Bordeaux 2013 Médoc Pessac-Léognan Graves Sauternes

Bordeaux 2013 Médoc Pessac-Léognan Graves Sauternes By Derek Smedley MW Last Updated 3/31/2018 Derek Smedley MW, Rectory Cottage, Lilley, Hertfordshire, LU2 8LU. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Tasting notes from the following growers: Contents Saint-Estèphe... 4 Pauillac... 7 Saint-Julien... 12 Margaux... 16 Moulis... 21 Listrac... 23 Haut-Médoc... 23 Médoc... 27 Pessac-Léognan... 30 Pessac-Léognan Blanc... 34 Graves Rouge... 37 Sauternes... 37 Barsac... 42 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 2

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Bordeaux 2013 Médoc / Pessac-Léognan / Graves / Sauternes / Barsac Tasted in Bordeaux En-Primeur March / April 2014 Tasted on other occasions see date & place in italics 2013 was a difficult and challenging year when money and wine making skills were very important. Money the richer châteaux could double, treble the number of pickers when it became clear that speed was all important and those who were gentle in their wine making not over extracting have made better wine. The red wines do vary considerably in quality whilst the dry white wines are good and more consistent and there are some excellent sweet wines from Sauternes and Barsac (a burst of Noble Rot at the right time). The cool temperatures at the end of winter and into spring delayed the shooting and flowering and the rain during this period lead to millerandage and coulure especially in the Merlot. The summer was hot and dry with a few storms in July and August the sunny start to September giving way a troubled humid mid and late September creating the ideal conditions for the onset of Botrytis dashing the hopes of a great vintage and causing a rush to pick. Sorting was essential yet despite this and gentleness and care during fermentation and maceration many wines are weak and over acidic yet despite the pips being unripe there was a lack of greenness in most of the wines. The well managed vineyards that naturally achieve early ripeness have on the whole done better than those that rely on Indian summers the Merlot tended to suffer with in many places the cabernet achieving a better standard. The colours tend to be lighter than usual many wines having more of a red fruit character freshness and brightness some quite delicate wines that will come forward quite quickly and certainly are not for very long cellaring. Parts of the Médoc are the weakest with more depth of flavour in many of the wines from Pomerol. It is not another 1992, 1984 or even 1977 yet the weakest vintage since 1997 but time will tell; the wines could turn out with time to be more like 2002, 2004 and 2007. So much will turn on price. Whilst one appreciates that the quantity is small unless prices are lower than 2011 and 2012 it will be very difficult to recommend any. Claret 6/10 Keep Sauternes 7/10 Keep 3 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Saint-Estèphe Château Le Boscq 86-88 2018-24 Firm on the nose the palate starts quite tight but there are richer black fruits in the middle and a greater depth of flavour at the back. The tannins are quite obvious on the finish which is firm and tight. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 88 2018-28 The nose is still tight the start of the palate firm but there is mid depth a mix of black fruits. The tannins do hold back the fruit at the moment but there is quite good depth of fruit on the finish. Château Calon-Ségur 3eme Cru 89-92 2019-28 Fragrant and floral the nose has lots of violets and the start of the palate is bright and fresh fruited. Cassis and black cherry give a richer feel in the middle but the back palate has the firmness of black cherry structured and slightly tight. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 90 2019-28 The nose has spring violet fragrances the start of the palate is light with fresh black fruits. Black cherry richness in the middle the fruit supported by firm tannins and although tight at the back there is some sweet fruit behind. Château Capbern Gasqueton 87-89 2018-24 The nose has a mix of perfumes and the palate lots of black cherry and sloe. There is mid depth the richer flavours slightly held back by the tannins but it fills out at the back with a nice depth of fruit. Tasted at the Liberty tasting The Oval September 2016 88 2018-24 The nose is light fresh with a mix of black fruits the start of the palate firm. There is some mid sweetness ripe black cherry and although fair weight of fruit at the back the finish is light and firm. Château Cos d Estournel 2eme Cru 90-93 2020-30 Rich on the nose yet there are fragrances hints of violets and the start of the palate has black fruited power. Chocolate and coffee add to the mid complexity the cassias and black cherry giving richness towards the back. The tannins at the back are firm but not aggressive and there is just a hint of spice on the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 92 2020-30 The nose has depth richness the palate a mix of black fruits some fragrant fresh bilberry backed by richer black cherry and blackcurrant. Chocolate and coffee at the back the tannins are still firm but not aggressive and it finishes with spicy richness. Château Cos Labory 5eme Cru 86-88 2020-28 The nose is firm the start of the palate tight with the freshness of bramble and bilberry. There are some richer fruits on the mid palate cassis and black cherry but at the back it is light and fresh fruited. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 87 2020-28 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 4

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 The nose is closed the palate tight the fruit underpinned by hard tannins. Slightly richer slightly more depth in the middle but the tannins takeover and shorten the finish. Château Le Crock 85-88 2018-28 Spring violets there is are lots of different perfumes on the nose. The palate starts with sweet black fruits with some rich flavours but at the back it is fresher and firmer the tannins a bit aggressive the finish slightly dry. Tasted at the Bordeaux Grands Cru tasting London May 2014 85-88 2018-28 Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 89 2018-28 Firm on the nose and tight on the palate the fruit is fresh the palate lacking richness and sweetness. Black fruits dominate a mix of black cherry and cassis the tannins are obvious on the back palate closing down the finish. Dame de Montrose 86-90 2017-27 Firm on the nose the palate is quite tight with lots of firm black cherry. There is mid sweetness cassis and some black plum with at the back freshness that gives a slightly lighter finish. Château Lafon-Rochet 4eme Cru 84-87 2020-28 Tight on the nose the palate is very firm with some aggressive tannin. The mid palate lacks depth black fruited the slightly sweeter flavours in the middle overtaken by the tannins that dry the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 87 2019-28 The nose is fresh lacking in fruit the palate tight the tannins obvious and aggressive. Black cherry richness in the middle is overtaken by the tannins the finish is short and tending to dry. Château Lilian Ladouys 88 2018-28 Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 Light on the nose a mix of fresh black fruits the palate is richer with cassis and black cherry in the middle. The tannins are still firm but it does fill out with sweet fruit at the back. Marquis de Calon 85-88 2016-24 Bright and fresh on the nose the palate has lots of bramble and bilberry. The mid tannins are firm the finish lighter with freshness on the finish. Château Montrose 2eme Cru 90-93 2020-30 The nose has a brooding depth and the start of the palate has lots of rich fruit. Black fruits are backed by liquorice further enriched by chocolate but towards the back there is a balancing freshness that gives a lighter more elegant feel to the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 91 2020-30 The fruit on the nose is firm a mix of black fruits the palate has a brooding richness black cherry and cassis all backed by liquorice. The tannins are very firm but not aggressive and there is enough fruit behind them. The finish is lighter with bilberry and bramble. 5 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Château Ormes de Pez 83-86 2018-28 The nose is misleading as the fruit feels quite sweet but the palate is tight the fruit held back by aggressive tannins that dry and shorten the finish. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 87 2018-28 The nose has freshness the start of the palate bright the tannins though tight firm a bit aggressive. Slightly more depth at the back but the finish is tight and lacks length. Pagodes de Cos 86-89 2017-27 The nose is firm the start of the palate quite tight with the fresher black fruits to the fore. There is some mid sweetness but the obvious tannins do tend to close down and tighten the back palate and finish. Château Petit Bocq 82-84 2017-27 Bilberry and bramble refresh the nose with slightly more depth some richer sweeter fruit in the middle. The tannins are very obvious the back palate taut and the finish lean and dry. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 84 2017-27 Firm on the nose the palate is tight the tannins hard and drying. A touch sweeter at the back but the finish lacks richness and is taut and dry. Château de Pez 86-88 2020-28 Firm tight there is not a lot of fruit showing on the nose but the palate is slightly richer with a mix of cassis and black cherry. The tannins at the back are tending to dry and slightly shorten the finish. Château Phélan-Ségur 85-89 2020-30 Although the nose is firm there is more fruit at the back and the palate start with richer black cherry and cassis. Fresher at the back the tannins are in evidence tending to shorten the finish. Château Saint-Pierre de Corbian 84-86 2017-25 The nose is firm the start of the palate tight with very firm slightly dry tannins. There is a richer feel at the back but it dries on the finish and finishes a bit short. Château Sérilhan 84-88 2017-25 The nose is firm the start of the palate tight with a strong black fruit character. The mid palate is slightly sweeter but at the back the fruits are fresh and the finish a bit tight. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 87 201-27 The nose is fresh quite light and the palate lacks a bit of depth. There is sweetness at the back but it finishes short and lacking richness. Château Tour de Pez 85-89 2018-27 The nose has mix of fruits and the palate starts with black fruited richness. The mid palate is fresher and although the back palate is quite light the finish has depth some rich black fruits. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 6

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Château Tronquoy-Lalande 87-91 2017-26 Black fruits are to the fore with firm black cherry underpinned by cassis and bramble. On the mid palate there is the richness of ripe fruit juicy quite fleshy but underneath fresh black fruits balance and give a lighter feel to the finish. Pauillac Château d Armailhac 5eme Cru 89-92 2018-28 Red fruits are to the fore on the nose fresh and the start of the palate is light. There is more depth in the middle sweeter fruit and although the tannins are firm they do not over dominate. The finish is fresh bright but slightly dry. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 89 2019-28 Fresh fruits the nose has a mix of red fruits and bramble the start of the palate is light and fragrant. Sweeter in the middle some ripe black cherry but the underpinning tannins are firm the finish lacks a bit of length. Château Batailley 5eme Cru 87-89 2020-30 Both nose and the start of the palate have a strong black cherry character but the mid palate is sweeter more cassis. The sweetness is underpinned by freshness and the tannins become more evident at the back the finish quite tight. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 90 2020-29 Concentrated black fruits the nose is rich depth of flavour the palate has ripe cassis and black cherry. Firm tannins in the middle but they feel ripe rich black fruits at the back with depth of fruit on the finish. Carruades de Lafite-Rothschild 89-91 2017-27 Floral and fragrant on the nose there are some lovely spring violets. The palate starts fresh bilberry and bramble but it fills out in the middle with sweetness. Light at the back the finish is quite fresher and light. Château Clerc-Milon 5eme Cru 88-90 2018-28 Brambly and black fruited yet fragrant the nose has quite a lot of complexity. The palate has sweet fruit quite rich in the middle just a hint of black truffle but at the back the bramble and bilberry mix refreshes and gives a slightly lighter feel to the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 90 2019-29 The nose has fragrance, freshness woodland violets the palate a mix of flavours bilberry and bramble backed by richer black cherry. The tannins are firm but ripe the back palate has sweetness and the finish has fair length. Château Croizet-Bages 5eme Cru 86-89 2020-30 7 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Firm and tight on the nose yet the start of the palate is richer and there is ripe cassis on the mid palate. It feels drier at the back the tannins quite obvious and they tend to dry and shorten the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 87 2019-28 There is not a lot of fruit showing on the nose the start of the palate firm the tannins a bit aggressive. Slightly richer in the middle a hint of sweetness but it finishes tight short and a bit dry. Château Duhart-Milon 4eme Cru 88-91 2018-30 Rich with black fruits both nose and palate has the sweetness of ripe fruit. The ripe fruits on the mid palate are supported by firm but fine tannins and at the back there is depth richness the sweetness of ripe fruit. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 90 2019-29 The fruit on the nose is sweet the palate has a rich mix of black fruits. The rich chocolate in the middle is underpinned by bramble freshness the tannins are fine and integrated with ripe black cherry enriching the finish. Château La Fleur Peyrabon 85-89 2018-27 The nose has black fruited richness and the start of the palate is quite rich with lots of cassis. On the mid palate the tannins are firm and although tight on the back palate there is quite good depth and richness on the finish. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 88 2018-28 The nose has a mix of black fruits the start of the palate has depth lots of cassis and black cherry. Firm in the middle the tannins are tending to hold back the fruit and although there is richness at the back the finish is tight and a bit short. Château Fonbadet 86-89 2018-28 The nose has rich black fruits and the start of the palate is sweet. The tannins give structure firm but not over hard the mix of cassis and black cherry giving richness on the back palate. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 88 2018-28 The nose has depth the palate rich black fruits a mix of cassis and black cherry. Underlying chocolate adds to the mid richness but at the moment the tannins are hard and tend to close down the finish. Forts de Latour 90-92 2019-29 The black fruits have a brooding richness the palate has depth of flavour layers of black cherry, sloe and cassis with under the fruit chocolate richness. It feels lighter at the back bright still black fruited with the flavours lingering on the finish. Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse 5eme Cru 85-88 2018-28 Light with fresh fruits the nose lacks depth and the start of the palate is firm and tight. The black fruits in the middle are fresh the acidity quite high and this combined with the tannins gives hardness on the back palate and finish. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 8

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 87 2018-28 The nose is fresh and firm the palate quite tight the tannins hard a bit aggressive. Cassis in the middle gives a richer feel but it tends to dry at the back and finishes short. Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru 88-91 2018-28 A bouquet of spring violets the nose has lots of fragrances and the start of the palate is fresh and quite light. There is more depth in the middle a greater weight of fruit but at the back the fresh fruits dominate and the finish is quite light. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 90 2018-28 The nose has filled out the fruit sweet and the start of the palate has depth with mix of black fruits. Lighter at the back bright the mix of bramble and bilberry is fresh. The tannins are less obvious the back palate has more depth and there is some sweet fruit on the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 90 2019-29 The fruit is sweet the start of the palate has cassis and black cherry mid richness. It is lighter and fresher at the back the tannins firm but not drying with sweet black fruits giving a richer feel to the finish. Château Haut-Bages Libéral 5eme Cru 87-89 2020-30 The nose has concentrated fruit very black fruited but the start of the palate is lighter fresher with more bilberry and bramble. There are richer flavours at the back more depth of flavour and although the tannins are firm they are not aggressive. Château Haut-Batailley 5eme Cru 85-89 2018-28 The red fruited mix on the nose is fresh and the start of the palate quite light. It has more depth in the middle with a mix of red and black fruits all supported by silky tannins. The sweet fruit at the back gives way to firmness on the finish. Lacoste-Borie 87-90 2017-27 2 nd wine of Château Grand Puy-Lacoste Sweet on the nose there is an attractive mix of black fruits. The start of the palate has lots of cassis some black cherry some black plum quite supple but towards the back it is lighter with fragrance and charm on the finish. Château Lafite 1er Cru 92-95 2020-32 Cassis and bilberry the nose is fresh the start of the palate quite light. There is more depth in the middle black cherry and cassis underpinned by chocolate a touch of liquorice. Sweet at the back the finish has lovely rich flavours. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 92 2020-30 The black fruits on the nose are fragrant and fresh the start of the palate light but there is sweetness in the middle firmer black cherry and cassis. The back palate has some chocolate the finish is lighter and fragrant. Château Latour 1er Cru 92-96 2020-34 9 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Black fruits are to the fore lots of cassis some black cherry and sloe. There is depth a brooding richness at the start of the palate the fruit supported by fine tannins the mid palate quite supple. At the back there is a balancing freshness a slightly lighter feel on the finish length style elegance. Château Lynch-Bages 5eme Cru 90-92 2020-30 The fruit on the nose feels sweet the palate has depth and richness with lots of cassis and black cherry. Slightly lighter and fresher in the middle the back palate and finish have power, depth and the richness of ripe black fruits. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 91 2019-30 Depth of fruit on the nose the palate has a mix of rich fruits sweet and ripe at the start. Freshness in the middle balances slightly lighter but it fills out on the back palate with depth of flavour on the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 90 2019-29 Sweet fruit on the nose but the start of the palate is firm the tannins quite hard. Black cherry gives depth and richness in the middle the back palate lighter and fresh the finish has more depth and richness. Château Lynch-Moussas 5eme Cru 87-90 2020-30 It is a bit closed the nose tight the start of the palate firm. The mid palate has richer flavours some sweetness and there is a great weight of fruit showing on the back palate. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 86 2018-26 There is not a lot of fruit on the nose the palate light with bramble freshness the fruit underpinned by firm slightly aggressive tannins. The back palate and finish lack depth. Château Mouton Rothschild 1er Cru 91-94 2018-30 Rich on the nose the palate has sweet ripe black fruits with depth at the start. The mid palate is leaner red fruited some bramble some bilberry the fruit backed by firm tannins. There is a richer feel on the back palate more depth of fruit with a nice length of flavour. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 92 2020-30 The nose has a wood smoke charm some rich fruit the palate fair depth creamy with black fruits and a touch of chocolate. There is balance underlying bilberry and red fruits the tannins are fine and integrated the back palate sweet the finish is smoky with a touch of spice. Pauillac de Latour 89-92 2017-28 Perfumed the nose has a fragrant charm and the start of the palate seems quite fresh. The mid palate is richer with sweet black fruits supple and fleshy in the middle with black fruited power on the finish. Tasted at the Château Mercers visit March 2018 88 2019-24 The fruit is fresh the nose light and bright lots of bramble and bilberry in the middle. There is a hint of sweetness with more depth at the back but it finishes with fresh fruit light and easy. www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 10

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Château Pédesclaux 5eme Cru 86-90 2018-27 Firm and tight on the nose the palate is very black fruit dominated with a mix of cassis and black cherry. Although the tannins are firm they are fine with the sweetness giving a richer feel to the back palate. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 86 2018-26 The nose is tight the start of the palate very firm the tannins obvious. A hint of sweetness at the back is overtaken by the acidity and firm tannins. Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild 88-90 2017-26 The nose is closed the start of the palate tight red fruits are underpinned by black cherry. The tannins are a bit obvious the firmness tending to hold back the fruit and slightly dry the finish. Château Pibran 86-89 2017-26 Firm and tight on the nose the palate is structured and black fruited. Slightly sweeter in the middle the freshness is there at the back with red fruits and a bilberry bramble mix. Château Pichon-Baron 2eme Cru 90-93 2018-30 Firm on the nose and quite tight on the start of the palate the mid palate is sweeter with a rich mix of black fruits. There is mid structure but the tannins are fine well handled and the black fruited power comes through enriching the back palate. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 92 2019-30 The nose is still tight the palate more open with sweet black fruits richness and depth in the middle. The tannins are firm but ripe supporting but not holding back the fruit the back palate has depth a mix of black cherry and cassis. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 91 2019-29 The nose is tight but there is sweet fruit on the palate a mix of cassis and black cherry. The tannins feel ripe breadth of flavour in the middle and although lighter and fresher at the back the finish has a rich mix of black fruits. Château Pichon-Lalande 2eme Cru 91-94 2018-30 Cabernet Sauvignon 100% It is very unusual to make from only Cabernet but very successful. The black fruited nose is fresh light brambly with some bilberry but the palate has more depth a strong cassis character the fruit supported by fine tannins. The freshness on the back palate brings out fragrances lots of charm. Château Pontet-Canet 5eme Cru 88-91 2018-30 There are a lot of black fruits on the nose just a whiff of oak and there is the richness of black fruits on the palate. The mid palate has depth the mix cassis and black cherry supported by firm tannins. Brighter at the back with more of a red fruited and bilberry character and this gives a fresher lighter feel on the finish. Tasted at the Bordeaux Grands Cru tasting London May 2014 90-93 2020-30 11 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Sweet fruited on the nose the palate has richness and depth of flavour. Very blackcurrant dominated with firmer black cherry the mid palate has richness and depth. Fine tannins help the mid suppleness and although quite sweet at the back the finish is lighter and fresher. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 90 2019-29 The nose has sweet fruit the start of the palate ripe black cherry. The tannins are fine giving support but not aggressive and although bramble and bilberry at the back gives a lighter fresher feel there is sweet fruit on the finish. Réserve de la Comtesse de Lalande 86-89 2017-26 The nose is quite light fragrant with a black fruited mix. There is more depth on the palate richer flavours quite fine tannins with the sweetness at the back giving way to freshness on the finish. Tourelles de Longueville 87-91 2017-26 Sweet on the nose the palate is fresher with red fruits and lighter black. There is more depth in the middle sweetness rich black cherry and some dark chocolate. Although the tannins are firm at the back there is fruit sweetness on the finish Saint-Julien Château Bechevelle 4eme Cru 88-92 2020-30 Firm on the nose the start of the palate is a bit tight but there is mid richness a greater weight of flavour. The tannins give a backbone but are not over firm with black fruited sweetness coming through giving a richer feel to the back palate. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 89 2019-29 Firm still on the nose the start of the palate is tight but there is mid sweetness some rich black fruits all supported by a tannic backbone. It is richer at the back sweet black fruit giving more depth on the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 89 2019-28 The fruit on the nose is firm a mix of fresh black fruits the palate starts with sweetness ripe black cherry and cassis. The firm tannins form a backbone and although richer at the back the finish is firm and slightly dry. Château Branaire-Ducru 4eme Cru 88-90 2020-30 The nose is sweet but the palate firm with quite obvious tannins. Sweeter at the back with more cassis and black cherry the finish has fair depth and richness of fruit. Tasted at the Bordeaux Grands Cru tasting London May 2014 88-90 2020-30 Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 89 2019-29 The nose is fresh the start of the palate light with a mix of bramble and redcurrant. The fruit on the mid palate feels sweeter but the richness is underpinned by red fruits and bilberry freshness that lightens the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 89 2019-28 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 12

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Fresh and fragrant the nose and start of the palate are light a mix of bilberry and red fruits. It fills out in the middle rich ripe black cherry the tannins are firm but fine. The back palate is lighter with a mix of fresh fruits. Clos du Marquis 89-92 2018-28 Perfumed and spicy the nose has lots of charm and although the start of the palate is quite light there is richness and sweetness in the middle. Blackcurrant is backed by black cherry layers of flavour lots of complexity there is the feeling of balance the ripe black fruits enriching the finish. Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru 90-93 2020-30 The nose has fruit richness the start of the palate a good depth of black fruits. It is firm in the middle with slightly chewy tannins but opens up at the back fleshier sweeter some chocolate under the cassis. The finish has nice length and a fresher feel. Château du Glana 83-86 2016-27 The nose is light with very fresh red fruits and the start of the palate firm and tight. The tannins tend to hold back the fruit a lack of fruit sweetness and charm. Château Gloria 87-91 2018-28 The nose is firm and the start of the palate tight with red fruited freshness. There are richer flavours in the middle with more depth and weight more black fruits at the back. Tasted at the Château September 2015 89 2017-27 Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 The nose is sweet but lacks a bit of depth the palate has some sweet fruit with at the back bramble and bilberry giving freshness the fruit underpinned by firm tannins. It fills out a bit on the finish with a strong cassis character. Grande Réserve Croix de Beaucaillou 88-91 2018-27 Rich black fruits fill the nose with firm black cherry on the palate. There is some mid sweetness cassis and black plum but the tannins are obvious at the moment tight slightly rustic. The back palate and finish have a sweeter feel with lots of black cherry on the finish. Château Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru 89-93 2020-30 Fresh on the nose red fruits are backed by a mix of bilberry and bramble. The mid palate is sweet the fruit ripe with rounded tannins helping the mid suppleness. It is tighter firmer at the back but the finish has some rich flavours. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 88 2019-29 The nose and palate have a mix of flavours the brightness of red fruits backed by rich black fruits. Depth in the middle but it is lighter and fresher at the back the tannins are firm and tend to close down the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 88 2019-29 13 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 The mix of fruits is fresh first red fruits then bramble and bilberry the mid palate richer more depth of flavour. Firm tannins hold back the fruit the back palate is tight but there is sweet fruit showing on the finish. Château Lagrange 3eme Cru 86-89 2020-30 Smoky and black fruited the palate is firm the tannins obvious on the start. There is sweeter fruit in the middle cassis and black cherry but the tannins at the back are tight slightly harsh tending to dry and shorten the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 87 2019-28 The fruit on the nose is fresh smoky the start of the palate has a mix of fresh black fruits. Sweeter in the middle but the tannins are very firm and tend to hold back the fruit the finish is tight and lacks length. Château Langoa Barton 3eme Cru 90-93 2020-30 There are a lot of black fruits on the nose and the palate has concentration and depth of flavour. Cassis and black cherry are underpinned by liquorice and chocolate sweet fruited at the back the finish has depth and power. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 90 2019-29 There is little change since tasting En-Primeur. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 88 2019-28 The mix of black fruits on the nose are quite sweet the palate has rich fruit but the mid tannins are hard rather aggressive and there is a lack of rich fruit at the back the finish tight and lacking generosity. Château Léoville Barton 2eme Cru 91-94 2020-30 The nose is closed the start of the palate has black cherry and sloe firmness but there is a greater depth and breadth in the middle the black fruited mix underpinned by liquorice and coffee beans. There is a hint of oak a cedar wood character all adding to the complexity. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 91 2020-30 The nose has opened up the palate has depth of fruit a mix of ripe cassis, firm black cherry and dark chocolate. Breadth of flavour in the middle the tannins at the back are firm but feel ripe the finish has depth a powerful mix of black fruits. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 91 2020-30 Black cherry and cassis the nose has a rich mix of black fruits the start of the palate sweet with depth in the middle. The tannins are still firm but feel ripe the back palate has black fruits and some dark chocolate the finish has a touch of toasty oak. Château Léoville Las Cases 2eme Cru 91-94 2020-30 Perfumed fragrant spring violets the nose has a floral charm. The palate starts quite fresh with more bilberry and bramble than cassis but it fills out in the middle with sweet fruit ripe tannins a fleshy suppleness. Lighter at the back the finish has length elegance charm. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 92 2020-30 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 14

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Perfumed fresh bilberry spring violets there is a lot happening on the nose the start of the palate has a mix of fresh fruits. Sweet and ripe in the middle the black fruits are backed by chocolate and coffee beans the tannins although firm feel ripe. Lighter at the back the finish has style elegance. Château Léoville-Poyferré 2eme Cru 90-92 2018-30 The nose has a fragrant charm the start of the palate fresh the richer flavours in the middle slightly held back by the firm definite tannins. It is richer at the back some sweet black fruits but the finish is closed at the moment by the tannins. Tasted at the Bordeaux Grands Cru tasting London May 2014 90-92 2018-30 Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 90 2018-30 The mix of black fruits is sweet the nose has depth and the palate richness. Cassis and black plum are underpinned by bramble lighter and fresher in the middle with the richer flavours giving more depth at the back. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 91 2019-29 Rich and ripe fruited the nose has depth the palate starts with sweet fruit. Firmer and lighter in the middle but the tannins are not aggressive the bramble freshness is underpinned by richer black cherry and the finish is sweet and full. Château Moulin Riche 86-89 2018-28 There is a sweet feel to the nose with blackcurrant jam on the palate. Fresher fruits give a lighter feel in the middle and freshness at the back the fruit rather held back by the tannins. There is more sweetness richness on the finish. Tasted at the Bordeaux Grands Cru tasting London May 2014 87-89 2018-28 The fruit feels ripe the nose sweet but the palate is lighter with fresh flavours still black fruited but lacking a little richness. The finish has fragrance a bramble and bilberry character but just lacks real richness. Le Petit Caillou 86-88 2017-26 Light on the nose the palate starts with red fruits but it fills out in the middle with some richer sweeter flavours. The tannins are firm but fine and at the back there is red cherry freshness giving a lighter feel to the finish. Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases 88-90 2017-26 The nose is fresh with more black fruits than red but the palate has depth richness with a fleshy sweetness in the middle. The fleshiness is well balanced by freshness at the back a nice mix of different flavours mainly black fruits. Château Saint-Pierre 4eme Cru 88-92 2020-30 Black fruits dominate the nose concentrated and the palate quite rich a mix of cassis and black cherry. There is a fresher feel on the back palate slightly lighter but it fills out on the finish with depth of fruit. Tasted at the Château September 2015 89 2018-28 15 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 Bright and fresh on the nose the start of the palate has a mix of fruits some sweet cassis and fresher bramble. The tannins are firm but not aggressive the mid palate has fair depth and some rich fruit but it finishes quite tight at the moment. Château Talbot 4eme Cru 88-92 2018-26 The nose has bilberry freshness and although the start of the palate lacks a bit of depth there are some rich black fruits in the middle. The tannins are firm but not aggressive with black cherry and cassis filling out the back palate a giving a richer feel to the long finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 88 2019-28 The black fruits on the nose are fresh the start of the palate light the fruit underpinned by firm tannins. Richer and sweeter at the back the finish is fresher slightly lacking in richness. Margaux Alter Ego de Château Palmer 89-92 2017-28 The nose has depth the palate sweetness with a mix of red and black fruits. Behind the mid sweetness there are firm but not over obvious tannins and the back palate has depth the richness of sweet fruit. Château Angludet 88-91 2018-28 The fruit feels ripe the nose sweet fruited and although quite rich on the start of the palate the mid palate is lighter more bramble and bilberry in character. The balance is good with some sweet fruit coming through on the finish. Tasted at the Château September 2015 88 2018-28 The nose is bright fresh with a mix of red fruits and bramble. Although there is some mid sweetness there is a lack of depth and substance in the middle. Sweet fruit comes through at the back easy and quite forward on the finish. Château Boyd-Cantenac 3eme Cru 89 2019-28 Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 The fruit on the nose is quite sweet the start of the palate has a mix of ripe black fruits. There is an underlying freshness a mix of bilberry and bramble but it fills out at the back and finishes with depth of fruit. Château Brane-Cantenac 2eme Cru 86-88 2020-30 Quite light and fresh on the nose the start of the palate has lots of bilberry and bramble. There are sweeter flavours in the middle but the tannins at the back are obvious closing down and tightening the finish. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 90 2019-29 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 16

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Firm on the nose the start of the palate is tight and fresh. Sweeter and richer in the middle the ripe black cherry backed by cassis and dark chocolate. Bright and brambly at the back the finish has good length. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 89 2019-28 The nose is still tight the start of the palate has fresh black fruits. The mid palate has fair depth some rich black cherry depth of fruit at the back the finish is lighter bright with a mix of cassis and bilberry. Château Cantenac-Brown 3eme Cru 86-89 2020-30 There is not a lot showing on the nose and the palate light fresh fruited with a mid tannic structure that holds back the fruit. It fills out on the back palate the fruit sweeter and finishes with fair depth of flavour. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 88 2019-27 The nose lacks fruit the start of the palate tight with rather aggressive tannins tending to hold back fruit expression. There is mid acidity some mid sweetness the fruit at the back is very fresh but it does have a richer feel on the finish. Chevalier de Lascombes 84-87 2016-24 The sweet fruit on both nose and start of the palate is dried by tannic firmness. There is a little more weight of flavour at the back but the finish lacks depth and intensity. Château D Arsac 79-80 2017-20 The nose is hard the palate green and unripe with the aggressive mid tannins overpowering the fruit. Château Dauzac 5eme Cru 84-87 2019-29 The nose is tight the palate lean with obvious firm tannins. The black fruited mix on the mid palate has a richer feel but tough slightly bitter tannins tighten and shorten the finish. Château Desmirail 3eme Cru 87-89 2020-30 Cassis and black cherry give richness to the nose and the palate has sweetness with good depth of flavour. The fruit at the back is fresher a bilberry bramble mix and although quite light the finish has depth of flavour. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 86 2019-27 The nose has cassis and black cherry the start of the palate is light fresh the tannins very firm. It lacks mid richness fresh at the back with the fruit fading on the finish. Château Deyrem Valentin 89 2019-30 Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 The mix of black fruits is sweet the nose has depth and the palate is fleshy and quite supple. The tannins are rounded adding to the mid fleshiness fresher at the back the finish has more of a bramble character. 17 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Château Ferrière 3eme Cru 87-90 2020-30 Sweet on the nose ripe fruited on the palate the mix of black fruits gives interest and complexity. The richer flavours on the mid palate are underpinned by freshness and although the tannins are firm they are not aggressive. Château Giscours 3eme Cru 88-92 2020-30 Black fruited on the nose the fruit mix if fresh and the palate has a mix of bramble and bilberry. It fills out in the middle with sweeter richer fruit and although lighter at the back there is a richer feel to the finish. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 89 2018-29 The nose is fresh the start of the palate bright with a bramble and bilberry mix. Depth in the middle the fruit is sweet depth of flavour and although rich at the back the finish is lighter and still firm. Château La Gurgue 85-88 2018-25 Red fruits raspberry and mulberry are fresh the nose bright. The start of the palate is light and red fruited and although firm in the middle there is slightly more depth and sweetness on the finish. Château d Issan 3eme Cru 89-91 2018-26 Ripe fruited on the nose the palate has depth of flavour with a mix of red and black fruits. The sweetness in the middle gives way the freshness and the back palate is light fresh and quite elegant. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 89 2019-28 The nose has sweet fruit the start of the palate a rich mix of black fruits. The tannins feel ripe the mid palate is quite rich with just a hint of chocolate depth of flavour at the back the finish is lighter with bramble freshness. Château Kirwan 3eme Cru 88-91 2020-30 Fresh and red fruited on the nose the palate has more depth richness sweeter flavours. At the back there is a mix of black fruits and although the tannins are firm the back palate slightly dry the finish is sweet with ripe cassis. Château Labégorce 87-89 2020-30 The nose is firm the start of the palate tight with a mix of red and black fruits. Tannin on the mid palate tends to hold back the fruit but it does fill out at the back with a cassis and black cherry mix. The finish is lighter firmer quite tight. Château Lascombes 2eme Cru 88-90 2020-30 Sweet on the nose the start of the palate has some ripe black fruits. The tannins are obvious the mid palate tighter yet at the back there is more weight with a sweet mix of cassis and black cherry. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 89 2018-29 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 18

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Sweet on the nose the palate has depth ripe black fruits backed by dark chocolate. Firm tannins support but they feel ripe the back palate has depth and the finish sweetness. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 89 2019-28 The nose has some ripe fruit the start of the palate sweet mid richness. The tannins are still firm but not aggressive and it fills out at the back and finishes with depth of flavour. Tasted at the Château Mercers Visit March 2018 89 2018-25 The nose has upfront freshness the start of the palate is quite light but there is mid richness black cherry and ripe blackcurrants. The tannins form a backbone structure some underlying mineral with some richer fruit coming through on the finish. Château Malescot Saint-Exupéry 3eme Cru 87-90 2020-30 Fresh on the nose the start of the palate is light with bramble and bilberry. There is more depth in the middle richer fruit depth of flavour and although slightly tight on the back palate the finish is more open with depth of flavour. Château Margaux 1er Cru 92-94 2020-30 The nose has an aromatic charm quite light and fresh and although the palate starts light the mid palate has depth of fruit sweet quite fleshy. The tannins are discreet the back palate lighter and quite fresh with a complex mix of black and red fruits. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 93 2020-30 Fragrant the nose has red fruit freshness the palate starts with a complex mix of fruits. Rich and ripe in the middle the tannins are fine discreet the fruit at the back ripe but there is underlying freshness the finish is long and elegant. Château Marquis de Terme 4eme Cru 85-87 2018-28 Fresh on the nose the palate is light with a strong red fruit influence. Firm tannins tighten the mid palate and although slightly sweeter at the back the finish is firm tight and a bit short. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 86 2018-27 There is not a lot of fruit on the nose the palate tight the fruit underpinned by quite aggressive tannins. The back palate lacks richness with the fruit tending to dry on the finish. Château Monbrison 87-90 2018-28 The fruit feels ripe the nose has depth of flavour the palate starts sweet. Firm tannins give structure a backbone but at the back cassis and black cherry give more depth with some sweetness on the finish. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 86 2018-27 The nose is closed the start of the palate tight the tannins obvious. There is some sweet fruit at the back but there is a lack of depth and the finish is dry and lacks real length. Château Palmer 3eme Cru 91-94 2020-30 Rich on the nose there is depth a mix of black fruits on the start of the palate. The tannins are fine structured but not too obvious with the sweetness at the back balanced by red fruited freshness. The finish is fine long with elegance and charm. 19 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

October 11, 2012 BORDEAUX 2013 Château Paveil de Luze 87-90 2017-26 The nose has some flesh the start of the palate full of red and black fruits. Sweet at the back the tannins are rounded and there is a good depth of flavour on the finish. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 89 2017-27 Rich and ripe on the nose the palate is fresher and lighter with a mix of red cherry and bramble. Sweet in the middle the tannins are rounded the back palate has flesh and the finish depth. Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 90-93 2018-30 Firm and fresh the nose has an attractive bilberry and bramble mix with sweeter flavours on the start of the palate. There is mid depth sweet quite supple well handled tannins then towards the back it feels fresher lighter some red fruits some bilberry and bramble. Château Pouget 4eme Cru 88 2019-27 Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 The nose is light lacking in rich fruit the palate starts fresh the tannins are very firm and slightly aggressive. Tight at the back but there is a hint of sweetness on the finish. Château Prieure Lichine 4eme Cru 86-89 2018-28 The nose has the fragrance of red fruits but the palate is richer with more of a black cherry character. The tannins are firm but not over aggressive and there is a richer slightly sweeter feel to the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 88 2019-28 The fruit on the nose is fresh bramble with a mix of red fruits. The palate starts light and firm but there is mid sweetness more depth of flavour the tannins firm but not over aggressive. Château Rauzan-Gassies 2eme Cru 88-90 2020-30 Black fruited on the nose the start of the palate has a mix of cassis and black cherry layers of flavour. The mid sweetness is underpinned by freshness still black fruited but it does fill out at the back with some rich fruit on the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 87 2018-27 The nose is very fresh the start of the palate tight the tannins firm rather obvious and aggressive. The back palate is lacking in richness with the fruit tending to slide and dry on the finish. Château Rauzan-Ségla 2eme Cru 88-91 2020-30 The fruit on the nose is rich and the palate starts with depth of flavour. Cassis is backed by black cherry just a touch of chocolate in the middle with the sweeter flavours supported by firm tannins at the back. Tasted at the Bordeaux Grands Cru tasting London May 2014 89-92 2020-30 Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 90 2019-30 www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 20

BORDEAUX 2013 October 11, 2012 Although the nose is quite fresh with a bramble bilberry mix the palate has good depth and a mid sweetness. It feels lighter in the middle some fresh fruits but fills out at the back with cassis and black cherry all giving more weight on the finish. Tasted at the MW Bordeaux tasting Vintners Hall November 2017 90 2019-29 The nose has filled out the fruit sweet the palate has rich black fruits the mid palate chocolate and coffee beans. There is a balancing freshness lighter and firmer at the back with sweet ripe black fruits coming through on the finish. Ségla 2013 88 2018-25 Second wine of Château Rauzan-Ségla Tasted in the Médoc Mercers visit March 2018 Red fruits the nose is fresh bright the palate light with raspberries and redcurrants. There is a hint of mid sweetness the fruit underpinned by firm tannins the back palate is tight the finish lacks richness. Château Siran 86-88 2018-28 The nose is tight the start of the palate firm the tannins giving structure. There is a little more depth on the mid palate but the structure at the back and the freshness of the fruit overtakes the sweetness tightens and shortens the finish. Château du Tertre 5eme Cru 88-91 2020-30 The nose has concentrated power the palate rich black fruited with a mix of flavours on the mid palate. There is mid sweetness with the richer flavours at the back underpinned by bramble and bilberry freshness. Tasted at the UGC tasting Royal Opera House October 2015 88 2018-28 The nose has a rich mix of black fruits but the start of the palate is lighter quite fresh with a bilberry and bramble mix. It fills out in the middle black cherry and cassis but obvious tannins hold back the fruit and tend to dry the finish. Château La Tour de Bessan 85-88 2017-24 The nose is fresh the start of the palate light and red fruited. Firm in the middle but there is a little more depth some sweeter flavours at the back yet the finish is light fresh red fruited. Château La Tour de Mons 85 2016-25 Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 Firm on the nose the palate is tight the tannins obvious tending to suppress the fruit and dry the finish. Moulis Château Branas Grand Poujeaux 88 2017-27 Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting London September 2015 21 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley Master of Wine: Derek Smedley