Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabe...

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Fronsac

 74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon.

An utterly delicious red with crushed berries, cappuccino and hints of black olives. Medium-bodied, compact and very soft. Really creamy texture. A blend of 75% merlot, 22% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon. Hard not to drink now. So do it! JAMES SUCKLING

The 2017 La Vieille Cure is deep, fleshy and delicious. In 2017, La Vieille Cure is a bit less dense than it often is, but it still packs a pretty serious punch. Dark red cherry, plum, cinnamon, chocolate and floral notes shape this racy, inviting Fronsac. ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2017 Vieille Cure has a tightly-packed black cherry and cassis scented bouquet that feels as if it could be more intense once in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with a candied, pastille-like opening: blackcurrant, crème de cassis and vanilla, lower in acidity than its Fronsac peers but smooth as silk towards the finish. NEAL MARTIN

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More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

This tiny estate’s (less than 12 acres) sensational terroir has never been fully exploited, but that will change now that the owner of Chateau Latour, Francois Pinault, has purchased an approximately 50% interest in Vray Croix de Gay. Made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the dark ruby-hued 2013 exhibits notes of black cherries, loamy soil and underbrush. Consume this medium-bodied effort during its first 4-5 years of life. ROBERT PARKER, 2014

18 Bottles available at the time of offer.

La Parde de Haut Bailly has been renamed as Haut Bailly II, while the third label rebranded as HB, an exciting period while they also undertake a major development of the cellar. These wines already over achieve and will suit buyers looking for early drinking form from a top-quality estate. 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. -Tom Portet

Antonio Galloni                                        92
The 2018 Haut-Bailly II is a bomb. All of the richness of the year comes through in a wine that is bursting at the seams with fruit. Dark red cherry, tobacco, cedar, mint and licorice race out of the glass. Ripeness is decidedly pushed, and yet the 2018 remains poised and impeccably balanced. Silky tannins wrap around the plush, sensual finish.

Andrew Caillard, MW                                 94
Medium deep colour. Very perfumed violet, cassis pure dark fruit aromas with hints of graphite. Lovely classic claret with mulberry inky fruits, five persistent graphite tannins and underlying savoury oak. Lovely freshness and vinosity. Despite the alcohol and tannin density there is lovely integration and softness.

James Suckling                             93-94
Extremely fresh and aromatic with sliced berries and hints of orange peel. Medium-bodied yet dense and deep with ripe, firm tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows energy and vibe. Solid length. Formerly called La Parde de Haut-Bailly. Second wine.

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Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical, the 2008 Château Giscours is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot picked between September 30 and October 1. The bouquet is very well defined with ebullient red berry fruit mixed with orange peel and cedar aromas. There is something that distantly echoes a Côte de Beaune! Perhaps the purity on offer here? The palate is very well balanced with a keen line of acidity, very fine tannins and ample freshness. I loved this Giscours from barrel and it is now living up to my expectations. The terroir shines through on this wine - true Margaux. This is an excellent wine from winemaker Alexandre Van Beek. Tasted June 2015. NEAL MARTIN, The Wine Advocate 2016

Pomerol
12 BOTTLES remain at time of offer
The 2017 Rouget is a total knockout. Aromatically explosive, deep and just so compelling in its beauty, the 2017 has so much to offer. A rush of inky dark fruit, lavender, bittersweet chocolate, spice and licorice build as this sumptuous, exotic beauty shows off all of its allure. The 2017 is not at all subtle, but it sure is gorgeous. Rouget was stellar en primeur. It is every bit as impressive from bottle. (95) ANTONIO GALLONI

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9 Bottles avaliable at time of offer.

James Suckling                             94-95
A fine and fruity red with blueberries and blackberries and hints of walnuts. Medium to full body and ultra fine tannins that melt into the body of the wine. It's muscular in some ways. Lots of potential. Punchy.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown            93-95
Medium to full-bodied and elegant, with lovely freshness lifting the densely packed blue and black fruit flavors, it has a velvety texture and long, earthy finish.

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HAUT-MÉDOC 5th Growth Cru Classé

The 2016 Belgrave is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot and was picked from 28 September until 20 October. It has a generous bouquet with small dark cherries, blueberry and crushed violet aromas, quite Margaux-like in style. There is certainly good intensity here. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple opening: blackberry, mint and cedar. From the start there is fine tension and there is very impressive structure towards the finish, plus a long saline aftertaste. This is a very strong follow-up to the 2015 Belgrave and indeed, it may surpass it. (90-92) NEAL MARTIN

Ample and richly textured, the 2016 Belgrave is super expressive from start to finish. The exotic bouquet reveals graphite, herb, crushed flowers and a multitude of enticing inky fruit nuances. This powerful, overachieving Haut Médoc has quite a bit to offer. (89-91) ANTONIO GALLONI

Plenty avaliable at time of offer

Established in 1902 the Clos du Marquis comes from very specific parcels of vineyard surrounding the great Leoville Las Cases, Leoville Barton and Poyferré. It is not the second wine of Las Cases, and rightfully sings to its own beat, but within the sure class of the terroir at an affordable price.   -Tom Portet

Antonio Galloni       94
The 2018 Clos du Marquis is so expressive, and frankly, delicious. In 2018 there is a bit more richness than typical, but that is 2018. A rush of inky dark fruit, graphite, lavender, spice, crushed rocks and smoke all race out of the glass. All the elements are so impeccably balanced. The 2018 spent 16 months on French oak, 55% new. It is one of the hidden gems in this vintage. I would give it a few years to soften, as the tannins are imposing.
 
James Suckling 94-95
The purple-fruit and black-olive character with violet undertones is wonderful here. Full-bodied, yet reserved and intense. Finesse. Graphite and minerality. Layered.

Andrew Caillard, MW 95
Deep colour. Fresh intense black currant mocha aromas with herb garden aniseed notes. Well concentrated wine with deep-set black currant mulberry fruit, fine plentiful chalky tannins and underlying mocha dukkah oak. Classical structured wine with good potential.

Antonio Galloni 90-93
The 2018 Clos du Marquis is a powerful, heady Saint-Julien. Smoke, cedar, tobacco, menthol, licorice, iron, scorched earth and gravel all run through this potent, virile Saint-Julien. In 2018, Clos du Marquis is especially tannic. There is so much to like about Clos de Marquis in 2018, but it will need time in bottle. Best of all, it should be a solid value. The blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times.

Antonio Galloni 93-96
The 2018 Vray Croix de Gay is sensual, open-knit and inviting. Rose petal, mint, lavender and spice add striking aromatic presence to a refined, sensual Pomerol that hits all the right notes. Beautifully persistent and layered, Vray Croix de Gay is absolutely gorgeous. This is an especially nuanced, understated style.

James Suckling 93-94
Very tight and focused with ultra-fine tannins that are polished and beautiful. Medium body. Fresh finish.

Lisa Perotti Brown 93-95
Deep purple-black in color, it sings of Morello cherries, Black Forest cake, licorice and lavender with a core of plum preserves, unsmoked tobacco and warm blackberries plus a waft of Provence herbs. Full-bodied and concentrated yet bursting with energy, it has a solid backbone of firm, rounded tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long.

JAMES SUCKLING 96-97
This is a special wine with unique black-cherry character and hints of hazelnuts. Full bodied, tight and totally melted together with the firm and ultra-fine tannins Extremely long.

Ten bottles avaliable at time of offer.

Antonio Galloni 94
Just as it was from barrel, the 2018 Duhart-Milon is a real powerhouse. Black cherry, gravel, spice, espresso and savory herbs infuse the 2018 with notable depth and power. A brooding, virile wine, the Duhart-Milon packs a serious punch. I would give it a few years to soften. The 2018 has really come together since en primeur. In fact, the bottled wine bears little semblance to the en primeur sample, which is a very good thing. There is real density and weight here, with all of the natural richness of the year.

James Suckling 95-96
This is a very powerful Duhart with blackcurrant and blackberry character. Lots of graphite and black tea. Full-bodied and muscular with lots of formed muscles and great length. Could be best ever?

Andrew Caillard, MW 95
Deep colour. Very classical with pure blackcurrant pastille aromas and toasty vanilla notes. Medium powered but really well-balanced wine with pure blackcurrant cassis fruits, fine lacy graphite tannins and underlying mocha vanilla notes.
 
Lisa Perotti Brown 93-95
Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of Black Forest cake, plum preserves and crème de cassis with hints of spice cake, woodsmoke, potpourri and eucalyptus. Full-bodied, rich and laden with layers of black fruit preserves and spices, it has a velvety texture and just enough freshness, finishing long. Very impressive-the densest, most opulent Duhart I have tasted!

8 bottles available at time of offer

98-99 points JAMES SUCKLING
 Wow. This really sends a tingle down my spine. Love the energy and length to this. Very distinguished. Full-bodied yet tight, polished and compressed. It has a great finish. Exciting. Really.

93-96 points ANTONIO GALLONI
The 2018 TrotteVieille is a super-intriguing wine. Aromatically deep and layered, the 2018 offers tremendous depth and textural finesse. Mocha, grilled herbs, black cherry, new leather and spice all wrap around the palate in a dense, racy Saint-Émilion. The blend is 54% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

91-93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Trotte Vieille leaps from the glass with vivacious scents of baked red plums, black raspberries and prunes with underlying scents of dried herbs, fallen leaves, dusty soil and tobacco. Full-bodied with a firm line of chewy tannins, it delivers a lot of stewed fruits on the mid-palate with a slightly warm finish.

A big, backward, full-bodied Pomerol, the 2000 Gazin appears to have added weight as well as structure. Still young, it exhibits beautiful notes of sandy, loamy soil intermixed with mulberries, black cherries, cedar, and licorice. Tightly wound, powerful, and rich, with noticeable oak, it needs another 3-5 years of bottle age, and should drink well for two decades. ROBERT PARKER

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12 bottles available at time of offer

A special parcel of old Merlot that is conveniently stuck between Petrus, Lafleur and Vieux Chateaux Certan. First produced in 1982 and with just 7,000 bottles produced it has unicorn status. -Tom Portet

James Suckling                             94-95
The gorgeous balance on the center palate makes this one of the best wines from here in years. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful yet subtle finish. Fine.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown            89-91
Deep purple-black colored, the 2018 La Fleur de Gay delivers bold notions of baked plums, mulberries and blackberry preserves with touches of tar, bay leaves and truffles. Full-bodied and rich, with a plush texture, it has soft acid and a spicy finish.

Antonio Galloni            86-88
The 2018 La Fleur de Gay is a fruity, supple Pomerol that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Dark cherry, mocha, cedar, tobacco, licorice and menthol add lovely aromatic nuance as this pretty, silky Pomerol develops in the glass.

POMEROL - LIMITED

The 2016 Clos l'Eglise is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, and was the first to be picked by the Garçin-Léveque family (before Barde-Haut, d'Arce and Poesia). It has a high pH of 3.65 and it was matured in 100% new French oak. It has a very intense bouquet with macerated small black cherries, raspberry coulis, oyster shells and crushed violets, well defined and quite penetrating in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, layers of black fruit laced with black pepper and a touch of black pepper. There is a little chewiness to the texture towards the harmonious finish, which is one of the most primal that I have encountered in recent years. The barrel maturation will lend a little more sheen to this Pomerol--a long-term prospect that will deserve several years in bottle. (93-95) NEAL MARTIN

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10 Bottles available at time of offer

The 14th century estate has a wonderful following in Australia, and 2018 is not a time stop that support. This blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, while notes on the iconic white wine can be found below. -Tom Portet

James Suckling                             98-99
This is incredibly complex with hazelnut, currant, berry and dried-flower character. The impression of a vat of fermenting cabernet. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a long, soft and silky finish. Shows the essence of the fruit here. Fascinating. Layered and complex.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown                      97-99
The very deep purple-black colored 2018 Smith Haut Lafitte is a little shy to begin. With coaxing, it very slowly unfurls to reveal a heart-stopping perfume of violets, red roses, kirsch, black cherries and redcurrant jelly, before giving way to a profound core of warm blackcurrants, blackberry preserves, molten licorice and cinnamon stick with nuances of dried mint, orange blossoms (yes!) and cloves. Full-bodied, the fruit does veritable pirouettes on your palate, both elegant and powerful in its expression, coating the mouth with densely packed red and black fruits while revealing tons of mineral, floral and savory sparks, framed by exquisitely fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long.

Andrew Caillard, MW                                   95
Medium deep colour. Intense dark cherry hint rhubarb fruits with panforte notes. Dense and powerful with deep-set mulberry dark cherry fruits, rich chocolaty tannins, vanilla oak notes. and persistent acidity. A whip of alcohol on the finish. Very impressively structured and supple.

Jeff Leve            97-99
Decanter                  98

Pauillac 5ème Cru Classé
6 BOTTLE Remain at time of offer
A gorgeous, alluring Pauillac, the 2017 Pontet-Canet is racy and exceptionally polished, with floral top notes that bring out the natural brightness of the red-toned fruit. Super-silky tannins add to the wine's immediacy and sheer allure. The 2017 was the first wine made with the new sorting table. About half the fruit was destemmed by hand. As always, visiting Pontet-Canet is like stepping back into another time, a time in which wines were made much more manually than they are today. Here that means manual punch downs and pump overs, with no electricity. Harvest ran from September 18 through October 4. The blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Aging was done 50% in new oak, 35% in amphora and 15% in one year-old oak. Tasted three times.. (95) ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2017 Pontet-Canet offers attractive red berry fruit mixed with cedar and potpourri, underneath which lies subtle aromas of graphite that I would like to see a little more of as it matures in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that render this one of the more approachable vintages in recent years. The cedar-infused black fruit is framed by fine tannins and a harmonious, graphite tinged finish. This Pontet-Canet should offer up to 20 years of drinking pleasure although it will be difficult to resist pulling the cork in its youth.. (93) NEAL MARTIN

Four Bottles available at time of offer

Fortunate to escape the hailstorms of May 26th, Haut Bailly enjoyed a season that could be acted upon through glorious summer and autumn conditions. Still, crops are 50% less than 2017 and Veronique Sanders and her team have crafted a very intense and concentrated wine from their small crop. -Tom Portet

James Suckling                                   97-98
Incredible depth of fruit to this with a center palate that shows superb character and texture. I love the hazelnut and coffee-bean undertones to the beautiful fruit, which shows great finesse. Full-bodied yet compact and tight, giving a sense of agility and flight to the wine. Extremely tight and polished tannins.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown            96-98
Deep purple-black in color, it opens slowly with profound notions of Black Forest cake, crème de cassis, roasted nuts and black olives, unfurling to reveal notions of menthol, crushed rocks, molten licorice and chargrilled meat plus a hint of lilacs. Full-bodied, rich and densely laden with layer upon layer of vibrant black fruits and mineral nuances, it has a solid backbone of firm, velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long with compelling restraint and exciting energy.

Andrew Caillard, MW                                     97
Deep colour. Perfect claret style with intense blackcurrant plum graphite aromas with some savoury notes, fine graphite grainy tannins and underlying vanilla oak. Tannins are plentiful but perfectly ripe with some al dente notes and plenty of thrust. Elemental but voluminous needing time to meld. Sine inky mineral notes at the finish.

Antonio Galloni                 94-97
Jeff Leve                 96-98
Decanter                       98

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 
7 BOTTLES remin at time of offer
Nicolas Audebert and his team have done it again. The 2017 Canon is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Rich and vertical in construction, the 2017 possesses off-the-charts richness and intensity in all of its dimensions. In the glass, the 2017 is sumptuous and layered, with superb detail and tons of sheer pedigree. In 20 years, readers will have a fabulous time tasting the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 together and debating their respective merits. Dark plum fruit, striking Franc aromatics and the clean, focused energy of Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau make for a ravishing, exquisite wine of the highest level. In a word: breathtaking. (97) ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2017 Canon was bottled on 15 May, 2019. This needs time to settle in the glass, the oak rather vocal at this early stage and overshadowing the blackberry and briary aromas. It only takes a couple of minutes for this Saint-Émilion to settle and reveal more limestone-infused fruit that really shows its terroir. The palate is very well defined with crunchy black fruit. I appreciate the chalky texture and freshness of this Canon, almost brittle, with blackberry and brine-like notes on the finish. Whilst not up there with the superlative 2016, the follow-up is still very fine. Note that over multiple tasting this Canon improved between September and December. (95) NEAL MARTIN

The 2014 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has an expressive bouquet with lively blackberry, cedar, flint and graphite aromas that are not powerful, yet display admirable precision. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, the Merlot content lending this Pauillac its trademark fleshiness and roundness, yet there is clearly structure here (not always a trait of this Pauillac growth). It will develop more complexity and personality with bottle age, but at the moment you can sit back and just admire the cohesion and superb length. Winemaker Nicolas Glumineau has overseen a quite wonderful Pichon-Lalande, one with inbuilt longevity. NEAL MARTIN 2017

One of the highlights in a dark horse vintage for Bordeaux, the 2014 Pichon Lalande is absolutely exquisite. Aromatic and silky on the palate, with bright, finely sculpted fruit and mid-weight structure, the 2014 is a picture-perfect example of the best 2014 has to offer. I have always adored the 2014 Pichon Lalande. This tasting only serves to reinforce that feeling. Ideal conditions in September extended the harvest and yielded perfumed, silky wines. ANTONIO GALLONI

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Pomerol
3 BOTTLES Remain at time of offer
The 2017 La Conseillante is a regal wine. Lithe and statuesque in the glass, La Conseillante soars with real vertical intensity. Sweet floral aromatics and silky tannins give the 2017 much of its understated, classy personality. Inky dark blue/purplish fruit, spice, licorice and lavender develop with a bit of time, but it is the wine's balance and extreme sense of harmony that stand out most. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux gave the fruit about 2 days on the skins, with no SO2 at crush. Cazaux added that the malos were quite fast. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Frost reduced production by around 15%, while drought further reduced yields in the Franc by a further 10%. This is a fabulous showing. (96) ANTONIO GALLONI

PAUILLAC - 5th Growth

The 2016 Pontet-Canet was bottled in July 2018. Jean-Michel Comme says it is the best vintage in recent years, a reference point for the estate, with more definition and precision than the 2010 Pontet-Canet. I do like the bouquet here: very pure and precise, the oak nicely integrated, subtle floral scents emerging with time. In the background there is a touch of fresh fig, conveying the warmth of that summer but not impeding upon the terroir expression. The palate is very well balanced and extremely pure, with fine tannin and an almost satin-like texture; the acidity here is well judged. A subtle spiciness becomes more pronounced toward the finish, which exerts gentle grip. This is a very sophisticated Pontet-Canet, easily the finest from Alfred Tesseron and winemaker Jean-Michel Comme in recent years. (96) Neal Martin

The 2016 Pontet-Canet is absolutely breathtaking. Powerful, ample and racy in the glass, the 2016 is one of the most exquisitely well-balanced young Pontet-Canets I can remember tasting. Savory, high-toned aromatics and brisk mineral notes lend energy and delineation as this vivid wonderfully alive wine opens up in the glass. The flavors are dark and incisive, but it is the wine's total sense of harmony that is most compelling. All of the elements are simply in the right place. The 2016 is tremendous. It's as simple as that. As is often the case, Pontet-Canet is one of the most singular wines in Bordeaux. Alfred Tesseron could have chosen to play things safe when he took over the management of the estate in the mid-1990s. Instead, he chose a very different path. No proprietor in Bordeaux has taken more risks over the last two decades than Alfred Tesseron. A commitment to biodynamic farming, sustainability across the entire estate more broadly, and the adoption of new concepts for Bordeaux, such as aging a portion of the wine in terra cotta, set Pontet-Canet apart from other properties in Pauillac and the Left Bank. Not surprisingly, the wine is also starkly different from the wines of neighboring estates.(99) Antonio Galloni

Saint-Julien 2ème Cru Classé 
6 BOTTLE remain at time of offer

Attractive, intense aromas of ripe blueberries, currants and more savory, tarry notes, as well as iodine, violets and cassis. The palate has a supple and succulent feel. This is cabernet in outright seductive mode, offering such fluid tannins and mouth-filling length. A blend of 90% cabernet sauvignon and 10% merlot. One of the stars of the vintage. Drink or hold. (98) JAMES SUCKLING

The 2017 Ducru-Beaucaillou is racy, deep and opulently beautiful. In 2017, Ducru is very red-fruited and floral, with tons of inner sweetness and nuance to match its sumptuous, exotic personality. Mint, spice, chocolate and licorice accents add character as the 2017 gains brightness, aromatic purity and detail with a bit of air. Bruno Borie gave the 2017 18 months in 100% new oak. Along with Beychevelle, Ducru is the most flamboyant wine in Saint-Julien. Tasted two times. (96)ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2017 Ducru-Beaucaillou was bottled around 15 July 2019 after 18 months in 100% new oak. It offers seductive red and black fruit on the nose that is seamlessly integrated with the oak, touches of pressed iris flower and potpourri emerging with time and lending complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and wonderful acidity. This is classic Ducru through and through, quite effortless in style with a persistent, slightly lactic finish that might lack the ambition of a great vintage like 2016. For sheer drinkability, this hits the spot. Thus it will be a Ducru that should drink earlier than other vintages. Tasted twice with consistent notes.(94) NEAL MARTIN