Bordeaux 2022

Tasted April 2024. Sémillon 65%, Sauvignon Blanc 35%. 13.8% ABV and 90% new barrels. Rich with botrytis character, with honey, spice, subtle mushroom, and marmalade. Then cascading freshness and precision on the palate with a bright finish.

Tasted April 2024. 80% Sémillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Unctuous initially, with cascading refreshing acidity. Fresh orange, lemon, and pear.

The 2023 Lune d’Argent from the Bernard family of Domaine de Chevalier is an aromatic and full-flavoured reflection of some of Bordeaux’s finest terroirs. Sourced from 35 year old vines that neighbour the vineyards of Châteaux d’Yquem and Guiraud, this is always a lot of wine for your money. Gravel soils in Sauternes and Bommes provide power and freshness, while alluvial soils in Barsac lend the wine a unique minerality. Textured, zingy, and utterly delicious, the 2023 Lune d’Argent is an absolute bargain.

Pierre Lurton and the team at Château Marjosse place aromatic purity and the expression of fruit at the heart of their winemaking. The team eschews the use of new oak, instead preferring used 400 litre barrels that allow the aromatic, floral, cherry-fruited nature of the wine to take centre stage. In 2023, the quality of the Cabernets was excellent and forms a higher part of the blend (40%) than in previous vintages. This is always friendly, delicious, and one of Bordeaux’s great values.

Tasted April 2024. Montaiguillon in 2023 is classic Bordeaux at its best, and remains one of our easiest recommendations. There’s lots of fresh bramble fruit and spiced plum, with graphite and subtle truffle as it opens in the glass. Balanced and proportioned, it has lots of smooth tannin and a refreshing, appetising finish.

Tasted April 2024. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. 13.5% ABV. Classic Pauillac characteristics of savoury-tinged cassis, bramble and graphite. The tannins are fine, densely packed and ripe. Fresh black fruit continues on the palate but with plenty of cleansing acidity and mineral notes that create a mouthwatering finish, along with creamy oak influence. Intense and concentrated but pure, vibrant, and with everything in good proportion.

Tasted April 2024. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. 13.5% ABV. Classic Pauillac characteristics of savoury-tinged cassis, bramble and graphite. The tannins are fine, densely packed and ripe. Fresh black fruit continues on the palate but with plenty of cleansing acidity and mineral notes that create a mouthwatering finish, along with creamy oak influence. Intense and concentrated but pure, vibrant, and with everything in good proportion.

Tasted April 2024. 13.7% ABV. 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot. Château Angludet, run by the Sichel family, is farmed biodynamically, and since 2019 they have aged nearly half the wine in amphorae (this year 40%). This lends the barrel sample tasted a distinct aromatic purity, with damson, blackberry and plum complemented by some creamy, toasty notes from 35% new barrels.