Bordeaux

This dense wine has layers of tannins on top of the black fruits. It is rich, with a juicy black-currant character and lots of acidity to balance with the structure. Drink from 2020.

89pts Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

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}{***}

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}{***}

For almost 20 years, “EOC” (as it is known) has come from the same single estate in the Graves, distributed by the Cazes family, one of the great names of Bordeaux. The 2018 vintage is a great one, and the wine perfectly captures the warmth of that summer. A 50-50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet, finished with careful oak maturation, this is full of ripe blackberry and cassis flavours. The result is a typically plump, rounded Claret, suitable for all occasions. A classic pairing would be roast lamb or pan-fried duck breast, but this delicious wine is versatile enough to match most savoury food.

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

{ratings}{***}

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}
{***}

Once again, the fruit for our own-label 2017 Margaux comes from plots of younger vines at Château du Tertre. From the perfumed, elegant bouquet, to its charming, silky palate, this is quintessential Claret, made in an attractive, rounded style. Redcurrant and violets fill the nose, while darker, bramble fruit, cedar and spice follow on the palate. A touch of smoky oak frames the whole, and the finish is long, subtle and warming. Already drinking well now, this will cellar comfortably for a year or two.

{***}
{region}Margaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}{***}

For the 2017 vintage, we have again been lucky to secure a parcel from a tiny Grand Cru property managed by the Vauthier family – one of the best names on the Right Bank. The aromas soar from the glass in this typically Merlot-dominated blend. Showing ripe berry and damson fruit on the nose, and a round, chocolatey richness on the palate, this is classically generous St Emilion. Its soft, full flavours would work perfectly with a Sunday roast. 

{***}
{region}St Emilion{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

From the stellar 2018 vintage, our own-label Pomerol comes from the young vines and selected parcels of Château Feytit-Clinet. Owner Jérémy Chasseuil has crafted another wonderful wine for us, using predominately rich, ripe Merlot, with a dash of Cabernet Franc to add structure and complexity. Showing a gorgeous nose of morello cherries, kirsch and mocha, the wine expands on the palate with a wealth of opulent forest fruit to the fore. Duck and game are classic matches with Pomerol, but this would be superb with a deeply flavoured mushroom risotto.

{***}
{region}Pomerol{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{***}

Our Own Selection St Julien comes from the younger vines of Ch. Léoville Las Cases. You’ll find notes of cassis and menthol on the nose, with just a touch of oak and a deep and powerful palate that brings classic Cabernet and Merlot fruit flavours to the fore. This is a balanced wine, with a long, savoury finish – perfect with a prime rib of beef or a leg of British lamb.

{***}
{region}St Julien{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{***}

Coming from plots of younger vines at Château Haut-Bailly, this is a classic Graves blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. From its deep, glossy colour to the bright, vivacious fruit on the nose, this is a beautiful example of the region’s wines. Cassis fruit crackles across the palate, but is coated in silky, elegant tannins. This is a wine in shimmering form, with such an open, charming style that it’s hard to resist now, but will improve for a year or two.

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

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}{***}

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}
{***}

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}{***}

There is a completeness that is evident in 2005 Clarets, and this is what immediately strikes with 2005 Cantemerle. It has bags of fruit, tannin and acidity, all tied up in an impeccably-balanced, polished package. Sweet cassis fruit is accompanied by a spicy edge and a long, fresh lift. This is very pretty now but ideally wants another five years to really get going, and will easily keep for another five after that.

{***}{region}Haut-Médoc{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}

[] Wine Spectator:: 90/100

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

This got a little lost last year due to being released amidst a pack of more famous names. Offering outstanding value for a Second Growth, it is quintessentially Margaux, harmoniously beautiful and definitely one not to miss!

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

{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}

{vintage}2005{vintage}

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

[]Decanter:: 94/100  

{ratings}

{***}

The 2014 Baron de Brane displays scents of brambly red berry fruit, mocha and hints of espresso on the well-defined nose. The medium-bodied palate offers fine tannin and a straightforward, tobacco-tinged and lightly spiced finish. The most elegant Baron de Brane in recent years. Fine. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château.ed wine.

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

{ratings}
 [] Vinous:: 87/100                
 [] Decanter:: 89/100{ratings}

{***}

Ch. Langoa Barton impresses in 2012. The character of its Cabernet Sauvignon is vivid and expressive, created from low yields by nature’s vicissitudes during the growing season and supported by a rigorously enforced selection process, which removed any fruit deemed even possibly unripe. Cabernet Sauvignon is 70% of the blend, with 22% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, all of which will be aged in 60% new barrels. The wine presents with a remarkably juicy initial expression of cassis and the palate remains fruit-driven. Any thoughts that Langoa might tend towards rusticity in this vintage should be dismissed although the wine should be considered for earlier drinking after five or so years.

{***}{region}St Julien{region}
{color} Red{color}        {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] Wine Advocate:: 90/100        
  [] Wine Spectator:: 87-90/100    

[] 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}2011{vintage}
{ratings}

{ratings} {***}

A fresh and vibrant style, with streaks of pastis-soaked plum and boysenberry fruit coursing through, carried by graphite and licorice snap notes and ending with a vigorous, juicy finish. Approachable a bit earlier than the main pack, but there is no rush either. Best from 2019 through 2038. - Wine Spectator

{***}{region}St Julien{region}
{color} Red{color}        {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] Robert Parker:: 91/100        
  [] Vinous:: 93/100

[] Wine Spectator:: 93/100    

[] James Suckling:: 94/100    

[] Decanter:: 92/100{ratings} {***}

{***}
{region}St Julien {region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 93/100

[]Robert Parker:: 93/100    

{ratings} {***}

It has a real elegance and precision this year, but with the weight of rich fruit so many lack. More Grand-Puy-Lacoste in Pauillac style than say Lynch-Bages, its sweet red, crunchy fruit gives the glass such a refreshing lift at the end you almost want to drink it now. Well played Claire, this 2011 is another quaffable triumph.

{***}{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}         {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}

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

 [] Robert Parker:: 87-89/100

{ratings}

{***}

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}
{ratings}

{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}  {***}

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}1996{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 94/100          
{ratings}  {***}

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1995{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 90/100

[]James Suckling:: 93/100    

[]Vinous:: 90/100    

{ratings} {***}

Tasted at the Pontet-Canet vertical, the 2000 Chteau Pontet-Canet is perhaps where things start getting interesting, as Alfred Tesseron's top-to-toe reconfiguration of the vineyard and vinification began to impact and ameliorate the wine. It has a lovely bouquet of blackberry and briary fruit, hints of black truffle developing, later damp earth. There is an intensity here, if not the complexity of the best millennial Pauillacs. The palate is medium-bodied with a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and sous-bois percolating up through and rendering it a serious Pontet-Canet in keeping with the vintage. There is a subtle and yet insistent grip on the finish. It has always been a tannic wine, but these are now softening, albeit at a slower pace than some might like. - Neil Martin

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2000{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Robert Parker:: 92-100/100
[]The Wine Advocate:: 92/100             
{ratings}  {***}

The fleshy, mouth-filling flavours of this wine, from the exceptional 1996 vintage, leads to great finesse on the finish. With its voluptuous cassis fruit it is a blockbuster to enjoy now but will improve with age. Pauillac at its best.

{***}
{region}Pauillac{region}
{color}Red{color}       {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1996{vintage}
{ratings}
          
[]The Wine Advocate:: 91/100                                                                                                   
{ratings}{***}

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 La Gaffeliere is quite closed to begin, slowly unfurling to give scents of baked raspberries, kirsch, dried mulberries and plum pudding plus nuances of pencil shavings and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate layers in the savory and earthy flavors with a firm frame of chewy tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. - Wine Advocate

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color}Red{color}         {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] Wine Advocate:: 95/100

{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}    {***}

This has a fun core of blackberry and black currant fruit, picking up light spearmint and anise notes along the way. Twinge of apple wood on the finish. - Wine Spectator (2017)

{***}{region}St Emilion{region}
{color} Red{color}                {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] Wine Spectator:: 89-92/100        
{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}

Slightly shorter and less impressive than it was from barrel, the very good 2008 is a mid-weight Graves revealing a dark plum/garnet color along with sweet earthy, herbal, tobacco leaf, sweet and sour cherry and crushed rock characteristics. This medium-bodied, spicy 2008 tails off in the mouth. 

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}            {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2008{vintage}
{ratings}
               
[]Robert Parker:: 87/100           
                                                                                                 
{ratings}

This is the best La Parde we’ve ever tasted, it hails from one of the most exciting châteaux in Bordeaux. Ch. Haut-Bailly even considered upgrading this stunning wine to their Grand Vin in 2005. Complex, elegant and imbued with the beautifully feminine style of the Grand Vin, but at a fraction of the price. 

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}                      {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 90/100        

{ratings}       {***}

After the sensational 2004 Haut Bailly we were anticipating a rival, or an equal. We were wrong. The 2005 has everything that the 2004 has but cranked up by about 40%. Its intense multilayered flavours are exceptional. The wine is totally decadent and yet so precise. Packed full of typical Graves minerality, incredibly concentrated raspberry and cream flavours, sit alongside great acidity and massive tannins. Veronique Sanders said, 'This is the finest wine that we have ever made.' We say 'Buy as much of this as you can afford.'

{***}{region}Pessac-Léognan{region}
{color}Red{color}                 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 95/100

[]Wine Spectator:: 95/100

[]Robert Parker:: 90/100 

{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}  {***}

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}{***}

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 93/100

[]Wine Spectator:: 90-93/100

[]Robert Parker:: 92-94/100 

[]Jancin Robinson:: 17.5+/20    

{ratings} {***}

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}1996{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 97/100

[]Robert Parker:: 94+/100    

[]Jancin Robinson:: 18.5/20    

{ratings} {***}

{***}
{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}  {***}

This beautiful 2003 exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, a vigorous youthfulness, and plenty of mulberry, black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with notions of cedarwood, baking spices and roasted herbs. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, fresh and precise, this wine is just hitting full maturity where it should remain for another 10-15 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 28/08/2014

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2003{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Advocate:: 93/100

[]Robert Parker:: 94/100 

{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}    {***}