I recently tasted Chateau Potensac’s 2001 vintage against the 2008 vintage, the latter reviewed here. My thoughts on Potensac’s 2008 vintage pretty much remain the same, and my score equally is the same as previously. The 2001 Bordeaux vintage, rated more highly seemingly by the French than the Americans, I have personally found to be mostly very reliable, good even, as a vintage.
Chateau Potensac is a producer that I return to “year in, year out” as a source of reliable well priced good quality left bank Bordeaux. However, with apparent price rises in Australia in recent years despite the strong Australian dollar, it is not a wine that I would recommend “over paying” for. It is usually more very good cru bourgeois than cru classé except in the very good vintages, where it can soundly join the lower rungs of the latter.
The 2001 Potensac is a classically proportioned left bank Bordeaux. Its colour is ruby, and it opens to an aroma of pencil shavings, spices and, until it blew off, a touch of a mushroom character. Balanced and poised on the palate, medium length intermingled with blackcurrants and earth. The 2001 is classic claret in style and in its drinking plateau – I don’t think it will improve much from here. Enjoy over the next five or so years. 87-88 points (very good)
Abv: 13%
Price: sub $50
Vendors: try auction
Website: http://www.potensac.com/
Tasted: June 2012
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