波爾多

{***}
{region}Pomerol{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}

[]Wine Advocate:: 96-98/100

{ratings} {***}

Henri Lurton describes this as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Brane and it is hard not to disagree. Aromas of violets and blackcurrant give way to a concentrated, succulent wine with a long, pure, persistent, finish.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 27%, Cabernet Franc 2%, Carménère 1%

{***}
{region}Margaux{region}

{color}Red{color}            

     {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}

{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}   
[]The Wine Advocate:: 96-98/100

[]Jancis Robinson:: 17/20

{ratings}

{***}

{***}
{region}Pomerol{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For Laying Down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 95-97/100          
{ratings}  {***}

{***}
{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}

{ratings}{***}

Inky black/purple colour with a concentrated, intense nose of ripe blackcurrant and plum, sweet spice and violets. There is a lifted elegance here which is very appealing. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, but is so fresh and mineral with juicy blackberry and bramble fruit, lots of sweet spice and herb notes. It’s complex and beguiling, with a lovely creamy texture and supple, elegant tannins. The finish is extremely long and fresh showing wonderful poise. The blend is 53 percent Merlot, 41 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 6 percent Petit Verdot. This is a great Palmer.

{***}
{region}Margaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
[]James Suckling:: 97-98/100 []The Wine Advocate:: 96-98/100

 {ratings} {***}

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 97-99/100          []James Suckling:: 97-98/100   
{ratings}  {***}

Bright crimson. Meaty, really savoury nose with great life. Medium weight and beautiful balance. Some light inkiness and a little marked by the oak at present but a really beautiful whole. Fragrant, roses with life and lift again. The wine is relatively high in acidity but, most unusually, surrounded by the ripe fruit. Easy to see a relationship with the beautiful 2006 served after this. Drink 2020 - 2040.

Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com (Jul 2016)

{***}
{region}Pomerol{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2014{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Jancis Robinson:: 18.5/20

[]Wine Advocate:: 96/100

{ratings} {***}

This is the epitome of a classic, good, mature British Claret. Textbook cassis, cigar boxes, toast and minerals are all here. Its tannins are beautifully soft, but it has lost none of its flesh and intensity. It is fantastic right now, but will last for a further 10 to 15 years.

Ch. Giscours is one of the largest Margaux properties and now producing wine worthy of its Troisième Cru Classé status. Giscours was in a dire state when it was acquired by Nicholas Tari in 1952. He invested heavily and the quality of the wine improved beyond recognition. In 1995 he sold the property to Dutch businessman Eric Albada Jelgersma. Giscours produces richly aromatic wines that are surprisingly powerful on the palate, displaying ripe, black fruit with hints of cedar and new oak.

Giscours typically produces one of the most masculine wines of the Margaux appellation and one which normally requires a little patience. Defined by its rich, dark fruit, complex structure and wonderful, classic perfume, this elegant 2001 is nonetheless drinking beautifully now, yet will last another five years.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

There is a completeness that is evident in 2005 Clarets, and this is what immediately strikes with 2005 Cantemerle. It has bags of fruit, tannin and acidity, all tied up in an impeccably-balanced, polished package. Sweet cassis fruit is accompanied by a spicy edge and a long, fresh lift. This is very pretty now but ideally wants another five years to really get going, and will easily keep for another five after that.

Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager

Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 5%, Cabernet Franc 2%.

Although the overall production at Ch. Margaux is down about a quarter, the proportion of Pavillon Rouge is up slightly (31% of production). Aurélien Valance feels this is indicative of the quality, that even more of the harvest than usual was up to the mark for this cuvée. The bouquet is more accented in crunchy red fruit than the grand vin, and the tannins feel more pronounced. But the ineffable polish and grace of Ch. Margaux remains fundamentally woven into the wine’s persona. This is elegant and perhaps a little more open-textured than the ’19, but there’s still sufficient tension to leave the wine irresistible.

Drink 2028 - 2045

Berry Bros. & Rudd

The pale lemon coloured 2016 Lions de Suduiraut gives up quite earthy scents of fungi, moss and fallen leaves over a core of peach preserves, dried apricots, poached pears and orange marmalade. The palate is beautifully layered with stone fruit and citrus notions, framed with just enough freshness, finishing long and earthy.
Drink 2019 - 2033

 
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (March 2019)

A lovely property in the tiny appellation of the Côtes de Francs, the 2017 Marsau is deep ruby in colour with attractive aromas of bright redcurrants and wild black cherries, courtesy of the juicy Merlot dominance in the blend. Medium bodied on the palate with crunchy red fruit and silky, integrated tannins. A touch of chalkiness to the acidity brings a freshness throughout, and a purity of red cherry and forest fruit sits at the heart of this crowd-pleasing style.

Suave and finely textured, a very decent effort which will drink well from 2020 - 2026+.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This was an outstanding vintage for white Bordeaux and our “GOW”, skilfully made by Dourthe. The nose is bright and aromatic, with notes of lime, flower, elderflower and green tea leaf. The palate brings exotic fruits, typical of its 100% Sauvignon Blanc makeup. Swathes of citrus and white peach lead to a zesty burst of acidity. No oak is used, allowing the crisp, mineral profile to speak for itself. This is perfect as an apéritif or with lighter fish or chicken dishes.

Georgina Haacke, Fine Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (June 2023)

This is a classic Graves blend of equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. There are aromas of bright white peach and lemon peel on the nose. The palate introduces passion fruit, fresh apricot and quince notes.

Well-judged use of French oak adds depth and creaminess without overpowering the wine. A dash of acidity and a mouth-watering bite of salinity brings balance to the finish. This exemplifies how 2021 was a truly great vintage for Bordeaux whites.

Georgina Haacke, Fine Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

1985 Bordeaux in general and Las Cases in particular is one of lifes great pleasures; a moment of pure hedonism as you catch a great Claret at a time of sheer perfection. The tannins have softened, the primary and secondary fruit characteristics have given way to the classic cigar-box and cedarwood aromas of mature St Julien, and the texture on the palate is rich and satisfying, supported by an impressively long finish. If you want to keep it longer, however, fear not for I believe it will remain on this plateau for several years yet.

This is a wonderfully constructed wine, with very fine, silky tannins and an intense core of classic brambly St Estèphe fruit with a whiff of mulberries. It is pure and fresh with the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon - brooding, as if waiting to leap out - very much to the fore. This is completely different to their famous 2003, and although Madame will not be drawn on the matter, we certainly think it is considerably superior.

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Advocate:: 94/100

[]Robert Parker:: 93/100 

{ratings} {***}

Latour is a benchmark for its unwavering consistency and exceptional quality in even the most challenging vintages. The 1996 vintage, in particular, showcases the heavenly results achieved by this renowned winery. This textbook Latour wine is characterised by its immense concentration, richness, polished tannins, and full-bodied yet not overwhelming nature. The wine's phenomenal power and balance make it an extraordinary specimen. We anticipate its continued evolution up to 2030.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

The 2000 Léoville-Barton has a juicy, ripe bouquet of macerated black cherries, incense, potpourri and veins of blue fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, good density, nice structure and a sappy conclusion. This has opened up in recent years and displays a touch of ash toward the finish. Drinking perfectly now, it’s a decent Léoville-Barton that never quite achieves the heights of recent stellar vintages.

Drink 2021 - 2032

Neal Martin, vinous.com (Sep 2021)

Tasted from an ex-château bottle at BI Wine & Spirits Calon-Segur dinner in London. The 2000 Calon Segur is one of those wines that reminds you how great the millennial vintage could be. Now at fifteen years old, it has a brilliant, vivacious red berry nose infused with ash and cigar box aromas. The detail here is a beguiling and it just "sings" Saint Estèphe. The palate is medium-bodied with dense, firm tannin that provide a rigid backbone, but it is swathed in copious tobacco-drenched black fruit and a superb line of acidity. It finishes with a twist of bitter cherry on the finish that completes what is a deeply impressive Calon-Ségur; it might just outclass the 2005. Tasted March 2015.
Neal Martin - 28/10/2016

A baby, still barely evolved at 20 years old, perhaps the slowest out of the block of all Five Firsts at this point in their lives. Savoury black fruits, elegant yet concentrated, extremely Cabernet and extremely Lafite. The power comes slowly, expanding through the palate to show graphite, pencil shavings, and cigar smoke, all with firm acidities and a fantastic grip. 46% of the overall crop went into this wine in the 2000 vintage. A brilliant example of the success at Lafite under the longtime triumvirate of owner Baron Éric de Rothschild, CEO Christophe Salin and estate director Charles Chevallier.

Drink 2022 - 2045

Jane Anson, Decanter.com (July 2020)

Fully mature (yet I'd say in the early stages of its drink window), the 2000 Château Gruaud Larose offers a ripe, powerful, medium to full-bodied style as well as lots of currant and darker fruits followed by cedarwood, tobacco, iron, and assorted meaty, spicy nuances. It's a rich, almost chunky effort with a great mid-palate, still present yet ripe tannins, and an excellent finish. It lacks some of the purity and precision of today's wines yet is a satisfying, rich, impressively textured Saint-Julien to drink over the coming 15-20 years.

Drink 2021 - 2041

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (April 2021)

I'm not sure you need me to recap the weather conditions in 2005 as it's such a famous, and relatively recent year. Suffice to say, it was pretty close to a perfect year, with spots of heat but generally cool evenings that maintained a sense of freshness and poise. The colour difference is quite remarkable in comparison to the older vintages in the tasting, and even with nearly 15 years of age, we are fully in primary colours with this 2005 - rich, purple-reds, not inky but full of life and intensity right through the body of the wine. 

On the palate, you find touches of caramel and sweet, ripe fruit that's handled expertly. It's more gourmet than any other on display, but still with gorgeous freshness and traces of black pepper spice that give focus to the finish. It has an effortless balance that just makes you so happy to be drinking this wonderful vintage from an estate that's in no hurry to reveal its riches. Outside of the world of Bordeaux wine, Angela Merkel became head of the German government, following on from Gerhard Schroëder.

Drink 2018 - 2045

Jane Anson, Decanter.com (December 2018)

Cheval Blanc’s second wine, the 2005 Le Petit Cheval, possesses some of the character of its bigger sibling. Revealing a slight green streak among the cranberry and black cherry fruit along with medium body and a soft, plush texture, it is ideal for drinking over the next decade.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - 30-Apr-2008

This great terroir sandwiched between Vieux Chteau Certan, Petrus and La Fleur Petrus, on the high plateau of Pomerol, has been owned for many years by the Barrau-Badar family. Beautiful coffee, cedar wood, Christmas fruitcake, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit jump from the glass of this full-bodied, rich, multi-layered, and very impressive Certan de May. I dont remember it showing this well in barrel and post-bottling, but it is strutting its stuff at age 10, and has a good 20 years of upside left to it. This is a beauty. I especially admire the layered, textural style of the wine. Drink it over the next 20 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 29/06/2015

Tasting at Ch. Léoville Poyferré was one of our ‘wine moments’ of the 2009 en primeur week. It is, quite simply, astonishing. Very perfumed, with a delicious, juicy density on the palate, this has layer upon layer of gorgeous fruit (blackberries freshly picked from the hedge) with a wonderful, gravel minerality and earthy complexity. Supple, ripe tannins melt on the palate and the length is incredible. This is one of the most exciting wines of its level in 2009; an absolute must-buy.

Ch. Angélus’s 2009 is an extremely elegant wine with a lifted, floral hint to the nose and dense, pure, concentrated liquid raspberry fruit on the palate. Very fine, silky tannins add to the smooth, round mouthfeel, all completed by a long, sweet finish.

We normally find tasting Giscours at this stage a tad underwhelming to be honest, tending to buy large quantities (far more expensively I may add) when it’s singing, four to six years after the vintage. Not this year!!! Really generous without being pushed, intense and concentrated with an amazingly long finish, this could easily be their greatest vintage, and it actually surpasses the brilliant 2005. Fantastic.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

The annual release of 10 year old Château Palmer, and this time it's an often-underrated but delicious vintage that sits in the shadow of the most prestigious years of the last decade. Proof of how slowly this wine ages, it is packed with blueberry and cassis fruits, a shot of mint leaf, mandarin peel, sage and dark chocolate, with shoulders and a serious architecture, bigger than you might expect for a vintage with such an easy-drinking, gourmet reputation.

I last tasted this vintage around eight months ago and it has opened up further since then, often the case as wines shift around the decade mark, and this is an upscore. A moment when Palmer was fully committing to farming biodynamically, doubling its coverage to almost 15 hectares, and had just unveiled a new cellar. Harvest October 1 to 15, Sabrina Pernet technical director, Thomas Duroux director. 68% new oak. No rush to drink, and has many decades ahead, but you can begin thinking about it.

Drink 2023 - 2042

Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com (July 2022)

Ideal with a 2-hour carafe.

Finesse and savoury black fruits and mint leaf with gentle rosemary. It has a quiet concentration, together with layers of graphite, and slate, and a mouthwatering finish. Both quiet and yet powerful, it gives an insight into what makes Lafite so singular, and that is all you can really ask of a 2nd wine. Interesting also how it differs from Petit Mouton, such a brilliant distillation of the difference between the two estates.

Drink 2022 - 2034

Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com (March 2022)

Composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Canon la Gaffeliere contains a large part of second-generation fruit because 65% of the crop was affected by frost. Deep garnet-purple in color, it has pronounced crme de cassis, blueberry pie, red currants and red plums notes with touches of Chinese five spice, fragrant earth, tapenade and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with nice firm tannins giving a sturdy frame along with plenty of freshness supporting great mid-palate density, finishing long and earthy.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 27/04/2018

The alcohol this vintage is 14%, while the residual sugar is 129.4 grams per litre, and the total acidity is 4.5 grams per litre of H2SO4.

Pale to medium gold coloured, the 2002 d'Yquem strides confidently out of the glass with forthright notions of spiced pears, baked pineapple, apricot preserves and orange blossoms with touches of graham crackers, praline, ginger nut and lemon curd. The palate lends an understated earthy/savoury character with seamless freshness and a satiny texture paving the long, perfumed finish. 

Open-knit, expressive and yet still packing some primary fruit flavours, this vintage has entered its drinking window for those who love Yquem while it still possesses bags of vivacity. Five to seven more years in bottle should begin to yield more of the toffee, toasted nuts and savoury elements for those who love that more evolved phase.

Drink 2019 - 2040

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (August 2019)

The 1961 Ducru Beaucaillou is a vintage that I have tasted on a dozen occasions over the years and, although nowadays it can vary bottle to bottle, it remains a formidably Saint-Julien. It shows just a thin circle of bricking commensurate with its age, quite deep at its core. The bouquet is vigorous and enticing with black fruit, autumn leaves, black truffle and, evidenced on this particular bottle, a light ferrous/rusty piping scent. The palate is structured and dense. This has always been a swarthy and muscular Ducru-Beaucaillou, extremely focused and, whilst not displaying the finesse of its peers, there is something aristocratic and deeply impressive. It will clearly give another two decades of drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at La Trompette.

Drink 2019 - 2045

Neil Martin, vinous.com (Oct 2019)

Our 2018 St Estèphe is dominated by Merlot, though the warm growing season was perfect for the late-ripening Petit Verdot – which makes up an unusually high 41% of the blend. The result is a lush and powerful Claret. Aromas of cassis, plum and cherry adorn the nose. The palate brings grippy but ripe tannins, gentle acidity and a pencil-lead finish. This is balanced and extremely drinkable. Serve it with your favourite steak or a winter stew. 

Drink 2024 - 2025

Georgina Haacke, Bordeaux Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

The tannins are still young and present, but aromatically, it is beginning to open, and this is a good time to drink this Les Forts - blueberries abound, with a delicious spicy black pepper and rosemary edge. 0.5% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 43% of production in Forts. Harvest September 12 to 26.

Drink 2021 - 2045

Jane Anson, Decanter.com (February 2021)

Pure nectar, this heavenly French dessert wine can be savoured on its own, or paired with fruit tarts such as apricot or duck liver parfait. With luscious flavours of apricots, honey, orange blossom and exotic candied fruits, harmonious citrusy acidity keeps everything in check. Serve chilled in your prettiest crystal, and this golden elixir will bring smiles all round.

Sam Wylie-Harris, IrishNews.com (December 2023)

Our Sauternes has been made by Château Suduiraut. This is an early-drinking style of Sauternes, with bright aromas of orange blossom and candied apricot. The palate is ripe and glossy, with flavours of quince and white peach along with sweet undertones of allspice, stem ginger and honey. The blend is led by Sémillon, bringing a balancing bite of citrus to the finish. You can enjoy it year-round, and it’s delicious with most hard or blue cheeses.

Georgina Haacke, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

At Ch. Figeac, production is down by almost a half but we still think the quality is high and under the guidance of Frederic Faye it continues its upwards trajectory. A blend of 43 percent Merlot, 47 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 percent Cabernet Franc, it has a
deep purple colour with charming aromatics of small, red berry fruits, violets and liquorice. Once in the mouth there is a silky, mouth filling texture with a graphite and a mineral note finishing with a pleasing graphite grip. It has a long, persistent finish. Less density and opulence than 2015 or 2016 but it is pure in tannin and focus. A truly great Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color} Red{color}                {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}

 [] Wine Advocate:: 94-96/100 

        
{ratings}    {***}

A second wine that has improved dramatically is the Alter Ego de Palmer. The 2009, a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, exhibits aromas of blackberries, cassis, chocolate, roasted espresso and a smoky/foresty note. This hedonistic, juicy, succulent Margaux is meant to be consumed in its first 10-15 years of life.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 23/12/2011

{***}
{region}Margaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Robert Parker:: 89-92/100 []The Wine Advocate:: 91/100

 {ratings} {***}

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Mondotte strolls nonchalantly out of the glass with expressive scents of plum preserves, blueberry compote and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by suggestions of candied violets, licorice, hoisin and black truffles with a waft of ground cloves. It's medium to full-bodied with seriously impressive tension and wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins supporting the generous black fruit preserves layers, finishing with amazing length and loads of panache. It will require a good 4-5 years to unlock some of its finer nuances, then drink this powerhouse over the next 25+ years. - Wine Advocate

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color} Red{color}                {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] Wine Advocate:: 97/100

[] James Suckling:: 98/100

[] Vinous:: 96/100   

{ratings} {***}

Deep red-black right to the rim, with savoury marmite aromas complemented by a lovely nose of violet-infused fruit, rich and intense. It also displays fresh, toasty and really interesting notes that lead to a palate of ripe, spiced, black fruits, making it supple and medium-bodied. It is an elegant wine that also shows lovely cinnamon notes and is fresh and leafy too with a refreshing bitter cranberry twist and bite, but all nicely done, with a long, rich sweet finish.

{***}
{region}Pomerol{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}

{ratings} 

{ratings}

{***}

The 2001 Calon-Ségur has a delightful bouquet, very pure and a little more vivacious than the preceding vintage, featuring lovely brambly red fruit, rose petals, autumn leaves and a touch of cigar box, all well defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a little more cohesive than the 2000, and slightly granular in texture, with a graceful, elegant and quite persistent finish. This is one of the few châteaux where it's difficult to choose between the 2001 and 2000. Drinking perfectly now. Drink 2021 - 2045

Neal Martin, vinous.com (Sep 2021)

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2001{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Vinous:: 94/100

{ratings} {***}

The 2017 Bellevue Mondotte is just as impressive from bottle as it was en primeur. Powerful and structured, with tremendous intensity in all of its dimensions, the 2017 is all class. Inky dark fruit, graphite, menthol and licorice all come together with time in the glass. This tiny vineyard on very poor limestone subsoil gives wines of real power and structure. The 2017 is a gorgeous Saint-Émilion endowed with tons of energy and tension. Drink 2027-2042
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2020)

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                              

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
[] Wine Advocate:: 96-98/100

[] Antonia Galloni, Vinous:: 96/100

{ratings}{***}

Veronique Saunders says that in 2017 the estate lost 30 percent of fruit due to frost. Dark ruby, the nose has notes of spices, cedar, dark fruit and cassis. On the palate it is medium bodied and extremely silky with high quality tannins. A blend of 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 32 percent Merlot, four percent Cabernet Franc and four percent Petit Verdot, it has a gentle, delicate feel in 2017 with cool fruit and a long persistent finish. 

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                        

   {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 94-96/100

[]James Suckling:: 94-95/100

{ratings} {***}

Deeply coloured, the nose offers great aromatic purity, with blackberries, cassis and dark cherries joined by a hint of smoke and coffee bean. It is beautifully complex. On the palate, the wine opens up with a rich and opulent structure. Velvety tannins combine with dark fruit, plum, spicy pepper notes and a touch of dark chocolate. The 2018 is a wine of power  Eharmonious and concentrated with a lingering mouth-feel. Drink 2024-2035.

Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

{***}{region}Margaux{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                      

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}

{ratings} [] Vinous:: 93-96/100

[] Wine Advocate:: 94-96+/100

{ratings}

{***}

The 2017 Ch. Pape Clément falls into the glass with a deep maroon colour. It has a delicate, expressive nose of red fruit, cassis, iron and wet stone. The blend is 49 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 48 percent Merlot, two percent Petit Verdot and one percent Cabernet Franc planted on clay gravels. The palate is medium-bodied with a lively, tannic grip. It finishes with a long, peppery, saline minerality. A complex wine which will reveal itself over many years.

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 92-94/100{ratings}    {***}

Dark red with a purple hue, the nose is redolent of black fruit with some mocha and coffee notes. Fresh and full-bodied, there are crisp tannins with a finely tuned layer of spice giving way to a well-balanced, long finish.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 62%, Merlot 35%, Cabernet Franc 3%

This estate is one of the most exciting and progressive estates in Bordeaux. At the helm is the indefatigable Guillaume Pouthier and his passion once again is reflected in the beautifully crafted 2017. The lovely, deep Cabernet nose has a mineral note of wet stone and dark plum. There is very good dense fruit on mid-palate with a lovely saline background. A great snap of acidity gives it a lovely freshness, and the fruit core carries on through the length, boding for a few decades in bottle. A svelte and yet tightly wound Carmes. Beautifully crafted – a Graves on another level.

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}            {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
[]James Suckling:: 94-95/100                 
           
[]The Wine Advocate:: 91-93+/100                                                                                                   
{ratings}

Our biggest seller for decades, “GOC is a carefully assembled blend from some of Bordeaux’s best terroirs. Merlot makes up 67% of the blend, giving the wine its silky richness. The balance is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, adding power and structure. After a year in oak, this shows why Claret is such a perennial favourite: warm, savoury aromas of cedar and woodsmoke, with supple cassis and blackberry on the palate. Designed for early drinking, this is a comfortable partner for most food, and is soft enough to be enjoyed on its own.

{***}
{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}

{ratings}
{***}

We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Château Haut-Bailly for our Pessac-Léognan. This year’s blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Merlot, produced from the estate’s younger vines. There is a warming nose of dark fruits with a beautiful hint of sweet spice. The palate is very well textured, with plush tannins; a few months in oak has given it some extra structure and depth. This is incredibly approachable now, but it will improve with a few years in bottle. 

Georgina Haacke, Bordeaux Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd 

This is our first St Julien made by Château Branaire-Ducru. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, but an almost equal dose of Merlot ensures a soft, approachable style. The nose is perfumed and fruit-driven, with raspberries and blackberries lifted by floral aromas and a hint of menthol. The palate is juicy and moreish, with blackcurrants layered upon hedgerow berries and vibrant redcurrants. The tannins are generous but silky, bringing structure and depth. Enjoy it with roast vegetables or chicken, though it certainly holds its own alongside a leg of lamb. 

Georgina Haacke, Bordeaux Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd 

Our Extra Ordinary Claret is a classic red Bordeaux blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. The nose is expressive and pure, displaying a delicate bouquet of red fruits. The palate is nicely focused and layered; ripe flavours of red cherry and blackcurrant are held in check by very fine and smooth tannins. There is a harmonious balance between concentration, structure and freshness, making a great pairing with most hearty, savoury dishes.

Georgina Haacke, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

A Second Growth in 1855, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou regularly gives the First Growths a run for their money  Eespecially since the arrival of third-generation owner Bruno Borie in 2003. Bruno never saw such an “easy vintage Eas 2005, apparently: he considered every bunch “perfect E Some 18 years on, this is only starting to come into its own, with the promise of spectacular things to come. There are pronounced, complex aromatics of fresh black fruits, leather, liquorice, dried leaves and cigars, though this is only a hint of what further ageing will bring. This is a dense, mouth-filling Claret with a lot of structure, real concentration of fruit and lively, refreshing acidity. Approach it now if you are that way inclined, though it will evolve wonderfully for decades yet. Bruno is famed for his cooking, and this standout wine deserves a special dish: a côte de boeuf or grilled portobello mushrooms would work very well.

Drink now to 2050

{***}{region}St. Julien{region}
{color}Red{color}         {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1986{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] Wine Advocate:: 94/100

[] Neal Martin:: 91/100    

{ratings}

{***}

At present still dominated by new wood characters - however underneath there is concentrated, powerful fruit bolstered by ripe, firm tannins. Potentially the finest La Mission of the second half of the 1990s, and maybe since 1990.

"This stunning wine is one of the vintage's great successes. Administrator Thomas Duroux has fashioned a modern day version of Palmer's brilliant 1966. Displaying a rare combination of power and elegance, this dense purple-colored offering exhibits notes of blackberries, truffles, flowers, incense, and camphor. Long, classic, and medium to full-bodied with stunning texture and richness, this superb effort is a candidate for the finest Margaux of the vintage."
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - 30-Jun-2007

Experts on the subject of soil will tell you that Haut Bailly boasts one of the finest terroirs in the Pessac-Leognan appellation. The wine made here has always been fine, but it has reached a new level of excellence in recent years, rivalling some great Haut-Medoc Cab-Sauvignon-dominated wines. For me, this new departure began with the 2004 vintage, not hailed as a great vintage in Bordeaux but bearing the hallmark of what the British call a "classic vintage", meaning a wine of finesse and elegance, with cool, sweet fruit supported by ripe tannins and balancing acidity—a joy to drink now and until 2030.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

The winemaker at Lagrange is the brother of the winemaker at Léoville-Las Cases, so family Christmases must be quite a treat. Unusually for the Médoc, this ever-impressive wine has been made with more Merlot than usual (45%) rather than more Cabernet (46%). The yields are down to a lowly 40hl/ha, which bestows the wine with great concentration. The keynote here, though, is the incredible ripeness. The attractive nose is elegant and pretty, while the wine is pure and generous with polished blackberry fruit—another terrific wine from this Berrys' favourite.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Deeply coloured with a crimson hue, this was remarkably expressive at first taste before decanting for a few hours. Instinctively, I was expecting a muscular and brooding Batailley, such is the nature of the vintage, but rather quite the opposite with a silky and seductive wine which showcased layer upon layer of complexity, forest fruits and blackberry pie, through to cedar and spice box. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still plentiful structure keeping this completely alive, the tannins finely etched into the background, and acidity plays a balancing role; however, I find the wine is in harmony at present, with 16 years under its belt.

With an opportunity to do this justice, I served alongside a roasted rare topside of fine beef and couldn’t have asked for more - this was absolutely singing, with mineral freshness and impressive length to boot. I would certainly recommend this food pairing. Otherwise, it is extremely enjoyable on its own after a few hours in a decanter. Undoubtedly, it will give for another 10-15 years, but there is certainly no harm in cracking open some 2005 Ch. Batailley now! A stalwart of Pauillac from a brilliant vintage, it’s a reminder of how good Bordeaux can be….Fabulous.

Chris Lamb, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

This wine is gorgeous, with a lovely perfumed floral nose of violets and black fruit supported by a pure, creamy and elegantly structured palate. Classy blackberries and cassis shine through with great precision, alongside minerality and firm tannins. The wines of this estate are renowned for their purity, but in 2005 they have taken on that extra richness that they required to make them truly outstanding.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

I have loved this wine on many occasions, and I love it here again. This is not a wine that is hiding its age - there are already some tertiary notes developing - and you'll find younger-looking 2005s, but it has a generosity of spirit, a succulence to its fruit, and a hauntingly fresh menthol edge to the finish that is really beautiful. Mouthwatering brilliance. 45% of production.

Drink 2018 - 2030

Jane Anson, Decanter.com (November 2017)

With 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot, Duhart-Milon-Rothschild is a bit firmer than the Carruades de Lafite, but it is still very Pauillac. An attractive blackcurrant nose is followed by a very ample concentrated palate that is incredibly fresh and very fine indeed. Despite its considerable structure, this is a real charmer. Excellent.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Calon very much reflects the vintage in 2006. Rather than trying to make something big and brawny, this is full of finesse and class, and that inimitable austere St Estèphe style. Made with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon it is a wine for the long term. Its aromas are all dark fruit and raspberries imbued with minerals, while the palate is refined, with lovely crisp silky fruit and a firm tannic structure. This is another very impressive Calon.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Ripe fruit and hints of tobacco hit the nose before you discover the palate has well-balanced acidity and silky tannins. There is a good concentration of blackberries and earthiness with a slight hint of liquorice. As with the estate's white, the finish goes on and on. This is one for the traditional Bordeaux lover.

Ben Upjohn, Berry Bros. & Rudd

No wonder Olivier Bernard was beaming. His 2007 is the latest in a line of stunning vintages, which, apart from the fantastic 2005, is his best wine since 2000. A brooding, spicy, damson nose leads onto a dense palate with blackberry, crushed cassis, tobacco and leather with a long, pure finish. 

The balanced, mouth-filling fruit is cloaked in velvety but significant tannins (higher than 2005), bestowing the wine with a refined, masculine, early-drinking style. Fantastic in the context of any vintage and not far off the quality of Haut-Brion, this is an essential buy for any Claret-lover.

Simon Staples, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Belonging to the Mouton stable, and with a prestigious location right next to both Mouton and Lafite, Ch. Clerc Milon is a fresher, lighter style of 2008 which has a delicious hint of creamy raspberry fruit to the more classic blackcurrant backbone. Fine with exceptionally fine tannins this has a lovely rounded finish with more than a hint of the savoury minerality of the vintage.

With its smooth, creamy, black and red fruit and massive, super-suave tannins, this is a silky, powerful, sexy wine with the plump, ripe fruit of the vintage and a refreshing, mineral backbone. Well-balanced and with fine tannins, this has the elegance and finesse of its heritage with a fragrant, enticing nose that will draw you back for more. This is at a really good price for the quality and is really worth considering.

Domaine de Chevalier always seems to know how to please. The 2008 has a fantastic, opulent nose of liquid blackcurrants and a concentrated, intense palate of dark cassis fruit but with that lovely freshness indicative of the vintage. This is a wine with plenty of flesh on its bones, but one which combines power with grace and balance. Ripe, grainy tannins and a savoury, mineral finish complete this very rewarding wine.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

One of several highlights of 2008, Ch. Léoville-Las Cases is an example of how brilliant St Julien can be in a good year. Interestingly it was also virtually the only estate in the Left Bank where Cabernet Franc really seemed to work in 2008 and the successful addition of a heady 12% in this blend adds a voluptuous perfume to the 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Intensely concentrated with dense blackcurrant cassis, vanilla, a creamy texture and tannins which are linear but softened by a massive coating of black fruit, this is most definitely a must-buy wine this vintage.

With an intense, complex nose and dense bramble and spice notes on the palate, the 71% Cabernet, 29% Merlot blend is concentrated with dark fruit gravitas and a long, mineral finish. The richness of the fruit is very evident here and brings to mind the 2001, but the crisp acidity is a reflection of the unique character of 2008. The richness of the fruit is very evident here and brings to mind the 2001, but the crisp acidity is a reflection of the unique character of 2008. Pichon-Baron may be classed as a 2ème Cru Classé, but 2008 they produced a wine of first-growth quality.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Tasting at Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou is a surreal experience. To say that the Borie family have an unusual taste in modern art is an understatement but once you get past the flamboyant bright orange-yellow décor and copper filigree sliding doors of the tasting ‘tunnel’, the 2008 wine was by far the finest Ducru we had ever tasted. Bruno Borie attributes the triumph of 2008 to his 45-strong team who had worked together meticulously to create this enormously pure, clean and complex Ducru with sophisticated, supple tannins and gorgeous, fat, juicy fruit. Sensational. Ducru’s tasting note compares this wine to ‘a Roman construction, all in roundness, but imposing’. PR spin perhaps but, in 2008, we are forced to agree. Sensational.

One of the superstars of the vintage, this classic Montrose is not as showy or opulent as the 2010, 2009 or 2003, but it offers a dense purple color followed by gorgeously sweet black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with loamy, earthy, forest floor notes, a floral component and a long, full-bodied finish. The 2008 was fashioned from yields of 44 hectoliters per hectare which is slightly less than the 2010's 45 hectoliters per hectare. Forget it for 5-8 years and drink it over the following 20+.

A wine of the vintage candidate in 2008, Troplong Mondots offering was produced from yields of 41 hectoliters per hectare and achieved 14.5% natural alcohol. A classic blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it offers copious quantities of blue and black fruits, a full-bodied opulence, sweet tannin and a fabulous texture as well as finish. Already drinking beautifully, it will be even better in 2-5 years and should last for 20 years. A great effort for the vintage, it couldnt happen to a more deserving proprietor, Christine Valette. Bravo!
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 02/05/2011

We first tasted 2009 Ch. Pontet Canet at a négociant’s during the Bordeaux en primeur tastings, and then we tried it again later that week at the château. In both cases, it was utterly, utterly brilliant. The nose is wonderfully pure and elegant, yet ultra-concentrated, whilst gorgeous, blackcurrant fruit dominates the lush-textured palate. Layers of complexity ripple across the tongue whilst the deliciously ripe tannins are present and then melt away. It is very focused, very precise and superbly refined but with great power. This near-first growth standard is almost at its highest level with the seamless, harmonious wine of 2005—one of the true stars of 2009.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

The 2010 Echo de Lynch Bages has a very attractive bouquet, a mélange of red and black fruit tinged with damp loam and undergrowth aromas, all well-defined and welcoming floral scents with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins. Hints of graphite and bell pepper infuse the ample black fruit. There is superb weight and body towards the finish. A classic Claret from start to finish, this is a great wine in the making. I was shocked and pleased when the identity of this wine was revealed (incidentally, it was one I had not encountered previously).

Drink 2020 - 2035

Neal Martin, Vinous.com (April 2020)

Ch. Clos Fourtet is a real success in the St Emilion appellation. It has a lovely black fruit nose, a seamless, rich mouthfeel, and a fine sense of restraint to keep the high alcohol firmly in check. It is a very attractive style and one of the best Clos Fourtet wines for many years, blessed with a real sense of minerality from this fine terroir.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

The 2012 Troplong Mondot has a fragrant bouquet with black cherry, cough candy and touches of marmalade, not complex but vigorous and fresh. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine bone structure and good acidity. Some expressive Cabernet Franc lends a Left Bank tincture to the spicy, black pepper-tinged finish. Classy, but not sure about its longevity. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Drink 2022 - 2032

Neal Martin, Vinous.com (September 2022)

Château Brane-Cantenac is among the most reliable names on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, ranked a Second Growth in 1855.

The 2014 has immediate appeal on the nose, with black fruits, peppery spice, violets and cigar box aromas. It’s a delicious Claret to drink now, with inviting flavours of blackberry, plum and earthy complexity from bottle age. It also has the structure to age further, with fine tannins and refreshing acidity. The spicy note works very well with Ixta Belfrage’s porcini mushroom ragu, though you couldn’t go wrong with a simply prepared duck breast.

Charlie Geoghegan DipWSET, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Intense in both the glass and the mouth, this is another super 2014 wine. There is underlying power here, velvety, ripe tannins and notes of a savoury nature, perhaps even cedar. Very pure fruit, cassis, plum and dark cherry stick out, along with a juicy dollop of vanilla cream. Heavenly spice comes through on the long finish. The wine is utterly sumptuous and effortlessly persistent. Classically elegant, this is a wine of real pedigree. It is truly drinkable and approachable at an early age and could be one of the real bargains of the vintage.

82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}

{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}

{vintage}2014{vintage}

{ratings}   
[]Wine Advocate:: 92+/100

[]Jancis Robsinson MW:: 17+/20 

{ratings}

{***}

70% new oak. Hold + 3 years or carafe 3 hours.

Inky plum in colour, you can see this is rich and textured even before going anywhere near the nose, which then displays ripe fruit. Gorgeous quality, a wine that is packed full of graphite, pencil lead, waves of violet, cassis, liqourice, and chewy but well defined tannins. Leaps out of the glass and is clear proof that, when it gets it right, the 2014 vintage equals the 2015 in this northern sector of the Médoc. Good value also compared to the 2015 and 2016 - a must buy for me.

Drink 2024 - 2044

Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com (November 2022)

Tasting at this St. Estephe property was a pleasant experience, universally enjoyed by our Fine Wine team. Forward and lifted cassis fruit on the nose with violets and notes of graphite. More of the same across the palate, flamboyant and dense with bags of acidity providing a linear feel – typical of the finest 2014s. This is fleshy and generous, but with the firm tannin backbone we expect from the commune.

Martyn Rolph, Head of Buying, Berry Bros. & Rudd

This property seem to be able to deliver exceptional wines whatever the weather due to arguably one of the best terroir in Bordeaux and a dedicated wine making team who is adverse to trends and do not manufacture their wines. This year is no exception, the nose is intense and layered with cassis and blackberries. Once on the palate the power and drive is instant, covering all parts with meaty, powerful black fruits. The length is firm and focused but the tannins are very ripe. This vintage will open up quite quickly but with such power and balance this is also built for the long term.

Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Magical aromas of blackberry and blueberry compote with just a hint of mouth-watering vanilla make you want to dive in and embrace this beautiful wine. Packed full of concentrated black cherry and dark fruits of the forest it has a fabulous core that is very hard to top. Beautifully refined tannins coat this liquid centre. Exceptionally long finish that just leaves you gasping for more. Not as serious and St Estèphesque as 2010 but with more charm and opulence this could be their best wine since the brilliant 2005. Delicious.
Simon Staples, Sales Director - Asia

A dark black-red, Montrose is brooding in the glass. Complex and concentrated on the nose, there are blackcurrants, liquorice and hints of mint. There is a nice intensity on the palate, quite firm, full-bodied and full of minerals and spice. Perhaps more refined than usual, the wine is really rewarding and quite generous with notes of fleshy dark cherry and blackcurrants. There is an inherent richness here, a lovely dark fruit profile and pure, focused tannins which are typical of this great estate. This is a really fine effort, engaging, atypical of the great commune of St Estèphe and one of our favourites from the vintage. Modern and pure, it is a perfect expression of modern Ch. Montrose.

30% Merlot, 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc

55% Cabernet Sauvignon; 41% Merlot; 4% Petit Verdot.

The nose has a really nice aroma of tobacco combined with floral notes. Darker fruits dominate, with blackberry, cherry, and plum to the fore. The palate is sweet, too, with an energetic lift and a very rewarding length. We really like the wine this year. A cooling, mineral earthiness arrives on the finish, which is welcome and pleasing. Quite sumptuous for a second wine, it is serious this year—a good fruit core, nice and savoury and a joy to taste.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Cabernet Sauvignon 81%, Cabernet Franc 11%, Merlot 7%, Petit Verdot 1%

It’s 10 years since the Suravenir insurance group bought Calon Ségur. Their higher-density replanting programme is at the half-way stage, the benefits already evident. Once built around Merlot grown on clay, Cabernet Sauvignon is now the engine. The 2021 is an unqualified success. Gentle extractions have caressed into play a wine of pure class, refreshing yet intense. The fruits are exquisite, bright and floral, yet there are gourmand notes of lead pencil and cool earth. The tannins are fine-grained and graceful, seeming to waft across the palate.

Our score: 18/20

Berry Bros. & Rudd, April 2022