2007 Château Margaux, 1er Cru Margaux

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2012 / 2017

With only 32% of the crop used for the Grand Vin this was the most severe selection ever at Margaux. All the various plots of the vineyard were used in the assemblage of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and just 2% Cabernet Franc. The colour is deep and vivid and the nose offers dark fruits, cassis and a touch of liquorice. The fresh, medium-bodied palate displays good intensity and the tannins are integrated and finely tuned. The Margaux elegance and finesse shines through in this testament to the rigour of the selection. Outstanding medium term drinking.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Giscours, Cru Classé Margaux

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2013

Château Giscours has provided a succession of fine wines in each vintage since 2000 and the 2007 is no exception. The colour is quite dense and the bouquet is of soft red fruits with a mineral overlay. This is a fresh, vibrant example of the commune with excellent fruit and fine balance. The tannins are completely integrated and in no way impinge upon the purity of the fruit. Forward and very appealing with an elegant finish.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Palmer, Cru Classé Margaux

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2015

The undoubted success of Palmer in 2007 is solely due to the diligence and hard work in both the vineyards and cellar. The vines were painstakingly leaf thinned around the clusters in June to maximise both the sunshine and aeration. The deep colour in the glass leads to a nose of blackberry and currant allied to a touch of vanilla from the oak. Château Palmer is famed for its restraint and in 2007 the tannins are very refined although they do add some structure. Finishes on a savoury note and definitely one of the vintage’s successes.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux, Margaux

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2013

37% Merlot, 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot. Perfumed cherry blossom notes on nose with a subtle hint of mocha. Palate of good poise and harmony with the perfumed delicacy of the nose coming through. Bitter chocolate and mocha notes on finish.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Lafite-Rothschild, 1er Cru Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2018

Deep in the glass, with a sweet, pure perfume of cassis and blackcurrant leaf. The palate offers cool berry fruit with gentle, yet fine grip exuded by the supple tannins. There is a pleasing layered depth to this mid-weight Lafite, with a gradual build of concentration. Natural and unforced, this is a very well-balanced, elegant vintage for the château with plenty of subtlety and class.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Mouton-Rothschild, 1er Cru Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2012 / 2020

Inky and opaque, the nose offers fresh black fruits and notes of toast with a scented character too. The palate is admirably packed (in the vintage context) with sweet cassis and crunchy blackberry fruit. Not a weighty Mouton, although not one to be easily dismissed as lightweight either, there is pleasing balance and depth on show. There is creamy, soft, flowing fruit, with discreet toasty nuances and more evident tannic grip than most this year, all in proportion. The finish has a charming lush note and a distinctive wet-stone, gravely minerality. Mouton appears to be entering a strong run of form.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Latour, 1er Cru Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2012 / 2018

The decision to incorporate a higher than normal proportion of press wine has given definition and valuable backbone to the 2007 Latour. Opaque in the glass, with restrained toasty, berry fruit and notes of cedar on the nose. The palate is quite open with a pure, attractive, fleshy accent. There is a sense of energy here, despite the forward nature and curranty dark fruits meld with a distinctive wet stone, gravely character. The tannins are soft and light yet lend enough drive to give direction. There is a fresh, vibrant accent throughout which adds to the attraction. Long and refined, there is less of the authoritative style that one would expect from more classic years, yet this is impressively refined in this context.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Cru Classé Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2017

Clean, gently restrained red and black berry fruit on the nose. Subtly aromatic, this is floral rather than powerful. The power expresses itself on the mid-palate, where the wine opens with a silky, supple texture. This has great length of fruit and superb delicacy on the finish. Good length, with dark fruit-skin grip.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Pontet-Canet, Cru Classé Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2015

There is a sweet accent to the berry aromas, with a perfumed cassis-like character and notes of macerated fruit. The palate is plush, with good substance and a vivid, bright core of fruit. There’s lots of blackcurrant and toast here, with a more evident tannic grip than some. However, it remains mouth-filling and soft with a scented lift on the palate and mineral finish. An appealing Pontet-Canet that will prove to be attractive drinking from four years’ time.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Lynch-Bages, Cru Classé Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2015

Exuding an attractive set of aromas combining toast, cedar and sweet, ripe berry fruit, there is an immediately appealing nature to the 2007 Lynch-Bages. Fleshy and ample with dark berry fruit, there is almost a cool, lip-smacking quality to this wine, with plenty of supple volume and style. With its gentle, sleekly textured tannins, this is true to type and illustrates why Lynch-Bages holds tremendous early drinking appeal in lighter vintages. Very well balanced and markedly persistent.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2016

Restrained aromatically, with a suggestion of scented berry fruits, this shows an appealing red berry fruit character infused with notes of cedar. Mouthfilling and broad with fine-grained tannins, this reveals classic stony, gravely, mineral notes. As with the entire stable of wines at Latour, their intelligent approach to viticulture and winemaking has paid handsome dividends in the context of the 2007 vintage.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château d'Armailhac, Cru Classé Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2014

The 2007 d’Armailhac captures sweet, ripe blackcurrant fruit with pleasing freshness on both nose and palate. There is almost a minty note of freshness too. With its cool, ripe fruit, flowing style, and touch of layered depth, this is fresh, pure and soft, yet impeccably balanced. Not overly complex, but certainly rewarding.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Clerc Milon, Cru Classé Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2016

The nose displays appealing chocolate, cassis and plum notes with a palate that opens with density of dark fruit. A fuller, more powerful wine than the d’Armailhac but with a soft yet fresh acidity that gives persistence to this medium weight mid term wine of fine balance and supple tannins.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Le Petit Mouton, Pauillac

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2016

There is a typically sweet accent to the aromas of Mouton-Rothschild’s second wine, with herbal, leafy nuances. On the palate there is a lush touch to the gently mouth-filling fruit. There is a discreet note of chocolate to the fruit and characters of toast are allied to supple berry fruit and traces of gravel and minerals on the finish.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château L'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2016

Denis Durantou believes 85% to 15% to be the most perfect blend for Merlot and Cabernet Franc and one that he employs in this wine. Deep glossy purple in colour with a black core. Perfumed cherry blossom notes precede a glorious array of dark skinned fruit on the nose with lovely toasted oak notes emerging. The palate is taut and mineral with a core of ripe, dark skinned fruit. With very fine tannins, this is long, juicy, fresh and laden with fruit.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Nenin, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2016

Smoky and intense with notes of dark chocolate, ripe berry and hints of mint. Lovely texture, this is juicy, fruit-rich and long. The tannins are powerful, yet ripe and in balance with plenty of fruit to help them integrate. A soft, velvet- textured mouthful. Lovely healthy fruit on a long, mineral finish.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château l'Evangile, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2012 / 2018

Profound notes of mocha, toast and black cherry on the nose with spicy vanillin nuances. This shows a cool ripeness and suggests fresh fruit compote. A wonderful wine showing velvety texture, lovely sweetness of fruit, freshness and beautiful, creamy tannins.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2016

70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. A wine Alexandre Thienpont modestly describes as “simple”, merely serves to support the saying that great wine is effortless. On the nose this shows fresh, ripe, subtle notes of black-skinned fruit – dark cherry and plum with hints of dark chocolate. The palate is almost crunchy with wonderfully fresh fruit. Perfumed, elegant, black stone fruit flavours spread across the palate. This is understated, yet perfectly balanced.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château La Conseillante, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2015

Winemaker and Estate Director Jean-Michel Laporte advised that the harvest took place between 17th and 27th September and that the assemblage was 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. As one has come to expect of the property in recent years, they have turned out one of the successes of the commune. Whilst not a heavyweight, La Conseillante displays luscious, attractive fruit, poise and refreshing fruit.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Bourgneuf-Vayron, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2014

Glossy nose of dark chocolate and ripe damson fruit. Supple, sweet, black fruit flavours spread across the palate with a pleasing breadth and richness. The finish is marked by a delightfully fresh acidity, fine tannins and a touch of minerality.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2014

Perfumed, cherry fruit on the nose give way to some darker fruit flavours on the medium bodied palate with a chalky mineral finish. This should become an elegant, harmonious pomerol for early drinking.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Hosanna, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2017

Good concentration of dark skinned stone fruit with a hint of coffee. Perfumed yet quite dense. The palate has an appealing, open texture and mid-palate breadth. Hedgerow fruit and juicy acidity on the finish which is brought together by a tautness of irony minerality.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Certan de May, Pomerol

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2012 / 2019

Deep purple to the core with a ripe, minty, blackcurrant nose and subtle roasted coffee bean notes. Sweet plum, damson and black cherry fruit on the attack, this shows juicy freshness and a certain elegance in the mid palate. Focused mineral length with grippy black fruit-skin flavours.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château l'Arrosée, Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2014

Cherry fruit and fresh new oak greet the nose. There is a lovely fluidity on the palate showing fresh fruit flavours cut by juicy acidity and underscored by fine tannins. Good length.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château La Serre, Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2014

Creamy, berry fruit on the nose with chocolate nuances. Crunchy berry fruit dominates the even-textured palate. Quite warm but otherwise well balanced with milk chocolate flavours on the finish.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2012 / 2016

In our view one of the outstanding wines of the commune this year. A 40% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc assemblage, the Figeac team have produced a winning formula with a wine that displays lovely harmony, elegance and precision. Not here the forced, aggressive style of St-Emilion that we encounter all too regularly in the region but a sophisticated thoroughbred.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Cru Classé St-Julien

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2016

An exemplary wine in 2007. The fruit has a delightful weight and persistence on the palate framed by very fine tannins. Natural and unforced, with an elegant harmony and a flowing texture. The quality reflects the meticulous attention to detail, and hard work, in the vineyards here. The château performed two green and one pink harvests during the growing season. They took the bold decision to remove all of the leaves around the fruit at the end of August in order to expose the fruit to the sunshine, which fortunately arrived in September.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl)

2007 Château St-Pierre, Cru Classé St-Julien

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2016

Offering classic Cabernet-driven characters of graphite and blackcurrant leaf on the nose, the 2007 St-Pierre continues this château’s resurgent run of good form. Pure and stylish with an ample note to its ripe fruit. This is well knit with good volume and some sense of taut structure. Fine-grained silky tannins add to the glossy texture. An expressive wine, this reveals good depth and more potential to age than many of its neighbours. Impressive in this vintage.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl)

2007 Château Léoville-Barton, Cru Classé St-Julien

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2016

Inky and dense in the glass, there is a good volume of fruit on show here, albeit relatively loose-knit for a young Barton. This wine follows the vintage pattern with marked vibrancy to its dark berry, cassis-nuanced fruit. Well knit with plenty of appeal, there is no austerity here, even though the tannins are more prominent than in many st-juliens of the vintage. Harmonious and expressive, unsurprisingly this is comfortably ahead of the pack.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl)

2007 Château Langoa-Barton, Cru Classé St-Julien

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2014

Vibrant cherry fruit aromas on the nose follow through to the palate with volume and breadth. A fuller style than others this vintage, this has a ripe density of tannins. Beautifully balanced overall.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Montrose, Cru Classé St-Estèphe

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2014

Even in a challenging year such as 2007, Montrose retains its formidable reputation. Only a third of the production was used for the Grand Vin, a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Franc with just 1% Petit Verdot. As always with Montrose you can discern the power of the Cabernet overlain by the softer ripe fruit of the Merlot. It is a great alliance. The colour is deep with berry and citrus notes on the nose. Full bodied with excellent ripeness and soft enveloping tannins, this is somewhat atypical for a st-éstèphe. The finish is long, soft and plump.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Calon-Ségur, Cru Classé St-Estèphe

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2013

The redoubtable Madame Gasqueton continues to produce some of the most appealing and finest wines not just of St-Estèphe but the entire Médoc. This deeply coloured wine is marked by noticeable freshness on both the nose and palate. Currant and dark berry fruits dominate in a palate that is full and long. The tannins are almost invisible which only adds to the appeal. This is atypical for a st-éstèphe being almost accessible now due to the fine balance and deep fruit overlaying the tannins. A fine result for Calon-Ségur.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Les Ormes de Pez, Cru Bourgeois St-Estèphe

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2015

Dark in hue, the nose reveals an appealing blackfruit with a floral touch. On the palate the tannins lend good definition to a pure, harmonious fruit of blackcurrant and damson with notes of cedar. There is a firmer touch to the finish, with plenty of persistence and vigour. Impresses in context.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Cos d'Estournel, Cru Classé St-Estèphe

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2012 / 2015

The quality of the wines emanating from within the exotic architecture of Cos d’Estournel is such that a relatively high 55% was made into the first wine. A blend dominated by the 85% Cabernet Sauvignon used, this has a deep opaque colour and a beguiling nose of dark berry fruits with a floral overtone. There is a good core of restrained fruit, quite full with integrated tannins and a long balanced finish.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Haut-Brion, 1er Cru Pessac-Léognan

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2011 / 2017

Equally as dark in hue as the La Mission, the aromas here are restrained, hinting at fresh dark fruits. Fleshy and gently mouth-filling fruit leads to a lush, vibrant impression with lively acidity and a creamy texture to the finish. Not an imposing Haut-Brion, but there is a modicum more substance here than with many. There is gravelly minerality here alongside well-struck poise and the purity that one has come to expect of this great estate.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2012 / 2020

Deep, near opaque in the glass with mineral, graphite and cool, ripe fruit on the nose. On the palate there is a fragrant note to the dark cherry and currant fruit, with earthy, leafy elements too. More compact than many in this vintage, this has pleasing harmony and gentle direction lent to the fruit by soft, round tannins. A forward and attractive La Mission.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

Style: Dry, Red, Still, Leave 2010 / 2015

One of the few wines to stand out in the line-up of reds from Pessac-Léognan. The aromas are fresh and offer scents of ripe berry and plums. The palate reveals a pleasing texture, not forced but more natural and understated. A classically structured wine, this is not without grip with succulent fruit throughout and a pleasing gravelly persistence. Fresh and pure, Haut-Bailly’s refinement is evident in any vintage.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

2007 Château d'Yquem, 1er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes 

Style: Sweet Wine, White, Still, Leave 2014 / 2027

2007 is an excellent Sauternes vintage and Chateau d ’Yquem has made a wonderful wine. Only 55% of the crop was utilised from the 6 tries or staged pickings throughout the vineyards. The nose already offers up a very spicy botrytis - infused aroma with some floral notes. The palate is very rich and powerful yet not at all clumsy. Great extract with a pronounced streak of acidity. Very clean - lively yet focused. The palate exudes ripe exotic fruits with mango and pineapple to the fore but with apricot and marmalade nuances. Long and persistent. The finest d'Yquem since 2001?

Case (6 Bottles -75cl) 

Case (12 Halves)

2007 Château Rieussec, Cru Classé Sauternes 

Style: Sweet Wine, White, Still, Leave 2012 / 2020

A property owned by the Rothschilds of Lafite, winemaker Charles Chevallier is very pleased with the result achieved in 2007. Picking of Sauvignon Blanc commenced on the 11th September, whilst picking of Semillon (87% of the harvest) began a few days later but was not completed until 16th November. This early view of an approximate blend reveals a veritable basket of tropical fruit flavours. A layered, broad, complex sauternes that we expect to age well.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

Case (24 Halves)

2007 Château Coutet, Premier Cru Classé Barsac

Style: Sweet Wine, White, Still, Leave 2012 / 2020

A property that has produced stunning wines of late, Coutet has excelled again in 2007. The first impression is of superb lift and Barsac elegance. The scents are an amalgam of exotic fruits with hints of spices. Texturally excellent with smooth-coated, yet exquisitely fresh nectarine flavours broadened by a twist of orange peel and ripe peach.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

Case (24 Halves)           

2007 Château Doisy-Védrines, Cru Classé Barsac

Style: Sweet Wine, White, Still, Leave 2012 / 2017

Unctuous and intense, rich, yet fresh, Doisy-Vedrines has produced a glorious Barsac this year. More intense and deeper in colour and structure than most wines of the commune but it retains acidity to deliver explosive scents and flavours. Rather like tasting liquid apricots with a hint of caramel and spices.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

Case (24 Halves)           

2007 Château Bastor-Lamontagne, Sauternes   

Style: Sweet Wine, White, Still, Leave 2011 / 2016

The first wine amongst an extensive tasting of Sauternes. We loved it but wondered how well it would compare with wines from higher-flying properties later in the tasting. Re-tasting three times during a two hour session it continued to impress. Fresh and vibrant with delicious apricot and nectarine notes and subtle hints of botrytis, this displays beautiful harmony and freshness.

Case (12 Bottles -75cl) 

Case (24 Halves)           

2007 Château Nairac, Sauternes   

Style: Sweet Wine, White, Still, Leave 2012 / 2017

Initially the nose is closed but deep down, evocative, luscious scents emerge. The palate really sings with flavours combining lush, ultra-ripe tropical fruits and the telltale toasty, honeyed, spicy notes of botrytis. Ripe apricot and peach flavours dominate this very impressive Sauternes. Long and rich but beautifully fresh, this is one of the stars of the vintage.

Case (12 Bottles)

Case (24 Halves)           

2007 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

Style: Dry, White, Still, Leave 2010 / 2014

Fresh and appealing with juicy citrus and peach on the nose. The palate is lively with a really zesty acidity. There is a wealth of fruit here with a delightful grapefruit accent. This white graves shows a fine depth and complexity with a satin texture. Stunning vibrancy and intensity. This is mouthwatering now but will age beautifully too. Very fine.

Case (6 Bottles -75cl)