Handford Wines Bordeaux En Primeur 2012 Offer ~ A Tale of Terroir

Transcription

1 Handford Wines Bordeaux En Primeur 2012 Offer ~ A Tale of Terroir

2 Bordeaux 2012 Vintage Report Vintage Report 'The worst vintages are average, and they are only declared average when sold out'... Etienne Hugel on the 2006 s in Alsace. In reality, there are great wines to be found, and many say better over all than The Weather There will be many reports of difficult weather conditions but even a brief study of the statistics shows quite normal temperatures and rainfall. In many areas temperatures were slightly above and rainfall below the norm. Budburst and flowering in early April and early June is perfectly timed. Ripening or hang time was lengthened due to cooler conditions in July, which is fine, and then a very hot August, which is not ideal, but not necessarily detrimental. The difficulty was all in the timing and/or extremes of weather. Rains spoilt flowering of Merlot but conditions were great for Cabernet. Then, how unlucky can you be... rains upset the Cabernet harvests when much of the Merlot was in before two big dumps on 25th September and 9th October. Even then, many growers found extra pickers to bring in the bacon before the worst of the weather. For 2011 s we reported a similar discrepancy between weather statistics and the quality of resulting fruit. Either we need to print the lines closer together or Chateaux are better at managing difficult years. Green harvest, selection in the vineyards, optical sorting, careful pressing and judicious maceration and ageing are some examples. I have seen vintages going back to 1985 and would point out a difference that is much talked about but rarely equated with enhanced quality, especially in a tough year. Farming in harmony with the environment, organic, or biodynamic culture creates a balanced and natural habitat for a vine. This is hardly rated when managing a difficult year. An important result of being in harmony with nature is the ability to coexist with organisms that others pay good money to destroy; a clear advantage in difficult seasons. Handford Wines has always preferred to buy from producers with this philosophy but such ideas are yet to be truly accepted by the market. The culture of buying by vintage does not sit well with biodynamic and organic farming. The Wines Rumours were rife. Which appellations and which wines were worth trying? We found surprises where we expected little and vice versa. The best wines are indeed in Pomerol, but there is no bad appellation. Perhaps the greatest concentration of good red is in the middle of the Medoc; La Lagune, Chasse Spleen, Palmer, Margaux and more. There are classically styled wines at Beychevelle, the Leovilles and Lynch Bages. Pontet Canet is the epitome of the biodynamic way but, in general, the top of the Medoc has the most disappointments. We have chosen just a few and, when prices appear, I doubt the list will get longer! There are some pretty second wines and chateaux where a little less ambition may have led to more

3 elegance and expression. Clos du Marquis, Haut Batailley, Langoa Barton and Reserve de Comtesse are excellent and should be good value. On the right bank Moulin Saint Georges (from the Vauthiers at Chateau Ausone) and the more elegant Corbin are great value. How the Offer Works Prices are quoted per case of 12 (unless stated) in bond (i.e. duty free) at London City Bond. Wines may be stored by us or transferred in bond. Most wines will be shipped in the spring or autumn of 2014 for onward delivery. When you choose to receive wines the duty (currently per case) and V.A.T. on the total value (including duty) must be paid prior to delivery. Transfer under bond and delivery to the UK mainland are free for orders over 500 (in bond value). Otherwise delivery charged at per address. Wines may be collected from 105 Old Brompton Road. Storage with us at LCB is 0.62 per case per month inc. VAT. Where possible I have included tasting notes to give an indication of style. More importantly Greg and I have tasted at least 10 wines for every wine chosen and most wines offered have been tried more than once during April Drinking dates give an idea of when the wines will be ready. There are never fixed rules and wines should be enjoyed at as many stages of their life as possible. Orders will be invoiced for payment by return. All wines offered subject to availability and subject to Handford Wines standard En-Primeur Terms & conditions of sale. Many wines are subject to allocation. Wines will be shipped to arrive Under Bond UK Spring/Autumn Free onward delivery or transfer (IB) for orders over 500. Contact James Handford MW or Greg Sherwood MW to discuss your portfolio requirements or greg@handford.net

4 Handford Wines Bordeaux En-Primeur 2012 St Estephe Case Size Price IB Ormes de Pez Dark dusty fruits, black forest berries, pastille, cassis confit. Creamy, textured caramel oak touch, fine grained chalky tannins, and a fresh vibrant raspberry coulis finish. An attractive wine Cos d Estournel Ripe, lightly Porty black fruited nose, sweet confit, forest berry and leafy sappy edge. Creamy, well extracted, will gain elegance and poise with time in barrel Pagodes de Cos Rich black cherry pith, burnt cedar and graphite notes, with a wet grey slate mineral focus. Fruits are fleshy and round. Touch of confit fruit weight. Creamy mineral tannins and moderate, easy drinking freshness Calon Segur Spicy perfumed cassis fruit notes. Leafy edge. Creamy, dense, soft fine tannins, creamy pastille bonbon sweets, purple fruits and plumy lushness. Very textured and classy Marquis de Calon Creamy leafy plum-skin pithy style. Fleshy, soft tannins and good freshness. Not overly complex but vibrant and punchy Montrose Sweet leafy cassis, cherry kirsch and plum skin pith. Buttered brown toast with raspberry confit. Broad creamy gravelly mineral tannin profile, textured, almost chewy, but there is sufficient fruit depth to balance. Fine effort Le Boscq Earthy, gravelly, blue and red fruits, damp earth, vanillin and spice characteristics are present in this medium-bodied St.- Estephe. It exhibits some mineral tannins as well as a wellbalanced mouth feel and finish Lafon Rochet The opaque purple-hued 2012 Lafon Rochet reveals plenty of incense, blueberry, black raspberry and spring flower notes intermixed with a hint of forest floor. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it is a complete wine from beginning to end

5 Pauillac Case Size Price IB Pontet Canet Dark creamy black fruit, spicy pithy black berry. Incense, perfume and organic notes, savoury stalks and dusty chalky complexity. Sleek, elegant black berry and gravelly minerality, incense, tannin grip and an impressive dry textured finish. Classical in a true sense. Not a 2009 or 2010 but a very smart effort Pichon Comtesse de Lalande Classical well balanced fine wine. Black berry, cassis, brûléed oak, gravel and cedar. Lovely blend. Delicate kirsch liquor style. Tart leafy freshness, salty cassis, and oyster shell. A true classic Bordeaux blend. Well proportioned for the vintage Duhart Milon Dark sweet forest berry, ripe cassis, kirsch, cherry skins, and slight cheese cloth complexity. Minty, cassis, cool black fruited expression. Soft fine boned acids, elegant sandy tannins and a cool long black confit, perfumed finish. Light and ethereal touch. An elegant and complex effort

6 Carruades de Lafite Dark, dense tight black cassis, Cabernet fruited nose. Gravel, violets, cedar and blossom perfume. Salty cassis, oyster shell and black berry confit, drying kelp and ripe savoury stalk tannin spice. Expressive, pure fruited, elegantly extracted with adequate vibrant acidity. Medium body, moderate concentration, but enjoyable complexity Lafite Rothschild Dark black foresty kirsch liqueur notes. Liquorice, cherry, cassis and salty kelp complexity. Rich, pithy, spicy and creamy texture, dry gravelly mineral tannins, in a very classical style. Restraint, breadth and depth but perhaps without the added complexity of an exceptionally great year Lacoste Borie Sweet concentrated cassies kirsch liqueur, salty oyster shell and black berry confit. Lifted and fragrant. Rich but classical palate. Salty kelp notes, incense and pot pouri hints. Creamy textured finish with excellent balance and drink ability Grand Puy Lacoste Sweet, incense and creamy pot pouri style. Pithy spicy cassis, salty freshness, soapy edge. Powerful, expressive and concentrated. Very worthy effort from a difficult vintage Petit Mouton (6) Sweet cassies, herbaceous tobacco notes, cedar and stalk spice. Savoury black berry, rich ripe sweet tannins, herbaceous edge, sweet tobacco and creamy lactic finish. Some feel of dense fruit weight and balancing acids. Finish is cool and suave Mouton Rothschild Intensely ripe Cabernet grown on the plateau at Mouton has produced an inky / purple-coloured wine with the famous Mouton crème de cassis. Wonderfully sweet tannins envelop the enormous fruit and extravagant richness of this fullbodied Mouton Rothschild. With profound density as well as surprisingly sweet tannin, terrific effort d Armailhac Dark, dusty classical graves Cabernet nose. Taught mineral black berry, salty cassis and sea breeze. Pithy oyster shell, dry mineral grip and powdery tannin finish. Quite a pure, serious effort for the vintage Allocation Allocation

7 Clerc Milon Rich, stewed cassis, fruit cake and forest berry fruits. Coffee bonbons, and confit pithiness. Well ripened and very powerful with raisoned cranberry notes. Sweet ripe tannins, with a dusty lactic chocolate finish Lynch Bages Dark kirsch, black cherry and plum fruit. Cassis and buttered white toast. Creamy, mineral and accessible. Dry chalky extraction on the finish but with sufficient acidity, classical muscular grip and a powerful, long black fruited finish. One of our stars of the vintage Pichon Baron Sweet dense black punchy currant fruits. Dark, broody, muscular mineral style. Certainly powerful with balancing crunchy black berry acid lift and freshness Reserve de Comtesse Sweet stalk, spicy pithy leafy edge, coffee bean, charcoal, and a strong mineral vein. Vibrant fresh acids, juicy cassis and plum skin fruits. Accessible. Well judged, elegant and classy. Fine balancing act Haut Batailley Sweet, jelly powder, gelatine cassis pastille fruits. Complex savoury stalk tannin spice lift. Dense, concentrated sweet fruit, mineral graphite edge, unctuous weight, pithy spicy leafy brûlée, burnt sugar, oak spice melange. Long lingering finish. A classy effort that takes a difficult vintage in its stride Haut-Bages Liberal Fragrant, musky, perfumed red and pink fruits. Perfume and talc, compact, dense creamy fruit. Lifted opulence and vibrant acids leading to a dry, mineral finish Saint Julien Case Size Price IB Beychevelle Rich creamy textured, fine cassis brûlée notes. Fleshy, sweet ripe tannins, opulent and dense with buttered brown toast and black pastille fruit complexity on a long, suave finish Lagrange Tight restrained mineral, plum skin cassis nose. Mid palate density and tension. Creamy coating tannins and balanced fruit / acid profile. Sure to be one of the more serious efforts of the vintage

8 Le Petit Caillou Second wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou shows spicy coffee bean, cassis berry fruit and pithy spice. Soft, sleek, fresh and delicate with light touch, elegant extraction Croix de Beaucaillou Sweet intense black cassis, black cherry and pithy stalk spice. Rich and ripe but with a classical chalky mineral vein running through the wine. Good concentration, open aromatics, very sleek tannins and a delicate finish. Classy, classical Cabernet style with depth and length Ducru Beaucaillou Sweet confit, black berry jam, cassis and perfumed berry lift. Attractive aromatics, sweet buttered brown toast and suave, pithy spicy cedar notes. Lovely expression of pure Cabernet fruit. Ample broadness and complexity with great precision. Sweet kirsch finish. Creamy, classy and suave Leoville-Barton Dense, rich and powerful concentrated black fruits, chalky textured tannins, and savoury foresty black fruits. Definite salty cassis expression with complex, peppery cassis and capsicum leafy notes. A classic Barton for the medium term Langoa Barton Black current leaf, oyster shell cassis and sea breeze in a typical fleshy Langoa style. Soft, elegant palate weight, real delicacy to the texture and plenty of dusty, chalky, blueberry fruits and wonderfully soft mineral tannins. A real success Talbot Creamy musky suave mouth coating texture. Black purple fruits, black pastille and chalky fine tannins. Good breadth and depth and delicately fresh, balanced acids. Elegant wine Gruaud Larose Sweet forest fruits, loaded with sour plum and red currant jelly. Perfumed pastille fruits, vibrant acids make for a juicy, energised wine. A super zesty effort. Wow! Leoville Poyferre Creamy dark liquorice and black plum, cassis dense complexity and brûlée coffee beans and buttered brown toast. Creamy, suave lactic tannins, compact and spicy, pithy and powerful. Complete, expressive and substantial. Their run of form continues with this vintage

9 Le Petit Lion de Leoville Las Cases 2nd wine, from young vine Cab and some old vine Merlot. Creamy dusty black berry cassis fruits and stalky savoury mineral notes. Sleek, light suave palate, acid lift and vibrancy, racy core of fruit suitable for early drinking Leoville Las Cases Rich, vibrant juicy cassis, black berry and taught acids, creamy talc tannins, and delicate pastille fruit concentration. Lovely precision, energy and freshness. Pure Cab fruit notes with excellent balance, elegance and dusty gravelly chalky tannin finish. Lacks the extra flesh of a bigger 2010-style vintage but there is fine tension, purity and harmony Clos du Marquis Dark black broody tense fruit, plum skins, pithy confit and raspberry boiled sweets. Savoury mineral tannins, cassis freshness and taught mineral violets and blue berry finish. Fine pure Cabernet expression Barrel cellar at Chateau Margaux

10 Margaux Case Size Price IB Pavillon Rouge de Chateau Margaux Spicy perfume, brûlée notes, black fruits, in a classic blend. Coffee beans and mineral talc notes. Creamy, textured and dense, with cassis, pithy spice, and a dry classical mineral finish Chateau Margaux Rich, ripe raspberry and plum fruit, mineral talc notes, quite restrained. Perfumed flowers and cherry blossom. Zesty fresh acids, cherry and black berry fruit, creamy fine tannins. Opulent mocha espresso oak complexity and buttered brown toast. Great balance and fine length. Very classical and impressive for the vintage Alter Ego The second wine is a blend of 51% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot. Spicy and earthy, displaying notes of new saddle leather, roasted herbs and meaty barbecue, it is a medium-bodied, fleshy, attractive wine to drink over the next years Palmer Inky, purple colour is more saturated than most Margaux's. offers complex notes of blackberries, cassis, liquorice, truffle and spring flowers. The wine is dense, rich and full-bodied with a muscular appeal, but the tannins, as high as they are, are sweet and well-integrated. A star of the vintage Rauzan Segla Spicy foresty plummy black fruits, blackberry and perfumed creamy lactic milk chocolate note of complexity. Cool, elegant and ultra suave, feminine and precise. Cool acids, fresh vibrant finish. True class and balance Rauzan Gassies Sweet, ripe perfumed with layers of blueberry and salty cassis fruit. Creamy posh oak, cool acids, good tension and sufficient persistent length. Tannins are mineral and gravelly in a well balanced, attractive package Malescot Saint Exupery Sweet, perfumed, red berry red plum skin aromatics with a chalky dusty hint. Soft, sweet tobacco, sweet earthy plum and fine mineral grip. Fine tension and power in the wine with a deceptively long finish. A great success for the appellation Allocation

11 Cantenac Brown Dark black berry and black plum with seductive cherry confit and pithy spice. Soft, cool, creamy and lactic texture, fine powdery mineral tannins on the finish. Acids are cool and sleek and the wine shows excellent potential Giscours Sweet earthy foresty plum notes, red currant and sweet apple skin with pithy peppery notes. Soft, cool, raspberry coulis, boiled red sweets and soft crunchy acids. Suggests power but delivers elegance and delicacy so often missing in modernstyled Margaux. No brute force here. Good length and raspberry jam fruit purity on a long finish Lascombes Brûléed coffee beans, toffee sweets, mocha and brown toast. Some broody black depth to the wine. Creamy, cool black berry fruits, complex herbaceous stalk notes and fine cassis, plummy mineral tannin finish. Good depth and breadth in a more extracted modern style Siran Sweet creamy salty cassis, vinyl and oyster shell, cassis and vanilla oak spice melange. Ripe, round full flavoured wine, cassis, creamy lactic oak and good concentration and spicy persistence. Oak is very overt and showy but not raw and obtrusive. Powerful, slightly rustic but overall a highly attractive style. Bravo! Graves / Pessac Leognan Case Size Price IB Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion Spicy, earthy foresty black berry fruits, pithy, peppery, herbaceous notes. Pencil and cedar wood spice, fleshy black berry, dusty tannins and a dry chalky finish. Fleshy entry but lean restrained finish. Acids are soft and cool. Early drinker La Mission Haut Brion Chalky leafy sappy black fruit. Forest berries, earthy plum. Some lifted coffee bean brûlée notes, and brown toast. Palate is cool and delicately fleshy, fine boned, mineral and fresh. Crunchy acids, suave tannins and delicate fruit balance. Lighter, less extracted classy style for medium term drinking

12 Haut Brion Creamy dark brûléed plums and vanilla oak spice, salty cassis, oyster shell and polished wood. Oak is prominent and there is more overt extraction than LMHB resulting in a more powerful, chalky, tannic finish. Fruit weight is still delicate and light so further polishing of tannins and integration of sweet fruit should occur in barrel. A classically styled vintage for Haut Brion Clarence de Haut Brion Sweet lifted earthy coffee bean spice, black plums, earthy black berry with gravelly chalky notes intermingled. Cool, creamy, juicy black berry coulis complexity. By far the fuller bodied of the second wines. Good effort! Smith Haut Lafite Sweet earthy peaty, foresty wild plum and red apple cedar spice. Sweet coating concentration, powdery tannins and a light weight, fine balanced, dry mineral chalky finish. Good effort Les Carmes Haut Brion Sweet earthy cherry, forest berry, and a savoury touch. Asparagus, leafy plum, creamy tannins, a powdery texture, with red apple spice and a dry chalky finish Haut Bailly Sweet exotic earthy forest berry and plum fruits, brown toast and roasted nuts. Suave entry, soft fleshy textured tannins. Cool chalky and finely crafted. Powerful extract and tannins but some good palate weight. Ultra balanced and classical Domaine de Chevalier Dark foresty earthy slightly exotic fruits. Taught, lean, cool and elegantly mineral. Precise linear structure in a direct style but with impressive elegant and balance Allocation

13 Medoc Case Size Price IB Cantemerle Creamy brûlée buttered brown toast, leafy ripe stalk aromatic vein. Light, sleek, easy drinking, creamy soft extract and juicy acids. Earlier drinking style. Well made in a less is more style that will be well worth buying at the right price La Lagune Sweet dark rich kirsch liquor, cassis laden Cab dominated (65%) blend with opulence, violet blueberry lift and creamy blueberry pie vanilla spice. Dense, cool and textural with lovely balance and breadth Belgrave Black plummy grapey exotic fruit bouquet. Some fresh salty cassis fruit intensity in a relatively lighter weight and accessible style. Fine elegant depth with acids that are refreshing, balancing elegantly mineral tannins Poujeaux Dark, dusty, broody tight black fruited nose with a hint of cassis pastille. Creamy, graphite and grey slatey tannins, and a classical, mineral, salty black berry wood spice finish. Powerful, direct style with good extraction and depth Chasse Spleen Sweet, perfumed, musky bonbon marshmallow lifted nose. Black current, talc and fine forest berry purity. Cool, classical salty black plum, cassis and gravelly mineral tannins. Very considered extraction, fresh acids and classy balance make for a wine with considerable appeal Beaumont Lifted dusty chalky musky powdery bonbon cassis and cherry sweets. Creamy salty pastille fruits, cassis and black plum. Cool and spicy mineral finish. Elegant, classy style for early drinking. An accomplished effort that will be well worth the inevitably modest price Clos Lunelles Rich opulent seductive nose of cherry liquor, caramelised plums and cassies confit. Attractive espresso, brûlée vanilla spice lift. Sweet sleek entry, fleshy voluptuous palate and layers of vanilla pod and creamy cassis and wood spice richness. Taught mineral laden finish. Impressive effort

14 Saint Emilion Case Size Price IB Beausejour-Becot Slightly reduced salty cassis oyster shell nose. Taught, spicy with soft salty liquorice nuances. Some raisoned plum and raisoned cassis berries. Creamy suave and very precise style. Classy tannins and racy linear textured finish La Couspaude Sweet, earthy brûléed plums, black berry and forest notes. Delicate perfumed red fruits, creamy mineral extraction and ripe plummy cherry fruit. Softer touch extract but results in a lighter, earlier drinking effort Tertre Rotebeouf White truffle, black berry, spicy savoury tannins, peppery stalky complexity. Warming and powerful concentration. Burgundy meets Bordeaux! Chateau Lusseau Lifted black boot polish, graphite and black cassis brûlée notes, charcoal and vanilla wood spice. Rich mineral chalky vein, sleek, linear mid palate and a clean fresh acid finish. Chalky and classical elegance Monbousquet Rouge Black fruit pastille, jelly powder confection note, with graphite hints. Layers of black cassis, salty liquorice and spicy ripe tannins. Nice savoury complexity. Polished and reassuringly mineral toned. Good concentrated style with balance and poise Chateau Pavie Decesse Rich toasty brûlée and vanilla wood spice lift, perfumed ripe cassis and kirsch liquor, opulent, exotic and seductive. Palate is full and oak infused with direct cassies pastille fruit intensity and grape tannin spice. Dry mouth coating chalky grip. Beast of a wine for the vintage

15 Bellevue-Mondotte Tighter more restrained black brooding nose with hints of violet, plum skins, and raisoned cassies with an underlay of wood spice. Cool, dense, taught and sleek, fresh acids and merlot lightness of texture. Elegant powdery finish with black fruit bonbons and chalky tannin grip. Fairly polished effort Pavie Rich dark complex nose of black berry, plum, wood spice, violets, and attractive buttered brown toast notes. Palate is extracted but deftly handled. Power and elegance, ripeness and freshness with attractive oak spice. Well proportioned wine that shows class L Esprit de Pavie Soft sweet fragrant toasty dusty black pastille fruits. Soft, fleshy and spicy raw black salty plums. Merlot plumpness with Franc spice and perfume. Delicately warm on the finish Clos Fourtet Dusty chalky almost spearmint fresh lift, sweet boiled black currant sweets, violets and cassis depth. Touch of sappy plummy fruit adds extra complexity in measure. Sweet tannins, moderate extract and clean fresh, pure finish. Attractive style Cheval Blanc Sweet dark opulent fragrant nose of salty cassis perfumed violets, boiled black sweets and mineral chalky restraint. Light touch extraction again, but fruit retains the depth and vibrancy of a delicately classical Cheval vintage. Tannins are soft, ripe, fine grained and creamy and the fruits are crunchy, fresh and dark. Class act that shows pedigree. One for the early to medium term Le Petit Cheval Dusty graphite, coffee bean spicy chalky dusty notes, savoury stalk spice, powder grip, light touch extraction, earthy peppery tannins. Soft cool loose knit finish for earlier drinking Troplong Mondot Dense sweet ripe raisoned cherry kirsch liquor notes. Large extract, massive depth of fruit. Dry, mineral, grippy tannins. A ripe block buster style that will put hair on your chest!

16 Pavie Macquin Sweet leafy sappy plum flesh and skins, soft, loose knit texture, big oak but light delicate core. Attractive vibrant freshness and good length Larcis Ducasse Dark, brooding sweet dark sour plum, dense tight and complex, sleek, compact core, tension, concentration and lovely balance. Fine fresh crunchy plum cherry finish. Class act. Well proportioned, stylish wine Figeac This is a grown up wine from the start, fragrant cedary oak spice, black forest berry fruits, wonderful leafy ripe stalk savoury complexity behind the black current and plum skin spice. Super sensual, creamy, almost dreamy suaveness. Textural excellence for a difficult vintage. Wonderful freshness, balance and classicism. A superb effort Canon La Gaffeliere Sweet bonbon lift and pastille fruit ripeness. Plum and red apple spice. Slightly dry grippy tannins but kept in check by the fresh fruited mineral finish. Early to mid term drinker Moulin Saint Georges Soft confectionary shop perfume with cassis, caramelised plum, violets and blue berry with vanilla pod oak spice melange. Sweet pastille, cool black plum, cherry freshness, and a sleek, compact palate with polished tannins and wonderfully balanced mouth feel. Velvety texture, soft touch and classy effort with more personality than many wines Ausone Similar creamy brûlée caramelised pastille and cherry plum notes like the 2nd wine Chapelle. But more complete black broody fruit and damson plum notes, charcoal, cassies and crushed black cherries. Dense, full and elegantly fruited, with layers of pastille, plum, cassies and spicy cherry pith. Dense and well delineated palate texture. Suave with sufficient freshness to match in a mid term drinking style. No doubting the opulence and seamless polished style but lacks some of the depth and intensity of a vintage like Nevertheless, a very smart considered effort for the vintage TBC

17 Chapelle de Ausone Soft elegant creamy brûlée wood spice and espresso mocha nose. Broody black fruits lurk beneath the charcoal char notes. Dense, glycerol and full, soft cool acids, fleshy round opulent pastille fruited mid palate with salty liquorice and plum spice finish. Toasted biscuits and buttered toast make for an attractive earlier drinking style Angelus A strong effort, the 2012 Corbin is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc and exhibits lots of black raspberry and blueberry fruit, a seductive, medium to full-bodied texture, and impressive purity and balance. Drink this 2012 over the next years Corbin One of the superstars of the vintage, the dense 2012 offers up notes of barbecue smoke, graphite, charcoal, blueberries, blackberries, sweet cherries and forest floor. Terrific fruit intensity, a powerful, layered, multi-dimensional mouth feel and full body, it should be drinkable at an early age given the sweetness of the tannin TBC Fermentation tanks at Petrus Pomerol Case Size Price IB Chateau Gazin Sweet delicate lift of cherry kirsch liquor, black cassies and salty oyster shell. Touch broody. Light, ethereal and delicate entry, supple, soft fleshy mid palate and a spicy, graphite black fruited finish. Suave fine grained silky tannins, elegance and balance win the day

18 La Conseillante Lifted blueberry and violet perfume, cherry, kirsch liquor and sour plum opulence. Palate is fresh, vibrant and elegant with creamy chalky tannins, linear textural precision and some tension in the wine. Beautifully bright finish with a lot of appeal. A big success for the vintage L Eglise Clinet Sweet, very opulent oak vanilla and pastille fruit depth. Very classy, dense and long. Seductive signature kirsch cherry liquor style. Densely fruited, supple texture and creamy, concentrated fruit depth held in suspension by vibrant bright acids. Brûlée cassis heaven. Wine of the vintage contender Chateau Clinet Taught dark tight nose, gravel, black plum, graphite and sweet cedary oak spice. Massively retrained and closed but shows a handsome textural elegance, suave fine grained ripe tannins and cool fresh acids. Fine mineral depth in a classical, elegant style Vieux Chateau Certan (VCC) Lifted fragrant, ripe, leafy plummy edge, green leafy complexity, fleshy and plum skin spice. Real delicate style, texture and elegance. Creamy delicacy, fine freshness and suave light touch. Class and elegance with total pedigree. Freshness should sustain the wine adequately for 15 to 20 years Petrus Dark broody tight deep serious nose of charcoal, cassies, savoury spice, roasted coffee beans, white flowers, blossom, elderflower, plummy spice and lactic creamy milk chocolate. Palate is a broad, sleek, table top, wide, but so suave, cool and elegant. Alcohol adds spicy glycerol weight but the delicate fresh red fruit acids frame the silky textured tannins perfectly. Hints of leafy savoury tannin spice develop in the glass, with peppery ripe stalk notes adding a positive herbaceous complexity. Texture is seamless, balance very impressive. A vintage made in the vineyard, not in the cellar! Wine of the vintage contender Allocation 6 TBC 6 Allocation

19 L'Evangile (Lafite) Bold forward nose of plum skins, raisoned cassis, brûlée notes and fruit cake hints. Some ripe stalk savoury complexity. Palate is pithy, spicy, savoury and peppery. Tannins are extracted and powerful at this stage but should be polished up in barrel. The fruits are sweet, fairly foresty with earthy notes. Palate is weighty and fairly unctuous, but with racy raw acids framing the wine. Creamy, grippy mineral edge to the wine. Certainly a powerful expression for Lafleur Petrus (6) The stunning 2012 is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it offers a big, sweet kiss of mulberry jam intermixed with black cherries, raspberries and even blacker fruits as well as a subtle touch of oak. The wine is full, rich, concentrated and moderately tannic. It is nearly as good as the 2010 and Bravo Lafleur (6) Reminiscent of the 2001 Lafleur, the 2012 is supple and elegant as well as impressively pure, textured and mediumbodied, with sensual kirsch-like fruit intermixed with loamy soil, liquorice and incense notes. It possesses a deep ruby colour with purple nuances, and is stunningly pure with no hard edges. This 2012 will be drinking well by age 5 or 6 and should keep for 15 or more Trotanoy (6) The blockbuster 2012 Trotanoy has more in common with the 2009 or 2010 than most 2012s do. It stands as an example of just how successful Pomerol was in A dense black / purple colour is followed by a bouquet of minerals/crushed rocks, powerful, intense black currant, liquorice, roasted meat, barbecue and truffle notes. Full-bodied and superconcentrated, it is an amazing tour de force in this irregular as well as challenging vintage. Trotanoy s 2012 should be on every connoisseur s buying list Certan de May Round and easygoing with sweet tannin and early accessibility, the precociously formed 2012 Certan de May exhibits notes of bay leaves, black currants, black cherries and underbrush. Ripe and medium-bodied, great depth, richness and early drinkability. Consume it over the next years TBC 6 Allocation 6 Allocation 6 Allocation

20 Hosanna (6) Hosanna s dense ruby / purple colour is followed by a floral, black raspberry, black currant, mulberry, Christmas fruitcake and liquorice-scented bouquet. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and strikingly pure, it combines great finesse and elegance with power and substance. Should age nicely for two decades or more Le Pin (6) Rich, brûlée, savoury sweet black berry spice notes. Sweet, herbaceous complex leafy plummy lift, fragrance and coffee bean brûlée notes. Opulent, complex, seductive. Creamy, peppery spicy depth. Crunchy merlot vibrancy, red plum, red currant and bright acidity. Bravo Jacques! Allocation 12 Allocation Sweet White Bordeaux Case Size Price IB Lafaurie Peyraguey Ripe green apples, yellow citrus, mineral lift. Complex. Well proportion and fine balance. Pithy spice, purity and seamless texture. Good effort! La Tour Blanche Perfumed lemon jam, citrus, grapefruit zest and white peach and passion fruit hints. Pithy, vibrant acids, super fresh, clean and fine poise and balance. Classy expression

21 Dry White Bordeaux Case Size Price IB Domaine de Chevalier Blanc Sec 2012 Rich fleshy complex yellow pastille, melon, yellow grapefruit and pineapple zest. Fresh, creamy, ultra balanced. Super acids and delicately herby complex finish. Another classic! Margaux Pavillon Blanc % Sauvignon Blanc, Fresh, lifted white citrus, white pepper, grapefruit, lemon grass, rich textured, ripe and grapey. Classy, elegance, good length. Complex, fresh and a very good terroir expression All wines offered subject to availability and subject to Handford Wines standard En-Primeur Terms & conditions of sale. Many wines are subject to allocation. Wines will be shipped to arrive Under Bond UK Spring/Autumn Free onward delivery or transfer (IB) for orders over 500. Contact James Handford MW or Greg Sherwood MW to discuss your portfolio requirements or greg@handford.net