Bordeaux

Our best-selling wine for many decades, GOC, as it's known, brilliantly highlights the drinkability of modern red Bordeaux. Bright, medium ruby in colour it has a siren-like nose of black cherries, bramble fruit and wood smoke. The palate follows through with a long, velvety finish.

{***}
{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
[]International Wine Challenge® 2019-Silver
{ratings}
{***}

This wine is made by the team at Fifth Growth estate Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste. Its fabulous bouquet of blackcurrant, cedar and cigar box is classic Pauillac, as are its muscular, but opulent tannins and crisp freshness. The palate boasts the hallmark of the quality and appealing nature of the 2015 vintage, with rich, ripe black-fruit flavours, framed by a hint of toasty, fine-grained oak. It has the structure and energy to age gracefully but is hugely enjoyable now, ideally with rare roast lamb or beef.

{***}{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}{***}

70% Sauvignon, 30% Sémillon second wine of the famed Domaine de Chevalier, it is the selection of barrels which give this wine its richness and depth. Complex nose of lychee, lime flowers and white peaches the wine draws one in. The palate has great purity and length with a zingy acidity. Open to appreciation from a young age, Esprit is a wine of great elegance. Serve chilled. Perfect with seafood – also partners a leek tarte or crab mousse.

{***}
{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}
{***}

The 2016 Villa Bel Air Blanc features lime zest, yuzu and lemon curd notes with a waft of orange blossoms. Medium-bodied, crisp and zesty in the mouth, it delivers a lovely savoriness on the finish. Drink 2018 - 2022.

{***}{region}Graves{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}{***}

This full-bodied blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon hit 14.5% natural alcohol. It is deep and rich, with loads of caramelized grapefruit, tropical fruit, subtle oak, wet stones and plenty of melons. Drink now-2035. - Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color} White {color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}
[] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100
[]  Wine Spectator:: 93/100
[] Jancis Robinson:: 16/20{ratings}{***}

Renowned for Semillon cultivated on gravel, aromas of white peach and pear and a hint of smoke define this Rahoul 2016. Cultivated on clay over a limestone subsoil in certain parcels on the estate, appealing Sauvignon blanc lends lingering aromas offering mineral character, freshness and length. This is a successful blend, largely due to rigorously monitored harvesting dates, which lend round, fresh character and length to this superb white wine terroir.

{***}
{region}Graves{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{ratings}
[]James Suckling:: 92/100
[]Vinous Media:: 89/100 
[]Jancis Robinson:: 16/20
[]Robert Parker:: 89/100
{ratings}
{***}

Lovely, deep ruby red appearance for the Dourthe La Grande Cuvée 2017. Charming on the bouquet, where a hint of toast intermingles with red and black berry fruit aromas. Initially sumptuously smooth on the palate, the wine gains momentum to unleash delicious, fruit-laden texture, oozing freshness and appealing spicy notes. Very well-balanced overall, backed by rounded, silky tannins and culminating in a long, fruity final woven with well-integrated oak. 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot

{***}
{region}Bordeaux AOC{region}
{color}Red{color}

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}

{vintage}2017{vintage} {ratings} {ratings}{***}

A blend of 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Acte 8 offers up understated, composed blackberries, mulberries and warm plums notions with touches of tobacco, tilled soil, allspice, pencil shavings and underbrush. Medium-bodied, the palate defies your expectations of restraint with wonderful vivacity and tons of bright red and black fruit sparks, supported by firm, grainy tannins and finishing on a pensive minerally note. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, RobertParker.com

{***}
{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Vinous:: 94/100

[]James Suckling:: 94/100

{ratings} {***}

Deep in colour and tinged with garnet. Fruity aromas, enhanced by smoky nuances typical of these gravel soils, are echoed on the generous palate, with its full tannic structure. Good balance lasts through to the lovely finish.

{***}
{region}Graves{region}
{color}Red{color}
{vintage}2013{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{ratings}
[]Wine Advocate::86-88/100                                                                                                                                                            []Tim Atkin::90/100
[]Robert Parker::86-88/100
{ratings}
{***}

Very concentrated, almost black in appearance. The intense bouquet delivers an explosion of black berry aromas, of primarily cherries and blackberries, together with a touch of spice. Full and generous on the palate, structured by delicate, silky tannins, coated in fresh, juicy fruit. The delicately integrated oak accompanies the full-flavoured, lingering finish of this superb, concentrated, fleshy and delicious Pey La Tour Reserve.

{***}
{region}Bordeaux AOC{region}
{color}Red{color}

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}

{vintage}2016{vintage} {ratings} []Wine Enthusiast:: 91/100 []James Suckling:: 91/100 {ratings}{***}

Very dark purple and lustrous. Certainly looks very appealing. Succulent fruit with a streak of iodine. Very polished and worked. Fine tannins on the finish. Just goes a little dead on the end. Hint of bitterness.

{***}{region}Haut-Médoc{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Spectator:: 87-90/100                                                                                                                                                []Jancis Robinson:: 16/20 
[]Decanter:: 16.25/20
{ratings}{***}

Attractive, deep garnet in colour. Highly perfumed on the nose offering complex aromas of fresh red fruit notes, spices and precious woods. A fine tannic structure for such a generous, velvety, highly-concentrated palate. This Belgrave 2011 reveals freshness and elegance in true Saint-Julien style – a very attractive wine!

{***}{region}Haut-Médoc{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Enthusiast:: 92-94/100                                                                                                                                                []Jancis Robinson:: 16/20 
[]Tim Atkin:: 90/100
{ratings}{***}

With a sweet, intense, Cabernet nose of spices, a real depth of character and a great true Bordeaux finish, this is a superb little number that will be one of the stand-out value wines of the vintage. Just tucked in behind Ch. Lagrange and Ch. Talbot, this is a generous quaffer.

{***}{region}Haut-Médoc{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}
[] Wine Spectator:: 90-93/100
[] The Wine Advocate:: 89/100{ratings}{***}

The 1996 is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon vintage and drinking beautifully now. There are substantial savoury depths to this blackcurrant and briary fruit-driven wine, with a satisfyingly firmness to the palate that still shows its capacity to age. Fresh and vibrant with cedar notes on the finish. Drink now to 2022.

{***}
{region}Haut-Médoc{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}1996{vintage}
{***}

This is quite forward in style for a 2006. Dense dark fruits and earthy tones combined with juicy tannins and a long finish mean that this wine offers far more than its price suggests. It should start to drink in 2010 and will continue to delight for 10 more years.

{***}{region}Haut-Médoc{region}
{color} Red{color}                {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2006{vintage}
{ratings}

[] Robert Parker:: 90-92/100

[] The Wine Advocate:: 92/100{ratings} {***}

Ch. Talbot generally provides benchmark St Julien and has done so again in 2015. Firm in structure, the tannins create a large frame that is filled with rich, dark fruit and hints of cedar from the oak. Really quite opulent, it has a long finish which ends with a savoury hit.

{***}{region}St Julien{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 90/100        
  [] Jancis Robinson:: 16.5/20          
 [] Decanter:: 91/100{ratings}    {***}

Lustrous crimson. Sweet start; very charming. Perfumed. A real flirt and with very bright fruit.

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2014{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}{***}

The 2014 Les Arômes de Pavie has an airy, well-defined bouquet with brambly blackberry and blueberry fruit, the oak is nicely integrated. The palate is rounded and fleshy on the entry, quite bold and with a lot of extraction, but there is a nagging greenness on the finish that jars and detracts from the wine as a whole. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2018 - 2022 - Neal Martin

{***}
{region}St Emilion{region}

{color}Red{color}               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}

{vintage}2014{vintage}{ratings}   

[]James Suckling :: 92/100

[]Antonio Galloni :: 90/100   

{ratings}

{***}

A blend made from the younger vines at the estate, the aim here is to produce a wine which can be drunk young but which shows the complexity and balance of the grand vin. Ripe red and blackberry fruit mingles on the palate with leather, cedar and delicate mineral notes with a lovely freshness on the finish. One for roast lamb with all the trimmings.

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2014{vintage}{***}

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Château Malartic-Lagravière has a well-defined bouquet with blackberry, blueberry and violet scents. I appreciate the control and precision on display here. The palate does not quite match the quality of the nose, although it still offers pleasure: blackberry and subtle spicy notes, quite steely in the mouth with a vivid but linear, black cherry and boysenberry finish. With time, hints of pencil lead evolve in the glass and become more prominent on the finish. Drink now and over the next decade. Drinking window: 2016-2026

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2006{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Advocate:: 90/100
{ratings}{***}

This St.-Estèphe wine from the 2011 vintage has some freshly crushed cherry and damson plum notes, along with a lightly chalky frame on the finish, but it's a bit shy on stuffing and length in the end.

{***}{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Spectator:: 85-88/100                                                                                                                                                                                                                           []Decanter:: 16/20
{ratings}{***}

Château Brane-Cantenac needs no introduction; it is the smoothest and one of the most consistent properties in Margaux. It is for that very reason that we asked them to produce our own-label Margaux. Sadly for us, due to the enormous demand for the wine, the château decided three years ago to bottle it itself, as a third wine, under the name Margaux de Brane. The 2016 vintage is without doubt the best I have witnessed in my 15 years buying Bordeaux – offering such consistency across all quality levels. This – the 2016 Margaux de Brane – is no exception to the rule, and is so good that our Buying team all bought a couple of cases as soon as we had tasted it. It is one of the best-value wines I have ever bought; I heartily recommend you stock up to drink now and over the next three years. It also happens to look stunning on the table, should you have distinguished guests.

{***}{region}Margaux{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{***}

A deep ruby colour with violet tints, showing remarkable intensity. A highly aromatic nose with black fruit aromas (blackberries and cassis) and delicate floral notes. Vanilla and spices are present on the second nose. The attack is full and round, and the mid-palate very generous, with sweet tannins. This is a well-balanced and full-flavoured wine.

{***}
{region} Margaux{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}{***}

This estate is always one of my favourite red Bordeaux and it is beautifully harmonious and quintessentially Margaux in 2015. A Second Growth of real complexity, its attractive nose has a wonderfully floral perfume. The well-integrated tannins and nicely judged acidity combine to produce a benchmark palate. There is real potential here. The racy freshness of the vintage is present and the coolness on the finish is rewarding. Ever so generous, delicious, fresh and juicy.

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carménère

{***}
{region}Margaux{region}

{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}

{vintage}2010{vintage}

{ratings}
[]James Suckling:: 93-94/100        
[]Jancis Robsinson:: 17.5/20                
[]Decanter :: 93/100           
[]The Wine Advocate:: 92/100                                                                                                   
{ratings}

{***}

The second wine of Ch. Lynch-Bages, this has an attractive, dark ruby colour. It releases fresh fruit aromas of red berries and what a joy to taste! The palate is marked by spicy and oaky notes while the tannins are soft and round, but there is such energy on the palate. Very well poised, it finishes long.

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Spectator:: 90-93/100        
[]Jancis Robsinson:: 16/20                
[]Decanter:: 91/100           
[]The Wine Advocate:: 90/100                                                                                                   
{ratings}{***}