This past week, I attended another Bordeaux wine tasting at Wally’s Wines in Los Angeles. The event featured Count Stephan von Neipperg and wines from five of his properties on both the left and right banks of the Gironde estuary and one of his holdings in Sauternes, all in the Bordeaux wine region of France. The Comte (Count) is a very gracious and interesting man, with a passion for his wines. His lineage dates back to the 12th century, with origins in Germany.
The following wines were tasted, each of them an excellent representation of its terroir:
2009 Clos Marsalette, Pessac-Leognan (left bank) – 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon. Superb. White Bordeaux are different as the Semillon really differentiates them from a pure Sauvignon Blanc. I like this blend as, for me, it is not as acidic as a pure Sauvignon Blanc.
2004 Château d’Aiguilhe (“needle” in French) from the right bank of the Dordogne River, between Côtes de Castillon and Saint-Emilion, A beautifully balanced blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
2000 Clos de L’Oratoire, (right bank) Saint-Emilion AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé, a smooth and soft blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
2000 Château Canon La Gaffelière, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé, an elegant, balanced wine of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon with a super long finish. An A+ for me!
2001 La Mondotte, the super cuvée, Garagiste effort of the estate adjacent to Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion, also a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé wine of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. This is a rare wine, with less than 11,000 bottles produced. Another A+ for me! A real treat.
Château Guiraud Premier Cru Sauternes – a sweet way to end the evening’s tasting!
Count Stephan von Neipperg and fellow wine connoisseurs at the January 30 event at Wally’s Wines in Los Angeles.
This exquisite booklet chronicles the history of the von Neipperg family and its vineyards.
Until next time, à votre santé! 
Photos by Christine Humphrey ©2013
