France - Bordeaux |
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 Red wines
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| 2009 Château Rauzan-Gassies, Cru Classé Margaux | Case of 12 Bottles | 12
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12
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£384.30 |
£300.00 |
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 | Similar to the Rauzan-Ségla in profile, but perhaps a little more backward and brooding. There is a lot of fruit on the broad, rich palate. The tannins are evident, but supple and the structure is definitely there. The tremendous core of fruit gives a lovely sense of concentration and it finishes with a vibrant, rich note. This will need time to realise its full potential.
 Blend of different grape varieties
 Dry, Red, Still France Leave 2015 – 2025 
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| 2009 Château Haut-Brion, 1er Cru Pessac-Léognan | Case of 6 Bottles | 6
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6
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£4,807.35 |
£3,996.00 |
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| A broad, deep wine of volume and depth which, whilst not expressive at this young stage, displays stature and sheer class. Ripe fruit, almost liqueur-like in its intensity, covers fine tight-grained tannin, given focus by an underlying fresh minerality. A wine of precision and delicacy, with an incredibly persistent finish and highly-nuanced complexity. Complete in every way and, although it is currently quite subdued in character, be assured that this classy wine will blossom into a spectacular one.
Robert Parker: 98-100 points (Wine Advocate 188)- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 – 2040
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| 2009 Château Kirwan, Cru Classé Margaux | Case of 12 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£521.10 |
£414.00 |
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 | Very deep in the glass and the nose is ripe and classic. This has a lot of upfront fruit on the powerful and full-bodied palate. The structure is underpinned by the oak, giving it a very upright style. The tannins are well handled and this is a strong assertive style. Maybe not classic Margaux, but the vintage has overridden that to make a bolder statement.
- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2026
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| 2009 Château d'Issan, Cru Classé Margaux | Case of 12 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£596.70 |
£477.00 |
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| Low yields in this vintage proved key to the style of d'Issan in this vintage. The nose is deep and intense, with black fruit notes. On the palate, this is very smooth and full bodied, with real density and volume. The tannins are fine-grained and integrated and there is a streak of minerality running right through the wine. An interesting combination of very ripe fruit (40% or so Merlot in the blend) backed up by the minerality from the Cabernet Sauvignon. This will develop really well.
Robert Parker: 93-95 points (Wine Advocate 188)
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2014 – 2022
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| 2009 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan | Case of 6 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£3,756.15 |
£3,120.00 |
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| Everything is present and correct in this young wine: it is complete, interwoven and seamless. Tannic, yes – albeit very fine-grained and ripe tannin, which balances the rich intensity of the fruit. Powerful and big in one sense, yet incredibly refined and finely-tuned, with a minerality and freshness underpinning the wine. This wine is perfectly pitched: flowing, natural, elegant and long. Very stylish. Superb.
Robert Parker: 98-100 points (Wine Advocate 188)- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 – 2035
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| 2009 Château Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | Case of 6 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£1,062.15 |
£875.00 |
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| Deep in the glass, almost opaque. Vibrant dark berry, blackcurrant leaf and plum. This is so complete – often one wishes Figeac had a little more depth or backbone, not so here, this has everything. The palate possesses staggering purity and is very streamlined and focused, with the leafy, supple edge of Cabernet Franc offsetting the evident structure. Very mineral, with gravelly nuances developing as the palate unfurls. This is a sublime Figeac with a taut structure, and far more generosity than many a vintage. Hugely impressive.- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 – 2028
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2009 Château Puy-Blanquet, Grand Cru St-Emilion  | Case of 12 Bottles | 12
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12
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£168.30 |
£120.00 |
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| Perfumed and attractive on the nose, demonstrating the appealing qualities of this vintage. There are notes of crushed, almost cordial, raspberry fruit with an earthy, savoury character lending balance. Plump and pretty on the palate, yet elegant, with finely grippy tannins and a vibrant acidity. Outstanding value.
Recommended for great value- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2025
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| 2009 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | Case of 12 Bottles | 24
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24
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£647.10 |
£519.00 |
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| Dense black cherry notes, hints of olive and chocolate of ripe Merlot. The palate shows good fruit intensity, allied to great freshness and a pleasing mineral drive – due in large part to the healthy 24% dose of Cabernet Franc. The tannins are ripe and well integrated and the wine has a gentle, flowing texture. A well-handled and well-balanced St Emilion.
Robert Parker: 93-95 points (Wine Advocate 188)- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2025
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| 2009 Château Berliquet, Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | Case of 12 Bottles | 12
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12
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£305.10 |
£234.00 |
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| The nose here is of scented berry fruit, dark-skinned and intense, vying with notes of cream and spice. Creamy berry fruit spreads gently across the palate and the fruit core is focused and pure. The tannins are firm, but derived of ripe fruit and give a fine structure to this full yet fine St Emilion.- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2022
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| 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Cru Classé St-Julien | Case of 6 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£1,210.95 |
£999.00 |
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| Deep, bright, glossy appearance. On the nose there is evidence of high quality new oak, but this is in perfect counterpoint to the great concentration of ripe cassis fruit of wonderful purity. Dense yet perfumed, on the palate there is suppleness and breadth offset by vibrant freshness and sustained minerality. This is, yet again, an excellent Ducru - a wine of power and poise. The incredible ripe fruit tannins are so well encased by the dark fruit on a long, fresh and very persistent finish.
Robert Parker: 96-98+ points (Wine Advocate 188)- Cabernet Sauvignon 85% / Merlot 15%
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 – 2030
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| 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Cru Classé St-Julien | Case of 3 Magnums | 9
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9
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£1,221.75 |
£1,008.00 |
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| Deep, bright, glossy appearance. On the nose there is evidence of high quality new oak, but this is in perfect counterpoint to the great concentration of ripe cassis fruit of wonderful purity. Dense yet perfumed, on the palate there is suppleness and breadth offset by vibrant freshness and sustained minerality. This is, yet again, an excellent Ducru - a wine of power and poise. The incredible ripe fruit tannins are so well encased by the dark fruit on a long, fresh and very persistent finish.- Cabernet Sauvignon 85% / Merlot 15%
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 – 2030
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| 2009 La Dame de Montrose, St-Estèphe | Case of 12 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£456.30 |
£360.00 |
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 | Sold by the Charmolüe family in 2006, Château Montrose has shared the honours for best wine of Saint-Estèphe with Cos d'Estournel . Located on an elevated plateau close to the Gironde, the château makes few gestures towards fashion. Its wines are unyielding when young and require a decade and more to reveal their personalities. The second wine of Château Montrose. Made from an atypical 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is closed at present, but what is on show is attractive. A pretty, orange-peel-scented character on the mouth, with attractive weight and acidity. The high Merlot content shows itself in a softer finish than many.
- Merlot 82% / Cabernet Sauvignon 18%
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2014 – 2025
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| 2009 Clos du Marquis, St-Julien | Case of 12 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£492.30 |
£390.00 |
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 | Made by Château Léoville-Las-Cases, one of the largest and oldest cru classés in the Médoc, Clos du Marquis is now considered a wine in its own right (since the inception of Le Petit Lion as the official second wine of Las Cases). Under the Delon family, quality has been consistently exemplary, and - despite its status - Clos du Marquis can be compared, in quality elegance and longevity, with many a well-known château's first wine. This shows vibrant, ample berry fruit, with a lush succulent core. Merlot plays a stronger role than in the Grand Vin and retains a fresh stone-fruit nature. A classic style with soft, round tannins and pleasingly pure fruit. Appealing, with fine length.
- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2025
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| 2009 La Croix de Beaucaillou, St-Julien | Case of 12 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£384.30 |
£300.00 |
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| Very attractive and pure, perfumed, blueberry and blackcurrant nose, with creamy notes and a touch of graphite. On palate the fruit is pure and focused. The tannins are fine and accessible and the finish is fresh and of good fruit length. Gently expressed, very well balanced and likely to represent a fabulous quality to price ratio.- Cabernet Sauvignon 75% / Merlot 25%
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2023
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| 2009 Château Moulin-Riche, St-Julien (UK Customers Only) | Case of 12 Bottles | 6
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6
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£246.30 |
£185.00 |
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| Appealing on the nose, with a cool, fresh blackcurrant note. The palate shows a good core of ripe, vibrant, dark berry fruit and a hint of toast. This is an elegant and refined Moulin-Riche, with a compact nature that contrasts with some of the more exuberant St-Juliens. A lovely wine and sure to offer excellent value.- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2014 – 2020
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| 2009 Château Durfort-Vivens, Cru Classé Margaux | Case of 12 Bottles | 12
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12
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£377.10 |
£294.00 |
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| The nose is heady and opulent and dominated by intense cassis fruit. Plenty of volume here, the fruit is super ripe, but not at all over done, and the tannins are integrated into the wine. This has some structure, but it is the fruit that makes this wine. The finish is long and it is only here the tannins finally show. This is very persuasive.
- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2026
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| 2009 Château Langoa-Barton, Cru Classé St-Julien | Case of 12 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£600.30 |
£480.00 |
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| Pure, lifted cassis nose - ripe and perfumed. Lovely grace through the mid-palate, giving a layered feel to the fresh berry fruit-laden palate. The tannins are gently mineral on a finish of fresh, fruit skin grip. An elegant Langoa, which shows a classy lightness of touch.- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 – 2028
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| 2009 Château Branaire-Ducru, Cru Classé St-Julien | Case of 12 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£621.90 |
£498.00 |
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| Scented berry fruit with a subtle note of mint. On the palate this has lovely purity and a core of ripe fresh fruit, with firm, but silky-nuanced tannins bringing structure and focus. Refined and elegant in nature, almost linear, with a refreshing minerality. Supple, balanced and gently expressed St-Julien.
Robert Parker: 92-95 points (Wine Advocate 188)- Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2025
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 White wines
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| 2009 Château de Fieuzal Blanc, Pessac-Léognan | Case of 6 Bottles | 6
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6
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£206.55 |
£162.00 |
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 | Fragrant on the nose, with notes of white peach and white flowers. On the palate, this has soft, white fruit characters and a gently smoky minerality, which gives this attractive white a great sense of poise and balance. The finish is long, with a zip of freshening acidity. Very good.- Sauvignon Blanc 70% / Semillon 30%
 Dry, White, Still- France
- Leave 2014 – 2018
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| 2009 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, Margaux | Case of 6 Bottles | 12
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12
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£586.35 |
£478.50 |
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| A richly perfumed nose, hinting at a sense of subtle complexity. Lemon citrus and floral characters combine with creamy vanillin on the palate and a fine vein of minerality. This offers the perfect balance between freshness and concentration. Although richer than the 2008s, a lovely sense of freshness is bestowed by the mouth-watering acidity and long finish.- Sauvignon Blanc 100%
- Dry, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2014 – 2020
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| 2009 Blanc de Lynch Bages, Bordeaux Blanc | Case of 6 Bottles | 0
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0
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£152.55 |
£117.00 |
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| The high proportion of Sauvignon Blanc (58%) keeps this fresh and aromatic and the nose is vibrant with aromas of gooseberry, cut grass and citrus. Ripe greengage fruit and a hint of vanillin come through on the palate, adding depth and weight. Freshening acidity and a long, lightly-toasted finish make this a perfect dry white for mid-term cellarage. - Blend of different grape varieties
- Dry, White, Still
- France
 Improving/Ready 2012 – 2016
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| 2009 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan | Case of 6 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£444.15 |
£360.00 |
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 | Domaine de Chevalier is almost more famous for its white than its red, delivering as it does stunning longevity and complexity every year. This is one of the leading lights of white Bordeaux and indeed of the white wine world, every bit as fine and seductive as the finest whites from the Côte d'Or. There is only one thing to do with a wine as great as this, and that is to cellar it and try and forget it for the next 10 to 15 years. The rewards of such patience are well worth the wait!
Neal Martin: A very primal nose with touches of red apple, pear, a touch of beeswax and apple-blossom. Well defined but perhaps lacking the edginess displayed by the 2007 at this stage. The palate is well balanced and light on its feet, well-judged acidity, a slight creaminess on the entry, broadening out nicely on the palate and showing more complexity than might have been aromatically implied. Very pure on the finish. Excellent. Tasted April 2010.
- Sauvignon Blanc 70% / Semillon 30%
- Dry, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2014 – 2020
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Sweet white wines |
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| 2009 Château Rieussec, Cru Classé Sauternes | Case of 6 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£393.75 |
£318.00 |
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| A defined and elegant nose of candied lemon peel, honeysuckle and white flowers. Flavours of peach and the subtle botrytis notes of marmalade envelop the palate. This has a pleasing weight, cut-through by a crisp dart of acidity and a mineral edge. Lovely poise and direction, very refined indeed.- Sweet, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 – 2035
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| 2009 Château Rieussec, Cru Classé Sauternes | Case of 12 Halves | 36+
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36+
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£400.95 |
£324.00 |
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 | A defined and elegant nose of candied lemon peel, honeysuckle and white flowers. Flavours of peach and the subtle botrytis notes of marmalade envelop the palate. This has a pleasing weight, cut-through by a crisp dart of acidity and a mineral edge. Lovely poise and direction, very refined indeed.- Sweet, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 – 2035
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| 2009 Château Nairac, Cru Classé Barsac | Case of 6 Bottles | 24
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24
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£310.95 |
£249.00 |
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| A lively, perfumed nose of honeysuckle, white flowers and honeydew melon. The sense of weight on the palate is supported by lemon peel and honey characters, while spicy botrytis notes add a sense of richness. A refreshing acidity and hint of minerality keeps the sweetness in balance and this is a broad, rich wine with a long, honeyed finish.
- Semillon 90% / Sauvignon Blanc 6% / Muscadelle 4%
- Sweet, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2025
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| 2009 Château d'Yquem, 1er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes | Case of 6 Bottles | 6
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6
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£3,489.75 |
£2,898.00 |
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| Intense and rich on the nose, with candied tropical fruit, honey and subtle notes of smoke and white flowers. On the palate this is incredibly balanced with rich, appealing, almost caramelised fruit characters supported by an attractive minerality and a lively, fresh finish. This has been a very good year for Sauternes and Barsac and this excellent Yquem leads the way. Beautiful.
- Sweet, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 – 2040
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| 2009 Château Climens, Cru Classé Barsac | Case of 12 Halves | 36+
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36+
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£526.95 |
£429.00 |
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| Château Climens is widely considered one of the two best Sauternes/Barsac properties, along with Château d'Yquem. The outstanding quality of the wines from this estate, however, are arguably not reflected in their price when compared to those of its more famous colleague. In a great vintage like 2009, this is as good as sweet wine gets, and anyone resisting the incredible appeal of this wine in its youth will be rewarded with outstanding balance and complexity in the future.
Picked in just two tries, 90% picked in one trie, tasting through 13 separate lots, the core components of a great Climens appear to be in place. Paying particular attention to the lots that constitute a large percentage of the blend (usually around 15%) the common themes are ones of great purity, persistency and precision. The aromatics display pure honey, minerals, occasionally a faint scent of spearmint and white peach, most with spellbinding precision. On the palate, Berenice Lurton has some stupendous lots at her disposal, with ample botrytis, ethereal definition, one or two more powerful, quite spicy lots and others that are shorter and will undoubtedly lend the blend an acidic cut. It will be a joy to taste this after bottling.- Semillon 100%
- Sweet, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2030
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| 2009 Château Climens, Cru Classé Barsac | Case of 6 Bottles | 36+
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36+
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£521.55 |
£424.50 |
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| Tasted before assemblage. Highly botryised in nature. Rich on the palate, yet retaining a lovely sense of delicacy and an expressive florality. There is, naturally, sweetness here, but it seems subtle and reined in. This is likely to be a precise and understated wine, with great poise and finesse. - Semillon 100%
- Sweet, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 – 2030
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