Red Bordeaux
| 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 | 4 cases | Vieux Château Certan | 75cl | £920 per case of 6 | Vieux Château Certan 2021 / 4 cases / 75cl £920 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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| RED | 2022 | 3 cases | Château Angludet | Magnum | £339 per case of 6 | Château Angludet 2022 / 3 cases / Magnum £339 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2022 | 1 case | Château Ausone | 75cl | £1,700 per case of 3 | Château Ausone 2022 / 1 case / 75cl £1,700 per case of 3 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Ausone unwinds in the glass with aromas of plums, raspberries and cherries complemented by hints of crushed mint and spices, framed by a lavish patina of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, layered and rather muscular, it's deep and concentrated, its vibrant core of fruit framed by a serious chassis of rich, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. Given its imposing levels of structuring extract, it will require patience. 94-96+ points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2022 Ausone is dense, powerful and quite brooding in demeanor. Dark-toned fruit, spice, leather, licorice and dried herbs add to an impression of somber intensity. In so many vintages Ausone is immediately alluring, but the 2022 is a potent, backward wine that is going to require many years to be at its finest. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Harvest took place between September 5 and 9 for the Merlot and September 21 and 27 for the Cabernet Franc. The 2022 is a decidedly hedonistic Ausone. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2022 Ausone was picked from 5 to 30 September and matured for 20 months in French oak. These aromatics take a little time to open in the glass. Once they do, they are precise with wilted, iris flowers infusing the black fruit and background pencil box and incense hints. The palate is medium-bodied with silver bead acidity threaded through the blackberry and bilberry fruit. Fresh and focused, this Ausone possesses a structured finish with a pinch of black pepper on the finish. Elegant in style, this Ausone almost creeps up o n you and seduces, intellectual and persistent in the mouth. Upon departing, I couldn't help wondering if I had witnessed this Saint-Émilion demonstrates its full potential, hence the plus sign against my score. 14.4% alcohol. 95-97.5 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The Grand Vin from this hallowed terroir is an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that was fermented in wooden vats and will spend 20 months in new barrels. Its saturated purple hue is followed by an up-front, sexy, full-bodied Ausone offering a wealth of fruit as well as notes of black cherries, blueberries, chocolate, scorched earth, and an incredible sense of spring flowers. Concentrated and incredibly pure, with silky tannins on the palate, it has the texture and fruit to almost shine even now but should still evolve for 30 years or more. 96-98 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"This is really open with bright and flamboyant aromas of cassis and cherries. Blueberries. Some peaches as well. I don't remember a young Ausone like that. Full-bodied with flamboyant fruit and energy. Very fine tannins. They are there but you don't feel them. Supple but very fruity. And intensely fruity at the end. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Intense and concentrated, with fennel, aniseed and liqourice root. Where Chapelle d'Ausone celebrates a wave of opulence in the vintage, this focuses more clearly on black tea, slate, intense black chocolate. Precise and well cut, this is creamy and exuberant without sacrificing elegance and balance. Amazing depths of flavour and grip. A true En Primeur sample where you know you are a long long way from this being ready to drink. The first year, incidentally, of not Premier Grand Cru Classé A, although the ranking has not been featured on the label since 2012. No irrigation at Ausone. 100% new oak. Harvest September 5 to 27. 7.25ha. Conversion to organic farming since 2020, Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, Pauline Vauthier owner and winemaker. Potential 100. 98-100 points" janeanson.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 1 case | Château Ausone | 75cl | £3,400 per case of 6 | Château Ausone 2022 / 1 case / 75cl £3,400 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Ausone unwinds in the glass with aromas of plums, raspberries and cherries complemented by hints of crushed mint and spices, framed by a lavish patina of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, layered and rather muscular, it's deep and concentrated, its vibrant core of fruit framed by a serious chassis of rich, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. Given its imposing levels of structuring extract, it will require patience. 94-96+ points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2022 Ausone is dense, powerful and quite brooding in demeanor. Dark-toned fruit, spice, leather, licorice and dried herbs add to an impression of somber intensity. In so many vintages Ausone is immediately alluring, but the 2022 is a potent, backward wine that is going to require many years to be at its finest. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Harvest took place between September 5 and 9 for the Merlot and September 21 and 27 for the Cabernet Franc. The 2022 is a decidedly hedonistic Ausone. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2022 Ausone was picked from 5 to 30 September and matured for 20 months in French oak. These aromatics take a little time to open in the glass. Once they do, they are precise with wilted, iris flowers infusing the black fruit and background pencil box and incense hints. The palate is medium-bodied with silver bead acidity threaded through the blackberry and bilberry fruit. Fresh and focused, this Ausone possesses a structured finish with a pinch of black pepper on the finish. Elegant in style, this Ausone almost creeps up o n you and seduces, intellectual and persistent in the mouth. Upon departing, I couldn't help wondering if I had witnessed this Saint-Émilion demonstrates its full potential, hence the plus sign against my score. 14.4% alcohol. 95-97.5 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The Grand Vin from this hallowed terroir is an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that was fermented in wooden vats and will spend 20 months in new barrels. Its saturated purple hue is followed by an up-front, sexy, full-bodied Ausone offering a wealth of fruit as well as notes of black cherries, blueberries, chocolate, scorched earth, and an incredible sense of spring flowers. Concentrated and incredibly pure, with silky tannins on the palate, it has the texture and fruit to almost shine even now but should still evolve for 30 years or more. 96-98 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"This is really open with bright and flamboyant aromas of cassis and cherries. Blueberries. Some peaches as well. I don't remember a young Ausone like that. Full-bodied with flamboyant fruit and energy. Very fine tannins. They are there but you don't feel them. Supple but very fruity. And intensely fruity at the end. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Intense and concentrated, with fennel, aniseed and liqourice root. Where Chapelle d'Ausone celebrates a wave of opulence in the vintage, this focuses more clearly on black tea, slate, intense black chocolate. Precise and well cut, this is creamy and exuberant without sacrificing elegance and balance. Amazing depths of flavour and grip. A true En Primeur sample where you know you are a long long way from this being ready to drink. The first year, incidentally, of not Premier Grand Cru Classé A, although the ranking has not been featured on the label since 2012. No irrigation at Ausone. 100% new oak. Harvest September 5 to 27. 7.25ha. Conversion to organic farming since 2020, Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, Pauline Vauthier owner and winemaker. Potential 100. 98-100 points" janeanson.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 5 cases | Château Beaumont | 75cl | £120 per case of 12 | Château Beaumont 2022 / 5 cases / 75cl £120 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Beaumont exhibits somewhat wild aromas of rich cherries and berries mingled with smoked meats and saddle leather. Medium to full-bodied, chewy and chunky, it reflects the limitations of young vines on well-drained soils in a vintage like this. 87-89 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Slightly chewy with fresh blackcurrant and berry character. Medium body. Fresh. 90-91 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2022 Beaumont has a classy bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, iodine and subtle iris flower scents. The oak is neatly integrated, and it retains delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, fleshy and almost creamy in texture. With good depth and light spice, the 2022 is cohesive on the finish. This will be a thoroughly enjoyable Beaumont that should age well in bottle. Tasted thrice with consistent notes. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Layers of sinewy tannins and eucalyptus spice. Opens to show baked earth, tobacco leaf and liquorice, cassis fruits laced with espresso, edges of campfire, a good quality wine that has concentration without strangling. Anthony Yaigre director. A value pick. 28hl/h yield. Harvest September 19 to October 5. 92 points." Jane Anson------"The 2022 Beaumont has a classy bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, iodine and subtle iris flower scents. The oak is neatly integrated, and it retains delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, fleshy and almost creamy in texture. With good depth and light spice, the 2022 is cohesive on the finish. This will be a thoroughly enjoyable Beaumont that should age well in bottle. Tasted thrice with consistent notes. 2028-2048. 90-92 points." Neal Martin, Apr '23------"Cru bourgeois supérieur. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, on gravel-sandy soils. Yield 28 hl/ha. Aged for 12 months in barrels. Glowing dark crimson. Rather more like a cru classé on the nose than most. So glowing and confident with masses of both fruit and tannin. Just leaps out of the glass! Glamorous and it has tannin but not too much. Maybe just a little shorter than a cru classé would be. GV. Drink 2026 – 2035. 16.5 points." Jancis Robinson, Jan '25 |
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| RED | 2022 | 1 case | Château Berliquet | 75cl | £274 per case of 6 | Château Berliquet 2022 / 1 case / 75cl £274 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Berliquet is super-concentrated, dark and ripe, but also without the forbidding tannins of the past. Succulent plum fruit, mocha, licorice and dried herbs are some of the many notes that grace this gorgeous Saint-Émilion. It will be interesting to see where the 2022 ends up post élevage. Today it is full-bodied and quite opulent. Tasted four times. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Lots of dark and crushed stones with blackberries and black olives. Dark earth. Full-bodied and more concentrated with very intense fruit and chewy tannins. Velvety and slightly rough, but all there. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"Dark damson colour, beautiful sense of upliflt and freshness, with mint leaf, sage, wild rosemary, cassis fruits. Slate texture to the wine here, feels carved out and crafted, with edges of austerity that constrict the cassis and raspberry fruit. 44% new oak, 8 amphoras (around 10% of overall), the rest in one year old barrel, 45hl/h yield. Great stuff. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2022 Berliquet is brilliant, bursting with aromas of plums, wild berries and lilac, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and vibrant palate that's deep and mineral. It's likely to be another of the vintage's more attractive en primeur proportions. This estate just goes from strength to strength—and that's before its new winery has been constructed! One of the most significant changes has been opting to retain higher canopies, which means that the fruiting zone of rows planted along the slope are now shaded, preserving freshness. 94-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Candied cherries, tapenade, violets, and floral notes all emerge from the 2022 Château Berliquet, a medium to full-bodied, seamless Saint-Emilion that brings plenty of ripeness while staying nicely balanced, light on its feet, and elegant. Based on 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc, from yields of 31.2 hectoliter per hectare, it will spend 16 months in 44% new French oak, with a portion of the blend aged in amphora. This isn't the most powerful or opulent wine in the vintage, but it's as seamless and graceful as they come. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 6 cases | Château Beychevelle | 75cl | £430 per case of 6 | Château Beychevelle 2022 / 6 cases / 75cl £430 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Silky and supple fruit and texture, this is impressive, with carefully built architecture, and clear ageing potential. Conveys the creamy ripe fruits of the vintage but sets them in a serious tannic frame, with bitter chocolate and slate character. Heat climbs on the finish, but the St Julien fresh mint leaf signoff comes in to keep things balanced. 36hl/h yield, 60% new oak. 93 points" janeanson.com------"Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and cassis mingled with hints of violets and licorice, framed by creamy new oak, the 2022 Beychevelle is medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by rich, unusually suave and polished tannins in the context of recent vintages at this address. It's a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, with a pH of 3.85, quite typical for this address. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The tannins are very well-integrated with lovely bright fruit of currants and blackberries. Medium to full body. Vivid and pretty. 54% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 4% petit verdot. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2022 Beychevelle is fabulous. In most recent vintages Beychevelle has been a flamboyant, extravagant Saint-Julien, but in 2022 is its surprisingly vibrant and fresh, almost shockingly so. Ripe red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange, rose petal and spice are all beautifully delineated. More than anything, I admire the wine's freshness and drive, qualities that have not often been present in recent vintages. That makes the 2022 one of my favorite recent vintages here. Tasted three times. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2022 Beychevelle was picked between 12-29 September at 36hL/ha, matured in 70% new oak. It has an intense bouquet with black cherries, blueberry and touches of cassis and violet. Not as ostentatious as some other Saint-Julien wines at this early stage, but delineated, and it positively brims with energy. The palate is medium bodied with sappy black fruit framed by beautifully-sculpted tannins. The 2022 is very harmonious, satin-like in texture, and gently fans out toward the finish. It ends up being one of the most seductive Beychevelles I have tasted from barrel, one not to be overlooked. Chapeau, Mr. White! 14.08% alcohol. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"I was able to taste the 2022 Château Beychevelle on multiple occasions, and it never failed to impress me. Based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that will see 18 months in 70% new oak, it's one of those wines that makes you stop and say "wow" due to its purity, depth, and texture. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as lots of blueberry and black cherry fruits, it's full-bodied and has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, building yet gorgeous tannins, and subtle background notes of crushed violets, flowers, and graphite. This is a sensational effort from director Philippe Blanc. 95-97+ points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 1 case | Château Branaire Ducru | 75cl | £474 per case of 12 | Château Branaire Ducru 2022 / 1 case / 75cl £474 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Branaire-Ducru is a powerhouse, almost unnaturally so for this Saint-Julien, which is usually a more understated wine. A blast of dark plum fruit makes a pretty strong first impression. Licorice, cloves, spice, menthol and chocolate fill out the layers. Readers should expect a concentrated, virile Saint-Julien with compelling aromatic presence. In this warm, low-yielding vintage, Branaire is quite the brooding powerhouse. It will be interesting to see if more finesse develops in time. Impressive. Tasted two times. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"An absolute gem of a Saint-Julien, the 2022 Château Branaire-Ducru clocks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Pure cassis, black raspberries, spicy wood, and dried flower notes all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, elegant, beautifully balanced mouthfeel, and terrific tannins. In addition, it has a sense of freshness and purity that keeps you coming back to the glass. It's clearly the finest wine I've tasted from this château, which going forward merits serious attention. 95-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"A brilliant wine that's the finest young vintage I've tasted at this Saint-Julien estate, the 2022 Branaire-Ducru wafts from the glass with aromas of violets, blackberries, sweet cassis, licorice and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional palate that's succulent, sapid and perfumed, framed by supple tannins and concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. It's a blend of 60.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot that checks in at a healthy pH of 3.65. Why is it so good this year? In addition to the quality of the vintage, the new gravity-flow winery means fruit can be handled more gently, and picked more precisely, sub-block by sub-block, as the team now have fully 63 vats at their disposal, almost double their capacity through 2020. Given the Maroteaux family's sensible approach to pricing, this is likely to number among the must-purchase wines of the 2022 vintage, and it comes warmly recommended. 95-97 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2022 Branaire Ducru was harvested from 12-24 September at 34.5hL/ha, the blend representative of their vineyard plantings. This feels refined and focused on the nose with plush red berry fruit, dried rose petals and orange rind scents Classic Branaire. The palate is fresh on the entry with pliant tannins. It's very well structured to the degree that it conveys a sense of symmetry. Lightly spiced toward the finish with notes of graphite lingering on the aftertaste, this represents an excellent Branaire Ducru that will age over many years and will surely appeal to those seeking more classical Saint-Julien. Tasted three times and was more impressive each time. Branaire-Ducru continues its upward trajectory under proprietor François-Xavier Marateaux. 14.3% alcohol. Drinking Window 2030-2065. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The fine and intense tannins are very impressive because they fold beautifully into the wine, with blackcurrants, black cherries, hints of chocolate and hazelnuts. It's full-bodied with tight and focused fruit and a long and classy finish. Fantastic definition to this. Fresh. 60.5% cabernet sauvignon, 31.5% merlot, 5.5% cabernet franc, and 2.5% petit verdot. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 4 cases | Château Calon Ségur | 75cl | £610 per case of 6 | Château Calon Ségur 2022 / 4 cases / 75cl £610 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"I tasted the 2022 Calon Ségur two times during my recent trip to Bordeaux. On both occasions it was forbiddingly tannic, much moreso than most wines of the year. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, cured meat, leather, spice and tobacco lend intensity, but the incisive nature of the tannins never settles down. Perhaps élevage will help. We will see. My impression is that the property really struggles in excessively hot years. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"This is powerful, underlining how much last year's more softly sculpted wine was a departure from recent vintages of Calon, and back in my mind to the complicated 2018 vintage, where it was overly marked by the heat of the vintage. This is full on concentrated fruit, with strong tannins that build through the palate. Plenty of complexity with black truffles, cassis, olive paste, sandalwood and fresh mint on the finish, along with cloves and cinnammon spice. 3.8ph, 100% new oak, 26hl/h yields. 53% Grand Vin, higher than usual. Vincent Millet technical director. Harvest September 6 to 27. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2022 Calon-Ségur was cropped at 26hL/ha compared to 36hL/ha last year. Matured for 20 months in new oak, it has a well-defined bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, cedar and subtle tobacco scents. The 2022 is tight at first but opens with aeration (winemaker Vincent Millet remarked how the wine was much more expressive the week I tasted it in mid-April compared to the previous week). The palate is classically styled with impressive mid-palate depth. With strict tannins and multi-layered graphite-infused black fruit, this is reminiscent of some postwar Calon-Ségur's I have tasted. I wonder if slightly less vin de presse would have been better? Uncompromising, perhaps that might be its virtue, but it means that patience will be required. 2027-2055 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A very juicy red with redcurrant and creme de cassis as well as hints of nutmeg and cloves. It's full and polished with very pretty tannins that show length and focus. Traditional and typical for Calon with the tannin structure. A little closed today. But serious structure. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2022 Calon-Ségur is another superb wine from this historic Saint-Estèphe third growth that began a comprehensive renaissance the better part of a decade ago. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and blackberries mingled with hints of fresh mint, burning embers, licorice and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with terrific depth at the core, supple tannins and a long, saline finish. The blend consists of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Vincent Millet observed that "when you tasted the Merlot, you were under the impression that you were tasting Cabernet. 96-98 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A wine that's going to flirt with perfection, the 2022 Château Calon Ségur is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, harvested between September 12 and 26, from yields of 40 hectoliters per hectare. Its deep purple hue is followed by a heavenly bouquet of cassis, smoke tobacco, flowery incense, and toasted spices. This ripe, sexy, full-bodied beauty has ultra-fine tannins, a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and a great finish. Its tannins, as well as its overall balance and purity, are just about off the charts, and this remarkable effort shows how successful the northern part of the Médoc was in 2022. Bravo! 97-99 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 2 cases | Château Canon | 75cl | £720 per case of 6 | Château Canon 2022 / 2 cases / 75cl £720 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Canon was picked from 30 August to 22 September and is matured in 50% new oak for a planned 18 months. It has a beautifully-defined bouquet with plumes of blackberry, raspberry and subtle violet flower scents. The palate is very fresh on the entry, announcing a relatively linear Canon. The limestone terroir seeps into every pore of this Saint-Émilion. This is one of the more intellectual and saline Canon wines in recent years. A triumph in such a hot growing season, elevated by its limestone soils. 2032-2075. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The inky intensity of the colour might make you worry that the limestone signature will be swamped, but it is very much guiding proceedings on the palate here. Expect waves of red roses, rhubarb, pink grapefruit, salinity, but also real intensity, there is a depth and complexity that quite stunning as the wine expands through the palate, with creamy blue and black fruits, and a mouthwatering oyster shell finish. 45hl/h, 3.5ph, 50% new oak, with four larger-sized oak casks. A standout in the vintage, more proof of the exceptional level that Canon is playing at right now. 50% new oak. 98 points" janeanson.com------"The 2022 Canon is elegant and sensual, with virtually no sensation of tannin. A wine with no beginning and end, Canon is totally seamless. All the Canon signatures are there, but woven together in an effortless, gracious expression of this site. It's the sort of wine that is about subtlety and nuance more than power. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and spice caress the palate, but ultimately, Canon is above all else a wine of exquisite detail. Haute couture. Tasted three times. 96-99 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Endless on the palate with plenty of umami character. So Canon in its nature with plenty of fruit and fine tannins, yet almost weightless. The structure is all there. Electric. Long, long, long. 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com------"Tasted on three separate occasions (and I thought it had the potential to be a perfect wine on one of those), the 2022 Château Canon is an incredible wine in the making, and it might be the finest in the series starting in 2015. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc harvested between August 30 and September 22, it comes from yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare and hit 14.5% alcohol. The élevage will run 16-18 months in just 30% new French oak. As classy as they come, it has a beautiful perfume of red and blue fruits as well as notes of white flowers, truffly earth, woodsmoke, and forest floor. With incredible density, a multi-layered texture, ultra-fine tannins, and integrated acidity, this incredible Canon will evolve for 30-40 years. I finished my rough note on this with "Pure class." 97-99+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"From an estate that is delivering its greatest run of vintages since the superb Post War series that preceded the frosts of 1956, the 2022 Canon is a magical wine that will be worth every effort to track down. Wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, wild plums and cherries mingled with hints of bay leaf, spices and violets, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with huge levels of concentration, vibrant acids and beautifully refined tannins. Concluding with a long, saline finish, this pure, perfumed and ineffably complete Canon is built for the ages, even if its structural polish is such that it will be approachable at a surprisingly early age. 99-100 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 1 case | Château Carlmagnus | 75cl | £120 per case of 12 | Château Carlmagnus 2022 / 1 case / 75cl £120 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Carlmagnus, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, derives from a 20-hectare vineyard on clay-limestone soils. Exhibiting aromas of violet, lilac, smoke and dark berries, it’s medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, with a flinty, slightly reduced finish. 88-89+ points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com ------"Firm and structured with medium body. Notes of bay leaf, nut shell and chalk. The tannins are tight and lightly chewy. 91-92 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 1 case | Château Cheval Blanc | 75cl | £3,000 per case of 6 | Château Cheval Blanc 2022 / 1 case / 75cl £3,000 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"One of the stars of the vintage is the striking 2022 Cheval Blanc, a blend of 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon that bursts from the glass with aromas of mulberries, cherries and wild berries mingled with mint, orange zest, pencil lead, vine smoke and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, it's rich and gourmand, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and a long, saline, pungently perfumed finish. Harvest began on 29 August, with all the Merlot picked before the month was out, and the result is a wine that is as vibrant as it is lavish. 97-99+ points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com ------"This is a wine that soars to new heights with its brightness and weightlessness. The balance of serene fruit that’s perfectly ripe. Full-bodied yet tight and polished where it seems delicate and compressed, with berry, chocolate and walnut character. The finish is endless and poised. Wine of the vintage? 53% merlot, 46% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon. 99-100 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2022 Cheval Blanc is a lucid, deep purple color. With profound intensity on the nose, this Cheval offers blackcurrant, blue fruit, iris petals, crushed stone and incense aromas. It is blessed with breathtaking delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with seamless tannins. There is palpable verticality in this Cheval, almost "correct" and "strict", yet endowed with stunning depth and complexity. The Cabernets are clearly in the driving seat here and lend it Left Bank allure. Consequently, while it is not the most flamboyant Cheval Blanc I have tasted at this stage, it constitutes a wine for those serious about their Bordeaux. It will give the same satisfaction as when you finish reading a literary masterpiece. 98-100 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 5 cases | Château Clerc Milon | 75cl | £396 per case of 6 | Château Clerc Milon 2022 / 5 cases / 75cl £396 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Clerc Milon is plump, juicy and vibrant, with terrific energy and tons of class. Sumptuous black cherry, gravel, licorice, menthol and spice are beautifully dialed up in this decidedly flamboyant edition of Clerc Milon. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2022 Clerc Milon, matured in 55% new ook with 14.6% alcohol, has a very tightly-wound nose at the moment. There's good fruit concentration, but it is missing a bit of personality, unlike its stablemate d'Armailhac. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins and good grip. It's pretty dense and grainy in texture. With graphite on the aftertaste, this Pauillac conveys fine tension but will require several years of aging in bottle. I feel this is hiding its virtues at the moment. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2022 Clerc Milon is beautiful, offering up aromas of cherries, raspberries and plums mingled with hints of pencil shavings and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's taut and lively, with a vibrant core of fruit framed by fine, chalky tannins. Its clay-limestone terroir lends it a distinctive signature that sets it apart from the rest of the portfolio. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The depths are evident in the velvety texture and colour, and it stretches out through the palate with slow confidence. Plenty of grip and supple tannins that cradle the cassis and bilberry fruit, studded with olive, cocoa bean, white pepper, slate, clear spice, intense phenolics and this is excellent quality. Caroline Artaud technical director. Old vine Carmanère no doubt helps add the spice and eucalyptus edge. 63% of production in this wine, 55% new oak, 3.83ph. 37hl/h yield. 95 points" janeanson.com------"As to the Grand Vin 2022 Château Clerc Milon, it reminds me of the 2018 with its full-bodied, ripe, yet elegant style. Cassis, graphite, espresso roast, and lead pencil notes define the aromatics, and it has a beautiful spine of acidity, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It shows the ripe, exuberant yet structured style of the vintage beautifully. The blend is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenère, harvested between the 9th and 26th of September, with an alcohol content of 14.5%, a pH of 3.83, and an IPT of 74. The élevage here is 55% new French oak. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Focused and bright with plenty of fruit but oranges and minerals in the mid-palate. Really fresh with a fresh bitterness. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 2 cases | Château Clerc Milon - Pastourelle de Clerc Milon | 75cl | £266 per case of 12 | Château Clerc Milon Pastourelle de Clerc Milon 2022 / 2 cases / 75cl £266 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Pastorelle de Clerc Milon is deep in hue. It is bold and concentrated on the nose and unleashes copious black cherry and cassis aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and good grip. This is pretty tannic for a Pastorelle, with a saline, cracked black pepper-tinged finish and slight dryness. 87-89 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Deep colour, as you find across the region, inky purple, clearly high phenolics, this has intense cocoa bean and damson plum flavours, with lift and character, plenty of depth and intensity. It's a little short on the finish, with things closing down, and touch of fresh mushroom, 25.5% Pastrourelle, Caroline Artaud technical director. No new oak. Harvest September 9 to September 26. 91 points" janeanson.com------"The 2022 Pastourelle de Clerc Milon is a heady, exuberant wine that captures all of the richness of the year in its flamboyant personality. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice and sweet spice are all amplified nicely. The 2022 is an easygoing wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2022 Pastourelle De Clerc Milon is a full-bodied, ripe, straight-up sexy second wine offering red and black fruits, an expansive, layered, seamless mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's going to shine right out of the gate. This second wine is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, and Petit Verdot, brought up all in used barrels. 91-93 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Plenty of juicy fruit with blackcurrants, cherries and chocolate. Medium to full body. Juicy finish. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com |
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