Handford Wines Bordeaux En Primeur 2017 Offer

Transcription

1 Pebbles of Chateau Haut Brion Handford Wines Bordeaux En Primeur 2017 Offer Frosty reception. Standing ovation Page 1 of 16

2 Introduction Frost damage in April made the headlines. One night rarely defines a vintage; many of the great vineyards are planted in low risk areas and so damage was minimal. Through the rest of the season the more important weather events did not diminish the whole; a dry and fresh enough July and August was ideal for fruit set and development; rains in the first half of September were, by and large early enough to allow harvesting during the dry days following 20 th. These served to encourage growers to be patient before picking especially Cabernet Sauvignon at the end of the month. The best wines are the Cabernet dominated Medocs, often Saint Estephe. What s it like? Weather stats suggest similarities to 2009, 2012 and Clearly there isn t the ripeness of 2009, but there is the class and there is more poise and balance. The consensus seems to be 2014 with a few more horse power. That goes for right bank too where the vineyards on the plateau looked very healthy indeed in September. What s best? Ask a good, honest wine merchant; it s a year to focus on the few very good wines that are out there, and they need finding. The best have not been pressed to perdition, nor picked in the pouring rain. Selection of the best fruit is one important key to quality nowadays. Go with a winery that is prepared to sacrifice the average in order to stay the best. It s difficult to persuade the accountant of such wine values when volumes have already been hit by frost. Saint Estephe (plenty of examples from le Boscq, through Lafon Rochet and Ormes de Pez, and up the chain to Calon and Cos); the high parts of Pauillac (Mouton, Clerc Milon, Grand Puy Lacoste and a few surprises in the lesser knowns too, Lacoste Borie and Grand Puy Ducasse); and Saint Julien gave us some very pretty examples (Langoa Barton, Talbot and Lagrange). The Graves suffered the double whammy of frost in April and then hail at the end of August. The latter didn t affect Haut Brion so much as it turned in a near wine of the vintage performance yet again. As in 2014 there are some truly fine examples in Pomerol, and perhaps more in Saint Emilion (Tertre Roteboeuf, La Croizille, Figeac, Clos Fourtet, Canon and Larcis Ducasse jump out of the note book). Again, we choose the silky, soft and earlier drinking reds as the ones to grab. At this point, it s worth asking the question; is longevity and quality one and the same? If you would like a quote on a specific Chateau that is not included in this offer, please do ask James or Greg at any point and they will endeavour to give you an offer if prices have been released. Page 2 of 16

3 James Handford MW Pick of 2017 Chateau Clarke per 6 This is a seductive dark purple, mulberry coloured wine. The nose flows with violets, sweet black Cabernet Sauvignon cassis fruits, black pastille, and ripe blueberry and caramelized plums. Having a large dollop of Merlot in the blend affords the 2017 an extra level of plumpness, fat, and concentration that is enjoyable from the start. The midpalate is dense, very texturally suave, and impressively long. True to 2017, there are sleek, chalky, cherry skin tannins that are lifted up and serenaded beautifully by precise, piercing, fresh grape acids. Chateau Clarke has created another very attractive wine. Drink from 2020 to (91-92/100) Greg Sherwood MW Picks of 2017 Chateau La Croizille 2017 St Emilion Grand per 6 The neighbour of Francois Mitjavile s Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf, La Croizille is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has a showy, extroverted quality and indeed the 2017 La Croizille is certainly among the best wines produced to date. The 2017 has a nose that is seductively perfumed and lifted, packed full of cherry blossoms, violets and an exotic undertone of cherry kirsch liqueur. The caramelized oak notes add a wonderfully opulent gloss to the wine! The palate is dark, dense and powerful loaded with opulent flavours of hoisin sauce, tart cherry confit, bramble berries, sweet cassis and vanilla pod spice. The balance is impressive, spreading broad and wide across the palate. A classical, seductive St Emilion, plump yet fresh, dense, sweet fruited and gravelly, yet finely focused. Drink from 2020 to (92-94/100 Greg Sherwood MW) Chateau L Ecuyer 2017 The 2017 Château L Ecuyer has a perfumed and floral bouquet of crushed purple violets filtering through the dark cherry and cassis fruit, which gains more complexity as it opens up in the glass. The palate is medium bodied with fine mineral tannins that are cloaked in layers of lightly toasted oak spice and dark bramble berry fruits. Another exemplary Pomerol from this super 3 hectare estate that continues to threaten to break into the big league and join the top table along side close neighbours such as Chateau Petrus. Drink from 2020 to (92-94/100 Greg Sherwood MW) Page 3 of 16

4 How the Offer Works Prices are quoted per case of 6 (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 of 2020 for onward delivery. When you choose to receive wines the duty (currently per 9 litre case or per case of 6 bottles) and V.A.T. on the total value (including duty) must be paid prior to delivery. Due to the unique nature of en primeur sales we regret that orders cannot be cancelled unless delivery takes place within 30 days of the order. 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 0.80 per case per month ex-vat. 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 james@handford.net greg@handford.net Page 4 of 16

5 The Wines Saint-Estephe Chateau Capbern per 6 The tentative blend for the 2017 Capbern is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple coloured, it gives exuberant red cherries, blackberries and black raspberries on the nose with touches of bay leaves and dusty soil. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and fresh with chewy tannins and an earthy finish. Chateau le Boscq per 6 St Estephe seems the place to be for these less expensive reds. Pure, grainy acids well entrenched into lifted, black fruits. This will become very attractive in the medium term and likely to be happy in the cellar well into the 2030s. Chateau Ormes de Pez per 6 Small red cherries and kirsch form a pretty bouquet thats quite forward and perfumed with touches of lavender emerging with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins succulent for Les Ormes de Pez and imparting a fleshier and more approachable texture. This is nicely balanced with a touch of graphite on the finish lending it an almost Pauillac-like personality. Chateau Lafon-Rochet 2017 Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2017 Lafon-Rochet gives up subtle cassis and black cherry notes with hints of sautéed herbs, damp soil and pencil lead. Medium-bodied and slightly thin in the mouth, it has a well-played chewy texture and nice freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. Page 5 of 16

6 Chateau Calon Segur 2017 The 2017 Calon-Ségur is tentatively blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it opens with pronounced black currants, crushed blackberries and fresh black plums with hints of cigar box, sandalwood and cinnamon stick plus a waft of mossy bark. The palate is mediumbodied, elegant, energetic and fresh with layers of black fruit, perfumed incense and fragrant earth notions, lingering nicely with exotic spices coming through on the finish. Pauillac Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse 2017 The 2017 Grand-Puy-Ducasse is deep garnet-purple in colour with a nose of fresh blueberries and black currants plus touches of underbrush, pencil lead and mocha spice. The palate is medium-bodied with firm chewy tannins and something of a roasted bruleed note on the finish. Les Haut de Pontet Canet 2017 Not tasted at En-primeur but always a great value second wine. Lacoste Borie 2017 The 2017 Lacoste-Borie showed a little earthiness on the nose with lovely purity and definition. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy mineral tannin, a grainy texture with brambly red fruits laced with baking powder and white pepper towards a light, elegant finish. Page 6 of 16

7 Chateau Haut Bages Liberal 2017 The Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2017 has generous bouquet with plush red cherry and crushed strawberry scents, touches of cassis developing in the glass. The palate is better with gently gripping tannin and an attractive grainy texture. It is nicely balanced with blackberry and graphite notes on the linear finish. Chateau Clerc Milon per 6 A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère, the 2017 Clerc Milon is deep garnet-purple in colour and scented of crushed red and black currants, wild blueberries and black pepper with touches of cigar box, violets, underbrush and menthol. Medium-bodied and with a very firm structure of wonderfully ripe, pixelated tannins and exhilarating freshness, it finishes long with notes of pebbles and floral perfume. Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 2017 The 2017 unfurls with each swirl, black fruits at first, then GPL s trademark, graphite and gravel scents storm into the room. Leaving the glass aside for 10 minutes there is a distant tang of shucked oyster shells. The palate is understated on the entry. This is not a powerhouse Grand-Puy-Lacoste, rather one that emphasizes finesse and precision. It is almost unerringly low-key and yet there is an enormous length already in place. Chateau Lynch Bages 2017 This is tightly coiled at the moment, gritty in the mouth but I like the Pauillac typicité here not a million miles away from Grand Puy Lacoste in style. This deserves respect and I suspect it will age with style. Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2017 The 2017 Mouton Rothschild has one of the highest percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon ever at 90%, with 9% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Very deep purple-black in color, the nose is already singing of crushed black currants, warm blackberries and chocolate-covered cherries with hints of violets, star anise, cinnamon stick and cloves plus wafts of pencil lead and unsmoked cigars. Medium-bodied, wonderfully delicate yet intense in the mouth (gaining some richness in the mid-palate on my second taste two and a half weeks later), it has super fine-grained, smooth tannins and incredible freshness, finishing very long with tons of tightly wound layers. Wow. This vintage is going to be very long-lived in the cellar! (97-99/100 RP) Page 7 of 16

8 Saint-Julien Chateau Beychevelle per 6 Deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2017 Beychevelle opens with gregarious cassis and blackberry pie notes with touches of baking spices and underbrush plus a waft of lavender. Medium-bodied with a great core of ripe black fruits, it has a firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and balancing freshness, finishing long. The final blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Chateau Lagrange 2017 The medium to deep garnet-purple coloured 2017 Lagrange is 100% Merlot and opens with a seriously plummy nose with a compelling undercurrent of spice cake, potpourri and chocolate box plus a waft of sage. Medium-bodied, taut and muscular with a rugged frame of chewy tannins and lively acid, it finishes with an energizing herbal lift. Chateau Talbot per 6 Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2017 Talbot is a little closed on the nose with subtle plums and blackberries notes plus hints of underbrush, black olives and wood smoke. Medium-bodied with a firm frame of chewy tannins, it has lovely freshness and a savoury finish. Page 8 of 16

9 Chateau Langoa-Barton per 6 The 2017 Langoa Barton is impressive in barrel. It has an complex bouquet of redcurrant, blackberry and cedar aromas with a hint of violet as it opens in the glass. This is a lovely effort. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe black cherry and raspberry fruit on the entry. A joyous, exuberant Langoa Barton with a sensual long concentrated finish. What a great 2017 Saint Julien from team Barton. Chateau Leoville-Barton 2017 The 2017 Leoville Barton is deep garnet-purple in color with a nose of warm cassis, fresh blackberries and blueberries with hints of violets, dark chocolate and licorice. Mediumbodied with a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, it gives a fantastic core of fruit and wonderful length. Margaux Chateau Haut Breton Larigaudiere per 6 The 2017 Château Haut Breton Larigaudière has a classic perfumed bouquet that is floral and full of personality, highlighting the best elements of the Margaux terroir expression. The palate is full and textured brimming with blackberry and raspberry fruit, nicely integrated oak and a well-defined, elegant finish. A very satisfying Margaux indeed. Page 9 of 16

10 Chateau d Issan Blason d Issan 2017 The Blason d'issan 2017 has a light, rather fragrant bouquet that shows a lot of complexity and precision for a deuxième vin. The nose is medium-bodied with soft, supple tannins and ample flesh on the finish. Chateau d Issan 2017 The deep garnet-purple coloured 2017 d'issan (a tentative blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot) opens with crushed blueberries and black plums notes with hints of cassis, licorice and violets. Medium-bodied with a firm and finely grained frame, it has oodles of freshness lifting the ripe black and blue fruits to a long, perfumed finish. Chateau Rausan-Segla 2017 Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot and sporting a deep garnet-purple colour, the 2017 Rausan-Segla has a profound nose of cassis, warm blackberries and black plums with touches of baking spices, violets, mocha and smoke plus a waft of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied with a great core of sustained, energetic black fruit, a frame of fine-grained tannins and a lively backbone, it finishes with great length. Chateau Cantenac Brown 2017 With a larger proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon this year, the blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cantenac Brown leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of cassis, warm plums and black forest cake with touches of violets, dark chocolate, cloves and cigar box plus a waft of lavender. The palate is medium-bodied and firm with fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with plenty of black fruit and perfumed layers. Page 10 of 16

11 Haut Medoc Chateau Chasse-Spleen per 6 Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2017 Chasse-Spleen has a nose of baked blackberries and plum preserves with tapenade and hoisin hints. The mouth is mediumbodied, firm with mineral tannins and a precise, focused mid-palate and a dry graphite spice finish. Chateau Clarke per 6 This is a seductive dark purple, mulberry coloured wine. The nose flows with violets, sweet black Cabernet Sauvignon cassis fruits, black pastille, and ripe blueberry and caramelized plums. Having a large dollop of Merlot in the blend affords the 2017 an extra level of plumpness, fat, and concentration that is enjoyable from the start. The mid-palate is dense, very texturally suave, and impressively long. True to 2017, there are sleek, chalky, cherry skin tannins that are lifted up and serenaded beautifully by precise, piercing, fresh grape acids. Chateau Clarke has created another very attractive wine. Drink from 2020 to Chateau Beaumont per 6 The 2017 Beaumont has a straight forward blackberry and raspberry bouquet that feels a little subdued at the moment and needs a tad more harmony. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin, solid and conservative yet with good density. It does not quite "flow" like the best vintages of this Haut-Médoc, but suspect it will improve with another couple of years in bottle to soften. Chateau Poujeaux per 6 Medium to deep garnet-purple in colour, the 2017 Poujeaux has a nose of crushed black currants, blackberries and black pepper with touches of garrigue and bay leaves. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm, grippy structure and a sleek mid-palate, finishing with dusty tannins and graphite spice. Chateau Belgrave per 6 As at Clarke yields are down a bit with Cabernet bringing a little more to the party. It s astonishing how little of these high note varieties in the blend will force a spring like squeak on the finish. A chirrup from the cab and a drop of syrup from the Merlot make a well rounded youngster. Cosmopolitan and cool in style, Belgrave is very easy on the eye. Page 11 of 16

12 Graves / Pessac Leognan Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion 2017 Deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2017 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a little reticent to begin, opening up to fragrant notes of potpourri and oolong tea over a core of crushed red and black currants plus hints of violets, dark chocolate and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, it has an ambitious palate with firm, grainy tannins slightly masking the elegant fruit, finishing with good length and intensity Chateau Haut Bailly 2017 The 2017 Haut-Bailly is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple coloured, it has a wonderfully spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, anise and fenugreek with core of roses, warm blueberries, black forest cake and black raspberries plus hints of underbrush and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied with firm, ripe, grainy tannins, it has oodles of freshness and great finesse, continuing bright and energetic on the long, minerally finish. Chateau Haut Brion 2017 Composed of 53% Merlot, 40.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.3% Cabernet Franc, the very deep purple-black coloured 2017 Haut-Brion is a little closed on the nose, revealing fresh blackberries, black currants and dark chocolate with suggestions of pencil shavings, beef drippings, tilled soil and cracked black pepper plus a waft of lavender. Medium to full-bodied, it has very firm, ripe, grainy tannins and a lively backbone structuring the tightly knit earth and black fruit layers, finishing with compelling mineral and perfumed layers. One of our potential candidates for wine of the vintage. Page 12 of 16

13 St Emilion & Pomerol Chateau L Ecuyer 2017 The 2017 Château L Ecuyer has a perfumed and floral bouquet of crushed purple violets filtering through the dark cherry and cassis fruit, which gains more complexity as it opens up in the glass. The palate is medium bodied with fine mineral tannins that are cloaked in layers of lightly toasted oak spice and dark bramble berry fruits. Another exemplary Pomerol from this super 3 hectare estate that continues to threaten to break into the big league and join the top table along side close neighbours such as Chateau Petrus. Chateau La Croizille per 6 The neighbour of Francois Mitjaville s Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf, La Croizille is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has a showy, extroverted quality and indeed the 2017 La Croizille is certainly among the best wines produced to date. The 2017 has a nose that is seductively perfumed and lifted, packed full of cherry blossoms, violets and an exotic undertone of cherry kirsch liqueur. The caramelized oak notes add a wonderfully opulent gloss to the wine! The palate is dark, dense and powerful loaded with opulent flavours of hoisin sauce, tart cherry confit, bramble berries, sweet cassis and vanilla pod spice. The balance is impressive, spreading broad and wide across the palate. A classical, seductive St Emilion, plump yet fresh, dense, sweet fruited and gravelly, yet finely focused. Chateau Tour Baladoz per 6 The 2017 Tour Baladoz is medium to deep garnet-purple in colour and resonates with notes of warm black plums, crushed blackberries and blackcurrant cordial with hints of Indian spices, violets and a hint of mint leaf. The palate is medium-bodied with full, firm grainy limestone tannins with a solid core of dark fruits, dark chocolate and great vibrant freshness. The finish is expressive and intense, velvety and concentrated. A great effort. Page 13 of 16

14 Chateau La Tour Figeac 2017 At La Tour Figeac located between Figeac and Cheval Blanc there is a little hill of Cabernet Franc that did not get touched by the frost. This explains why there is so little Merlot in the blend this year and why it's mainly made up of Cabernet Franc (80%, with the rest Merlot), an atypical blend for this wine. Stéphane Derenoncourt explained, "Some châteaux have blends that they never had before, and sometimes it is only with the best plots because that is all they had." The 2017 La Tour Figeac is medium to deep garnetpurple in colour with an absolutely enchanting nose of perfumed red currants and black raspberries with underlying roses, lavender and pencil shavings plus touches of crushed rocks and cast iron pan. Medium-bodied, very elegant and yet wonderfully intense, it has a very firm frame of ripe, finely grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Chateau Soutard 2017 Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2017 Soutard is a little closed at first, giving way to redcurrant jelly, kirsch and mulberries on the nose with hints of garrigue, Provence herbs and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied, soft and plush with tons of freshness and a perfumed earthy finish. Chateau Larcis Ducasse 2017 The 2017 Larcis Ducasse is deep garnet-purple coloured with a bombastic, gregarious nose of preserved plums, baked blackberries and mocha with hints of sautéed herbs, pencil lead and char-grilled meats plus a waft of yeast extract. The palate is big, rich and full-bodied with a very firm frame of chewy tannins and lashings of oak joining with opulent fruit, finishing long. Chateau Petit Village 2017 Petit Village was completely spared from the frosts in Composed of 71% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Petit Village is deep garnet-purple in color and is a little reticent to begin, with slowly emerging notes of warms plums, blackberry pie and baked blueberries plus sparks of kirsch, licorice, camphor and chargrill. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a generous amount of mid-palate flesh and really ripe, plush tannins, finishing with loads of blue, black and red fruit layers. Chateau Tertre Rotboeuf per 6 Another smooth, silky TRB whose otherworldly charms have only been enhanced by a vintage that has given more than it has taken away here. The assimilation of a point forest fruits, hints of tropical berries and fresh herbs along with perfectly ripe, soft tannins is simply unparalleled. A thing of beauty. Page 14 of 16

15 Chateau Canon 2017 The deep purple-black coloured 2017 Canon offers-up intense notes of crushed blackberries, black cherries and warm cassis with touches of fertile loam, yeast extract, beef drippings and iron ore plus a waft of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied with great freshness and firm, rounded tannins, it's very earthy in the mouth, finishing long and mineral-laced. A very serious wine, it is also fun, bright and vivacious and should age impressively. Chateau Clos Fourtet 2017 Deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2017 Clos Fourtet is scented of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and plum preserves with touches of hoisin, truffles and dark chocolate plus a waft of anise. Medium to full-bodied, the generous fruit is plush textured with great freshness, finishing long and spicy. Chateau Figeac 2017 The 2017 Figeac is composed of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Very deep garnet-purple in colour, the nose sings of Cabernet Sauvignon bright crushed black currants, blackberries and wild blueberries with wafts of lilacs, pencil shavings, tobacco, tilled earth plus a hint of bay leaves. The medium-bodied mouth is fine, elegant, minerally and incredibly vivacious with tons of energy. Bright and refreshing with firm, grainy tannins and a provocative hint of chew, it finishes with great length. This should age wonderfully. 100% new oak was used for this sample and it is very well-integrated. Chateau Vieux Chateau Certan 2017 Composed of 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple coloured 2017 Vieux Château Certan gives up gorgeous black raspberries, crushed black currants and warm black berries on the nose with chocolate-covered cherries, violets and star anise suggestions plus black truffles and wood smoke. The palate is medium to full-bodied with wonderful concentration in the mid-palate and firm, very finely pixelated tannins, with seamless freshness and fantastic length. Chateau Cheval Blanc 2017 The 2017 Cheval Blanc is composed of 56% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon for this wine. Deep garnetpurple coloured, it opens slowly to reveal a gorgeous lilacs, roses, liquorice and black truffles nose over a compelling core of cassis, warm plums, wild blueberries and cigar box plus a waft of wood smoke. Medium to full-bodied, firm and earthy in character on the palate, it packs in tightly wound fruits and mineral accents, culminating in a long, perfumed finish. 50,000 bottles are to be produced. Page 15 of 16

16 Other Appellations Chateau le Rey les Rocheuses 2017 Cotes de Castillon per 6 A Chateau recently rekindled and repackaged in burgundy bottle to emphasise a idiosyncratic style, not unlike Tertre Rotboeuf! This is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc grown on a rare outcrop of hard limestone and made to match the best of Saint Emilion. The team are from the highly prized Chateau Violette and overseen by Michel Rolland dozen made. Domaine de Cambes 2017 Bordeaux per 6 From the same property as Roc de Cambes but not within the boundaries of Cotes de Bourg, the Domaine boasts almost as many 50 year old vines. Though there was some loss to the April frost here the quality is little short of the Roc. Roc de Cambes 2017 Cotes de Bourg per 6 A property bought by Francois Mitjaville in 1987 and do, unlike the many pretenders, is tried and tested. Vertical tastings never fail to impress and often outshine the biggest of names. 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Sweet Bordeaux Whites Chateau d Arche Sauternes per 6 The 2017 D'Arche gives up fresh apple juice, lemon curd and pink grapefruit notions with touches of crushed rocks and white pepper. The palate gives appealing purity with a lively backbone cutting through the rich fruit, finishing on a lemony note. Chateau Raboud-Promis Sauternes per 6 The 2017 Rabaud-Promis opens with pronounced lime cordial and lemon tart notes with hints of pineapple and candied peel. The mouth gives pristine, super pure flavours with a wicked acid backbone and great length. Page 16 of 16