Graves - Pessac-Léognan |
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 Red wines
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| 2009 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan |  | 6 Bottles | £3,120 |  |
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)
Merlot 47% / Cabernet Sauvignon 47% / Cabernet Franc 6% Dry, Red, Still France Leave 2020 / 2025 / 2035
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| 2009 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan | | 12 Bottles | £549 | |
Vivid fruit intensity, with clarity, purity and a creamy-textured accent. This is a wine of intensity and depth of character, which carries the ripeness of the vintage with a restrained elegance and poise. Delineated, with a pinpoint focus, this wine is well-honed and balanced, in a natural fresh style. Perfectly judged and highly impressive.
Robert Parker: 94-96 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Cabernet Sauvignon 65% / Merlot 30% / Petit Verdot 3% / Cabernet Franc 2%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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 White wines
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| 2009 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan | | 6 Bottles | £360 | |
Lively on the nose, with fresh, pure notes of zesty citrus. On the palate, this has the poise we have come to expect from Domaine de Chevalier, with fragrant ripe peach notes balanced by a refreshing acidity and attractive vein of minerality.
Sauvignon Blanc 70% / Semillon 30% Dry, White, Still- France
- Leave 2014 / 2016 / 2020
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| 2009 Château de Fieuzal Blanc, Pessac-Léognan | | 6 Bottles | £162 | |
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 / 2016 / 2018
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Médoc - Margaux |
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Red wines |
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| 2009 Château Durfort-Vivens, Cru Classé Margaux | | 12 Bottles | £294 | |
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon 70% / Merlot 24% / Cabernet Franc 6%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2026
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| 2009 Château Kirwan, Cru Classé Margaux | | 12 Bottles | £414 | |
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon 40% / Merlot 30% / Cabernet Franc 20% / Petit Verdot 10%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2026
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| 2009 Château d'Issan, Cru Classé Margaux | | 12 Bottles | £477 | |
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 / 2016 / 2022
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| 2009 Château Malescot St-Exupéry, Cru Classé Margaux | | 12 Bottles | £678 | |
The recent run of strong wines from Malescot has continued in some style with the 2009. Vivid, bright nose of ripe fruit, both red and black. This has the ripeness of fruit and a lovely silky texture, in a structured medium bodied style. There is a lot of volume here, but backed up by a degree of restraint that makes it very appealing and a winning combination of both vintage and commune.
Robert Parker: 95-97 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Cabernet Sauvignon 50% / Merlot 35% / Cabernet Franc 10% / Petit Verdot 5%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2022 / 2028
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| 2009 Château Palmer, Cru Classé Margaux | | 6 Bottles | £1,300 | |
According to Thomas Duroux of Château Palmer, 2009 was a vintage made by the terroir rather than the climate as in 2005. This is a compelling blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 52% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. Whilst the colour is very deep, it is the soaring nose that makes the biggest impression. This is a wine of real volume and shows how well Merlot performed in the 2009 vintage when handled properly. Sweet and opulent, yet the fresh acidity adds a vibrant nature. This is creamy and very long with a tremendous subtle spice finish. Very impressive and must rank as one of the finest Palmers of recent years.
Robert Parker: 94-96 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Merlot 52% / Cabernet Sauvignon 41% / Petit Verdot 7%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 / 2032
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| 2009 Château Rauzan-Gassies, Cru Classé Margaux | | 12 Bottles | £300 | |
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon 70% / Merlot 25% / Cabernet Franc 3% / Petit Verdot 2%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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White wines |
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| 2009 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, Margaux | | 6 Bottles | £478.50 | |
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 / 2016 / 2020
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Médoc - Pauillac |
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Red wines |
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| 2009 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Cru Classé Pauillac | | 6 Bottles | £750 | |
Offering creamy, sweet juicy dark red fruit and toast on the nose, this elegant Pichon reveals soft, layered fruit and a distinct lush core on the mid-palate. It seems distinct from the style of recent Pichon vintages – an exercise in refinement, underscored by fine, gently gripping tannins that lend a velvety length. A pure and stylish vintage.
Robert Parker: 96-98 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Cabernet Sauvignon 45% / Merlot 35% / Cabernet Franc 12% / Petit Verdot 8%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2021 / 2028
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2009 Château Pichon-Longueville (Baron), Cru Classé Pauillac  | | 12 Bottles | £996 | |
Deep in the glass, the aromas are of black fruit, graphite and toast. Revealing considerable density on the palate, this is a compact, taut style with terrific Cabernet fruit in the ascendancy. Layered and refined, with the racy, fine-grained tannins that seem a hallmark of Cabernet this vintage. Long, vibrant, pure and mineral – this continues Pichon’s rich vein of form.
Robert Parker: 93-95 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Cabernet Sauvignon 62% / Merlot 35% / Cabernet Franc 3%
Recommended by Richard O'Mahony- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2021 / 2028
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| 2009 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Cru Classé Pauillac | | 12 Bottles | £576 | |
Near opaque in the glass, the aromas exude dark, soft-skinned berry fruit. Full and ripe, with a floral lift, this is deceptively dense Grand-Puy-Lacoste. Expansive, soft-textured and with well-veiled fine, sweet tannins, which add a silky refinement to an already complex character that offers notes of graphite and cedar. This carries its weight well, leading to a dry, savoury, long finish. A very impressive vintage.
Cabernet Sauvignon 80% / Merlot 18% / Cabernet Franc 2%
Recommended by Simon Larkin MW- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2020 / 2028
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| 2009 Château Lynch-Bages, Cru Classé Pauillac | | 12 Bottles | £1,050 | |
Restrained on the nose, with discreet notes of berry and cedar. The impression is of a classic Lynch, tightly-packed and structural, with a vivid core of berry fruit allied to gravelly notes. Glossy, almost plush in texture, with silky-fine tannins. So well-expressed, a complete style with a long, persistent finish. A reserved Lynch with plenty of potential.
Robert Parker: 94-96+ points (Wine Advocate 188)
Cabernet Sauvignon 74% / Merlot 18% / Cabernet Franc 4% / Petit Verdot 2%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2021 / 2028
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Médoc - Saint-Estèphe |
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Red wines |
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| 2009 Château Cos d'Estournel, Cru Classé St-Estèphe | | 6 Bottles | £1,200 | |
Always happy to make waves, Jean-Guillaume Prats has made no exception this year, producing a huge wine. An intense, savoury, almost meaty nose is evidence of the highly-toasted barrels used for early maturation of the wine. Just 56% of the Château’s total production went into the final blend, evidence of the strict attention to quality control. One for the long-term.
Robert Parker: 98-100 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Cabernet Sauvignon 65% / Merlot 33% / Cabernet Franc 2%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2022 / 2035
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| 2009 La Dame de Montrose, St-Estèphe | | 12 Bottles | £360 | |
The second wine from top St-Estèphe property, 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 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 La Dame de Montrose, St-Estèphe | | 6 Magnums | £369 | |
The second wine from top St-Estèphe property, 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 Château Cos-Labory, Cru Classé St-Estèphe | | 12 Bottles | £267 | |
One of the smaller Cru Classé properties, Cos Labory has been in the same family for over 100 years and makes reliably good quality wines at modest prices. Very perfumed with a noticeably sweet fruit character. Cabernet Franc has thrived this year and the relatively high proportion in this wine is showing to good effect. Excellent value.
Cabernet Sauvignon 60% / Merlot 35% / Cabernet Franc 5%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2014 / 2016 / 2022
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Médoc - Saint-Julien |
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Red wines |
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| 2009 Clos du Marquis, St-Julien | | 12 Bottles | £390 | |
Now considered a wine in its own right (since the inception of Le Petit Lion as the second wine of Las Cases), Clos du Marquis 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon 70% / Merlot 20% / Cabernet Franc 8% / Petit Verdot 2%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Cru Classé St-Julien | | 6 Bottles | £999 | |
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 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Cru Classé St-Julien | | 3 Magnums | £1,008 | |
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 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 La Croix de Beaucaillou, St-Julien | | 12 Bottles | £297 | |
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 / 2017 / 2023
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| 2009 Château Langoa-Barton, Cru Classé St-Julien | | 12 Bottles | £480 | |
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon 70% / Merlot 26% / Cabernet Franc 4%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2022 / 2028
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| 2009 Château St-Pierre, Cru Classé St-Julien | | 12 Bottles | £537 | |
Ripe, scented, attractive and appealing, with a gently creamy, but mainly perfumed nose of red and black berry aromatics. Seamless texture and balanced weight. The fruit here is wonderfully pure, tannins are finely tuned and the wine is sustained by long, mineral freshness.
Robert Parker: 94-98+ points (Wine Advocate 188)
Cabernet Sauvignon 75% / Merlot 15% / Cabernet Franc 10%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 Château Branaire-Ducru, Cru Classé St-Julien | | 12 Bottles | £498 | |
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)
Cabernet Sauvignon 70% / Merlot 22% / Cabernet Franc 5% / Petit Verdot 3%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 Château Talbot, Cru Classé St-Julien | | 12 Bottles | £417 | |
Classic, perfumed, gently expressive St-Julien nose. Voluminous, with soft, ripe berry fruit flavours spreading easily across the cushioned palate. There is good freshness, pleasing weight and a balanced sweet, ripe tannin structure. Harmonious and attractive and likely to offer excellent value.
Robert Parker: 92-94 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Cabernet Sauvignon 67% / Merlot 26% / Petit Verdot 5% / Cabernet Franc 2%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2020 / 2028
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| 2009 Château Moulin-Riche, St-Julien (UK Customers Only) | | 12 Bottles | £185 | |
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 / 2016 / 2020
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Right Bank - Pomerol |
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Red wines |
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| 2009 Château Beauregard, Pomerol | | 12 Bottles | £297 | |
Classic on the nose, with notes of ripe red cherry, charcoal and cassis. The palate has a lovely depth and freshness that is only found in top vintages. Beautifully proportioned, with a floral lift to the long juicy finish. A plump, fragrant Pomerol that will be approachable relatively early and should offer excellent value in this vintage.
Merlot 70% / Cabernet Franc 30%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2017 / 2022
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| 2009 Château l'Evangile, Pomerol | | 6 Bottles | £1,098 | |
Initially dumb on the nose, the palate is rich and seamless with a mineral grip. There is an attractive core of violet and ripe, plummy Merlot fruit, as well as a subtle mineral vein. Really refined, with an appealing layered nature, this is a truly great l'Evangile, which effortlessly combines power and freshness. Lingering on the finish, this is a true expression of vineyard and vintage that is certainly up there with the best wines ever produced at this property.
Robert Parker: 96-100 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Merlot 95% / Cabernet Franc 5%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol | | 3 Magnums | £957 | |
Alexandre Thienpoint compared this to the brilliant 1998 in composition, but thinks it is the best wine made here since the 1950. There was a real buzz around Bordeaux about this wine and it didn't disappoint. Pure, perfumed and fresh on the nose, with notes that are almost savoury and leafy. The palate shows lush and deep-natured, with an effortless nature and ripe, round tannins. The succulence of this glossy, generous wine is balanced by an attractive mineral vein. Full of contradiction as all the best wines are, at once powerful, yet delicate. One of the wines of the vintage.
Merlot 60% / Cabernet Franc 30% / Cabernet Sauvignon 10%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 Château Chantalouette, Pomerol | | 12 Bottles | £138 | |
Herbaceous and leafy on the nose. On the palate, this has a glossy and appealing quality. A simple and flowing style, with rich, ripe fruit and a real sense of structure and freshness from the Cabernet Franc.
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2014 / 2016 / 2019
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Right Bank - Saint-Emilion |
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Red wines |
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| 2009 Château Angélus, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | | 6 Bottles | £1,200 | |
As ever, this is a crowd-pleasing wine, with soft, dark berry fruits on the nose and notes of buttered toast. On the palate, the tannins are fine, but robust, adding structure to the full ripe, stone-fruit core. There is also a pleasant vein of freshening minerality, which adds a sense of balance and poise to this charming St-Emilion.
Robert Parker: 96-100 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Merlot 50% / Cabernet Franc 47% / Cabernet Sauvignon 3%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2022 / 2028
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| 2009 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | | 12 Bottles | £519 | |
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)
Merlot 70% / Cabernet Franc 24% / Cabernet Sauvignon 6%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 Château Belair-Monange, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | | 6 Bottles | £600 | |
"We are happy" declared Edouard Moeuix. This is the third vintage of this great property under Moueix's stewardship and easily the best I have tasted by some margin. The nose is seductive, with notes of lavender, crushed raspberry and exotic spices. Typically refined and elegant, but this vintage displays also a lovely sense of volume and glossy, fine tannins. Complex and powerful, yet with a feminine touch and a lingering finish. Excellent.
Robert Parker: 94-96+ points (Wine Advocate 188)
- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 Château Berliquet, Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | | 12 Bottles | £234 | |
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.
Merlot 73% / Cabernet Franc 22% / Cabernet Sauvignon 5%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2017 / 2022
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| 2009 Château Canon, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | | 12 Bottles | £996 | |
Damson compôte intermingles with a hint of liquorice on the nose. Ripe blackberry and plum fruit on the attack is followed by a freshening graphite minerality. Structurally, this is a big wine exhibiting muscular, mouthcoating tannins, which are well-balanced against the weight and concentration of fruit. A big, burly example of St-Emilion.
Robert Parker: 93-95 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Merlot 75% / Cabernet Franc 25%
Recommended by Jeremy Palmer- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2020 / 2028
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| 2009 Château Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | | 6 Bottles | £875 | |
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon 35% / Cabernet Franc 35% / Merlot 30%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2022 / 2028
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| 2009 Château Larcis-Ducasse, Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | | 6 Bottles | £234 | |
A modern, glossy, concentrated style. Open on the nose, with notes of black berry fruit and a hint of spice. On the palate, there is a rich core of dark cherry fruit, offset by ripe fruit tannins and a vein of minerality. Soft and layered on the palate, this finishes long and with a pleasing freshness.
Robert Parker: 91-94 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Merlot 78% / Cabernet Franc 22%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 Château Moulin-St-Georges, Grand Cru St-Emilion | | 12 Bottles | £297 | |
Scented and fragrant, with notes of crushed soft dark berry and cherry fruit. On the palate this is round, rich and mouthfilling, with a lovely freshness to the pure, dark berry fruit nature. Open and appealing, with fine-grained structural tannins and an evident mineral vein. An admirably concentrated Moulin-St-Georges, with a good length. Very good indeed.
Merlot 80% / Cabernet Franc 20%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 Château Pavie, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion | | 6 Bottles | £1,150 | |
Typically one of the most contentious wines in Bordeaux, owing to Gérard Perse’s low yield, highly-extracted, concentrated style. This year though it’s probably less ‘out there’ than in other years. Just 80% new barrels were used for maturation, not 100% as in many other top properties. Very savoury, and attractively spicy. Big flavours, big, mouth-coating tannins. Altogether a massive wine, but very fine quality.
Robert Parker: 96-100 points (Wine Advocate 188)
Merlot 70% / Cabernet Franc 20% / Cabernet Sauvignon 10%- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2018 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 Château Amelisse, St.Emilion Grand Cru | | 12 Bottles | £126 | |
This is a very fine effort from Denis Durantou (of Eglise Clinet fame) made from 100% Merlot. Ripe, red berries dominate the perfumed nose and the palate reveals a touch of pepper and spice backed up with fine, silky tannins. Ending with a toasty finish and a hint of graphite minerality, this is a very natural, appealing wine which will reward mid-term cellarage.
Merlot 100%
Recommended for great value- Dry, Red, Still
- France
- Leave 2012 / 2014 / 2018
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Sauternes - Barsac |
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White wines |
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| 2009 Château Climens, Cru Classé Barsac | | 12 Halves | £429 | |
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 Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 Château Climens, Cru Classé Barsac | | 6 Bottles | £424.50 | |
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 Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 Château Nairac, Cru Classé Barsac | | 6 Bottles | £249 | |
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 Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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| 2009 Château Nairac, Cru Classé Barsac | | 12 Halves | £252 | |
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 Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2018 / 2025
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Sauternes - Sauternes |
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White wines |
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| 2009 Château d'Yquem, 1er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes | | 6 Bottles | £2,898 | |
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 Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 / 2030 / 2040
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| 2009 Château Suduiraut, Cru Classé Sauternes | | 6 Bottles | £327 | |
A scented nose of marmalade and almonds, with a subtle hint of desiccated coconut. On the palate there is lovely intensity and freshness to the honeyed fruit, dried apricot and subtle notes of marzipan. This wine has beautiful balance and texture, it is rich yet refined; intense yet still elegant. Delicious.
Semillon 90% / Sauvignon Blanc 10%- Sweet Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 Château Suduiraut, Cru Classé Sauternes | | 12 Halves | £330 | |
A scented nose of marmalade and almonds, with a subtle hint of desiccated coconut. On the palate there is lovely intensity and freshness to the honeyed fruit, dried apricot and subtle notes of marzipan. This wine has beautiful balance and texture, it is rich yet refined; intense yet still elegant. Delicious.
Semillon 90% / Sauvignon Blanc 10%- Sweet Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2015 / 2022 / 2030
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| 2009 Château Rieussec, Cru Classé Sauternes | | 6 Bottles | £318 | |
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 Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 / 2025 / 2035
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| 2009 Château Rieussec, Cru Classé Sauternes | | 12 Halves | £324 | |
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 Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2020 / 2025 / 2035
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| 2009 Château Rabaud-Promis, Cru Classé Sauternes | | 6 Bottles | £159 | |
This property is on the move and has produced a superb 2009 combining fat glycerol richness with pineapple cube acidity! A really precise, complex wine with an enticing nose of blossom and white peach. Extremely long and layered on the palate.
Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc- Sweet Wine, White, Still
- France
- Leave 2016 / 2020 / 2030
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