Review Chateau Citran 2000 & 2001

2000 - 89+ points
2001 - 85 points

from Haut Medoc Bordeaux France

This chateau had quite a bit of investment and upgrading of vineyards, winemaking back in the late 1980s (I think). And now often appears as a powerful claret with a substantial amount of new oak (far too much in 1998 I thought).

But a bottle of the 2001 tried recently was savoury, with somewhat metallic/blood-like flavours and little evidence of new oak. A solid somewhat old-fashioned bordeaux.

Then the 2000, bought from the same shop, is a much bigger more powerful wine. Sniff deeply and there are kirsch almond marzipan aromas -due to fruit intensity and toasty new oak.

I'm quite a fan of the 2001 vintage but Chateau Citran seems to have 'dropped the ball' this year. Either that or I simply got a bad bottle. I think the best bet is to buy the 2000 though, it will be drinking well over the next 5 years or more. Quality wine well priced.