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2007 BORDEAUX EN PRIMEUR

The Tasting Notes

Regular Lay & Wheeler buyers will note that our target list is reduced this year. We intend to concentrate our purchases on wines that we firmly believe in, wines that in our view represent the best of the vintage and, importantly, wines that will be difficult to purchase in future at opening prices. The range of wines may be reduced or extended as prices become known but we will communicate our updated views as the Campaign progresses.

Lay & Wheeler's Opening Offer is likely to include the following wines subject to release price.

ST-EMILION

  2007 Château Ausone, 1er Grand Cru Classé (A) St-Emilion
  The blend is 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot aged in 100% new wood, for which the toasting has been reduced this year as a matter of ongoing policy. The nose is redolent of creamy berry fruit with an iron-like minerality. This has ripe, rich fruit, yet remains tautly structured. There is an overwhelming sense of balance here. Fresh and long with melting, creamy tannins.
  2012-2020 2006 en primeur price £7980
   
  2007 Château Cheval-Blanc, 1er Grand Cru Classé (A) St-Emilion
  Medium deep in colour with a bright, purple-red core. This has lovely perfumed, ripe Morello cherry, loganberry and raspberry fruit on the nose and is piercing and pippy with such freshness. Some cool but ripe plum notes and great elegance on the attractive, natural palate. Flowing, balanced and poised with medium acidity and vibrant fresh fruit. The tannins are incredibly fine.
  2011-2019 2006 en primeur price £4500
   
  2007 Château Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion
  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.
  2012-2016 2006 en primeur price £498
   
  2007 Château Belair, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion
  This shows supremely delicate floral and cherry notes on the nose. The delicacy continues on the mid-palate with elegant cherry fruit on the finish. Good freshness here and fine tannins. A beautifully elegant style which has a focused fruit core and fine balance.
  2010-2014 2006 en primeur price £366
   
  2007 Château l'Arrosée, Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion
  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.
  2010-2014 2006 en primeur price £244
   
  2007 Château Moulin-St-Georges, Grand Cru St-Emilion
  This seven hectare property is owned and managed by the Vauthier family of Château Ausone and once again they have produced a classic st-émilion of balance and focus blended from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple/black core. Creamy vanilla notes on the nose are underpinned by focused, ripe damson fruit and a touch of spice. The sweet attack of ripe, black, stone fruit leads to a firm, structured mid palate. Long with delightful black fruit flavours.
  2010-2014 2006 en primeur price £210
   
  2007 Château La Serre, Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion
  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.
  2010-2014 2006 en primeur price £198
   
  2007 Château Amelisse, St.Emilion Grand Cru
  Produced by the exceptionally talented Denis Durantou, who, in addition to owning the superb Pomerol L’Eglise-Clinet, acts as consultant to several Right Bank estates. In 2007 Amelisse defied the odds with a deliciously fresh st-emilion that expresses both fruit and minerality. Layered, pure, seductive and unforced, we anticipate Amelisse to be one of our favourite value wines of 2007.
  2010-2013 2006 en primeur price £99
   
  2007 Chapelle d'Ausone, St-Emilion
  The 2007 Chapelle d’Ausone is a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, reflecting an increase in plantings of the former variety, which will eventually become the majority in this wine. 100% new oak is employed here, but, as with the Grand Vin, the toasting has been reduced. Initially closed on the nose, but with healthy fruit beneath. There is a lightness of touch on the palate, which is light to medium-bodied. The palate shows a lovely evenness of texture throughout with fine, chalky tannins and juicy acidity. 
  2010-2015 2006 en primeur price £675
   
  2007 Le Petit Cheval, Grand Cru St-Emilion
  A blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot. According to technical manager Kees van Leewen, 2007 was a better vintage for Cabernet Franc than for Merlot at Cheval Blanc. This has a medium intensity with a core of vibrant cherry fruit and hints of toast. Perfumed red cherry and redcurrant fruit abound on the palate with a touch of graphite. This is wonderfully elegant, and flowing. The tannins assert themselves gently on the finish, pulling the palate nicely together and sustaining the fresh, delicate fruit length.
  2010-2014