Bordeaux, the single biggest fine wine region in the world, produces around 750 million bottles of wine per year. Only around 5% of this wine is from the great chateaux and a great deal of the rest can be pretty unpalatable! However there are a growing number of young vignerons, often located in currently unfashionable appellations such as Lalande de Pomerol, that are producing fantastic wines which are well worth seeking out. After rigorous tasting we were won over by a concise group of them, and these form our everyday Bordeaux section aiming to provide excellent value and consistency from a region where value is not often at the forefront.
Tasting notes: A dark and deep and slightly glossy wine, with a good concentration of colour right out to the rim. Still with a good, matt, dark oxblood hue, maturing but certainly not advanced. The nose has a very deep and rich character, with a dense macerated-fruit style. There is a high-toned edge to the fruit, but a freshness too, a gentle perfume alongside a more vibrant but plump cherry note. Quite fresh on entry, but broad and dense, full of texture and body and grip. There is good acidity here despite the heat of the vintage, and the tannins although firm sit quite well behind the meat of the wine. A full-on style of wine, with lots of extract and tangible matter. (The Wine Doctor)
Tasting notes: One taste of the wine of Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme provided an early realisation that both good quality and good value can be found outside the long-ordained hierarchy that is the 1855 classification. The fruit has a light, red character, crunchy but with a perfumed edge. (The Wine Doctor)
Tasting notes: The prodigious, fantastic 2003 Cos d’Estournel is a candidate for “wine of the vintage.” A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon (unusually high for this chateau), 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 17,500 cases were produced from low yields. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by a compelling perfume of black fruits, subtle smoke, pain grille, incense, and flowers. With extraordinary richness, full body, and remarkable freshness, elegance, and persistence, this is one of the finest wines ever made by this estate. The good news is that it will be drinkable at a young age yet evolve for three decades or more. Kudos to winemaker Jean-Guillaume Prats and owner Michel Reybier.
Tasting notes: The 1982 vintage, seriously maligned because of the rains that plagued the harvest in Sauternes, was actually an outstanding vintage for both d'Yquem and its nearby neighbor, Chateau Suduiraut, who brought in much of their crops before the rains did any damage. D'Yquem then waited until the harvest dried out, bringing in their last grapes on November 7th. The 1982 is a very forward style of d'Yquem, plump, succulent, with honeyed pineapple, peach, and apricot flavors, exhibiting some, but not a great deal of botrytis. In the mouth, it is massive, thick, and almost as impressive as the 1983, but one does not sense the same degree of length or potential complexity. Nevertheless, this is still a great d'Yquem that has been somewhat overlooked. Anticipated maturity: 1997-2020. 92 points RP
Tasting notes: Yquem's 1991 is a beautifully made, medium gold-colored wine with a gorgeous nose of creme brulee, roasted coffee, and sweet, honeyed pineapple and other assorted fruits. Full-bodied, unctuously-textured, and rich, but not yet revealing a lot of complexity or enormous weight. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040 91pts RP
Tasting notes: Compared with the flamboyant aromatics of the 1997, Yquem's 1996 plays it closer to the vest, although there is a lot going on. Light gold with a tight but promising nose of roasted hazelnuts intermixed with creme brulee, vanilla beans, honey, orange marmalade, and peaches, this medium to full-bodied offering reveals loads of power in its restrained, measured personality. There is admirable acidity, weight, texture, and purity in this impeccably made Yquem. However, patience will be a virtue. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2060. 95 points RP
One of our most popular wines and one of the best of all the Fronsac appellation situated to the west of Pomerol. This genuinely one of the best value Clarets available today and delivers good quality Right Bank wine at a very modest price. Merlot dominated claret with gentle cherry and blackberry flavours. This will drink well for another 8 years.
Tasting notes: One of our most popular wines and one of the best of all the Fronsac appellation situated to the west of Pomerol. This genuinely one of the best value Clarets available today and delivers good quality Right Bank wine at a very modest price. Merlot dominated claret with gentle cherry and blackberry flavours. This will drink well for another 8 years.
