The Auswine Forum

2005 Blue Poles Merlot / Cabernet Franc (2:1) - Margaret River, WA - 12.7%

Very aromatic. Deep, rich base of sweetly spiced plums and chocolate with dark cherries, dark earth and red cherries and with hints of tobacco and dried herb complexity. Drying but fine, wheat-meal tannins and superb, underlying acidity provide great palate breadth, control, elegance and sculpture. Flavoursome, gentle finish with moderate length. Richer and deeper than the 2004 without losing any of its right bank class and style. 93/100 (18/20), drink now until 2015. $25.

When I rated the 2004 vintage 90 points, I didn’t know it was from 3 year-old, first fruit vines. I rate this wine knowing very well that it from 4 year old, second crop vines, but do so with excitement of vintages to come.

For those interested, the Blue Poles website (http://www.bluepolesvineyard.com.au) is a most interesting read, especially the monthly reports.

Kind regards,
Adair

Thanks for the notes, Adair. Sounds like a wine that I would like to try when I go home for holiday in February.

BTW, have you had any of the Chateau Teyssier wines? They are made from the same combination of grapes in a similar ratio of Merlot / Cab F. (3:1). I loved the nose of the 2003 vintage, but found the palate did not quite live up to what the nose promised. If you have, it would be interesting to see how the Blue Poles compare to the Teyssier.

Raymond W wrote:BTW, have you had any of the Chateau Teyssier wines? They are made from the same combination of grapes in a similar ratio of Merlot / Cab F. (3:1). I loved the nose of the 2003 vintage, but found the palate did not quite live up to what the nose promised. If you have, it would be interesting to see how the Blue Poles compare to the Teyssier.

No sorry, but I expect it would compare well, particularly if considering the price difference.

Adair

Thanks. I'll try a bottle when I go home next month. On the Blue Poles website, it says that it is available at a certain wine retailer in Sydney.

BTW, the Chateau Teyssier 2003 and 2004 cost around A$33 in Japan. It is one of the more affordable Bordeaux wines here. Some of the others can be ridiculously priced.