Bordeaux

The 2019 vintage was excellent for our best-selling white, “GOW”. The same team behind our Good Ordinary Claret sources top-quality Sauvignon Blanc from some of the best vineyards in Bordeaux. The fruit is fermented cool to preserve the grape’s fabulous aromatics, and no oak, allowing intense white currant and lemon zest aromas to shine. Racy and refreshing, it’s an elegant, bone-dry wine, which makes a perfect apéritif, but is particularly good with lighter fish or chicken dishes, as well as most soft cheese.

{***}
{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{***}

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}
{***}

Pauillac is perhaps the finest of Bordeaux’s great communes. With this 2018 vintage, we continue our long relationship with the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages. The wine displays all the hallmarks of these great Cabernet vineyards; the nose is dominated by dense cassis and bramble fruit, with a hint of warm cedar and spice from 10 months in barrel. The palate is broad and ripe but has the classic structure typical of good Claret. Layered and complex, this is wonderful with a Sunday leg of lamb or a midweek casserole.

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

Somewhat one-dimensional and simple, as are many 2000s, but with loads of fruit and moderate sweetness, this offering should be drunk over the next decade.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 23/04/2003

{***}
{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2000{vintage}
{ratings}
[] Wine Advocate:: 87/100
{ratings}{***}

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}{***}

This is a powerful expression of this great vintage. Hugely rich, concentrated and with layers of black-plum fruits, the wine is dense and full of spice and balanced acidity. It is still a young wine, typical of the vintage at this stage. Drink this wine from 2021. 

{***}{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] Wine Enthusiast:: 94/100        
{ratings}    {***}

Ch. Potensac lies in the Northern Medoc, an area renowned for structured wines that reward time in the cellar, and this is an extremely reliable and popular claret from the Leoville-Lascases team that won't break the bank. In years like 2009 it has an extra punch, and the ripeness of the year shines through. This has typical blackberry fruit balanced by a fresh minerality and a well-defined structure around the sweet core. Ten years on this is now showing at its best.

{***}
{region}Médoc{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}

{ratings}
[]Vinous, Neal Martin :: 92/100

[]Jancis Robinson :: 17/20

[]The Wine Advocate :: 89/100

{ratings}{***}

{***}

The second wine of Ch. Palmer is really aromatic in 2015, a hallmark of this great commune in Bordeaux, but something which always seems to be taken to the next level at this historic estate.

One of the top second wines, Alter Ego is lush and approachable, with red fruit dominant on the nose. The wine almost has its own identity now, one of the greatest compliments we can pay it. Beautifully fine tannins surround a mighty, meaty, focused core of fresh, ripe, crunchy fruit and a creamy texture. Very good indeed, the length is quite astonishing. Really enticing and attractive, this is a real triumph indeed.

Blend: 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot

{***}
{region}Margaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
[]James Suckling:: 94-95/100 []The Wine Advocate:: 91/100

[]Time Atkin:: 91/100

[]Jancis Robinson:: 16.5/20 {ratings} {***}

I think this kind of vintage really suits Henri Lurton's style of winemaking more than the super-ripe years of the past decade. His gift is to craft wines of great finesse, and a careful touch was essential in 2011 to avoid extracting too much tannin from what were essentially quite fragile grapes. Ch. Brane-Cantenac is very classically Margaux, with a delicate floral perfume; on the palate there is a silky texture, great elegance, no sharp edges and a sense of considerable intensity without a feeling of power, not the easiest trick to pull off!

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

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

{vintage}2011{vintage}

{ratings}
[]Wine Spectator:: 88-91/100                    
[]Robert Parker:: 90-93/100           
[]The Wine Advocate:: 91/100                                                                                                   
{ratings}

{***}

Second Growth, Ch. Brane-Cantenac was perceived throughout much of the 1970s and ‘80s as an underperforming property. But, since Henri Lurton took over from his father, there has been extensive investment in the cuverie and chai, as well as vastly improved vineyard management techniques. Consequently, the wines now show more weight and concentration, although they still possess that haunting bouquet and quintessential elegance that characterise the wines of Margaux.

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

{color}Red{color}            

     {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}

{vintage}2007{vintage}

{ratings}   
[]The Wine Advocate:: 90/100

{ratings}

{***}

Blackberry and currant aromas, with minerals and flowers. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and very fresh and fine tannins. Lasts a long time on the palate. Coming around now. This has always been excellent. One of the best values of the vintage. - Wine Spectator

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

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

{vintage}1998{vintage}

{ratings}
[]Wine Spectator:: 91/100        
           
[]Robert Parker:: 88/100           
                                                                                                 
{ratings}

{***}

Although the new owners were responsible for finishing this wine, serious Bordeaux lovers will have to wait for the 2006 to fully experience their uncompromising efforts. The dark, ruggedly built, rustic, angular 2005 exhibits an impressively saturated color along with aromas of charcoal smoke and black fruits. Aggressive, astringent tannins and noticeable acidity are found in this charmless, full-throttle, monolithic Margaux. It will require serious cellaring, but I do not believe the tannins and high acids will ever be fully resolved. Time will tell.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - Wine Advocate #176 Apr 2008

{***}
{region}Margaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Robert Parker:: 87+/100 []The Wine Advocate:: 87+/100

[]Wine Spectator:: 89-91/100

 {ratings} {***}

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2006{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 91/100            
{ratings}  {***}

Dark red with a purple hue, the nose is redolent of black fruit with some mocha and coffee notes. Fresh and full-bodied, there are crisp tannins with a finely tuned layer of spice giving way to a well-balanced, long finish.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 62%, Merlot 35%, Cabernet Franc 3%

{***}{region}Pauillac{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                         

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100

 [] Vinous:: 94/100  

[] Jancis Robinson:: 17/20  

[] James Suckling:: 95-96/100{ratings} {***}

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Robert Parker:: 89-91/100

{ratings} {***}

It boasts an opaque dense purple color in addition to a gorgeously sweet, expansive perfume of cedar wood, black currants, lead pencil, and minerals. What follows is a fat mid-palate, medium body, explosive fruit and richness, soft tannin, and a velvety texture. It is a beautiful, compelling Lafite-Rothschild that can be drunk young, yet promises to evolve for 15+ years. Although one of the most forward Lafites ever tasted, it is all the more captivating because of this characteristic. Don't miss it!  - Robert Parker, 2000

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}       {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1997{vintage}
{ratings}
          
[]Robert Parker:: 92/100 

[]Jancis Robinson:: 18/20  

[]Stephen Tanzer:: 89-93/100                                                                                                    
{ratings}{***}

It boasts an opaque dense purple color in addition to a gorgeously sweet, expansive perfume of cedar wood, black currants, lead pencil, and minerals. What follows is a fat mid-palate, medium body, explosive fruit and richness, soft tannin, and a velvety texture. It is a beautiful, compelling Lafite-Rothschild that can be drunk young, yet promises to evolve for 15+ years. Although one of the most forward Lafites ever tasted, it is all the more captivating because of this characteristic. Don't miss it!  - Robert Parker, 2000

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}       {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1997{vintage}
{ratings}
          
[]Robert Parker:: 92/100 

[]Jancis Robinson:: 18/20  

[]Stephen Tanzer:: 89-93/100                                                                                                    
{ratings}{***}

{***}
{region}St Julien {region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2014{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 93+/100

[]Jancis Robinson:: 16.5+/20    

{ratings} {***}

{***}
{region}St Julien {region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2006{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 92/100   

[]Robert Parker:: 91/100   

{ratings} {***}

The 2009 made Moulin Riche’s new reputation; in my view, the ’10 is even better. The bouquet is confidently poised between adolescence and maturity; it contains the last of its primary blackcurrant fruit, with notes of tobacco and cedar beginning to insinuate. The palate is an object lesson in balance: mellow but still active tannins, creamy yet textured fruit and a cleansing finish. This is dead centre in its arc of maturity. It could be kept another five years but, with the elements so perfectly aligned, why would you wait? Drink now to 2026. - Mark Pardoe MW

{***}{region}St Julien{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                         

      {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] Wine Spectator:: 90-93/100        
           
 [] Tanzer:: 89/100{ratings}    {***}

Simply irresistible. This is really sumptuous and pure. Hedonistic is not an adjective I have used often this year. Words like “firm”  “grip” “structure” “tannic pile-up” are more scattered over the 350 or so wines we tried. 

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color} Red{color}                {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100        
{ratings}    {***}

The new cellar, winery and tasting room is now open at Les Carmes and it really is quite an astounding building. The 2015 is a pretty powerful wine, serious, complex and very interesting indeed. The floral bouquet is very pretty, layered with really ripe raspberries which are ever so attractive. My favourite aspect of the wine has to be the earthy, mineral character though, as well as the brilliant tannic structure.

The gravelly soils offer a lovely character and the wine has a sense of place, of terroir. Light in the mouth, the tobacco, sweet black fruits and creamy texture create a wonderful palate, but the savoury characteristics are what I enjoy most about this wine. It is another really promising wine for this up and coming estate.

Blend: 45% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}            {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
[]James Suckling:: 96-97/100                 
[]Decanter:: 95/100           
[]The Wine Advocate:: 94+/100                                                                                                   
{ratings}

This tiny jewel of a property, situated close to La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, has turned out one of the stars of the 2011 vintage. A deep dark ruby/purple color is followed by hints of graphite, charcoal, creme de cassis and Christmas fruitcake. This medium-bodied Pessac-Leognan is gorgeously concentrated with impeccably well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and oak. An authoritatively long finish adds to the class and nobility of this wine. Drink it over the next 15 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 30/04/2014

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}            {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Spectator:: 90-93/100                 
[]Robert Parker:: 87-89/100           
[]The Wine Advocate:: 92/100                                                                                                   
{ratings}

 The 2017 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion was picked from 20 September to 3 October, with 13° alcohol. It is matured in 30% new oak, 60% one-year and 10% amphora. It has a very perfumed, quite generous bouquet with wild strawberry, vanilla pod, blueberry and subtle damp clay aromas. The palate conveys a fine sense of energy on the entry. Then it delivers very edgy, almost chalky tannin that frame the dark berry fruit, hints of brown spice and a typically reduced finish that indicates this will require four or five years in bottle. - Vinous

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}            {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
[] James Suckling:: 90-91/100

[] Vinous: 89-91/100                                                                                                 
{ratings}

Good depth of colour and a seductive old viney nose of black fruits, confit of blackcurrant jam,with hints of burnt caramel. Medium to full-bodied on the palate with firm but supple taninns and excellent depth of fruit. The finish is long and harmonious. A winner!

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}                 {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1996{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 92/100

{ratings} {***}

{***}
{region}Pomerol{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2003{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 88/100          
{ratings}  {***}

{***}
{region}Pomerol{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2006{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Advocate:: 96/100  

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1989{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 100/100          
{ratings}  {***}

Whilst the 2011 might not show the ripeness of 2009 or the concentration of 2010, it shows the exquisite precision and purity that is the hallmark of this property.
Cassis and a hint of spice on the nose is followed by an intense, cool and lifted mouth that for me is pure St Estèphe. Stylistically this is the opposite of Cos, though equally impressive in its own, more elegantly classic style.

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Advocate:: 90/100

[]Robert Parker:: 92-94/100 

{ratings} {***}

Eight years on, the 2011 Ormes de Pez is starting to really open up. The nose is intensely spicy, with savoury cedar notes and brooding dark fruit. There’s an almost floral edge to its aromatic profile, with something that hints at eucalyptus (perhaps a nod to the coolness of the vintage). The palate is smooth and lush, its age – and time in oak (15 months) – tells, with layers of leather and spice joining the core of black fruit. The chalky tannins and mouth-watering acidity call for hard cheeses or roast lamb. Drink now to 2021.

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Spectator:: 89-92/100        
[]Jancis Robsinson:: 16.5/20
{ratings}    {***}

Cantemerle tends to produce somewhat understated and restrained, but finesse-filled wines. The medium-bodied 2008 offers elegant notes of raspberries, red currants, crushed rocks and oak backed up by good concentration, sweet tannin and no hard edges. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. - May 2011, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 

{***}{region}Haut-Médoc{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2008{vintage}
{ratings}

[] The Wine Advocate:: 89-91/100{ratings} {***}

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 95/100

[]James Suckling:: 93-94/100

[]Decanter:: 96/100 

[]Jancin Robinson:: 17+/20    

{ratings} {***}

Beauséjour-Duffau's owner Jean-Michel Dubos consistently produces a classic and complex St Emilion which shows at its best with at least 6 to 7 years of bottle age. This example may take a little longer because of the success of the vintage. It has a complex, black berry, tar and mineral character. 

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color} Red{color}                {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2000{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100        
{ratings}    {***}

The vines at Ch. Larcis Ducasse are planted on south-facing vineyards with a limestone surface. A big wine with dark fruit, this is full-bodied, structured and fresh on the palate. It finishes long with a saline note and plenty of grip.

Blend: Merlot 87%, Cabernet Franc 13%

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color} Red{color}                {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 93-95/100  

 [] James Suckling:: 95-96/100 

 [] Jancis Robinson:: 17/20 

{ratings} {***}

This pitch-perfect Claret from Second Growth property Ch. Gruaud Larose comes from the lauded 1989 vintage. It’s an exquisite wine, which is now showing complex notes of sweet, dried fruit, leather and tobacco. This is the ultimate Claret for any Bordeaux aficionado.

{***}{region}St. Julien{region}
{color} Red {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1989{vintage}
{ratings}

[] Neal Martin, Vinous :: 90/100

[] The Wine Advocate:: 89/100{ratings}{***}

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 95-97/100          []James Suckling:: 95-96/100   
{ratings}  {***}

Clos du Marquis's grapes actually come from a separate area of vineyards (rather than younger or less successful vines at Léoville-Las Cases) surrounded on all sides by other Second Growths. This is made with much more Merlot (38%) than the Léoville-Las Cases and is very rich, with sweet, creamy, overripe raspberries and blackberries with leather overtones. It is a very precise wine within a beautifully integrated framework of new oak and classy tannins.  This is a cracking Claret and one of the best value wines of the vintage.

{***}{region}St Julien{region}
{color}Red{color}            {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}
              
[]Robert Parker:: 91/100           
[]The Wine Advocate:: 91/100                                                                                                   
{ratings}

Probably the finest Giscours made since the 1975, this black/purple-colored 2000 offers up terrific notes of camphor, creosote, blackberry, and cassis jam intermixed with notions of smoke and earth. Spicy, with low acidity, a big, rich, fleshy, full-bodied palate, outstanding texture, and a long, pure finish, it is, to reiterate, one of the best Giscours produced over the last 25 years.
92/100 Robert Parker - Wine Advocate # 146 

{***}{region}Margaux{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2000{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 90/100        
 [] Jancis Robinson:: 17.5/20          
 [] Robert Parker:: 92/100{ratings}    {***}

{***}
{region}St Julien {region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2006{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 92/100

[]Robert Parker:: 91/100    

{ratings} {***}