This morning we have two excellent, mature clarets for you, direct from the châteaux: 2016 Sociando-Mallet at £360 per dozen and 2016 Haut-Bages Liberal, at £440 per dozen in bond.  Both were outstanding when we tasted them this week (several times!) and they represent the best of what modern Bordeaux has to offer.  Our pre-shipment offer means the wines will be here in time to enjoy at Christmas, although they will also cellar well for the next two decades.  

2016 Haut-Bages Liberal declares its Pauillac origins at the first sniff, with notes of oyster shell, cigar box, and dark blackcurrant fruit.  The château is right next door to Château Latour and, like Latour, it has parcels of limestone subsoil (the only two estates in Pauillac with this terroir) contributing to its elegant style.  It's a Pauillac fifth growth, putting it on a par with Lynch-Bages and Pontet-Canet and making it good value at £440 per dozen in bond, or around £47 per bottle with all taxes.  You can read more below about how Claire Villars Lurton has transformed her family's estate since she took over the running of it in dramatic circumstances, over twenty years ago.  Antonio Galloni described the 2016 as "incredibly expressive" and "a fabulous showing", scoring it 95 points. 

Although classified as a humble Haut-Médoc, Château Sociando-Mallet is just outside the town of St-Estèphe, only about a kilometre from the illustrious Calon-Ségur and overlooking the Gironde Estuary.  Tasting the 2016 Sociando-Mallet first, our proverbial socks were knocked off by its precise aromas and flavours of blackcurrant, raspberry, cedar, graphite, nutmeg, and crushed rock.  The concentrated fruit on the initial attack gave way to exquisitely refined tannins and a long saline or mineral finish. Offered at £360 per dozen in bond, Jane Anson awarded it 96 points, describing it as 'hugely impressive', whilst commending its structure and luxurious texture. 

Both of these estates have been shaped by passionate, talented individuals, and this shines through in the quality and energy of their 2016s.  This vintage produced beautiful modern classics that are just beginning to show their true complexity and precision, so you will be in for a treat if you add them to your cellar.

Offered pre-landing, expected to land in the UK by December, available for pre-Christmas delivery.