24 Jul 2020

Château Le Crock is probably familiar to you, with its label liveried in the same colours as sister-estates Léoville-Poyferré and Moulin Riche.  Recently elevated in the latest classification, Le Crock is now a 'Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel'.  Léoville-Poyferré was one of the hottest wines of the 2019 en primeur campaign and it seems that Le Crock, opposite Cos d'Estournel, is also flying high at the moment, with a superb 94 point score for the 2016 from Jane Anson in this month's Decanter. She describes it as "a wine you would be thrilled to own".  We have secured a parcel of the 2016 in Bordeaux, which we now offer at £265 in bond, landing in the UK in Spring 2021.

 

Opposite Cos d'Estournel and near to Montrose, Le Crock is in a prime location in Saint-Estèphe

The reputation of the 2016s in general are increasing by the day, as more critics re-taste them in bottle.  Anson finds cassis, bilberry and black chocolate notes with slate (that balancing minerality which we mentioned).  At the equivalent of under £30 per bottle inclusive of VAT and drinking from as early as 2021, we think this is unbeatable value for a fine wine.  Please let us know if you would like to place an order. 

Le Crock's winemaker, Isabel Darvin

See older vintages of Le Crock available here. 

 

We also have VERY limited availability of 2019 Léoville-Poyferré en primeur, here.

 

 

2016 Château Le Crock, Saint-Estèphe, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel £265 IB per dozen, offered EX-CELLAR

Brilliant density on the palate, mineral and with very fine tannins, the acidity balances the plushness of the fruit beautifully, with hedgerow fruits and cassis flavours.  Very fine and stands out from the other Cru Bourgeois in this tasting. RKL Sep 2018

"The purity of the cabernet sauvignon is very evident here with currant and floral character. Full-bodied, firm and very polished with lovely, strong tannins. Muscular and polished...93 points." James Suckling

"A brilliant estate, well worth knowing about, owned by the Cuvelier family of Château Léoville Poyferré...Clearly standing out in this line-up, an impressive, well-crafted wine with great tannic hold; a wine you would be thrilled to own.  94 points."  Jane Anson, Decanter, Aug 2020 (Tasted Jul 2020)

£265 in bond per dozen bottles offered EX-CELLARS

Offered ex-chateau, due to land in the UK in Spring 2021.  Priced in bond, excluding UK duty, VAT and onward delivery, payable at the prevailing rate on release from bond.  Stock subject to availability, E&OE.

Producer Profile

Château Le Crock

Château Le Crock has 32 hectares of vineyards on gravel, sand and clay terroir which retain heat and drain freely, maintaining groundwater reserves in dry years, with the closeness of the Gironde preventing temperatures from rising too high in the summer. The vineyard is spread over three distinct areas, planted to cabernet sauvignon (53%), merlot (33%), cabernet franc (9%) and petit verdot (5%).

Oenologist Isabel Davin has been in charge since 2000, with Michel Rolland consulting.  It might be an over-simplification to say this, but in each year we find a dark, seductive cassis and plum-fruit richness at Le Crock and its sister-estates, which may be Rolland's influence, but with increasing minerality, freshness and a focus on aroma, especially since Sara  Lecomte-Cuvelier has taken the reins.