F I N E W I N E B O R D E A U X

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1 FINE WINE BORDEAUX

2 GLENGARRY FINE WINE GLENGARRY 2013 BORDEAUX OFFER Glengarry Wine have been bringing in Bordeaux since the early 1980 s when New Zealand laws changed to allow the importing of International Wines. Over the years we have developed strong relationships with the top Negociants in the region and today have a supply chain that is unsurpassed. We do not purchase from the secondary market, preferring to ensure we know the provenance of our stock; unfortunately this is becoming increasingly important, particularly when purchasing Bordeaux. Alongside our proficiency in sourcing these great wines, all are shipped to New Zealand in temperature controlled containers. We then store these wines in our climate controlled cellars or in a purpose built area at our warehouse - also temperature controlled. There s been much hype over the recent 2009 and 2010 vintages in Bordeaux - both are truly exceptional years was a uniformly great vintage with both Cabernet and Merlot finding ripening easy. The quality made purchasing decisions both challenging and straight forward at the same time. Whilst it is difficult to find a poor 2009 Bordeaux (that s the straight forward part), the challenging angle is working out what not to buy - they are all outstanding wines that are a cellar must have for serious wine lovers is another great vintage; it appears slightly more patchy, but the top echelon might just shade the superstars from The vintage is characterised by high alcohol, extremely ripe fruit complemented by high tannins and an often astounding freshness of acidity. It is this acid charge that most defines the vintage. Unquestionably the long dry autumn favoured those estates more reliant on Cabernet, so the left bank turned in an outstanding performance in 2010 with many Châteaux using much more Cabernet in assemblage than their vineyard plantings would suggest. Over on the right bank, where over extraction was avoided through harvesting date restraint and careful vinification, many magnificent wines were also produced. This offer contains many of the recently landed 2010 wines and the remaining 2009 wines; alongside these, you will also find a selection of our range of Bordeaux. Including all the wines in our Cellars would result in a small novel, we have instead highlighted a selection, as well as the recent arrivals. All of our Bordeaux stocks can be found on our website and in store at Victoria Park in Auckland, Thorndon Quay in Wellington. This would not be a Bordeaux Offer without a section on pricing; the demand for Bordeaux at the top end exceeds supply, and with market forces playing their part, there was a large shift in pricing with the 2005 vintage. At that time we were sure that prices could not continue to increase, but they reached new heights with the 2009 and 2010 vintages. These wines are truly great, they will stand the test of time and are being offered to you here in the best possible condition through our supply chain. The exciting thing that does happen with vintages like 2009, 2010 and 2005 is that the quality flows throughout all pricing levels. We have in this offer many of the First Growths (the greatest Bordeaux), alongside these you will find some very well priced wines that will charm and entice you, as Bordeaux does. We are delighted to be able to bring you this world class selection of Bordeaux and know you will enjoy reading through it and making your selection. We are hosting a number of Bordeaux tastings in Auckland and Wellington through the coming months, including a tasting of the First Growths in late August. I look forward to seeing you shortly at some of these events. Kind Regards, Liz Wheadon 1

3 UNDERSTANDING BORDEAUX To start the journey of exploring Bordeaux, you need to first start with the classification system. In 1855, being lovers of red tape, the French authorities created what became known as The Classified Growths of the Médoc. A five-class classification of 61 of the leading Médoc Châteaux (as well as two from Graves). This formalised lists that were already in place, based on each Châteaux relative quality as expressed by the prices of each individual estate. These growths, or Crus range from first (Premier) through to fifth (Cinquièmes). Over the years that have passed since, there has been very little change to the 1855 classification other than Château Mouton Rothschild moving from second growth to first in Baron Philippe de Rothschild reportedly saying First I am, second I was, Mouton does not change. Château Cantamerle was added as a fifth growth in 1856 and Château Dubignon, a third growth, was absorbed into Château Malescot St Exupéry. Saint-Émilion added its own classification system in 1955, which has subsequently been frequently amended. Pomerol has never been classified, although the greatest wine from this region, Château Petrus, is generally spoken of in the same hushed tones as the five first growths of the Médoc. THE MÉDOC FIRST GROWTHS: Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Margaux (Margaux) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Haut-Brion (Graves) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Whilst much of the classification system holds true today, the inherent problem with the system is that some of the Châteaux have improved out of sight since it was first introduced, while others are considered to have rested on their laurels, smug in the knowledge that their wines will always fetch high prices, as this was what the classification was based on in the first place. Like anything, it is a good guide as long as one keeps in mind the fact that some of the wines outside its boundaries can still be superb. Bordeaux itself is located in the South West of France, and is the wine region that produces more top quality wine than any other. Bordeaux is renowned for its reds, which are often referred to as Claret. The reason these wines attract so much interest, and generate such high prices, is largely their ability to age with a lot of them not showing their true potential for decades. The main red grapes grown are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The most famous white region is that of Sauternes, where the world s most luscious dessert wines come from. The white wines from Bordeaux are made with Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and in some cases Muscadelle; the very best white wines, like red wines from Bordeaux, are extremely age worthy. Bordeaux is neatly divided into two groupings of appellations - those on the left bank of the Gironde and those on the right with the Dordogne running through them. In general terms, the left bank is home to Cabernet driven wines and the right bank Merlot dominant expressions. The appellations on the left bank include Margaux, Pauillac, St.-Julien and St.-Estèphe. The appellations on the right bank include Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol and the two great appellations of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The city of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the heart of this unique region. At the centre of all trade here is the Negociant system, a historic route to market that maintains strong today; the Château sell their wines to Negociants, who in turn offer them to their partners around the world, essentially an open trading market - with a few exceptions - we are after all in France. 2

4 MARGAUX The most southern of the Médoc s appellations, this is one of the most seductive communes of the Haut Médoc, and among the best that the Médoc and Bordeaux have to offer. They have an alluring perfume and silkier texture than is often found further to the north; St.-Julien and Pauillac, Château Margaux and Château Palmer are the most famous wines from this region CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2010 RETAIL $3650 OFFER $ /100 The 2010 is a brilliant Château Margaux, as one might expect in this vintage. The percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend hit 90%, the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and only 38% of the crop made it into the Château Margaux. Paul Pontallier, the administrator, told me that this wine has even higher levels of tannin than some other extraordinary vintages such as 2005, 2000, 1996, etc. Deep purple, pure and intense, with floral notes, tremendous opulence and palate presence, this is a wine of considerable nobility. With loads of blueberry, black currant and violet-infused fruit and a heady alcohol level above 13.5% (although that looks modest compared to several other first growths, particularly Château Latour and Château Haut-Brion), its beautifully sweet texture, ripe tannin, abundant depth and profound finish all make for another near-perfect wine that should age effortlessly for years. Parker CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2009 RETAIL $4999 OFFER $ /100 A brilliant offering from the Mentzelopoulos family, once again their gifted manager, Paul Pontallier, has produced an uncommonly concentrated, powerful 2009 Château Margaux made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Medocs, the alcohol here is actually lower (a modest 13.3%) than most of its siblings. Abundant blueberry, cassis and acacia flower as well as hints of charcoal and forest floor aromas that are almost Burgundian in their complexity are followed by a wine displaying sweet, well-integrated tannins as well as a certain ethereal lightness despite the wine s overall size. Rich, round, generous and unusually approachable for such a young Margaux, this 2009 should drink well for years. Robert parker CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2007 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1450 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2006 (94+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1600 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2005 (98+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $3250 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2004 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1164 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PAVILLION MARGAUX 2009 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $445 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PALMER 2009 RETAIL $1250 OFFER $ /100 One of the all-time great Palmers (along with the 1961, 1966, 1970, 1989, 2000 and 2005), the 2009 Palmer is a blend of 52% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and a whopping 7% Petit Verdot that came in at close to 14% natural alcohol. An opaque blue/black colour suggests a wine with thrilling levels of concentration and intensity, and that s exactly what a taster gets. Subtle smoke, incense and Asian spice (soy?) notes interwoven with graphite, blueberry, blackberry and cassis characteristics lead to a full-bodied, phenomenally concentrated, viscous, opulent wine with plenty of sweet tannin. This sensational Palmer reveals even more floral notes than vintages such as 2005 and It should drink well for 50 years. Robert Parker CHÂTEAU PALMER 2008 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $590 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PALMER 2007 (89/100 - Parker) RETAIL $570 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PALMER 2006 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $604 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PALMER 2004 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $390 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU FERRIÈRE 2010 RETAIL $115 OFFER $92 89/100 Has ripe, enticing aromas of cherry and steeped red currant, but comes off taut, with lilac, warm stone, damson plum and plum pit notes that seem slightly angular on the finish. Best from 2014 through JM Spectator CHÂTEAU FERRIÈRE 2009 RETAIL $115 OFFER $92 90/100 Smoky and silky, with enticing black tea, mulled spice and fl eshy plum and black currant fruit that melds nicely together through the tobacco-filled finish. Drink now through ,000 cases made. JM Spectator CHÂTEAU FERRIÈRE 2007 RETAIL $89 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU FERRIÈRE 2001 RETAIL $126 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU ALTER EGO DE PALMER 2010 RETAIL $200 OFFER $160 92/100 Tasted at the chateau. The Alter Ego 2010 has a well-defined, quite exuberant bouquet of dark cherries, boysenberry and cassis that blossom in the glass. There is just a hint of fresh dates emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with an edgy, liquorice-tinged entry. It has a grainy texture, good depth, though needs just a little more refinement towards the finish. Tasted November Neal Martin 3

5 MARGAUX CHÂTEAU LASCOMBES 2010 RETAIL $338 OFFER $270 96/100 The wine hits all cylinders in The average alcohol for the bottled wine is 14%. It has a gorgeously sweet nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, subtle barbecue smoke and charcoal followed by full body, beautiful intensity, great purity, stature and length. The influence of any oak is minimal, despite the fact that 90% new French oak was used. Needless to say, this is an example of modern-styled winemaking at it s finest, and arguments that such wines will not age well, do not represent their terroir, and are soul-less, are totally groundless. Give it 5 or so years of cellaring and drink it over the following years. This is one of the great Margaux wines of the vintage. Probably the greatest Lascombes made to date, the 2010 is a blend of 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot. The production from this huge estate totals nearly 400,000 bottles. Parker CHÂTEAU LASCOMBES 2009 RETAIL $310 OFFER $248 94/100 The 2009, which is inky blue/purple to the rim, is a final blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot at 14% natural alcohol. The wine has a beautiful blueberry-scented nose with hints of acacia flowers, licorice, graphite and some subtle charcoal and background oak. Clearly a modern style of Margaux, it is pure, seamless, full-bodied and opulent, and the high glycerin and silky texture of 2009 are brilliantly displayed in this wine. Drink it over the next 15+ years, although it is certainly capable of lasting well past two decades. One of the more difficult estates to manage in southern Margaux is the 300 acres of Lascombes, subdivided into at least 40 to 50 separate plots, making harvest decisions, ripening, and related issues a strategic nightmare. Nevertheless, they seem to have hit pay dirt frequently over the last decade plus. Parker CHÂTEAU LASCOMBES 2008 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $220 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LASCOMBES 2007 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $180 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LASCOMBES 2006 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $199 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU MALESCOT ST EXUPÉRY 2010 RETAIL $270 OFFER $216 95/100 Gorgeous, flowery, classic Margaux once again, the 2010 Malescot St.-Exupéry continues to show virtually no toasty oak, given the impeccable balance and full-bodied, full-throttle style it possesses. Black raspberries, creme de cassis and spring floral notes intermixed with forest floor and a hint of charcoal are followed by an opulent, sexy, full-bodied wine whose tannins have become much sweeter, while the wine is less restrained yet still exuberant and impressive. This is a phenomenal example once again for this estate, harmonious in every sense of style, extraordinarily long, rich and ageworthy. Three to four years of bottle age will do wonders to make it more accessible, but this wine is set for years of longevity. Parker CHÂTEAU MAROJALLIA 2009 RETAIL $255 OFFER $ /100 This is possibly the finest wine I have ever tasted from this property, run by Jean-Luc Thunevin and his partner Murielle Andraud. An absolutely stunning nose of violets, creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, forest floor and subtle new oak burst from the glass. The wine has great fruit, superb texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel and an extravagantly rich, concentrated palate with low acidity and ripe tannin. Give it another 3-4 years to firm up and lose some baby fat, then drink it over the following 20+ years. Parker CHÂTEAU RAUZAN-SÉGLA 2009 RETAIL $298 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RAUZAN-SÉGLA 2009 (375ML) RETAIL $145 OFFER $ /100 A classic Margaux, this blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot reveals a dense plum/blue/purple colour in addition to a sumptuous perfume of subtle new oak interwoven with underbrush, black currants, black raspberries, spring flowers, and a hint of dusty, loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied with sweet but abundant tannin, and beautiful purity, texture and equilibrium, the 2009 Rauzan-Ségla will provide enjoyable drinking over the next three decades. About the only thing controversial about the 2009 Rauzan-Ségla will be the label designed by Chanel s artistic director, Karl Lagerfeld, for the estate s 350th anniversary. Parker CHÂTEAU RAUZAN-SÉGLA 2010 RETAIL $399 OFFER $ /100 To reiterate, the 2010 Rauzan-Ségla is like a super-duper version of the Displaying fabulous density, an inky purple colour and a superb nose of forest floor with a hint of menthol as well as loads of creme de cassis, mocha and touches of chocolate and subtle oak, this full-bodied, deep, concentrated wine represents only 45% of the estate s production. It is certainly not for those who can t wait a few years for it to round into shape, as I suspect it needs at least 5-8 years of bottle-age, but it should last for half a century or more. A stunning wine from Rauzan-Ségla, kudos go to administrator John Kolasa for turning out this profound wine, which should prove to be a timeless classic from the appellation of Margaux. Parker CHÂTEAU RAUZAN-SÉGLA 2007 RETAIL $215 OFFER $172 4

6 PAUILLAC Pauillac is the highly regarded communal appellation within the Médoc region which contains three of the five first growths - Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton-Rothschild. The unique characters of these three wines highlight the diversity across Pauillac: Lafite Rothschild is fragrant, perfumed and exotic; Latour is strong, solid and polished, whilst Mouton is generous, luscious and dark. In Pauillac the wines are very much Cabernet Sauvignon dominated, and as a generalisation intensely concentrated. Château Latour made headline news around the world, announcing that the 2010 vintage would be their last to be offered En Primeur. Going forward, releases will only be made from the Château when the wines are closer to their drinking window. We have in stock a selection of Latour vintages, all direct from the Château, a mix of vintages for cellaring and some ready in the coming years CHÂTEAU LATOUR 2006 (95/100 - Parker) RETAIL $2400 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LATOUR 2005 (98/100 - Parker) RETAIL $5561 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LATOUR 2002 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $2469 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LATOUR 2001 (95/100 - Parker) RETAIL $2330 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LATOUR 2000 (99/100 - Parker) RETAIL $6319 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LATOUR 1999 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1855 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LATOUR 1996 (100/100 - Parker) RETAIL $4862 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LATOUR 1995 (96/100 - Parker) RETAIL $2915 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LATOUR 1989 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $2212 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LES FORTS DE LATOUR ML RETAIL $715 OFFER $572 97/100 Bizarre as it may sound, the 2010 Les Forts de Latour is also the finest I have ever tasted from this selection, which comes from specific vineyards, not really so much a second wine as just another wine from estate holdings. A blend of 72.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27.5% Merlot that represents 40% of the production, this astonishing wine hit 14.3% natural alcohol. Extremely ripe and rich, it reminds me of the 1982 on steroids (and that wine is still drinking great 30 years after the vintage). Sensational notes of graphite, crushed rocks, black fruits, camphor and damp forest notes are present in this expansive, savory, full-throttle wine, which is better than many vintages of the great Latour itself from the past. (That may be a heretical statement, but it s the truth as I see it.) This wine needs a good 5-6 years of cellaring and should age for three decades at minimum, given the fact that the 1982 is in terrific form and wasn t this concentrated or prodigious. Parker CHÂTEAU LES FORTS DE LATOUR 2004 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $648 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 2010 RETAIL $3650 OFFER $ /100 Only 49% of the production made it into the 2010 Mouton Rothschild, which has a strikingly beautiful label by Jeffrey Koons. This is a truly great wine, with a very high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (94%) and the other 6% Merlot. At 13.9% natural alcohol, Mouton s director, Philippe Dhalluin, has clearly produced another 50- to 60-year wine that has a chance at perfection in about 15 years time, when I suspect this wine will be rounding into drinking condition. It is dense, rich and full-bodied, with the classic Mouton creme de cassis, forest floor, licorice and floral notes, but also some blueberry and hints of subtle espresso and mulberry. The wine has more minerality and precision than the rich, extravagantly opulent 2009, and while that may please some, others will have their patience tested as they wait and wait for this compelling Mouton Rothschild to hit full maturity. Parker CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 2009 (99+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $4999 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 2007 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1450 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D ARMAILHAC 2010 RETAIL $159 OFFER $127 93/100 Another sensational effort from Philippe Dhaluin, the administrator of Mouton Rothschild, this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot shows complex floral notes intermixed with forest floor, camphor, black currants and mulberries that all jump from the glass of this aromatic style of d Armailhac. This wine possesses very good acidity, a surprisingly higher percentage of Merlot than usual, but the quality is impressive, and the good news is that there are 20,000 cases of this full-bodied beauty, which should age nicely for years. Parker CHÂTEAU D ARMAILHAC 2008 RETAIL $120 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D ARMAILHAC 2007 RETAIL $115 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D ARMAILHAC 2006 RETAIL $107 OFFER $85 5

7 PAUILLAC CHÂTEAU PICHON COMTESSE DE LALANDE 2010 RETAIL $609 OFFER $ /100 The 2010 Pichon Lalande is performing extremely well and at the top of the range I predicted several years ago. A fi nal blend dominated much more by Cabernet Sauvignon than usual (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot), the wine is a tighter, more tannic and structured version of this famed Pauillac, which often tends to have more of a St-Julien-like personality than most Pauillacs. Structured, backward and tannic, yet showing a fat mid-palate that is more savory, broader and more expansive than I remember from barrel, this wine is somewhat reminiscent of the 1986, given the Cabernet Sauvignon domination of the blend. Full-bodied, impressively endowed, and less sexy and velvety than normal, this is a somewhat different style of Pichon Lalande than most readers have been used to. Whether you like it more or less will depend on your point of view, but this wine, unlike most Pichon Lalandes, needs a good 5-7 years of cellaring and should keep for 30+ years. Parker CHÂTEAU PICHON COMTESSE DE LALANDE 2009 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $730 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PICHON LONGUEVILLE BARON 2010 RETAIL $583 OFFER $ /100 Administrator Christian Seeley thinks the 2010 is the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron he has ever made, equaling some of the estate s colossal wines from vintages such as 1989 and It was certainly showing well when I stopped by the Château in January. Opaque purple, with loads of charcoal, licorice, incense and some exotic Asian spices along with abundant cassis liqueur, blackberry and hints of roasted coffee and spring flowers, it is full-bodied and opulent, with relatively high tannins, but they have sweetened up considerably and seem less aggressive than they did from barrel. The oak is clearly pushed to the background by the wine s wealth of fruit, glycerin and full-bodied texture. This sensational Pichon Longueville Baron needs 5-6 years of cellaring, and should keep 30+ years. Parker CHÂTEAU PICHON LONGUEVILLE BARON 2009 RETAIL $440 OFFER $352 98/100 Revealing incredible quality and performing better than it did from barrel, the 2009 appears to be the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron since the 1990 and An amazing opaque blue/purple colour is followed by scents of spring flowers, graphite, smoky charcoal, incense, blackberries, blueberries and hints of coffee and chocolate. Incredibly intense, pure and fl awlessly constructed with extravagant layers of fruit and richness, this offering has developed beautifully under the management of Christian Seeley. It is a voluptuous, opulent Pichon Longueville Baron that may eclipse anything they have made in the past. This brilliant wine should be at its peak between 2018 and Parker CHÂTEAU PICHON LONGUEVILLE BARON 2008 (96/100 - Parker) RETAIL $305 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PICHON LONGUEVILLE BARON 2007 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $299 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES 2010 RETAIL $468 OFFER $374 96/100 The 2010 Lynch Bages is an absolutely brilliant wine, and somewhat reminiscent at this stage in its development of the profound Jean-Charles Cazes, who took over for his father a number of years ago, has produced a magnifi cent wine with the classic creme de cassis note intermixed with smoke, graphite and spring flowers. It is a massive Lynch Bages, full-bodied and very 1989-ish, with notable power, loads of tannin, and extraordinary concentration and precision. This is not a Lynch Bages to drink in its exuberant youth, but one to hold on to for 5-6 years and drink over the following three decades. Parker CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES 2009 (96/100 - Parker) RETAIL $369 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2010 RETAIL $234 OFFER $ /100 Bottled in late July, the Pontet Canet has a very fragrant nose, with a touch more fruit intensity that its peers: raspberry, wild strawberry, a touch of cedar and pencil lead. It is very well defined, less flamboyant than the 2009, more a bouquet of precision and etiquette. The palate is medium-bodied with a tightly coiled, peppery entry. There is real density to this Pontet Canet: powerful, a little introverted, but very focused towards the structured finish. This will certainly be a long-term wine, the finish very long and so elegant. I actually prefer this stylistically to the but whatever rocks your boat. Gorgeous and classy. Neal Martin CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2008 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $280 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2007 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $220 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2006 (95/100 - Parker) RETAIL $212 OFFER $169 A SELECTION OF OUR PAUILLAC RANGE CHÂTEAU GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE 2010 (97/100 - Parker) RETAIL $272 ` OFFER $ CHÂTEAU GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE 2009 (94+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $265 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE 2006 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $170 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU HAUT BAGES LIBERAL 2010 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $127 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU CLERC MILON 2009 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $199 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU DUHART MILON ROTHSCHILD 2010 (96/100 - Parker) RETAIL $296 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LE PETIT DE MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 2010 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $706 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LE PETIT DE MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 2009 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $325 OFFER $260 6

8 ST-JULIEN Located within the Haut-Médoc region, St.-Julien has the highest percentage of classified growths in the Médoc. Whilst not a large commune, St.-Julien has two distinct parts: the Château alongside the Gironde river - the trio of Léovilles - Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Poyferre and Léoville Barton, and further inland and south, the cluster of vineyards around Château Beychevelle. As a generalisation St.-Julien produces wine of harmony, longevity and consistency, somewhere between the intense concentration of Pauillac and the fragrance of Margaux CHÂTEAU BRANAIRE-DUCRU 2010 RETAIL $232 OFFER $165 94/100 This wine is more backward than I would have normally expected, but nevertheless, it is very impressive. The 2010 Branaire-Ducru displays an inky bluish purple colour and loads of mulberry, raspberry, black currant, graphite and floral notes in its intense aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, with sensational ripeness, purity, texture and length, the tannins are slightly more prominent than I remember from barrel, but they are sweet and ripe (as opposed to astringent and bitter). This beautiful wine needs 4-6 years of cellaring and should keep years. Parker CHÂTEAU BRANAIRE-DUCRU 2009 (96/100 - Parker) RETAIL $230 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 2010 RETAIL $693 OFFER $ /100 With loads of minerality, a terrific opaque purple color, and slightly more structure and tannin than either Poyferre or St.-Pierre (and that s saying something), this is a blockbuster, fabulous Ducru-Beaucaillou that should be at its best a good decade from now and last years. The proprietor is not alone in thinking this is the finest Ducru-Beaucaillou since the The classic wet rock, creme de cassis, subtle oak and gravelly stoniness of the vineyard come through in this spectacular, full-bodied, gorgeously pure and intense effort. This is wine for the ages that should be forgotten for at least a decade. Parker CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 2009 (100/100 - Parker) RETAIL $999 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU GRUAUD LAROSE 2010 RETAIL $217 OFFER $ /100 Dark garnet/plum/purple, with loads of spice, earth, underbrush, red and black currants, licorice, and even a hint of Provencal garrigue, this full-bodied, tannic, masculine style of St.-Julien needs 5-6 years of cellaring, but is full, beefy, rich and impressively endowed. There are plenty of firm tannins in the background of this blockbuster wine, which has been built for the long haul. This is one 2010 where patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: Parker CHÂTEAU GRUAUD LAROSE 2008 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $175 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE BARTON 2010 RETAIL $340 OFFER $ /100 A splendid showing, much stronger from bottle than it was from barrel, the Léoville Barton is one of the spectacular wines of the vintage. Inky purple to the rim, its huge tannin gives this wine real potential for years of longevity. It is a classic, powerful Bordeaux made with no compromise. A superstar of the vintage, the wine has notes of pen ink and creme de cassis, good acidity, sweet, subtle oak, and massive extraction and concentration. I thought it was one of the most backward wines of the vintage two years ago, and nothing has changed in the ensuing upbringing of the wine in cask except that the wine now seems even richer, denser and fuller than I previously thought. The beautiful purity, symmetry, and huge finish of nearly a minute make this one of the all-time great classics from Léoville Barton. Anticipated maturity: Parker CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE BARTON 2009 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $330 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE BARTON 2006 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $189 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES 2010 RETAIL $846 OFFER $ /100 The 2010 is a quintessentially elegant, classic wine of Bordeaux firm, rigid, perhaps slightly lighter than most of the other St.- Juliens, but stylish, potentially complex, and reminiscent of the style of the 1986, but more concentrated and powerful. It is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc with a normal ph of It was raised in 75% new oak and the alcohol came to 13.7%. This wine displays loads of black currants, cedar wood and vanillin, but needs a good 7-8 years of cellaring, if not much longer. It should last for 30+ years. Parker CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES 2009 (98+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1100 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES 2008 (93+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $530 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES 2007 (91+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $490 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES 2006 (95/100 - Parker) RETAIL $773 OFFER $618 7

9 ST. ESTÈPHE St.-Estèphe is the northernmost commune of the Médoc and produces wines of a distinctive style that are deep coloured, full of extract/flavour and, while a little austere in youth, very long lived. At this northern part of the Médoc, the soils are heavier and slower draining. The conditions here produce wines that generally have a higher level of acidity, are less fragrant and require time to evolve and show their beauty. St.-Estèphe is home to Château Cos d Estournel, a wine generally made from a high percentage of Merlot that is consistent with the style of wines from St.-Estèphe having great power and structure CHÂTEAU COS D ESTOURNEL 2010 RETAIL $916 OFFER $ /100 The 2010 is a more structured, restrained, less flamboyant version of the A final blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that hit 14.5% natural alcohol, this wine (which represents only 55% of the estate s production) is full-bodied, classic and built along the lines of the 2000 (although that wine was made before Reybier acquired the estate and upgraded quality significantly). This wine exhibits beautifully pure notes of creme de cassis, blueberry liqueur, pen ink, graphite and hints of toast and vanillin. The wine is full and rich, and although aged in 80% new oak, the wood is a subtle background component. This beauty will take longer to round into shape than the dramatic and compelling Forget it for 5-8 years, and drink it over the following three-plus decades. Parker CHÂTEAU COS D ESTOURNEL 2009 (100/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1250 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU COS D ESTOURNEL 2005 (98/100 - Parker) RETAIL $847 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU COS D ESTOURNEL 2003 (98/100 - Parker) RETAIL $704 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU COS D ESTOURNEL 2000 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $591 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LES PAGODES DE COS ESTOURNEL 2009 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $189 OFFER $151 94/100 The brilliant 2009 Les Pagodes de Cos actually has more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than the grand vin (69% versus 65%) in addition to mostly Merlot and a small quantity of Petit Verdot. As powerful as the Cos in terms of alcoholic clout (14.5%), the full-bodied, round, generous Les Pagodes de Cos exhibits lots of creme de cassis and floral notes intermixed with hints of wood/barrique and spice. Juicy, succulent and remarkably fresh and well-delineated, it merits considerable attention from consumers. It should drink well for years. Oddly enough, the second wine is superior to many vintages of Cos in the 1960s 1970s and 1980s! Parker CH LES PAGODES DE COS ESTOURNEL 2005 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $183 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LAFON ROCHET 2010 RETAIL $137 OFFER $ /100 I had some bottle variation with this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The 2010 from Lafon Rochet seemed slightly restrained and closed down on the three occasions I tasted it in Bordeaux. Dense black/ruby, it displays sweet tannin, excellent purity, fresh fruit and a very primary, almost grapy style with lots of fruit, but at the same time, a somewhat monolithic character. It should turn out fine, but it certainly needs a good 7-8 years of cellaring and should drink well for up to two decades. The property is owned by the Tesseron family and run by the newest generation, son Basile, who is converting the estate to biodynamic farming a la his uncle, Alfred Tesseron at Pontet-Canet. Parker CHÂTEAU LAFON ROCHET 2009 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $165 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU MONTROSE 2010 RETAIL $612 OFFER $489 99/100 The 2010 Montrose is a fabulous wine, and I was leaning toward giving it a three-digit score, which it may ultimately merit after it resolves some of its very sweet tannin. It is not as soft or flamboyant as the 2009, but it is a great classic, coming in at 13.9% natural alcohol. Representing 64% of the total production, the final blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot (which is one percent different than the barrel sample blends that were presented). Inky bluish/purple in color, with classic blueberry, black currant, crushed rock and floral notes, hints of graphite, and lots of wild mountain berry fruit, this wine is extravagantly rich, has very sweet but noticeable tannin, laser-like precision, a massive, full-bodied mouthfeel and a finish of close to 50+ seconds. This remarkable wine will probably tighten up somewhat in the bottle, and need most of a decade to shed some tannin and its rather grapy, primary personality. The finish blew me away, and the overall power, richness and balance of this wine are virtually perfect. Look for it to drink well for half a century or more. Parker CHÂTEAU MONTROSE 2009 (100/100 - Parker) RETAIL $550 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PHELAN SÉGUR 2010 RETAIL $129 OFFER $103 90/100 A major sleeper of the vintage, the 2010 Phelan-Ségur has a dense ruby/purple colour, ripe mulberry and black currant fruit intermixed with some floral notes, and a hint of subtle oak as well as touches of lavender and licorice. Layered, opulent, ripe and fleshy, this beauty should drink nicely for years. Parker 8

10 HAUT-MÉDOC The Haut Medoc appellation stretches northwest from Bordeaux, its boundaries defined by a stream - Jalle de Blanquefort and the commune of Saint Seurin de Cadourne. The closest appellation to Bordeaux city, there has been wine produced from this terroir since the 17th Century. There are many notable Châteaux here, including Château La Lagune which was purchased by the Frey family in The Frey family are also now the owners of Jaboulet in the Rhône Valley; they have invested considerable amounts into vineyards, cellars and the Château, aiming for excellence at every level CHÂTEAU LA LAGUNE 2010 RETAIL $177 OFFER $135 94/100 Another great success from proprietress Caroline Frey, the 2010 La Lagune provides an essential drinking experience, with notes of Asian plum sauce, mulberries, kirsch liqueur and black currants. The wine also exhibits a savory, rich smokiness and subtle lead pencil shaving notes. Full-bodied and pure, combining both elegance and power, this is a brilliant, very approachable effort that should hit its stride in 5-7 years and last for at least two decades. Think of it as a hypothetical blend of the 2005 and Kudos! Parker CHÂTEAU LA LAGUNE 2009 RETAIL $165 OFFER $125 95/100 It is not unusual that the 2009 La Lagune is a spectacular effort given the fact that this estate has been making terrific wines over the last decade or more. It boasts a dense purple colour as well as a beautiful perfume of blueberries, mulberries, cassis, white chocolate and subtle toasty oak. Notes of Chinese black tea, cedarwood and forest floor also make an appearance in the singular aromatic and flavour profiles. This sumptuous, full-bodied La Lagune possesses low acidity, abundant but ripe, sweet tannin and a long, 45-second finish. Give this beauty 5-7 years of bottle age and drink it over the following three decades. Parker CHÂTEAU LA LAGUNE 2008 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $138 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA LAGUNE 2007 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $125 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA LAGUNE 2006 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $134 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SOCIANDO MALLET 2010 RETAIL $113 OFFER $90 91/100 A very classic wine for patient connoisseurs, Sociando Mallet makes no compromises and continues to produce one of the finest wines among non-classified estates in Haut-Medoc. Dense purple to the rim, the opaque purple-coloured 2010 offers up notes of graphite, blueberry and black raspberry fruit, a hint of cassis, some licorice and wet rocks. Deep, full-bodied and almost excruciatingly tannic, this full-throttle, balls-to-the-wall style of wine needs at least 8-10 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades or more. Parker CHÂTEAU SOCIANDO MALLET 2006 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $120 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SOCIANDO MALLET 2004 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $125 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D AGASSAC 2008 RETAIL $49.90 OFFER $39 Located near the village of Ludon and not that far from the classified growth La Lagune, the Domain of Agassac is one of the oldest wine estates in the Médoc. Château d Agassac is one of the Haut-Médoc appellation s leading wines, and represents one of the most attractive quality/ price ratios on the Left Bank. A member of the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc. A Cabernet-dominated blend showing distinctive ripe blackcurrant and plum aromas supported by hints of tobacco and spice. The palate has concentrated berry fruit flavours that are complemented with a dash of cinnamon and a gorgeous texture, ready now and super value. LW 9

11 MOULIS-EN-MÉDOC Moulis comes from the name Moulins, meaning mills. In this case both water and wind mills once found in this part of Bordeaux. The Moulis commune, although somewhat little known, is one of the oldest in the Médoc. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape variety here; as a generalisation the wines tend to display mineral aspects, subtle tannins and be quite aromatic CHÂTEAU CHASSE SPLEEN 2009 RETAIL $89 OFFER $69 90/100 Beautiful blueberry, black raspberry and cassis fruit as well as incense and graphite jump from the glass of this inky ruby/purplecoloured wine. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, dense and rich, this is one of the stars of Moulis in Given its low acidity but abundant tannin, I suspect it could close down in a few years and last two decades. Parker CHÂTEAU POUJEAUX 2010 RETAIL $94 OFFER $75 90/100 The final blend in this vintage was 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, tipping the scales at 14% natural alcohol. The wine is outstanding. Rich black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with some graphite and floral notes are followed by an opulent, fleshy, full-bodied wine with impressive concentration, texture and length. Moreover, the 2010 can be drunk early on in life or cellared for 15 or more years. Very close in quality to the brilliant 2009, this wine is the superstar of the appellation of Moulis. The estate is now owned by the Cuvelier family, who have overseen a major turn-around in quality at the famous St.-Émilion classified growth of Clos Fourtet. They have gotten this large vineyard of nearly 180 acres into top form as well. The vineyard is under the direction and management of two of the brilliant consultants of Bordeaux, Stephane Derenoncourt and Nicolas Thienpont, and they are doing a terrific job. The good news for consumers is that there are approximately 300,000 bottles of this brilliant wine from Moulis, which still sells at a fair price. Parker MÉDOC A large triangular peninsula starting northwest of the city of Bordeaux and stretching out to the northern part at Cordouan; the light house on the coast here built in the middle ages to guide sailors navigating the Gironde on foggy nights CHÂTEAU HAUT CONDISSAS 2009 RETAIL $146 OFFER $116 90/100 A big-time sleeper of the vintage, this inky purple wine has a beautiful nose of creme de cassis, incense and acacia flowers. Some subtle barbecue smoke is also present in this full-bodied wine, which is the best of all the Jean Guyon estates in For the statisticians out there, it is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. Drink it over the next decade. Parker CHÂTEAU HAUT CONDISSAS 2006 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $118 OFFER $94 POMEROL Located next door to Saint-Émilion, a small but distinctive region which produces opulent and glamorous reds dominated by the Merlot grape. Pomerol s most successful wines are some of the world s most sought after. This is the only one of Bordeaux s great districts that does not have a classification. Pomerol is home to one of Bordeaux s most sought after wines, Château Petrus CHÂTEAU L EGLISE CLINET 2010 RETAIL $1212 OFFER $ /100 This wine will likely be a major superstar with about years of cellaring. It was one of the more closed and difficult wines to penetrate and one of probably only a dozen or so 2010s that I only had one chance to taste from bottle, but it is loaded with fabulous raw materials. The 2010 is a profound effort, but it needs to be forgotten for at least a decade. This opaque purple wine offers up notes of caramelized black currant and black cherry candies intermixed with some very high class, subtle vanillin and toast. Hints of licorice, mocha and perhaps even a touch of chocolate are also present in this full-bodied, super-duper, concentrated, classic wine, which has everything in perfect proportions. But in the finish, its whoppingly big tannins kick in and basically announce that drinking this wine now would be infanticide. Look for this wine to last for at least 50+ years. Proprietor Denis Durantou has been on a hot streak, and is one of those perfectionist proprietors who seems tortured by their compulsion to do everything so well. Believe me, as a wine drinker, you want people like Durantou making the wines. Parker 10

12 POMEROL CHÂTEAU LE PIN 2006 RETAIL $4500 OFFER $ /100 Exotic, as it often can be, with super-ripe mulberry and black cherry fruit to the point of near-kirsch liqueur, with notes of licorice, truffle, and forest floor, this is a full-bodied, concentrated wine with a slight tannic bite to the finish. There is good freshness, depth, and power, and despite the flamboyant aromatics, this wine needs a good 3-5 years of cellaring and should keep for 15 or more years. Parker CHÂTEAU LE PIN 2004 RETAIL $3900 OFFER $ /100 There are 580 cases of the exotic, flamboyant 2004 Le Pin. Its dense plum/ruby colour is accompanied by sweet aromas of kirsch, cassis, smoke, earth, and roasted herbs. Super-opulent for the vintage, it possesses wonderful fruit and glycerin, medium to full body, and a fleshy personality. It should drink well young, yet age nicely for two decades or more. The Pomerol of the vintage? Parker CHÂTEAU NENIN 2010 RETAIL $190 OFFER $152 90/100 The outstanding 2010 Nenin (82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc) displays more boysenberry, mocha and black currants. With nearly 14% natural alcohol, it possesses plenty of glycerin, loads of fruit, and broad, classic notes of licorice and plums. This wine should be drinkable in 2-4 years and last for 15 or more. Parker CHÂTEAU VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN 2010 RETAIL $831 OFFER $664 99/100 The 2010 Vieux Château Certan, a blend of 86% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol. Production was lower than in 2009 and the alcohol slightly higher, but the ph is 3.7, which is surprisingly reasonable given the lofty power and alcoholic clout this full-bodied wine possesses. Dense purple-coloured, the 2010 displays a vivid yet astonishing array of spice box, red, blue and black fruits, crushed rock and spring flowers. The oak is well-concealed behind the lavish concentration and richness. Exceptionally pure, this unbelievable wine flirts with perfection. Unfortunately, there is 20% less of it than in 2009, and the tannins warrant a good 8-10 years of cellaring, as I suspect it could actually close down. This is another 40- to 50-year effort in 2010 that should elicit considerable interest from wine consumers. Thienpont thinks he has produced three wines , 2009 and that are the greatest trilogy in the history of Vieux Château Certan, rivaling what this estate did in 1947, 1948 and Parker CHÂTEAU VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN 2008 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $325 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PLINCE 2010 RETAIL $95 OFFER $ /100 Plump and juicy, with a friendly core of plum and blackberry character. Dark spice and anise notes chime in on the fleshy finish, and this sports a little punch. Tasted non-blind. Wine Spectator CHÂTEAU PLINCE 2009 RETAIL $89 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU BOURGNEUF 2010 RETAIL $112 OFFER $79 93/100 This has a dark, slightly chewy edge for now, but the core of crushed plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit should absorb that with cellaring. Dark ganache and graphite frame the finish, which features a racy, acidic spine. Should unfurl nicely with age. Best from 2015 through JM Wine spectator CHÂTEAU BOURGNEUF 2009 RETAIL $99 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PETIT VILLAGE 2009 RETAIL $189 OFFER $151 91/100 Their finest effort since 1982, Petit Village has turned out a beautifully generous, succulent, fleshy 2009 with loads of ripe plum, black currant, black cherry, mocha and subtle earthy undertones. Round, flamboyant, dense and rich, with low acidity, outstanding concentration and purity, and a long finish, this outstanding wine should drink well for up to 15 or more years. Parker CHÂTEAU PETIT VILLAGE 2008 RETAIL $165 OFFER $132 11

13 POMEROL CHÂTEAU PETRUS 2006 RETAIL $4900 OFFER $ /100 Currently closed and backward, this wine seems to share a more similar character to Trotanoy than in any recent vintages I recall. Powerful, structured, masculine, but a long-term proposition, this dark ruby/purple-coloured wine displays notes of caramelized, sweet black cherries and wild berry fruit with plenty of spice, earth, and a hint of herbaceousness. The wine has very high tannins, impressive concentration, but that mouth-searing level of tannin. This is one Petrus that should probably be forgotten for at least 8-10 years and drunk over the following two to three decades. I always find it ironic that Petrus, which is virtually 100% Merlot, is more backward than the first growths of Médoc, which are Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated. Parker CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR PETRUS 2009 (97/100 - Parker) RETAIL $499 OFFER $399 97/100 Even with considerable youthful characteristics, this stunning, open-knit 2009 is quite approachable. This fabled terroir sandwiched between Petrus and Lafleur (hence the name) generally produces one of the more elegantly-styled Pomerols, but in 2009 it offers an extra dimension of flavour intensity as well as more texture and concentration. It reveals a super-seductive perfume of mocha, loamy soil, herbs, black cherries and black currants, truffles and licorice, full body and velvety tannins. The overall impression is one of intensity, power, glycerin and richness as well as undeniable elegance and laser-like focus. This 2009 can be drunk now or cellared for another years. Parker CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR PETRUS 2008 (95/100 - Parker) RETAIL $240 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU NENIN 2010 RETAIL $190 OFFER $152 90/100 The outstanding 2010 Nenin (82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc) displays more boysenberry, mocha and black currants. With nearly 14% natural alcohol, it possesses plenty of glycerin, loads of fruit, and broad, classic notes of licorice and plums. This wine should be drinkable in 2-4 years and last for 15 or more. Parker CHÂTEAU PUY BLANQUET 2010 RETAIL $50 OFFER $40 The first wine of our tasting at JP Moeuix offices on the 5th April, Château Puy Blanquet is very pretty, the 2010 has a fragrant nose that intrigues. It s quite straight forward on the palate, but with great fruit, soft supple tannins wrapped together into a gentle style. The 2010 Château Puy Blanquet is a lot more generous than we d expected. LW - En Primeur 2010 Tastings CHÂTEAU PUY BLANQUET 2009 RETAIL $49 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU GAZIN 2010 RETAIL $228 OFFER $182 96/100 Wow! This wine exceeded my enthusiastic barrel tasting notes. A big, back-strapping blockbuster from Gazin, in which the oak seems to be pushed into the background (thankfully), the wine offers up notes of caramelized black cherry and black currant fruit interwoven with mocha, white chocolate, subtle toast and hints of coffee beans and tobacco leaf. The exceptional aromatics are easily followed up by a full-bodied, powerful, broodingly backward, rich, intense wine with multiple dimensions, layers of fruit, and a sensational finish of close to a minute. This is one of the all-time great efforts from Gazin. It should be forgotten for 6-10 years and drunk over the following 30 to 40. Parker The 2010 Gazin is impossible to dislike, on the nose it is a little closed, what follows though is compelling, it picks you up and wants to take you with it. Obviously very young, the Gazin has nice fruit in fact great fruit, good acidity it s a very good year for Gazin. LW - En Primeur 2010 Tastings CHÂTEAU GAZIN 2008 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $185 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU L HOSPITALET DE GAZIN 2010 RETAIL $100 OFFER $80 90/100 A dark, winey style, with flavours of steeped plum, kirsch and black cherry preserves, notes of singed spice and apple wood and a long, licorice-framed finish. Features a bit of chewy grip, but there s ample flesh at the core for balance. Best from 2014 through JM Wine Spectator CHÂTEAU L HOSPITALET DE GAZIN 2009 RETAIL $89 OFFER $71 12

14 SAINT-ÉMILION Saint-Émilion - Vineyards are based around the picturesque historic village of Saint- Émilion. The grape varieties that thrive here are Merlot and Cabernet Franc; with growing conditions often too marginal for Cabernet to ripen successfully, wines from Saint-Émilion are generally rich, dense expressive wines. The top Châteaux from this appellation: Château Cheval Blanc and Château Ausone. The wines of Saint-Émilion are classified by a controversial system that is reviewed every 10 years or so, the wines are ranked Grands Cru Classe and Premier Cru Classe CHÂTEAU FLEUR CARDINALE 2009 RETAIL $128 OFFER $102 94/100 A good value among over-achieving St.-Émilion estates is La Fleur Cardinale s Composed of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, some of the abrasive tannins noticeable early on in this big wine (14.5% alcohol) are now sweeter and better integrated. Made from tiny yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare, this is a concentrated, rich effort revealing lots of black cherry and black currant fruit as well as a fragrant, firm, full-bodied personality. It should be at its best between 2016 and Parker CHÂTEAU FLEUR CARDINALE 2008 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $110 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA GOMERIE 2009 RETAIL $255 OFFER $204 91/100 This wine now exhibits the evolved, full-bodied, opulent style for which this 100% Merlot cuvee is renowned. Abundant mocha, cranberry liqueur, kirsch, licorice and subtle espresso roast and smoke (from new barriques) characteristics are found in this attractive St.- Émilion. Some of the concerns I had early on were not evident in the bottle, although I do not believe the 2009 is as flashy and concentrated as La Gomerie s greatest efforts can be. Drink the 2009 over the next 15+ years. Parker CHÂTEAU LA SERRE 2010 RETAIL $139 OFFER $111 90/100 Readers looking for a wine for immediate gratification, filled with plump, fat, fleshy black cherry and black currant fruit and loamy soil notes as well as hints of balsam wood and underbrush should check out this medium to full-bodied, seductive wine, which has more power and density than it normally possesses. Drink it over the next years. Parker CHÂTEAU LA SERRE 2009 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $125 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU QUINAULT L ENCLOS 2010 RETAIL $99 OFFER $79 91/100 This property have turned out a finesse-styled 2010 with loads of blueberry and raspberry fruit as well as hints of pomegranate, crushed rock and damp earth. A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is medium-bodied and stylish, not a blockbuster by any means, but a wine of finesse to drink over the next years. This old property was brought to life by Dr. Alain Raynaud and then sold to the owners of Cheval Blanc. Parker CHÂTEAU QUINAULT L ENCLOS 2009 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $99 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU QUINAULT L ENCLOS 2007 (91-93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $110 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU QUINAULT L ENCLOS 2002 (90/100 - Parker) RETAIL $171 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU ANGELUS 2009 RETAIL $1250 OFFER $999 99/100 A candidate for one of the finest Angelus produced to date (and there have been many, including 1989, 1990, 2000 and 2005), this blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc was fashioned from tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. It boasts a black/purple colour along with a gorgeous perfume of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers and graphite. In the mouth, notes of incense and cassis also emerge from this velvety-textured, full-bodied, intensely concentrated With silky tannins, low acidity and spectacular purity, texture and depth, it is already approachable (although I m sure proprietor Hubert de Bouard would think drinking it now is akin to infanticide), but should keep for years. Parker CHÂTEAU ANGELUS 2007 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $550 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU CANON 2010 RETAIL $420 OFFER $ /100 An elegant, attractive blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, this wine tips the scales at 15% natural alcohol which, given the more elegant style sought at Canon, tells readers a lot about how powerful the 2010 vintage was across all the appellations of Bordeaux. Exhibiting plenty of raspberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit as well as some crushed rock/chalky minerality and a floral note, this very impressive Canon is backward, structured and precise. Give it 7-8 years of bottle age and drink it over the following three decades. Parker CHÂTEAU CANON 2009 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $450 OFFER $360 13

15 SAINT-ÉMILION CHÂTEAU PAVIE 2010 RETAIL $990 OFFER $ /100 Painfully powerful, backward and super-concentrated, this 2010 is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at 26 hectoliters per hectare. The harvest, as usual, was late by the standards of the appellation, occurring between October 12 and October 19. The alcohols are surprisingly modest by 2010 standards, 14.2%. As usual, this is one of the top wines of the vintage, but it needs a good decade of cellaring. It is much more backward and restrained than the 2009 was at the same stage, and seems even more tannic and structured than the It is a monumental wine for true connoisseurs who have the patience and discipline to cellar it for a good decade. Anticipated maturity: Parker CHÂTEAU PAVIE 2009 (100/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1250 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PAVIE DECESSE 2009 RETAIL $699 OFFER $559 98/100 Bottled the week of January 16 (a week before I tasted it), the 2009 Pavie Decesse (from a tiny 9-acre vineyard on the limestone slopes above Pavie) is an uncommonly fat, succulent, rich, 1,000-case cuvee with 14.3% alcohol. It boasts an inky/blue/purple hue along with notes of incense, spring flowers, roasted espresso, chocolate, licorice, blackberries and blueberries. Even though it is aged in 100% oak, the wood is virtually non-existent. An inky blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine exhibits a flawless integration of acidity, alcohol and tannin. This opulent, viscous, thick, juicy St.-Émilion will be accessible in 5-7 years and last for three decades. Parker CHÂTEAU PAVIE DECESSE 2008 (94+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $455 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PAVIE DECESSE 2007 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $435 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PAVIE MACQUIN 2010 RETAIL $349 OFFER $ /100 This is always an extremely masculine, dense, burly wine, and the 2010, which tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol (just slightly under that of the 2009), has a final blend of 80% Merlot and the rest virtually all Cabernet Franc, with just 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Loads of crushed rock and chalkiness, along with licorice, black truffle, smoked game and black fruits dominate the aromatics and flavour. Backward, formidably endowed, full-bodied and almost atypically massive and huge, with gargantuan extraction, this is a wine for patient connoisseurs to forget about for close to a decade. Anticipated maturity: Parker CHÂTEAU PAVIE MACQUIN 2008 (92+/100 - Parker) RETAIL $190 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU PAVIE MACQUIN 2007 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $160 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC 2009 RETAIL $3999 OFFER $ /100 It will be fascinating to follow the evolution of the 2009 Cheval Blanc versus the 2010 as well as the awesome 2005, 2000, 1998 and This famous estate s vineyard is situated at the juncture of Pomerol and the sandy, gravelly soils of St.-Émilion, facing the two noble estates of l Evangile and La Conseillante. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Cheval Blanc tips the scales at just under 14% natural alcohol. Its dense blue/purple colour is accompanied by an extraordinary nose of incense, raspberries, cassis, sweet forest floor and a subtle hint of menthol. Opulent and full-bodied with low acidity but no sense of heaviness, this dense, unctuously textured, super-smooth, velvety, pure, profound Cheval Blanc is impossible to resist despite its youthfulness. Anticipated maturity: Parker CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC 2008 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $2200 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC 2007 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1999 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LE PETIT CHEVAL 2010 RETAIL $742 OFFER $593 93/100 The best second wine I have ever tasted from Cheval Blanc is the 2010 Le Petit Cheval. This wine is essentially three-fourths Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Rivaling the brilliant 2009, thirty percent of the production from this monstrously sized estate made it into this wine, which offers up plenty of white chocolate, cassis and mulberry as well as a hint of roasted herbs. With fleshy, round flavours, full-bodied texture and an amazing finish, this is no second wine, and considerably better than some of the Cheval Blancs of the 1960s and 1970s! Drink it over the next 15 or so years. Parker CHÂTEAU LE PETIT CHEVAL 2009 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $550 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU FIGEAC 2009 RETAIL $780 OFFER $624 96/100 Distinctive, with atypical (for St.-Émilion) force and drive to the black currant, roasted cedar and maduro tobacco flavours, which are supported by a dense, loam-tinged structure. Terrific roasted espresso, ganache and fig paste notes wait in reserve. Very muscular, but with the cut for balance. Best from 2017 through JM Wine Specatator CHÂTEAU LA CONFESSION 2010 (93/100 - Parker) RETAIL $113 OFFER $90 14

16 PESSAC LÉOGNAN In the 1855 Classification, significantly, one wine from Graves was included as a first growth - Château Haut-Brion - which can be found in the appellation of Pessac Léognan. Whilst the majority of production in Pessac Léognan is red wine, many of the Château produce white wines, which are prized expressions of white Bordeaux, made from Sauvignon and Sémillon CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION 2010 RETAIL $3650 OFFER $ /100 As for the 2010 Haut-Brion, it does not have the power of Latour s 2010 or the intense lead pencil shavings and chocolaty component of Lafite-Rothschild, but it is extraordinary, perfect wine. It has a slightly lower ph than the 2009 (3.7 versus the 2009 s 3.8), and even higher alcohol than the 2009 (14.6%). The wine is ethereal. From its dense purple colour to its incredibly subtle but striking aromatics that build incrementally, offering up a spectacular smorgasbord of aromas ranging from charcoal and camphor to black currant and blueberry liqueur and spring flowers, this wine s finesse, elegant yet noble power and authority come through in a compelling fashion. It is full-bodied, but that s only apparent in the aftertaste, as the wine seems to float across the palate with remarkable sweetness, harmony, and the integration of all its component parts alcohol, tannin, acidity, wood, etc. This prodigious Haut-Brion is hard to compare to another vintage, at least right now, but it should have 50 to 75 years of aging potential. Anticipated maturity: Parker CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION 2007 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1250 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION 2005 (98/100 - Parker) RETAIL $2440 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA CLARANCE HAUT-BRION 2010 RETAIL $478 OFFER $382 93/100 The second wine of Haut-Brion is now called Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, and the 2010 is among the finest I have tasted there. It is a broad, powerful and more muscular wine than its cross-street rival, La Chapelle de la Mission, but all the same, it is wonderfully fresh and precise, with notes of blueberry and boysenberry as well as hints of smoke and wet stones. Endowed with gorgeous fruit, texture, purity and elegance, this relatively dense second wine demonstrates how draconian the selection process has become for the top estates in Bordeaux in recent years. The blend of this wine is 52% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc with just a touch of Petit Verdot. I would expect it to last at least 20 years, which is remarkable. Parker CHÂTEAU LA CLARENCE HAUT-BRION 2009 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $489 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA CLARENCE HAUT-BRION 2008 (91/100 - Parker) RETAIL $245 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION 2010 RETAIL $2625 OFFER $ /100 A strong candidate for a perfect score in about 15 years, the 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion could well turn out to be a modern-day version of their Sadly (or maybe fortunately) for me, I m not old enough to have tasted the 1955 in 1958 from bottle, but this wine could also be an update on the more modern 2000 which, of course, I know well and actually own. This full-bodied, colossal giant of a wine is one of the goliaths of the vintage. It may well have the highest level of natural alcohol for any wine from the Left Bank of Bordeaux (15.1%) and has the definite potential to be a 50- to 75-year wine. Dense purple, it offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, charcoal embers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur along with massive concentration, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel and a monumental finish that goes well past a minute, which I think might be a record for a young Bordeaux. Keep in mind that the 2009, which I gave three digits, came in at 14.7%, but the ph of the 2010 is lower, giving the wine a freshness and precision that is remarkable. The final blend was 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and unlike the Chapelle de la Mission, which has 26% Cabernet Franc there s only 1% Cabernet Franc in the 2010 La Mission Haut- Brion. This is a wine for those of you with youth on your side as well as patience. It will need a good decade of cellaring. An amazing wine. Anticipated maturity: Parker CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION 2009 (100/100 - Parker) RETAIL $2995 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION 2008 (95/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1120 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION 2007 (92/100 - Parker) RETAIL $999 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION 2006 (94/100 - Parker) RETAIL $1600 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER ROUGE 2010 RETAIL $228 OFFER $182 95/100 This is one of my all-time favourite wines from Domaine de Chevalier, a silky, rather classic Pessac-Leognan with notes of scorched earth, tobacco leaf and black and red currants, but no hard edges. Fragrant, complex aromatics are followed by a savoury, expansively flavoured wine made from a final blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine hit 13.5% natural alcohol, which must certainly be among the highest they have ever achieved, even eclipsing the An opulent, precocious style of wine that seems much more developed, complex and delicious than I thought from barrel, this beauty can be drunk in 5-6 years or cellared for 20 or more. Parker CHÂTEAU DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER ROUGE 2009 RETAIL $255 OFFER $204 15

17 SAUTERNES AND BARSAC Sauternes was the only area outside the Médoc that was classified in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, with one wine - Château d Yquem as a Premier Cru Supérieur; underneath this, a handful of Châteaux were made second growths. The wines of Sauterne and Barsac are unsurpassed anywhere in the world. The unique climatic conditions here produce, at their very best, exceptional sweet wines that are among the most long lived wines in the world. CHÂTEAU D YQUEM The vineyard dates back to 1711 and in 1785 changed to the Lur Saluces family ownership where it remained for hundreds of years before recently being purchased by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey. The property stretches over 113 hectares between the villages of Sauternes and Fargues, with around 100 hectares under vines, planted with Sauvignon and Sémillon. The unique aspect of the vineyard is susceptible to noble rot. At d Yquem s very best, it s possible to find bottles over 100 years old in good condition. In years they consider not up to scratch (like 2012) d Yquem is not made CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2009 (375ML) RETAIL $1350 OFFER $ /100 Tasting a legend under blind conditions is always the ultimate test of pedigree with everything to lose. And yet for the second year running, the brilliance of Château d Yquem stood out. The 2009 has a glorious bouquet with luscious honey, lemon curd, white peach and quince that is crystalline and utterly refined. It demonstrates wonderful delineation and pinpoint focus. The palate is brilliantly balanced with life-affirming acidity. There are notes of quince and white peach once again, marrying with hints of light honey and crushed stone, finishing with convincing confidence on the composed, refined finish. This is not quite as ethereal as the 2001 but it comes damn close. Drink Neal Martin CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2008 RETAIL $888 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2008 (375ML) RETAIL $460 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2007 RETAIL $2265 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2007 (375ML) RETAIL $1230 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2006 RETAIL $2210 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2006 (375ML) RETAIL $690 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2004 (375ML) RETAIL $521 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2003 RETAIL $800 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2001 RETAIL $2517 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D YQUEM 2001 (375ML) RETAIL $1064 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2009 (97/100 - Parker) RETAIL $279 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2009 (375ML) (97/100 - Parker) RETAIL $129 OFFER $103 The team at Château Rieussec have conjured a stellar wine in There is a little reduction at fi rst that fortunately blows away, revealing thickly layered scents of honey, Danish pastry and quince that appear to gain vigour with every passing sip. The palate is stunning: very viscous in the mouth with tangy grapefruit, honey and white peach. It is still primal, but the acidity is perfectly judged and there is a life-affirming sense of precision and tension towards the finish. Exceptional. Drink now Neal Martin CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2008 (375ML) RETAIL $99 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2007 RETAIL $295 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2007 (375ML) RETAIL $155 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2006 RETAIL $186 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2006 (375ML) RETAIL $94 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2004 (375ML) RETAIL $79 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT 2009 (375ML) RETAIL $130 OFFER $104 98/100 The 2009 is one of the greatest wines ever produced from the estate. It has a riveting bouquet of quince, honey, pear and a touch of clarified butter that is beautifully defined, offering scents of yellow flowers with continued aeration. It is a little heavier and more intense than its peers at this stage. The palate is beautifully balanced with perfectly judged acidity and immense purity. The finish offers crisp honey, quince and clementine notes laden with botrytis that is counterpoised by wonderful acidity. It possesses an unerring sense of completeness and composure that is irresistible. Bravo! Drink now Neal Martin CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT 2007 RETAIL $250 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT 2007 (375ML) RETAIL $125 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT 2006 RETAIL $182 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT 2005 (375ML) RETAIL $104 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT 2006 (375ML) RETAIL $92 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT 2002 (375ML) RETAIL $74 OFFER $59 16

18 SAUTERNES AND BARSAC CHÂTEAU D ARCHE 2009 RETAIL $99 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D ARCHE 2009 (375ML) RETAIL $48 OFFER $ Bright yellow-gold. Intense, full-blown aromas and flavours of peach, tropical fruits and honeyed botrytis, plus a hint of saffron. Thick, fat and honeyed, but with good acidity providing adequate lift. Offers plenty of texture and sweetness, but comes across as more refined and lighter in style than some past vintages of this wine. Finishes pure and complex, with a tannic quality, a strong note of vanilla and a trace of warmth. The best vintage of this wine that I ve tasted at this early stage of its development. Tanzer CHÂTEAU D ARCHE 2008 RETAIL $49 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU D ARCHE 2004 RETAIL $96 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU FILHOT 2009 RETAIL $89 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU FILHOT 2009 (375ML) RETAIL $45 OFFER $36 90/100 Quite juicy, with toasty peach and tarte tartine notes laced with brighter verbena, honeysuckle and creamed yellow apple flavours. Good acidity lets the finish linger. Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. Best from 2013 through ,165 cases made. JM Spectator CHÂTEAU LA TOUR BLANCHE 2009 RETAIL $220 OFFER $176 93/100 The 2009 La Tour Blanche has a gorgeous, botrytis-rich bouquet with lemon thyme, honey and spice, with just a touch of alcoholic warmth denying it the clarity it deserves. The palate is crisp and taut on the entry with notes of apricot and white peach emerging with a few swirls of the glass. It offers a pleasing viscosity and volume in the mouth, although compared to its barrel showing, it appears to have tightened up more than I expected, possibly a sign that it is a wine in for the long haul. Drink Neal Martin CHÂTEAU LAFAURIE PEYRAGUEY 2009 RETAIL $160 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU LAFAURIE PEYRAGUEY 2009 (375ML) RETAIL $85 OFFER $68 93/100 I recall that in barrel, this wine was difficult to assess due to the SO2 present and even tasting it blind in bottle, I pick up on that sulphur. I sincerely hope that this will clear away with time because what is on the palate seems so promising. It is laden with luscious honeyed fruit, orange zest and mandarin, minerals and barley sugar. There is a wonderful viscous texture that remains precise, well-balanced and composed until the very end. I have to insert a question mark due to the sulphur issue, but I recommend either laying the bottle down for several years or affording it hours decanting. Neal Martin CHÂTEAU CLIMENS BARSAC 2009 RETAIL $375 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU CLIMENS BARSAC 2009 (375ML) RETAIL $189 OFFER $149 97/100 The 2009 displays a wonderful bouquet of honeysuckle, almond and a hint of creme caramel that is beautifully defined. The palate has a creamy entry with patently a good deal of oak that needs to be subsumed. The balance is just exquisite, the line of acidity perfectly pitched and moreover, there is that paradoxical mixture of weight and levity that makes Climens what it is. The finish blossoms with quince, almond and honey and lingers long in the mouth. This is surely destined to be a top tier Climens that will last the usual decades. Drink Neal Martin CHÂTEAU CLIMENS BARSAC 2006 RETAIL $338 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU CLIMENS BARSAC 2006 (375ML) RETAIL $290 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU CLIMENS BARSAC 2005 (375ML) RETAIL $176 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RAYMOND LAFON 2009 RETAIL $125 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RAYMOND LAFON 2009 RETAIL $59 OFFER $47 93/100 The 2009 Raymond-Lafon exhibits a little more oak on the nose compared to its peers, which tends to obscure the fruit aromatics at the moment. The palate is much better with a crisp, taut entry and a superb seam of acidity that runs from start to finish. There is a sense of conservatism here, almost a predictable 2009 Sauternes, although it is very well crafted and offers great clarity and freshness on the tropical fruit-tinged finish. This is lovely, but give it a couple of years for the aromatics to settle. Drink Neal Martin CHÂTEAU RABAUD PROMIS 2009 RETAIL $140 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RABAUD PROMIS 2005 (375ML) RETAIL $65 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU COUTET ML RETAIL $125 OFFER $99 95/100 The 2009 Coutet has a very intense nose of apricot, papaya, honeysuckle and orange cordial that is very well defined. Interestingly I write the same comment as my appraisal out of barrel in that I would prefer just a little more vigour. However that is a minor quibble. The palate is very well-balanced with a rounded, caressing entry. There is certainly tremendous weight in the mouth and abundant botrytis, especially upon the unctuous finish. This has great potential a fantastic wine from one of the finest Barsac estates. Drink now Neal Martin CHÂTEAU COUTET 2008 RETAIL $165 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU COUTET 2007 RETAIL $189 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU COUTET 2007 (375ML) RETAIL $99 OFFER $79 17

19 LITTLE BROTHERS The concept of second wines does not date back that far when you consider Bordeaux s history, a practice where fruit that may have initially been earmarked for the Grand Vin was at assemblage stage downgraded to a secondary label. Often this was because certain parcels had characteristics that weren t typical of the main wine, or came from vines that were younger, with more upfront appeal but perhaps less potential for ageing. The reasons, like the labels, are varied. Many of these wines are now of better quality than the Grand Vin of the past. We have an excellent range of Little Brothers from the recent, as well as previous vintages, including the excellent 2005 vintage - all are 750ml bottles CHÂTEAU VIVENS 2005 (Château Durfort-Vivens) RETAIL $77 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU BARON DE BRANE-CANTENAC 2005 (Château Brane-Cantenac) RETAIL $110 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU BRIO DE CANTENAC BROWN 2005 (Château Cantenac Brown) RETAIL $85 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU DE CHÂTEAU ASSAULT 2005 (Château D Assault) RETAIL $87 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU CLEMENTIN DE PAPE CLEMENT 2005 (Château Pape Clement) RETAIL $130 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RESERVE DE LA COMTESSE 2010 (Château Pichon Lalande) RETAIL $138 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RESERVE DE LA COMTESSE 2009 (Château Pichon Lalande) RETAIL $139 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU RESERVE DE LA COMTESSE 2005 (Château Pichon Lalande) RETAIL $163 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU TOURELLES DE LONGUEVILLE 2010 (Château Pichon Baron) RETAIL $128 OFFER $ CHÂTEAUTOURELLES DE LONGUEVILLE 2009 (Château Pichon Baron) RETAIL $118 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU SARGET DE GRUAUD LAROSE 2010 (Château Gruaud Larose) RETAIL $66 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU JARDIN DE PETIT VILLAGE 2009 (Château Petit Village) RETAIL $89 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU DAME DE MONTROSE 2009 (Château Montrose) RETAIL $125 OFFER $ CHÂTEAU MARQUIS DE CALON 2005 (Château Calon-Ségur) RETAIL $104 OFFER $83 GLENGARRY BORDEAUX RECOMMENDATIONS CELLAR MUST HAVES: Château Margaux 2009 Château Suduiraut 2009 Château Haut-Brion 2010 Château Mouton Rothschild 2009 Château Angelus 2009 Château Cheval Blanc 2009 Château Vieux Château Certan 2010 Château Montrose 2010 Château Ducru Beacaillou 2010 Château Lafleur Petrus 2009 EXPLORE BORDEAUX - A GREAT PLACE TO START: Château D agassac 2008 Château Puy Blanquet 2010 Château Jardin De Petit Village 2009 Château Plince 2010 Château Tourelles De Longueville 2009 Château La Serre 2010 Château Petit Village 2008 Château Gruaud Larose 2006 Château Brane-Cantenac 2009 Château Léoville Barton EXPLORE BORDEAUX 10 BOTTLE MIXED CASE $999 RETAIL $ TO PLACE AN ORDER PLEASE CONTACT: AUCKLAND Glengarry Victoria Park Regan McCaffery p: m: regan@glengarry.co.nz AUCKLAND Glengarry Jervois Road Michael Antunovich p: m: mike@glengarry.co.nz WELLINGTON Glengarry Thorndon Meredith Parkin p: m: meredith@glengarry.co.nz WELLINGTON Glengarry Thorndon Philip Rowe p: m: philr@glengarry.co.nz 18

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