Red Bordeaux
| RED | 2021 | 4 cases | Château Meyney | 75cl | £234 per case of 12 | Château Meyney 2021 / 4 cases / 75cl £234 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Cask sample. Excellent depth of flavour and ripeness. Sappy with no skinniness. Really no sign that this was a difficult vintage. Complete. Fresh with ripe tannins dominated by vibrant, ripe fruit. It even has some impressive persistence. It’s not super-ripe but is certainly ripe enough. Drink 2027 – 2042 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"Offering up aromas of cassis, blackberries, spices and creamy new oak, the 2021 Meyney is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with lively acids, powdery tannins and an impressively rich, textural profile for the vintage. It's a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot. 89-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This has tannins, grip and plenty of character. Majors on blueberry and raspberry fruit, dips through the mid palate but enjoyable, one to look out for, with smoked caramel notes from the oak. Tasted twice. 44hl/h yield. Harvest September 24 to October 8. Anne la Naour technical director. Hubert de Bouard consultant. 91 points" janeanson.com------"A pretty wine with currant, cherry and some spices, such as nutmeg. Subtle this year. Medium body. 91-92 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2021 Meyney has a lovely bouquet with floral-tinged red berry fruit, opening nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh red berry fruit laced with oyster shell and spice. Fine build towards a menthol-tinged finish, winemaker Anne La Nour has conjured a very commendable Saint-Estèphe from a tricky growing season. If release prices match your wallet, I'd stick a case (or two) in the cellar. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 2 cases | Château Montlandrie | 75cl | £175 per case of 12 | Château Montlandrie 2021 / 2 cases / 75cl £175 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Plenty of chalky lift, the acidity present but matched by fruit and tannins. Wild terroir note just about tamed. Lively finish. Will need a little patience and to be matched with food. 14%. Drink 2027 – 2033 16 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2021 Montlandrie, the Durantou family's Lalande de Pomerol, was picked between 30 September and 8 October, matured in 50% new oak. A mélange of red and black fruit on the nose, light liquorice and freshly-rolled tobacco scents surface with just a few swirls. The palate is well structured and focused, fresh and displays well-integrated oak, though perhaps Les Cruzelles as a little more panache at this early stage. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, RobertParker.com------"A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Montlandrie exhibits aromas of rich berries and cherries mingled with loamy soil, spices and potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, lively and incisive, it's nicely concentrated, with fine depth at the core and a bright, saline finish. Its Côtes de Castillon origins mark this out as the most tensile, mineral wine in the Durantou portfolio. 90-92 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Kicks off with the knife-edge austerity of limestone, with a delicate frame and oyster shell salinity, opening to peony floral aromatics and gentle raspberry fruits. Tight overall in its construction, needs to soften over ageing. 50% new oak, harvest September 30 to October 7. 92 points" janeanson.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 1 case | Château Montrose | 75cl | £840 per case of 12 | Château Montrose 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £840 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"53% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. 12% press wine. Cask sample. Dark and minerally through and through. Good fruit concentration. Hint of barrel but integrated. Velvety attack, the tannins dense but finely framed. Long, cool finish. Evident potential for ageing. Drink 2030 – 2050. 17+ points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2021 Montrose is very clean and precise on the nose. You could almost describe it has clinical, crushed stone infusing the black fruit and briar. It is not as intense as the previous two vintages, which is to be expected, though the Cabernet Sauvignon is expressive. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine acidity; a Monrose that is very tensile and focused. Moderate grip and volume, this is a more slimline version of recent vintages, a reflection of the growing season. Maybe it just misses the bravura finish that one has almost come to expect from this estate, yet it has the potential to become an aristocratic, classic Montrose. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This has depth on the palate, inky purple with grilled almond, fennel, cassis, blackberry, bilblerry, waves of fruit set against strong, austere tannins that give excellent structure but not a lot of generosity. This is a serious, signature Montrose that is not an early drinker. Juicy on the finish, one to recommend. 55% new oak. Pierre Grafeuille has come on board as director since March 1, and will be taking over fully from Hervé Berland as of October 1. 95 points" janeanson.com------"A brilliant achievement, the 2021 Montrose is reminiscent of a purer, more precise, modern-day version of the estate's 1996. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of blackcurrants, pencil shavings, sweet loamy soil, black truffle and nicely integrated new oak, it's full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with terrific depth at the core, lively acids and a seamless, harmonious profile. Exhibiting beautifully refined tannins and an impressive sense of completeness, it's a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot—standing out as one of the few top wines of the vintage that actually includes more Merlot and less Cabernet than in recent years. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 is a fine choice for Montrose fans who want to drink the Grand Vin without waiting for decades. I imagine the slightly high amount of Merlot also helps in giving the Grand Vin a measure of suppleness that is rarely found in Montrose. Gentle extractions bring out gorgeous purity in the fruit. Scorched earth, licorice, rose petal and blood orange develop in the glass, followed by a kick of Montrose structure on the finish. The 2021 is not an especially typical Montrose, but it is an undeniably attractive wine. The 13.1% alcohol has not been seen here in years. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A very classy and refined Montrose with excellent length and a compact, medium-bodied palate, showing fine, silky tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Lots of currant, blackberry and tar at the end, as well as some graphite. 62% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 1 case | Château Mouton Rothschild | 75cl | £1,980 per case of 6 | Château Mouton Rothschild 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £1,980 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2021 | 3 cases | Château Ormes de Pez | 75cl | £220 per case of 12 | Château Ormes de Pez 2021 / 3 cases / 75cl £220 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2021 Ormes de Pez exhibits aromas of cassis, licorice, warm spices and toasty new oak, followed by a medium-bodied, lively and nicely concentrated palate built around rich, powdery tannins that will round out with further maturation in barrel. Produced by the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages, it shows promise. 90-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 Ormes de Pez is matured in 45% new oak. This has a fragrant nose, very well defined, in fact, perhaps more sophisticated than the Haut-Batailley at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a little powdery in texture, touches of graphite towards the almost Pauillac-like finish. A stylish Saint-Estèphe, this is recommended. 13.13% alcohol. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This has punch and mouth-watering juicy acidities. Cheerful, enticiting, blackberry and loganberry fruits, and all is in place to add on further depth over ageing. There is rusticity that speaks of the vintage, but it is charming and this is easy to recommend. Another great vintage at Ormes de Pez, one of the value wines of the year. 45% new oak. 93 points" janeanson.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 3 cases | Château Phelan Ségur | 75cl | £360 per case of 12 | Château Phelan Ségur 2021 / 3 cases / 75cl £360 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Cask sample. Deep purple. Deep flavours on the nose – intense! Drier, perhaps more ‘serious’ than de Pez. Fully ripe flavours but still quite youthful with marked tannins on the end. Real drive here as well as length. And a dry, almost drying, finish. Not flattering but true to the appellation. Drink 2029 – 2045. 16.5+ points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"Attractive, carefully-extracted damson and black cherry fruit with austere tannins. This is a little drying on the finish, and is clearly impacted by the issues of the vintage, after a series of truly brilliant years at Phélan Ségur. Harvest September 29 to October 13. IPT 85. 55% new oak. 90 points" janeanson.com------"Tasted on numerous occasions, the 2021 Château Phélan Ségur (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot) makes the most of this challenging vintage and offers terrific purity in its cassis fruit as well toasted spice and violet notes. It has some background oak, medium-bodied richness, good mid-palate density, and outstanding length. 91-93+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums and cherries mingled with notions of rose petals, pipe tobacco, sweet spices and loamy soil, the 2021 Phélan Ségur is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with impressive depth at the core, ripe tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, saline finish. Concentrated and well-constructed, this is a serious wine with a bright future ahead of it. It's a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Tasted five times, twice at the estate. 92-93+ points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 Phélan Ségur has an attractive bouquet of blackberry, raspberry and dried rose petal scents, quite fragrant and appealing even at this early stage. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine tannins, well-judged acidity and quite a tensile finish. This is very promising, though it will need four to five years in bottle. It might represent one of the best values for money… depending on the release price, of course. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 1 case | Château Pichon Baron | 75cl | £430 per case of 6 | Château Pichon Baron 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £430 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2021 | 1 case | Château Pichon Lalande | 75cl | £495 per case of 6 | Château Pichon Lalande 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £495 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot. Cask sample. Characteristic elegance but the Pauillac character still evident. Fragrant nose with dark-fruit and floral notes and just a hint of chocolate. Persistent fruit through the mid palate with finely edged tannins. Well structured with good energy and drive, the finish persistent. Balanced and harmonious. Drink 2028 – 2042. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande needs more coaxing from the glass than previous vintages. Blackberry, juniper and iris flower scents reluctantly unfold, though tasting a second glass, I found the nose more forthcoming. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. The Cabernet is in the driving seat, imparting black fruit, a touch of graphite and chimney soot. Edgy, with a structured and quite serious if slightly short finish. A cerebral proposition for serious Pauillac lovers. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This is really spicy with peppercorns, cloves and Chinese spices, especially on the finish. Blackcurrants, too. Medium-bodied, firm and polished with a long, intense finish. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc and 2% merlot. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com------"This estate is one of the most dynamic in contemporary Bordeaux, so it's no surprise that the 2021 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a terrific wine—though its a very atypical blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot, cropped at a derisory 15 hectoliters per hectare, hints at what a challenging year this was in the vineyards. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries, blackcurrants, iris, licorice, black truffles, cigar wrapper and sweet soil tones, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and a supple but serious profile. It will see 60% new oak and, in all likelihood, a classical élevage of fully 18 months. 94-95+ points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"One of the gems in the vintage is the 2021 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, a Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blend that includes 10% Cabernet Franc and just 2% Merlot, aging in 60% new barrel. Yields here were devastated due to mildew and poor flowering, and the final wine comes from a horrific 15 hectoliters per hectare. The final alcohol hit 13%, and it has a healthy pH of 3.69 and an IPT of 75. In addition, a fair bit of press wine was used this year. Regardless of the numbers and technical data, the wine is brilliant and offers a pure, seamless, medium to full-bodied style carrying notes of dark currants, liquid violets, graphite, and chalky minerality. Possessing ultra-fine tannins, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish, it's going to benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age and be a long-lived Pauillac. It's another incredible success from this team. 94-96+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Let's start with the good. The 2021 Pichon Comtesse is epic and certainly among the great wines of this vintage. Sadly, the coulure and mildew in the first year of organic farming plus dehydration at the end of the growing season took with it fully two thirds of the crop. In other words, there's not much wine to go around. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, yet clocking in at 12.9% alcohol, the 2021 is beautifully layered and totally sensual from the very first taste. Hints of red fruit, flowers, mint, white pepper and dried savory herbs develop with a bit of coaxing. The Cabernet Sauvignon, at 88%, is very high by historical standards. Quite simply, the 2021 is a tour de force from Technical Director Nicolas Glumineau and his team. If there is one wine readers will absolutely jump on en primeur it is Pichon Comtesse. Should the bottled wine turn out as well as this sample, pricing is likely to jump materially because of the tiny production. Don't miss it. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 2 cases | Château Pontet Canet | 75cl | £295 per case of 6 | Château Pontet Canet 2021 / 2 cases / 75cl £295 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Purple-crimson hue. Dark, dense and rich with a brush-stroke of vanilla oak. Broad across the palate on attack then prominent tannins on the finish. Certainly, chalky, dry and chewy. Elévage should help. Awkward at present but hopefully will pull together. 13.1%. Drink 2027 – 2038 16+ points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2021 Pontet Canet is quite perfumed on the finely delineated nose of blackberry, briar and pressed iris flower, a touch of inkwell coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a pinch of white pepper on the entry and gentle grip. Not as enormously deep as other vintages, as you would expect, but it displays a fine bitter edge and a graphite-infused finish. This should drink earlier than other vintages yet has the substance to mature in bottle. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, RobertParker.com------"Offering up wild, exotic aromas of blackberries, cloves and Indian spices mingled with notions of rose petal, bruised orchard fruit and cherry pit that evolve rapidly in the glass, the 2021 Pontet-Canet is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a layered mid-palate and refined tannins that assert themselves on the firm, saline finish. Always one of the Médoc's most singular, idiosyncratic wines, it will be interesting to see how it performs in bottle. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 is the most classically Pauillac Pontet-Canet I have tasted in modern times. Medium in body, with striking aromatic presence, the 2021 screams with character. Grilled herbs, incense, leather, lavender and plum open with a bit of coaxing, all framed by beams of tannin and bright, salivating acids that give the wine shape and real sense of direction. There's a bit more Petit Verdot in this year's blend, and that comes through in the wine's intensely savory profile. Aging is 50% in new wood, 35% in amphora and 15% in one year-old barrels. The 2021 was impressive all three times I tasted it. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Bright berry red in colour, nuanced blackberry and loganberry with bitter black chocolate notes from the first attack. Lovely precision, good level of spice, earthy, unfussy, rose stem and blackcurrant bud. This was the third vintage with mildew pessure, but the team are now experienced, and I can attest to seeing the vines during harvest and remarking on how healthy they looked, with no-till farming helping concentration. Plenty of tannins give structure and are shot through with sinew and juice, this is an impressive wine from technical director Mathieu Bessonet, with Pauillac typicity. Harvest 24 september until 12 October. 50% new oak, 35% amphora, 15% one year barrels, 15% press (aged in the amphora). 95 points" janeanson.com------"Plenty of blackberry and blueberry with wet earth and crushed stone. Some spice,tobacco and lead pencil, too. It’s full-bodied with layered tannins and brightness. Fine and chewy at the end. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 2 cases | Château Rauzan Ségla | 75cl | £235 per case of 6 | Château Rauzan Ségla 2021 / 2 cases / 75cl £235 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot. Cask sample. Pretty solid crimson. Much more complex nose than the Rauzan-Gassies. Sweet start and very polished tannins. A saline note adds interest. No sign of oak. The finish is impressively long and interesting without any dryness nor any excess of acidity. Very well judged and very Margaux though the opposite of concentrated or flashy. Complete and already relatively accessible. Drink 2026 – 2042. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com------"A firm and linear wine with crushed stone and some citrusy acidity, Medium body, creamy tannins and a fresh finish, Lively at the end. Currant, blackberry and fresh tobacco in the aftertaste. 75% cabernet sauvignon. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"One of the undeniable successes is the 2021 Château Rauzan-Ségla, which emerges from yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare and is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. It has remarkable depth and density as well as classic aromas of cassis, tobacco, spicy oak, and subtle floral notes. These all carry to a medium-bodied, concentrated 2021 with polished tannins and a great finish. It's one classy, seamless, elegant Margaux that will drink well right out of the gate yet keep for 20 years. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Representing around 44% of the estate's production (more or less as usual), the 2021 Rauzan-Ségla unwinds in the glass with aromas of minty cassis, blackberries, loamy soil, dark chocolate and warm spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and impressively concentrated, it's layered and seamless, with a sweet core of fruit, powdery tannins, lively acids and an impressively penetrating finish. The Rauzan team opted to ferment Merlot rather cooler than normal this year to moderate extraction. Tasted six times. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"According to Nicolas Audebert, the 2021 Rauzan Ségla has a reduced proportion of Merlot, as a consequence of which it was felt that the Petit Verdot crowded out the final blend and was thus demoted to the Deuxième Vin. Matured in 60% new oak for an intended 18 months, it has a surprisingly opulent bouquet with conspicuous Merlot that has the hubris to vie for attention with the Cabernet. Very pure and well-defined, this gains intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very finely chiseled tannins, displaying disarming purity and poise. Minerally on the finish, with just the faintest hint of dark chocolate on the aftertaste. Precision, precision, precision. (13.0% alcohol) 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2021 Rauzan-Ségla is absolutely gorgeous. It offers up scents of graphite, savory herbs, licorice, chocolate and plum, all beautifully lifted by strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections Naturally, the 2021 doesn't have the mid palate richness and overall intensity of recent years. Readers will find a tightly wound Margaux that balances classic structure with modern-day precision. I can't wait to see how it ages. Tasted four times. 94-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 5 cases | Château Roc de Cambes | 75cl | £220 per case of 6 | Château Roc de Cambes 2021 / 5 cases / 75cl £220 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Open and expressive. Dark fruit and toasted notes but with a chalky lift. Gourmand fruit on the palate but chalky tannins again in behind. Seductive house style but in a minor key. Drink 2027 – 2036 16+ points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2021 Roc de Cambes has another quite Burgundy-like bouquet, a mélange of red and black fruit, very well defined, perfumed and pure. The caressing palate has good weight, a uncommon sense of rondeur for a 2021, and pliant, filigreed tannins on the finish. I think the 2021 vintage really suits the Roc de Cambes. A wonderful wine. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2021 Roc de Cambes is shaping up beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet berries, wild plums, rich cassis, pipe tobacco and espresso roast. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and textural, it's a rich, sensual wine with an elegantly muscular profile, its structuring tannins largely concealed by succulent fruit. Seamless and penetrating, it's an especially elegant rendition of this superb clay-limestone terroir in the Côtes de Bourg. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 Roc de Cambes is fabulous. It possesses terrific depth and intensity from start to finish. Black cherry, plum, licorice, smoke, tobacco, incense and dried herbs build effortlessly in the glass. All the elements are beautifully balanced. The 2021 is so appealing today, but it clearly offers considerable potential for the future. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 3 cases | Château Roc de Cambes | Magnum | £260 per case of 3 | Château Roc de Cambes 2021 / 3 cases / Magnum £260 per case of 3 |
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Tasting Notes"80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Open and expressive. Dark fruit and toasted notes but with a chalky lift. Gourmand fruit on the palate but chalky tannins again in behind. Seductive house style but in a minor key. Drink 2027 – 2036 16+ points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2021 Roc de Cambes has another quite Burgundy-like bouquet, a mélange of red and black fruit, very well defined, perfumed and pure. The caressing palate has good weight, a uncommon sense of rondeur for a 2021, and pliant, filigreed tannins on the finish. I think the 2021 vintage really suits the Roc de Cambes. A wonderful wine. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2021 Roc de Cambes is shaping up beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet berries, wild plums, rich cassis, pipe tobacco and espresso roast. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and textural, it's a rich, sensual wine with an elegantly muscular profile, its structuring tannins largely concealed by succulent fruit. Seamless and penetrating, it's an especially elegant rendition of this superb clay-limestone terroir in the Côtes de Bourg. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 Roc de Cambes is fabulous. It possesses terrific depth and intensity from start to finish. Black cherry, plum, licorice, smoke, tobacco, incense and dried herbs build effortlessly in the glass. All the elements are beautifully balanced. The 2021 is so appealing today, but it clearly offers considerable potential for the future. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 6 cases | Château Saintayme | 75cl | £135 per case of 12 | Château Saintayme 2021 / 6 cases / 75cl £135 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes100% Merlot. Cask sample. Round, aromatic and gourmand. Chalky freshness and tannins. Lighter weight but pleasure in the fruit and freshness. 16 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The Durantou family's 2021 Saintayme derives from soils rich in large stones in Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse. Offering up aromas of sweet blackberries, licorice and spices, it's medium-bodied, lively and charming, with a fleshy core of fruit and fine, powdery tannins. 88-90 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Beautiful juice here, cool, measured, reserved, precise blue fruit and gunsmoke reduction, with sinew and just a touch of swagger. Harvest September 28 to October 11. 92 points" janeanson.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 1 case | Château Talbot | 75cl | £450 per case of 12 | Château Talbot 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £450 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Open and aromatic with blackcurrant and mineral notes. Palate unusually seductive at this stage, the fruit supple and tannins finely honed. Some grip and drive on the finish. Medium-bodied and compact, if not quite the depth of a top year. Drink 2028 – 2038. 16+ points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2021 Talbot, the Saint-Julien stalwart now under the aegis of Jean-Michel Laporte for several years, was picked from September 27 to October 11 at 44hL/ha and matured in 60% new oak, the alcohol registering 12.8%. It has a clean, focused and correct bouquet, hints of blood orange and graphite surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple entry. This feels cohesive and smooth, delivering moderate depth and a touch of licorice toward the finish. I would have just liked a little more on the aftertaste. (12.8% alcohol) 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This feels old school in the best way, a nod to the classic vintages of the past, with concentration and structure, powerful but savoury and sculpted cassis and blackberry fruits, curls of bitter black chocolate and spice. Great quality. 44hl/h yield, and a natural 12% alcohol, really leaning into the vintage, successfully so. 92 points" janeanson.com------"The 2021 Talbot is promising, exhibiting aromas of wild berries, cherries, cigar wrapper and sweet spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety palate that's bright and seamless, with an enveloping, charming profile despite analytically rather high levels of polyphenols. This is a fine effort that reminds Jean-Michel Laporte of the 2001 vintage in style—though the 2021 will benefit from all the improvements that the last two decades have witnessed at this address. Tasted four times. 91-92+ points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 Talbot is impeccable. Soft and inviting, the 2021 is absolutely charming. Red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, mint and spice are front and center. Although pretty easygoing in style, the 2021 is beautifully balanced and is not penalized by some of the rougher edges that have been an issue in the past. If the 2021 is an indication of where the estate is heading, that direction appears to be quite positive. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A fruity and attractive 2021 with currant and berry aromas and flavors. Hints of citrus. Medium body. Fresh finish. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 1 case | Château Tour Saint Christophe | 75cl | £120 per case of 6 | Château Tour Saint Christophe 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £120 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Vignobles K is on a roll, with a series of great vintages, and there is clear depth to the fruit, heavy on the limestone salinity, enjoyable pumice stone minerality, and a push and pull between tannins and acidity. The signature of the vintage comes through in a sharp finish as the acidity kicks in, emphasising the austerity, but this is a successful wine. Emmanuelle Fulchi D’Aligny arrived from Château Angélus as technical director in March 2022. 91 Points." Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux------"The 2021 Tour Saint Christophe has turned out very well, delivering aromas of cherries and sweet berries mingled with hints of loamy soil and sweet new oak. Medium to full-bodied, pure and lively, it's elegantly muscular, with powdery tannins and a penetrating finish. 90-92+ Points." William Kelley, Wine Advocate------"The 2021 Tour Saint Christophe is perfumed and high-toned on the nose, featuring blueberry and raspberry fruit mixed with violet and iris flower. The palate is well balanced with sappy black fruit, gentle grip, impressive balance and a correct, quite linear finish. Stylish and with good ageing potential. It should end up at the top of my banded score. 90-92 Points." Neal Martin, Vinous------"The 2021 Tour Saint Christophe is terrific. Naturally, the 2021 doesn’t have the breadth of previous vintages. Instead, there is a sense of energy running through the 2021 that is compelling. Dark fruit, leather, gravel, incense and mocha all meld together nicely. Once again, Tour Saint Christophe is a star for the appellation for its quality and value. Tasted two times. 91-93 Points." Vinous (AG) |
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| RED | 2021 | 2 cases | Domaine de Chevalier | 75cl | £220 per case of 6 | Domaine de Chevalier 2021 / 2 cases / 75cl £220 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Deep purplish crimson. Savoury nose with something more complex than just fruit. Good density and depth though still a little oak evidence (hardly surprisingly). Tingly finish. Polished tannins. Really quite fine and not lacking anything. Bone dry and on the refreshing side but it really doesn’t taste like a wine from a less-than-successful vintage. Good weight and balance in the mouth. Refreshing but not austere. Drink 2028 – 2045. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"Inky purple in colour, powerful aromatics. Chevalier is often an estate to turn to in challenging vintages, and is proving its mettle here. This is another league from much of 2021, extremely impressive in quality. Clove, saffron, turmeric, leather, complex layers of flavour that unroll slowly and get a sense of momentum building. The fingerprint of 2021 comes through in the savoury black fruits and austere tannins that need more filling out over ageing, but this is exceptional. 30hl/h yield. In organic conversion. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2021 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from September 28 until October 15 at 30hL/ha. Tobacco- and sous-bois-infused black fruit unfurl with a sense of assuredness on the nose, the best example, a third bottle toward the end of my tastings, being the most delineated. This has energy rather than horsepower. The palate is medium-bodied with pencil-lead-infused black fruit and a slightly powdery texture, certainly the most saline in recent years, leading to an almost Pauillac-inspired finish. Stylish and classic Domaine de Chevalier. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A true success in the vintage is the 2021 Domaine de Chevalier from the team of Olivier Bernard. Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it was harvested between the September 28 and October 12. It will spend 18 months in a mix of new and used barrels. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and focused, with the style of the vintage front and center, it has gorgeous cassis and darker fruits, notes of tobacco and violets, ripe tannins, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length. It's up there with the top wines in the vintage. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2021 Domaine de Chevalier is full of promise, bursting with aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with loamy soil, bay leaf, licorice, potpourri and spices. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, its velvety attack segues into a lively, layered core, concluding with a long, nicely defined finish. Olivier Bernard doesn't think that this will surpass his 2018, but I tend to disagree. The 2021 is a blend of fully 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 Domaine de Chevalier was terrific both times I tasted it. Potent and driving, the 2021 dazzles with Cabernet Sauvignon intensity in its aromas, flavors and overall structure. Graphite, spice, menthol, spice, rose petals, mocha and flowers run through a core of red/purplish fruit. The Blanc gets most of the attention at Domaine de Chevalier, but these days I find the red more complete and more interesting. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A medium-bodied DC with a pretty core of ripe fruit that shows licorice, blackberry and some currant character. Spice box, too. Very long, with fine tannins and plenty of energy. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 1 case | La Dame de Montrose | 75cl | £295 per case of 12 | La Dame de Montrose 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £295 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2021 | 1 case | Vieux Château Certan | 75cl | £460 per case of 3 | Vieux Château Certan 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £460 per case of 3 |
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Tasting Notes"...Rich, racy and aromatic with floral notes to the fore. Old-vine intensity, something not always evident this year. Smooth, elegant texture with fine, persistent tannins. Sweetness to the fruit on attack then fresh and driven on the finish. Good potential. 13.2%. Drink 2029 – 2050. 17.5 points." James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com------"This has a classic structure, wet stones, smoked earth, plenty of sappy redcurrant and cassis fruits, graphite and subdued power, will easily age for 15 to 20 years. The emphasis is on graceful structure rather than exuberant fruits, but it has clarity and complexity, and the most beautifully drawn out finish. Skilful winemaking. No chaptilisation, 65% new oak, 3.63ph. Harvest September 24 to October 6. 95 points". Jane Anson------"...wafts from the glass with lovely aromas of violets, rose petals, sweet wild berries, exotic spices, orange rind and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, it's an elegant, fleshy wine with a bright core of fruit, ultra-refined tannins and a precise, saline finish. Despite its almost Burgundian finesse, this Pomerol's remarkably penetrating, perfumed finish gives the lie to any notion that it's in any way lacking in intensity of flavor. As is almost invariably the case, Vieux Château Certan is one of the finest wines of the appellation this year. 94-96 points." William Kelley, Wine Advocate------"...a VCC defined by its Cabernets; Guillaume Thienpont told me they used all they had. "I would have blended more if we had more vines," he quipped. The nose unfurls with air to reveal graphite-infused black fruit, touches of undergrowth and tobacco – quintessential VCC aromatics. The palate is beautifully balanced with exquisite definition, not powerful and certainly not opulent, yet built around finesse, precision and charm. It seems to grow in stature in the glass. Pure class. 95-97 points." Neal Martin, vinous.com------"Medium to full body with a supple, textured and firm tannin structure. Velvety and perfumed with fragrant notes of flowers, cloves, plums and raspberries. Broad and layered. Very supple and evolving. Opens on the palate. 77% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon. 96-97 points." James Suckling------"The 2021 Vieux Château Certan is a spectacular tour de force from Alexander and Guillaume Thienpont. What a wine. Vibrant and magnificent in its precision, the 2021 races across the palate, revealing seemingly endless layers of nuance over time. Dark blue/purplish fruit, cinnamon, new leather, graphite, lavender and crushed rocks all build effortlessly. The Cabernets are dialed up in 2021 and that comes through in the wine's flavor profile and overall feel. The purity of the flavors is just mind-bending. Harvest took place between September 25 and October 4. The blend is 67% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Readers who can find the 2021 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2021 | 2 cases | Vieux Château Certan | 75cl | £720 per case of 6 | Vieux Château Certan 2021 / 2 cases / 75cl £720 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"...Rich, racy and aromatic with floral notes to the fore. Old-vine intensity, something not always evident this year. Smooth, elegant texture with fine, persistent tannins. Sweetness to the fruit on attack then fresh and driven on the finish. Good potential. 13.2%. Drink 2029 – 2050. 17.5 points." James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com------"This has a classic structure, wet stones, smoked earth, plenty of sappy redcurrant and cassis fruits, graphite and subdued power, will easily age for 15 to 20 years. The emphasis is on graceful structure rather than exuberant fruits, but it has clarity and complexity, and the most beautifully drawn out finish. Skilful winemaking. No chaptilisation, 65% new oak, 3.63ph. Harvest September 24 to October 6. 95 points". Jane Anson------"...wafts from the glass with lovely aromas of violets, rose petals, sweet wild berries, exotic spices, orange rind and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, it's an elegant, fleshy wine with a bright core of fruit, ultra-refined tannins and a precise, saline finish. Despite its almost Burgundian finesse, this Pomerol's remarkably penetrating, perfumed finish gives the lie to any notion that it's in any way lacking in intensity of flavor. As is almost invariably the case, Vieux Château Certan is one of the finest wines of the appellation this year. 94-96 points." William Kelley, Wine Advocate------"...a VCC defined by its Cabernets; Guillaume Thienpont told me they used all they had. "I would have blended more if we had more vines," he quipped. The nose unfurls with air to reveal graphite-infused black fruit, touches of undergrowth and tobacco – quintessential VCC aromatics. The palate is beautifully balanced with exquisite definition, not powerful and certainly not opulent, yet built around finesse, precision and charm. It seems to grow in stature in the glass. Pure class. 95-97 points." Neal Martin, vinous.com------"Medium to full body with a supple, textured and firm tannin structure. Velvety and perfumed with fragrant notes of flowers, cloves, plums and raspberries. Broad and layered. Very supple and evolving. Opens on the palate. 77% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon. 96-97 points." James Suckling------"The 2021 Vieux Château Certan is a spectacular tour de force from Alexander and Guillaume Thienpont. What a wine. Vibrant and magnificent in its precision, the 2021 races across the palate, revealing seemingly endless layers of nuance over time. Dark blue/purplish fruit, cinnamon, new leather, graphite, lavender and crushed rocks all build effortlessly. The Cabernets are dialed up in 2021 and that comes through in the wine's flavor profile and overall feel. The purity of the flavors is just mind-bending. Harvest took place between September 25 and October 4. The blend is 67% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Readers who can find the 2021 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 15 cases | Château Angludet | 75cl | £324 per case of 12 | Château Angludet 2022 / 15 cases / 75cl £324 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The Bordelais machine has already begun to alienate potential consumers with exaggerated claims to the effect that 2022 is "the best vintage ever"; yet there are some wines that do actually appear to merit such hyperbole, and the 2022 D'Angludet is one of them. Offering up deep aromas of inky cassis, plums, pencil lead and subtle spices, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a broad attack, ripe acids and a supple, seamless profile, concluding with an expansive finish. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The intensity of the violet-edged colour extraction is pretty remarkable in the Médoc, and this manages to get the balance right between intensity and appeal, alongside vibrant raspberry, brushed damson and bilberry fruit, given lift by pomegranate and and passion fruit, and a curl of smoked earth. One to look out for, should be great value. 35% amphoras, 65% barrels for ageing. 94 points" janeanson.com |
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