The Society s Bordeaux Under One Roof tasting. Bordeaux is a vast region whose wines range from the world-renowned crus classés to a huge array of lesser-known appellations, and the region s wines show far greater diversity in style than many give it credit for. The wines of Bordeaux cover almost the complete price spectrum, from approachable, early-drinking petits châteaux and hotbeds of innovation such as the Côtes de Castillon, up to the lofty heights of the classed growths: the region offers something for every wine drinker. To explore this diversity and find your own favourites we welcome you to this celebration of the best of Bordeaux. We are delighted to be joined by representatives of many of the châteaux being tasted here this evening. Please take advantage of their presence and knowledge by asking questions and learning more about what makes the wines of Bordeaux so special. = white wine = red wine White wines from bone dry [1] to lusciously sweet [9]. S = screwcap Château Ampélia and Château Grand Corbin-Despagne Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion François Despagne has owned Château Ampélia on the eastern edge of Bordeaux since 1999. The small five-hectare estate is on the plateau of clay-limestone soil over rock that lies next to the better-known Château d Aiguilhe. The vines, which are farmed organically, comprise 95% merlot with cabernet franc making up the remainder. The Despagne family has lived in and around Saint-Emilion since at least 1620 and the first plots of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne were bought in 1812. The current owner, François Despagne, has been transforming the property and the wine since 1998. The vineyards of the estate lie close to Pomerol, not far from Cheval Blanc. As with Ampélia, François has been farming the vineyards organically for some time and 2010 was the first vintage to be registered as being in conversion to organic viticulture a perfect vintage with which to start. 1. Château Ampélia, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2012 A round and supple blend of 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc, a third of which was matured in new oak. The result is an attractive, restrained wine that will benefit from decanting to show its full expression. Drink now to 2020. 13% ref CB4201 11.50 bottle 138 dozen
Located to the east of Saint-Emilion, Côtes de Castillon was awarded AOC status as recently as 1989 following which the area has received considerable interest and investment. Production is significant, yielding over 1.5 million cases per annum, though the average domaine has fewer than 10 hectares of vineyard. Quality ranges from the everyday (from the sandy and light gravel soils) to imposing, aspirational wines benefiting from considerable investment, made from the clay and limestone vineyards on higher slopes. 2. Château Grand Corbin-Despagne, Saint-Emilion 2014 François Despagne s certified-organic wine is a very pure and elegant expression of its origins, the blend reflective of the château s plantings: 75% merlot, 24% cabernet franc and1% cabernet sauvignon. Drink from 2019 to 2030. 13.5% ref CS9621 23.00 bottle 276 dozen Broadly, Bordeaux can be divided into five categories: 1. Red wines from the left bank of the Garonne and the Gironde estuary embracing the Médoc and Graves. 2. Red wines from the right bank of the Gironde and the Dordogne, including Saint- Emilion and Pomerol and their satellites. 3. The hill vineyards (côtes) of Bourg, Fronsac and the Côtes de Bordeaux. 4. Red and white wines from the Entre-deux-Mers region between the Garonne and Dordogne. 5. The great white wines from Graves and Sauternes. Each appellation tends to have a certain characteristic; however, shrewd Bordeaux buyers have learned that it is more important to follow the property and grower than the appellation and this is true year in, year out. With hard work and good equipment, good producers make excellent wine in what used to be thought of as difficult vintages 20 years ago, and sadly, careless producers still make poor wine from potentially good vineyards in years that the vintage charts rate highly. The lighter years have the advantage of maturing earlier, usually costing less and often giving quite as much pleasure. For the same reason, second wines of top châteaux can be an attractive buy, often at a fraction of the price of the first wine. 3. Château Grand Corbin-Despagne, Saint-Emilion 2009 With wonderfully generous, yet fresh, ripe fruit, this wine is still relatively young but already a delight to drink. The balance is excellent with tannins and acidity in tune with the depth of fruit which leaves a final perfumed aftertaste. A blend of 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc. Drink now to 2030. 14% ref CS7451 30.00 bottle 360 dozen Château Beaumont and Château Beychevelle Haut-Médoc and Saint-Julien Château Beaumont has deservedly been a favourite of Society members for several decades. One of the reasons that it provides such good value for the quality is that it is quite a large estate at over 100 hectares which brings significant economies of scale.
Soils are well-drained, deep and gravelly. The blend is typically 60% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot with small amounts of cabernet franc and petit verdot. The château has for a number of years made our Exhibition Haut-Médoc. Château Beychevelle is a large and striking property set in its own beautiful park that dominates the view as one drives north to Saint-Julien on the Route des Châteaux. The château was rebuilt in 1757, in a rather elaborate style, but the wine has remained relatively understated, and a fine example of modern Saint-Julien. The estate is managed by Philippe Blanc under whose direction there has been a change in approach, with much denser plantings, tighter yields and more rigorous selection of what ends up in the grand vin. A new chai (cellar)was completed this year in time to receive the 2017 harvest. 4. The Society s Exhibition Haut-Médoc 2012 Fleshy and sweet with generous fruit, this offering from Society favourite Château Beaumont is starting to show its considerable class. Drink now to 2024. 13% ref CM17191 13.95 bottle 167 dozen 5. Magnum of Château Beaumont, Haut-Médoc 2011 Roughly equal parts cabernet sauvignon and merlot with a touch of spicier petit verdot, picked from mid-september. A charming vintage for Beaumont, with bright fruit and lower alcohol than in the previous two vintages, all making for a well-balanced, classic Claret for earlier to medium-term drinking. Drink now to 2021. 13.5% ref CM16064 27.00 magnum 162 six magnums The Haut-Médoc is situated in the higher, southern part of the Médoc district of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Gironde River. Home to appellations such as Margaux, St. Julien and Pauillac, the great distinction of the area is its gravel subsoils which provide excellent drainage and enhance ripening. Cabernet sauvignon dominates here with merlot and cabernet franc playing supporting roles. 6. Magnum of Château Beaumont, Haut-Médoc 2010 Comparable in quality with the lovely 2009, this is one of the best three vintages we can remember from this admirable property which delivers utterly delightful, fineflavoured Claret at such a fair price. Drink now to 2021. 14% ref CM14874 30.00 magnum 180 six magnums 7. Château Beychevelle, Saint-Julien 2009 The Chinese like this, apparently because of the dragon and ship on the label. We love its seductive fragrance and charm and unusually full flavour. A blend of 46% cabernet sauvignon, 44% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. Drink now to 2030. 13.5% ref CM13951 89.00 bottle 1068 dozen
Château Bel Air Perponcher and Château Mont Pérat Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur Bel-Air Perponcher is the home property of Basaline Despagne at Naujan-et-Postiac. Vignobles Despagne is responsible for six Bordeaux properties spanning 300 hectares, and is known for taking better care of its vines than some classed growths. In 1990,the family acquired Château Bel Air Perponcher, which has developed as high a reputation for its whites as its reds. The vines comprise sauvignon blanc, semillon and muscadelle for the whites and merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc for the reds and rosé. Château Mont-Pérat was mentioned in the 1864 edition of the famous Féret Wine Guide to the Wines of Bordeaux and is one of the jewels in the crown of the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. This large estate was bought by the Despagne family in 1998. The vineyards extend to 102 hectares and are planted with merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc, sémillon and muscadelle. The 2001 Château Mont-Pérat was featured in the first volume of the popular Japanese manga comic Les Gouttes de Dieu. Unprecedented popularity followed, resulting in an overwhelming response by Asian wine importers to attempt to secure stocks of the wine. 8. [2] Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve, Bordeaux Blanc 2016 A consistent performer year after year, this is a fresh, aromatic blend of 70% sauvignon blanc and 27% semillon with a touch of muscadelle (3%) for added character. Drink this year and next. 12% S ref BW5791 9.50 bottle 114 dozen Also available BW5792, Half bottle of Château Bel Air Perponcher Blanc Réserve, Bordeaux 2016, 5.25 half bottle 9. Château Bel-Air Perponcher Grand Vin, Bordeaux 2010 Now fully mature, this is the château s top red. Savoury and generous, with lovely texture and depth of flavour. Excellent cabernet in 2010 contributes to this spicy, rich claret which fills the mouth with wonderful ripe fruit. A blend of 80% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon aged in new oak barrels. Drink this year and next. 14% ref CB3691 14.50 bottle 174 dozen 10. Château Mont Pérat, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux 2009 Generously fruity, rich flavour with finesse and backbone. This is Thibault Despagne s home property and one of the finest wines of its district. A blend of 80% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and10% cabernet sauvignon. Drink now to 2020. 14% ref CB3341 16.00 bottle 192 dozen
The Côtes de Bordeaux represent approximately 10% of the total production of Bordeaux wines and cover over 11,000 hectares with around 1,000 producers. The appellation is divided into four areas: Blaye, Castillon and Francs on the right bank of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and Cadillac (formally known only as a sweet wine appellation) on the banks of the Garonne in the Entre-Deux-Mers. The predominant grape is merlot which enjoys ideal sunny conditions for producing high-quality, fruity, accessible and expressive wines that can be blended across the range of terroirs under the Côtes de Bordeaux umbrella. Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux This second growth Margaux property was bought by the Lurton family in 1925 and is today run by Henri Lurton, a trained oenologist. The blend is generally 55% cabernet sauvignon with 40% merlot, 4.5% cabernet franc and most unusually since 2012, the wine has included 0.5% carmenère, a variety that Henri introduced to combat the effects of climate change. The wine matures for 18 months in oak barrels, using 60-70% new wood, and can age for between seven to 25 years. Brane-Cantenac is a true Margaux, with the accent on charm and fine, supple texture, though not without power. 11. The Society s Exhibition Margaux 2015 A sneak preview of the latest vintage of The Society s Exhibition Margaux, and due to be offered to members in early 2018. Majority cabernet sauvignon and merlot from younger vines on the Brane-Cantenac property. Classic Margaux. For tasting only, will be available in 2018 12. Baron de Brane, Margaux 2011 The second wine of Brane Cantenac, this fresh and velvety Margaux is a blend of equal parts cabernet sauvignon and merlot. It displays supple, cassis fruit character both on the nose and palate, with fine tannins and a lingering finish. Drink now to 2023. 13% For tasting only Margaux is the most southerly, extensive and isolated of Médoc s communal appellations. The best wines come from outcrops, or croupes, where gravel predominates and drainage is therefore good. At their best, wines from Margaux combine deep ruby colour, structure and concentration with a fine perfume and a silkier texture than wines from the more northerly communes of Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe.
13. Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux 2009 Outstanding on each of the several occasions our buyer for Bordeaux, Tim Sykes, tasted it, this shone out for its entrancing bouquet and exquisite balance. Top notch Claret which will give pleasure through its long life: a blend of 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 7% cabernet franc. Drink now to 2030. 13.5% ref CM14011 69.00 bottle 828 dozen Château Cantemerle Haut-Médoc Situated in the Haut-Médoc appellation in the commune of Macau, Château Cantemerle was amongst the 18 fifth growths to be categorised in in the 1855 Classification. The estate has a long history, with records detailing its wine production leading as far back as the 14th century; however it was in 1981 that Château Cantemerle was sold to a French insurance group, who have since made significant investments in both the vineyards and the winery. The 40 hectares planted in 1981 and 1983 are now fully mature and there has been a noticeable rise in quality since 2004. The property makes some 48,000 cases. 14. Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc 2011 One of the real successes of the vintage, from naturally low yields reduced further by strict selection. Roughly equal parts cabernet and merlot, with 7% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Consistently one of the best value crus classés. Drink now to 2028. 13% ref CM16181 25.00 bottle 300 dozen 15. Magnum of Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc 2010 When Cantemerle gets it right, as it emphatically has in 2010, this is one of the best buys in Bordeaux. Here is fragrance, elegance, charm and delicious flavour and also the perfect balance that ensures it will give pleasure over an extended life. Drink from next year to 2030. 13% ref CM14944 66.00 magnum 396 six magnums The most famous wine classification in the world was drawn up after a request in 1855 from the organisers of the Paris Universal Exhibition for a list of Bordeaux s best wines, which were to be sent to be shown in Paris. The selection was based simply on those wines selling for the most money at that particular time and only included the top wines of the Médoc, except for the inclusion of Château Haut-Brion from the Graves region. The top châteaux were divided into five classifications, known as growths. The classification has shown astonishing resilience the only change in the classification since that time has been the elevation of Château Mouton-Rothschild in 1973 from second growth to first growth status. Today the 1855 Classification is revered the world over, and, with a few glaring exceptions, has proved a remarkably reliable indicator of quality.
16. Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc 2009 A hugely successful vintage for one of the most charming and affordable of all classedgrowth clarets. The accent, as ever, is on providing a lovely well-balanced wine for enjoyable drinking. Classic, savoury left-bank Bordeaux. Drink now to 2030. 13% ref CM14121 32.00 bottle 384 dozen Château Carteau Côtes Daugay Saint-Emilion Château Carteau Côtes Daugay in Saint-Emilion has been owned by the Bertrand family for five generations. The vineyard is 15 hectares which is relatively large by Saint- Emilion standards. The Bertrands care passionately about the quality of their wine which is highly rated by their peers, and very much liked by Society members, who have been buying their consistently good, full-flavoured Claret since 1989. This is a family affair Jacques Bertrand has now largely retired but is regularly seen in the cellar, especially at harvest time, whilst his son tends the vines and his daughters look after winemaking, sales and marketing. 17. Château Carteau Côtes Daugay, Saint-Emilion 2012 Textbook Saint-Emilion. A blend of 70% merlot and 30% cabernet sauvignon, this has a touch of spice on the palate with velvety fruit and beautifully ripe tannins. Drink now to 2025. 13.5% ref CS9771 16.00 bottle 192 dozen Very low stock Saint-Emilion produces more wine than any other right bank appellation. Merlot dominates here giving wines which have a sweet, dried-fruit character, along with cabernet franc which adds perfume and freshness. The 5,400 hectares of vineyard is generally divided into two soil types those on the côtes (or hillsides) below the town, and the gravelly limestone plateau to the west. More than 3,000 hectares of the vineyards lie on the plain between the town and the plateau and the river Dordogne. Here the soil is a mix of gravel, sand and alluvial deposits, making lighter, less long-lived wines. Most of the highly ranked properties, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé or Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé come from the steep clay-limestone hillsides immediately below the town or the gravelly section of plateau 5km to the west. 18. Magnum of Château Carteau Côtes Daugay, Saint-Emilion 2008 A great-value, highly enjoyable Saint-Emillion which is just starting to reveal its charm. Drink this year and next. 13.5% ref CS8134 34.00 magnum 204 six magnums Low stock
Dourthe Pierre Dourthe launched this company as a wine merchant back in 1840, but it was the fourth generation, André and Roger, who began purchasing vineyards and properties in Bordeaux and Dourthe now manages 500 hectares of vines. During the 20th century, as well as acquiring various Bordeaux properties such as Châteaux Belgrave, La Garde in Pessac-Léognan, Le Boscq in Saint-Estèphe and Pey La Tour the company launched a number of successful wine ranges, including Dourthe No.1. The Dourthe family hasn t owned the company since 1998, when they sold it to its three directors, after which it became part of the Alain Thiénot Champagne Group in 2007: however, the company remains committed to growing grapes in exceptional terroirs, with each of its six châteaux managed by its own dynamic, committed team. 19. [2] Dourthe No 1 Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2016 Dourthe are pioneers of modern Bordeaux sauvignon and this shows aromatic complexity and a fresh, fruity palate. Drink this year and next. 12% ref BW5851 8.50 bottle 102 dozen Dourthe No. 1 Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from silty, clay soils in northern Blaye which give intensity and aromatics, as well as clay-limestone soils in north-east and south-east Entre-Deux-Mers, which provides depth and complexity to the finished wine. It is fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel to preserve its fresh fruit flavours and spends six months ageing on its lees for added balance and finesse. 20. Château Pey La Tour Réserve, Bordeaux Supérieur 2014 The Réserve wine is the cream of the crop from this model estate at Salleboeuf. Wellbalanced fruit with a touch of oak spice. Drink now to 2021. 14.5% ref CB5171 11.50 bottle 138 dozen Pey La Tour is situated in the Entre-Deux-Mers, around 15km east of Bordeaux. Dating back to the 18th century, the vineyards here still contain the ruins of the château which gave the estate its name, and today the vines span 146 hectares. There are 90 different parcels of vines which are all vinified separately. Clay-limestone soils are used for producing fresh, concentrated merlot whereas compacted gravel plots are ideal for cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Aged in barriques for 12 months, 35-55% of which is new oak, the blend is usually up to 90% merlot, with around 5% cabernet sauvignon and small quantities of petit verdot and cabernet franc, producing a wine that is full of ripe fruit and charm. Investment in the vineyards to reduce yields and improve quality, through a progressive replanting and vine retraining programme has paid dividends here, and Pey La Tour performs consistently at the top of its misleadingly modest Bordeaux Supérieur appellation.
21. Château La Garde, Pessac-Léognan 2010 A dense, modern-style expression of the commune, with sweet, lush, concentrated fruit overlaying a good structure. Owners Dourthe think this is one of the best vintages they ve made here. Drink now to 2026. 14% ref CM17601 23.00 bottle 276 dozen 22. Château Belgrave, Haut-Médoc 2009 Fragrant, elegant Belgrave, with discreet notes of spice and cedar, this has a rich and ripe palate with a lovely juicy quality backed by velvety tannins to support extensive bottle age. A blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 5% petit verdot. Drink now to 2030. 13% ref CM13781 25.00 bottle 300 dozen One of the oldest estates in the Médoc, fifth growth Château Belgrave is located in Saint- Laurent, bordering Saint-Julien. The vineyard lies in a single block surrounding an 18thcentury hunting lodge. The property was acquired in 1979 by Dourthe, whose sizeable investments in vineyard and cellar have transformed the wine from an also-ran to a solid and popular brand. The estate, comprising 59 hectares of strictly managed vineyards, is planted with merlot and cabernet sauvignon with a little cabernet franc and petit verdot. Yields are kept low and the grapes are handpicked. Vinification takes place in temperature-regulated stainless-steel vats after which the wine is aged for 12 14 months in oak barrels, 40% of which are new. 23. Château Le Boscq, Saint-Estèphe 2005 Generous, modern claret from the Dourthe stable, superb in this ripe vintage, when a smaller quantity of top-quality wine was made. Still showing seductive oaky flavour but with plenty of lush fruit in support. Drink now to 2020. 13% ref CM9951 34.00 bottle 408 dozen Saint-Estèphe is the northernmost of the four pre-eminent communes in the Haut- Médoc. The 1,200 hectares of vines grown in the commune tend to be planted on gravelly soil with clay subsoil. This more poorly drained, cooler soil delays ripening leaving grapes from the commune with higher acidity than those from its counterparts further south, an advantage in warmer years. Wines from Saint-Estèphe tend to be deeply coloured, full of extract and whilst they can be quite austere in their youth, they can be very long lived. Dubourdieu Family The late and much missed Denis Dubourdieu, who died in the summer of 2016, did more than follow his winemaking father and grandfather s footsteps. A professor of oenology since 1987, he has been described in the past as wine s most famous scientist, and he advised some of the greatest properties in the world, including Cheval Blanc and Yquem. His skills were highly sought after. Denis and his wife Florence ran several Bordeaux properties: Château Doisy-Daëne, Clos
Floridène, Château Reynon (purchased by his father-in-law Pierre in 1958 and where Florence and Denis moved upon their marriage in 1976), Château Cantegril and Château Haura. The management of these estates now falls to Florence and their eminently capable sons, Fabrice and Jean-Jacques. As well as their legendary sweet wines, they also produce an impressive range of dry reds and whites. The Dubourdieu family owns 135 hectares of vineyards in the Sauternes, Graves, and Cadillac-Cotes de Bordeaux regions. 24. [1] Château Reynon Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2016 Stylish Bordeaux sauvignon blanc, part-fermented in large oak vats which provides great texture without imparting any flavour of oak. Best drunk over the next six months, to make the most of its delightful freshness. 12.5% ref BW5831 11.50 bottle 138 dozen Château Reynon, which was Denis and Florence Dubourdieu s home property, is managed and harvested, parcel by parcel. The vineyard at Béguey, on a gravel and clay slope overlooking the Gironde in the Entre-Deux-Mers, is planted with half red and half white grapes. No herbicides are used here, and all of the grapes are handpicked. When they moved in the vineyard was not old but was badly planted so Denis began to replant four hectares a year from1988. Gradually they replaced the cabernet sauvignon and will blend 10% petit verdot (first used in 2008) with 90% merlot, because petit verdot succeeds, if well pruned, on the land at the bottom of the slope where the other grapes do not. The vineyard is on a south-facing slope overlooking the Garonne. Merlot ripens early here, as early as in Pomerol in fact. 25. Château Reynon Rouge, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2012 Fresh, spicy and with appealing texture, this is mainly merlot, but with healthy proportions of cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot lending complexity and structure to the wine. Drink now to 2020. 13.5% ref CB4221 12.95 bottle 155 dozen 26. Clos Floridène Rouge, Graves 2012 Clos Floridène, launched by Florence and Denis Dubourdieu in the early 1980s, has established itself as one of the most consistent-performing properties of the Graves appellation. The 2012 is a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot and 5% cabernet franc and the wine shows real charm and refinement, with plummy fruit character and silky tannins. Classic Graves. Drink now to 2022. 12.5% ref CM16801 17.00 bottle 204 dozen Extending 50km south-east of the city of Bordeaux along the left bank of the Garonne, Graves is famous for both its red and white wines. The vines are grown on varied gravel terraces, with the mineral, cabernet sauvignon-dominated reds representing good value for money. Some serious, barrel-fermented or oak-aged, dry whites are also made from sauvignon blanc and semillon.
27. [7] The Society s Exhibition Sauternes 2014 Delicious fruity, fragrant and luscious Sauternes made at the Dubourdieus small, beautifully managed estate, Cantegril. The 2014 is excellent, and marked out by a lovely freshness. Drink now to 2025. 13.5% ref BW5751 20.00 bottle 240 dozen Also available BW5752, Half bottle of The Society s Exhibition Sauternes 2014, 10.95 half bottle Many conditions have to be met before botrytised (noble rot affected) wine can be produced. A mesoclimate which favours misty mornings and warm afternoons so as to check the progression of the fungus, and ripe, healthy white grapes from varieties such as semillon and sauvignon blanc are all required. In the right conditions the fungus, botrytis cinerea, feeds on the acids and water in the grapes, dehydrating them and thereby increasing the sugar concentration in the grapes. The resulting wines tend to have luscious apricot and nectarine flavours with intense sweetness balanced by marked acidity. Château Haut-Bailly Pessac-Léognan A great estate owned for many years by the Sanders family, Château Haut-Bailly was sold in 1998 to American Robert Wilmers, who had the foresight to employ Véronique Sanders, granddaughter of the previous owner, Jean Sanders, to manage the domaine. Wilmers has totally rebuilt the cellars and improved selection in the vineyard, and the wine has never been better. The 30 hectare vineyard is in a single block, overlooked by the château and cellars, and a quarter of the vines are more than 100 years old. This is undoubtedly a great property and the wines have a reputation for finesse, elegance, and longevity. 28. La Parde de Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan 2011 The second wine of Haut-Bailly, one of Pessac-Léognan s foremost châteaux, this is an appealing blend of 65% merlot and 35% cabernet sauvignon, with real purity of fruit. A bouquet of bilberries and leather gives way to cinnamon and toasty oak notes on the finish. A benchmark Graves with plenty of life ahead. Drink now to 2022. 13% ref CM16321 22.50 bottle 270 dozen Created in 1987, Pessac-Léognan is an important appellation carved from the wider Graves district, for both red and white wines. In all about 1,300 hectares of vineyard produce red wines whilst about 260 hectares are planted to white varieties. As the soils in the appellation are comprised of gravel terraces from very different eras drainage is excellent. Cabernet sauvignon dominates with some merlot and cabernet franc planted as well. The best examples are mineral and almost smoky in style.
29. Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan 2009 This looked amazing when we tasted the must at vintage and has since proved to be a triumph, with every quality present but nothing in excess. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, this is luscious and firm with superb texture. They were able to pick over five weeks catching the sweet grapes at their best. Drink from next year to 2040. 13.5% ref CM14231 155.00 bottle 1860 dozen Château Ormes de Pez and Château Lynch-Bages Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac Château Ormes de Pez was acquired by the Cazes family, who also own fifth growth Lynch-Bages, in 1940, and both properties remain in the family to this day. Château Ormes de Pez has 37 hectares of vines which can be split into two fairly distinct terroirs: deep gravel soils for cabernet sauvignon and sandy clay for merlot, although petit verdot and cabernet franc are both also grown. Château Lynch-Bages lies on the Bages plateau, overlooking the Gironde estuary, with its 100 hectares of vines planted on good Garonne gravel soils. The excellent vineyard management here includes individual treatment of 110 different vine parcels, taking into account the areas each grape variety is best suited: cabernet sauvignon on pure gravel, merlot on clay-gravel, cabernet franc on sandy gravel and the white grapes grown to the west of the estate where it is slightly cooler. 30. Château Ormes de Pez, Saint-Estèphe 2010 Generous bright-tasting, full-flavoured and vibrant claret giving a a great deal of pleasure. Made from a blend of 57% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drink now to 2022. 14% ref CM14961A 32.00 bottle 384 dozen 31. Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2007 Seductively ripe, fruity and attractive: this classic Pauillac has considerable charm this year. This is a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drink now to 2025. 13% ref CM12441 95.00 bottle 1,140 dozen Pauillac boasts three of the five first growths ranked in Bordeaux s 1855 Classification. 1,200 hectares of vines are grown in an almost continuous strip between Pauillac s boundary with Saint-Julien to the south and Saint-Estèphe to the north. As with elsewhere in the Médoc, layers of gravel provide the key to wine quality by offering excellent drainage. This is aided by the local undulating topography and a series of streams running water off the gravelly plateau into the Gironde. Cabernet sauvignon dominates here giving wines with cassis, cedar and cigar-box aromas.
32. Château Lynch Bages, Pauillac 2009 The Cazes family believes this is even better than their 2005 and indeed it certainly is doing everything right with Pauillac power and depth, sweet fruit and charm too. A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc, 18% merlot and 2% petit verdot, aged in 70% new oak. Drink from 2020 to 2040. 13.5% ref CM14241 105.00 bottle 1,260 dozen Château de Pitray Côtes de Castillon The majestic estate of Château de Pitray has been in the de Boigne family for 600 years. Situated on the Gardegan plateau in the west of the Dordogne Valley, the property falls under the Côtes de Castillon appellation, but it lies just 8km from the better-known village of Saint-Emilion. Pitray is amongst the most respected properties in the appellation and since 2003 the estate has been run by current generation Jean de Boigne. The 37 hectares of vineyards are split between 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc, both of which enjoy the clay-limestone soils, and the vines have an age of around 30 years. 33. Château de Pitray, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2012 This well-run estate in the Castillon makes finely balanced and appetising reds from a blend of merlot and cabernet franc. Dark-fruit character with a long, pure finish. Drink now to 2020. 13% ref CB4441 8.95 bottle 107 dozen Also available CB4442, Half bottle of Château de Pitray, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2012, 5.50 half bottle, Low stock 34. Madame de Château de Pitray, Côtes de Castillon 2008 First released in the excellent 2005 vintage, we have often included Madame in our en primeur offer since. An elegant right bank claret with around 30% cabernet franc. Drink this year and next. 13.5% ref CB3871 18.00 bottle 216 dozen Château Rauzan-Ségla and Château Canon Margaux and Saint-Emilion In the 1855 Classification, Rauzan-Ségla was placed top of the second growths just after Mouton-Rothschild, which has since been promoted to a first growth. In the 20th century the property passed through a series of owners and suffered seriously from
under-investment, but this changed when the Wertheimer family, who own the Chanel business, bought the estate in 1994. They recruited John Kolasa, previously manager at Latour, to run it, installed proper drainage and embarked upon a considerable amount of replanting. After twenty-years of improving the estate and the wines Kolasa has now been succeeded by Nicolas Audebert, formerly of Veuve Clicquot and Cheval des Andes, the Argentinian grand cru established by Château Cheval Blanc. Château Canon has long been recognised as one of the best in Saint-Emilion and is a premier cru with a history of fine vintages. In 1919 it was purchased by the Fournier family, who owned the property until 1996, when they sold it to the Wertheimer family. Unfortunately, by this point, Canon had some serious problems: the cellars were contaminated with TCA, the chemical compound which causes cork taint. Many of the vines, infected by viruses, were in need of replacement, and part of the vineyard above the quarried cellars had subsided. Fortunately the Wertheimers had the means to address these issues, the will to do it and a manager, in John Kolasa, with the know-how. The first decade of the 21st century saw Canon begin to regain its reputation, and now that John Kolasa has retired and been succeeded by Nicolas Audebert this trajectory is certainly continuing. 35. Ségla, Margaux 2010 We think that this second wine of Rauzan Ségla, indisputably one of the top estates in Margaux, represents excellent value for money. It will repay keeping but already shows true Margaux finesse and depth of flavour, unsurprising because it accounts for over half of the vineyard s production. Drink now to 2025. 13.5% ref CM14921 32.00 bottle 384 dozen Also available CM14922, Half bottle of Ségla Margaux 2010, 14.95 half bottle Low stock CM14924, Magnum of Ségla Margaux 2010, 64.00 magnum Due to the fact that cabernet sauvignon is the dominant grape in the blends made in Bordeaux s Graves and Médoc regions, including all five first growths, the variety has been admired and planted almost everywhere grapes are grown for wine production. Unless cabernet sauvignon is very ripe it tends to have lots of structure and rather less fruit. This can often result in a hole in the middle palate known colloquially as the doughnut effect. To combat this deficiency, cabernet sauvignon has traditionally been blended with the softer, fruitier and plumper merlot grape. 36. Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux 2002 Now firmly re-established where it should be at the top of the second growths, this great vineyard made a 2002 of real breeding and class, with ripe fruit but the structure to last. Drink now to 2020. 13% ref CM7541 59.00 bottle 708 dozen
37. Château Canon, Saint-Emilion 2005 This great vineyard returned to form with its lovely 2001, but this is finer still with a delicious purity of fruit and finesse that reflects its terroir as well as natural sweetness and fat. Drink now to 2025. 14% ref CS5721 94.00 bottle 1,128 dozen Château Martinon, Château Tour Saint Bonnet and Vieux Clos Saint- Emilion 38. [1] Château Martinon, Entre-Deux-Mers 2016 A blend of mainly semillon and sauvignon, with a small addition of muscadelle for added complexity, the wine displays lovely freshness and lift. A benchmark example of crisp, unoaked white Bordeaux. Drink this year and next. 12.5% ref BW5761 8.25 bottle 99 dozen The family of owner/manager Jérome Trolliet have lived at Château Martinon for generations and are documented as far back as the 17th century. Jérome took over in 1980 and the reputation of the property for the quality of its wines has never been finer, particularly following the arrival of a new cellar master from Château Thieuley, Monsieur Bataille. The estate consists of 70 hectares (42 under vine) at Gornac in the Entre-Deux-Mers where semillon, sauvignon blanc, sauvignon gris and muscadelle are grown for white wines and merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc for red, on a south-facing slopes of clay-limestone. 39. Château Tour Saint Bonnet, Médoc 2011 A classically styled, savoury Médoc from an estate that we have followed for many years. Equal parts cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with small amounts of petit verdot and malbec completing the blend. Drink now to 2020. 13.5% ref CM18771 12.95 bottle 155 dozen Based in Saint-Christoly in the north of the Médoc region, the cru bourgeois property, Château Tour Saint Bonnet, is the largest in the village, and has been in the hands of the Lafon family since 1903. There are 40 hectares under vine, with an average age of 35 years, which lie on the best gravel soils. The plantings comprise 45% each of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% malbec. 40. Château Vieux Clos, Saint-Emilion 2010 Lovely freshness and fragrance gives this consistently attractive Saint-Emilion extra lift and charm. This is a blend of 50% merlot, 40% cabernet franc and 10% malbec. Drink now to 2020. 14% ref CS7931 17.50 bottle 210 dozen Low Stock