Wine Jedi to Lead 2011 Le Cercle Rive Droite Tasting in New York

On March 8th, Master of Wine Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan will lead a tasting of 35 members of Le Cercle Rive Droite de Grands Vins de Bordeaux (Right Bank Circle of Great Bordeaux Wines). The chateaux will be introducing both 2011 en primeur selections (barreled wine that has been bottled especially for this event) and older vintages, including the outstanding 2009 vintage. The tasting is open to the wine trade and wine journalists and is being held at the French Consulate in New York. Wine enthusiasts, who will attend an early evening tasting, are invited to taste only “released” vintages (already on the market) including the outstanding 2009 vintage which has been touted as possibly the "best vintage in decades."

Jennifer got involved in the tasting because, "Le Cercle Rive Droite invited me to participate through a contact here in the states named Jacques Azoulay who will also be hosting the event."

She has not had the chance to try the 2011 vintage, but she is excited about 2009, "I have tasted 2009s and it is indeed a powerful vintage, one for the cellars. I have not yet tasted the 2011s and am looking forward to it. From what I've read from other reports is that 2011 is the vintage you drink while you are waiting for your 2009s to come around." She is, "looking forwad to making the assessment myself."

Founded in 2002, the Cercle Rive Droite is comprised of 139 chateaux and 19 appellations located on the right bank of the Gironde, an estuary in the Bordeaux region. Of the hundreds of wineries on the Right Bank, only chateaux with the most outstanding reputations for excellence are allowed membership in the elite Circle. With their diverse soil types and maritime climate, the sub-regions of the Right Bank, including St.-Emilion and Pomerol, are known to possess the ultimate Merlot-growing terroir.

If you are a member of the press and want to participate in this rare event, you can RSVP here, the press event runs fom 2-5PM. Wine drinkers who want to enjoy the evening tasting of the released wines from 5-7PM can RSVP here.

Chateaux who will be participating in the tasting:
Bordeaux Supérieur
Balthus
Grand Vin de Reignac

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Château Ampélia
Château de Laussac
Clos Puy Arnaud

Fronsac
Château Dalem
Château Fontenil
Haut Carles
Château Moulin Haut Laroque
Château La Vieille Cure

Canon Fronsac
Château Gaby

Pomerol
Château Le Bon Pasteur
Clos l'Eglise
Château Vray Croix de Gay
Lalande de Pomerol
Château Jean de Gué
Château Siaurac

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Château Barde Haut
Château Boutisse
Château La Commanderie
Clos Dubreuil
Château La Fleur d'Arthus
Château Fombrauge
Magrez Fombrauge
Clos les Grandes Versannes
Château du Parc
Château de Pressac
Château Rol Valentin

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Fleur Cardinale
Château Grand Corbin Despagne
Clos des Jacobins
Château La Marzelle
Château Le Prieuré

Lussac Saint-Emilion
Château La Rose Perrière

Montagne Saint-Emilion
Château Messile Aubert

Puisseguin Saint-Emilion
Château Guibot la Fourvieillg