finesse. Long, fine, elegant. Jacques Dupont, Le Point n°1860 (France). L'Ancien 2007. Lalande de Pomerol : Note 89/100. Intense colour with crimson highlights. Deep nose of ripe red fruit with slightly perceptible toasted accents. Seductively full mouth-feel, well-integrated tannins and length. On the finish, the fruit leads into a welcome vanilla touch. Guide Gilbert & Gaillard 2011 (France)
2006 Color : Very intense, deep, almost black. Nose : Quite open, with smooth liquorice-infused wood and fruity notes of blackcurrant and raspberry. Palate : Following the clean attack there is plenty of volume supported by ripe, tightly-knit tannins. The finish is long and pleasant. Climatic conditions : An excellent year with several important rains in March and also several hot periods in July et September. A very good flowering in June. Harvesting at full ripeness began September 20. Ageing potential : 2010-2017
The Press L’Ancien 2006. Emile Peynaud had a simple description of a great wine. It is, he said in essence, and from memory, a wine that is said to be great by a majority of good tasters… One could say, in my opinion, of the magnificent Lalande de Pomerol 2006 l'Ancien, from a small domain of four hectares of old vines (45 years average). 100% Merlot aged in 100% new barrels, lots of color but not opaque. The distinguished bouquet is ample and harmonious, showing black fruit and spicy notes without excessive wood. The level is the same in the mouth; fleshy and dense, with beautiful, fat tannins and good length. There are more refined red Bordeaux, but this is great art, and a great wine, at a good price (43 cases). Jacques Benoit, la Presse de Montréal, 21 February 2009 (Canada) L’Ancien 2006. Old Merlots, very strict selection, serious aging, built to last: this Ancien has it all. A little stricter than the 2005 but with lush, ripe tannins, this wine will require a few years cellaring. Jean Aubry, Le Devoir, 13 February 2009 (Canada) L’Ancien 2006: 89/100. Intense color with purple highlights. Concentrated red and black fruit on the nose, note of new oak. Dense, fine, a trace of wood, wrapped in fullness and strength. Still young, needs cellaring. Guide Gilbert & Gaillard 2010 (France)
2005 Color : Very dense black with bluish highlights. Nose : Very expressive nose with ripe black fruit, the oak is still present, but will mellowing during aging. Palate : Excellent volume enveloped by powerful yet supple tannins, lingering finish. Climatic conditions : Cold winter, hot spring and summer with above normal temperatures. Good flowering, excellent conditions during the harvest in September and October. Harvest began September 14. Ageing potential: 2013-2020
The Press L’Ancien 2005 : 87/100 : Deep saturated color with youthful highlights. Black fruit on the nose, spicy notes in the background. Powerful and concentrated on the palate with a firm finish and a touch of bitterness. Still young, keep it in the cellar. Decant. Guide Gilbert & Gaillard 2009 (France) L’Ancien 2005 * is made from a plot of Merlot that was acquired more recently. It’s a more exuberant wine, almost black, floral and fruity, soft with smooth tannins. Guide Hachette 2009 (France) L'Ancien 2005 is a fleshy wine with firm tannins, nice concentration, displaying aromas of red currant, humus and spices. For cellaring. Guide Dusert Gerbert 2009 (France) l’Ancien 2005 : 16. Big colour, lots of supple Merlot fruit, Spicy, tobacey, good grip, good length. 2009-16. James Lawther, Decanter June 2006 (UK) l'Ancien, Lalande de Pomerol 2005 : 85-88. Loads of blackberry and cherry aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Bit short. James Stuckling, Wine Spectator, Website April 2006 (USA)
Color : Beautiful black with purple highlights. Nose : Fine and elegant with well integrated oak. Palate : Plenty of volume supported by tight yet supple tannins, long finish. Climatic conditions : Cold, dry winter. Rapid, homogeneous flowering under good conditions resulting in a potentially heavy crop. Rainy August, beautiful September. Harvest began September 27 Ageing potential : 2012-2018 .
Color : Limpid, very deep garnet-ink color.
Nose : Very expressive. The oak dominates with toasty notes and a certain sweetness, but it does not overpower the aromas of black fruit such as blackberry.
Palate :
The attack on the palate is immediate followed by enormous, mouthfilling volume. The tightly knit tannins are lush. A warm finish amplifies the length still being acquired in barrel. Climatic conditions : Very early year, record heat wave in length and in intensity. Beautiful, sunny weather dominated from spring until the harvest, with a few storms here and there. The yield was low for this crop : small berries and a little coulure (shatter) on the Merlot. The harvest began on September 6. Ageing ability : 2010-2013
2002
Color :
intense black, deep and brilliant.
Nose : Very open with elegant woody notes of eucalyptus and licorice, opening up to aromas of fruit and spice.
Palate :
The clean, straightforward attack is followed by lots of volume with
elegance, supported by racy, lush tannins. The suave, warm finish is
never-ending. Climatic conditions: A lack of rain for most of the year, with several cloudy cold spells. The flowering of the Merlots was noticeably affected by a cold wave that forced several flowers to abort (coulure) or produce tiny berries that did not develop (millerandage). They had to be eliminated manually on sorting tables. The volume of the crop was significantly reduced, but the harvest took place under sunny skies from September 28. Ageing ability : 2009-2012 The Press l’Ancien 2002 : 89/100. Attractive saturated color with purple highlights. Fine nose, expressive ripe red fruit (raspberry, cherry), with discreet, elegant wood. Fleshy in the mouth, tightly textured. Fine tannins, pure expression of fruit. Beautiful wine. Guide Gilbert & Gaillard 2006 (France) l’Ancien 2002. Silver Medal. Oenologist Vincent Duret has made the most of this well-positioned estate. A profusion of silky cassis and plum Merlot fruit populates the structured, well-balanced, long palate. IWC, Wine International, website, July 2004, (UK)
2001 An excellent wine Color : Very dense, intense black. Smell : Before agitation, the nose has superb wood aromas that are beginning to soften, revealing powerful fruity notes. Taste : A full entry, followed by lots of volume in the mouth supported by voluptuous, tight tannins. Climatic conditions : Rainy, mild winter. Rapid, homogenous flowering. Though veraison was heterogeneous, it developed under good conditions. Very sunny August and September, with some rain showers. Harvest began September 24. Ageing ability : 2010-2015 The Press
l’Ancien 2001 **, made from pure Merlot, also gets two stars for its concentration and power, making it another great wine for the cellar. Guide Hachette 2005, (France)
****(*) l’Ancien 2001. The attractive nose is pure, intense and refined. There is good concentration in the mouth, with tight flesh, solid tannins, and great length. This Lalande de Pomerol has great potential. Guide Hubert 2004, (France) l’Ancien 2001 - Range 85-88. This red shows chewy tannins and a good level of berry and tobacco character. Medium-bodied. Medium finish. Close to the 89-91 range. Wine Spectator, James Suckling’s Daily Reports, March 27, 2002, (USA).
2000 An exceptional vintage Color : Very deep saturated black. Smell : The wood aromas are certainly quite present before agitation, but the toasty, grilled notes blend in perfectly with the fruity notes of raspberry and cherry. Taste : The entry is superb, rich and full, with powerful, yet tightly-knit, silky tannins. The taste goes on and on.
Climatic conditions :
The beginning of summer was slightly cold and wet, but the months of August and September were particularly hot and dry, permitting the Merlots and Cabernets to attain perfect ripeness. Harvest began September 18.. Ageing ability : 2010-2020 The Press
l’Ancien 2000 : 89/100. Intense color, purple highlights. Concentrated nose of ripe red and black fruits intermingled with a toasty, chocolaty note. Dense in the mouth, the tannins are present, enveloped by fatness and freshness. A concentrated style from this generous vintage that speaks for itself. Nice length. Optimum drinking: 2006-2007. Also discover l’Ancien 1999 : 84/100.
Guide
des Vins Gilbert et Gaillard 2005 (France) 100 Fantastic French Buy. l’Ancien 2000. Toasty aromatics lead into a fresh palate with richness and complexity. Delicious chunky fruit, very expressive Merlot. 2-10 years. Decanter, September 2004, (UK)
1999
The Merlot Year
Color :
Absolutely black with bluish highlights.
Nose : Very powerful, yet admirably smooth oak contributes vanilla aromas and marries beautifully with the elegant, blackcurrant-scented fruit.
Palate :
Generous attack, with enormous volume supported by very ripe, satiny tannins.
Climatic characteristics :
Alternating rain and sun, then three weeks of gorgeous weather with very high temperatures. The harvest began on September 16th.
Ageing ability : 2010-2014 The Press The price and the quality are rising on the way to Lalande de Pomerol l’Ancien 1999 ***(*) a superb wine. Very colored yet slightly transparent and made with 100% Merlot, matured in new barrels. It’s a Bordeaux that is very marked by the wood, with notes of toast, very ripe black fruit, good depth. The mouth follows, quite fleshy, relatively full bodied, brilliant, with noble, tender tannins, and aromas of pastry in the aftertaste (the wood). In other words, what we have here is a modern Bordeaux, worked (as they say), with very present wood, delectable at the same time. Three stars? Three and a half stars? Or four stars, which would mean that it was a great wine? Answer: three and a half stars. La Presse de Montréal, Jacques Benoît, March 8, 2003. (Canada) Wines of the Week. Red first. From Lalande de Pomerol : l’Ancien 1999 ****, a magnificent homage to Merlot, structured and velvety, yet still somewhat reserved. Le Devoir, Jean Aubry, February 14, 2003. (Canada) l’Ancien 1999 ***(*) - Very dense purple color. Attractive, intense, ripe nose, with nuances of licorice-scented smoky oak. In the mouth, this straightforward, well-built wine is massive, fleshy, vigorous, and dense. La revue du Vin de France, Vintage 1999, February 2002. (France) l’Ancien 1999 - We liked it. Smoky oak, tightly-knit texture, tannins still stiff, yet there is plenty of character and promise: this wine will keep for a long time. La Revue du Vin de France, June 2000. (France)
1998
The Surprise Vintage
Color :
Saturated black color with crystalline highlights.
Nose :
Finely oaked, with rich, toasty notes, accompanied by notes of very ripe fruit.
Palate
:
The pure attack is immediately followed by great volume amplified by powerful tannins, then surprising suppleness.
Climatic characteristics :
Alternating coolness, rain and sun. The harvest began on September 23th. Ageing ability : 2010-2016 The Press l'Ancien 1998 - Very deep ruby-purple color with an attractive nose of black currants with touches of licorice, toast and ham. A nicely balanced wine that was the most Californian in style of all the wine tested..*** going perhaps to ****. The Gazette, Montreal, Malcolm Anderson, June 15, 2002. (Canada)
l’Ancien 1998 - This is crafted from 100% Merlot vines grown on deep gravel and clay-gravel soils. Very toasty, new oak perfume and cherry fruit on the nose. The palate has some farmyardy elements alongside a cedar character, high grainy tannins and acidity. Good depth of character and long length.
Decanter, March 2002. (UK)
l’Ancien 1998 - 100% Merlot produced from 3 hectares of old vines, this Lalande de Pomerol obviously has great ambitions. The color is saturated without being opaque, and the bouquet is a tease (this is not a defect!). It is dense, rich, dominated by notes of dried black fruit accompanying the toasty oakiness. This wine is mellow and plump, with handsome, tender, fat tannins in the mouth. A delightful, very modern wine ***(*)La Presse de Montréal, February 9, 2002. (Canada)
l’Ancien 1998 - A superb wine. The old vine Merlot has the pleasure of rubbing shoulders (with the best intentions in the world) with a new barrel of the highest lineage. This mellow wine possesses a rich, youthful color and ripe, fruity tannins with abundant spices, all coiled around a fresh, eloquent, well-built frame.
The people at Château Garraud haven’t skimped. The result : great class ****.
Le Devoir de Montréal, February 1st, 2002. (Canada)
l’Ancien 1998 - Very good color. Rich, succulent nose. Fullish, very good ripe tannins. Lovely fruit. splendid balance. Long, complex and succulent. One of the very best of the testing. Lovely. From 2005 - The Wine, Cleve Coats, N° 173, June 99. (UK) |
History of our vineyards l'Ancien Garraud Treytins Press review
Keeping track of our cellars Visit us Contact us
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