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Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
SICCPL
Region: France, Bordeaux, Pomerol
Grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
Tasting notes: Top-flight modern Lalande de Pomerol which does admittedly show a quite opulently oaky nose, but which also has the volume and depth of fruit to complement it. Round and mouth filling, succulent and long, it is delicious drinking now.
Beautiful deep ruby red with tints at rim showing no signs of ageing as yet. Rich, powerful and many-layered nose of red fruits, dark spice, fresh oak and cocoa. Supple, velvety palate with fine, crisply elegant tannins. Fresh lingering finish with menthol flavours. A charming, easy-to-drink wine which will go down well with any fine food.
SICDM
Region: France, Pauillac
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Awards
93-95pts, Neal Martin, vinous.com: "The 2019 Duhart-Milon was picked from 18 September to 4 October and raised in 50% new oak. Of course, this comes from one of the coldest terroirs in Pauillac due to the orientation of the vineyard and less proportion of clay, which has become an advantage in warmer growing seasons such as this. The 70% Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the aromatics with dense black fruit, pencil shavings and tobacco aromas, traces of dark chocolate in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with spicy black fruits on the entry. This is quintessential Duhart: a bit broody, conservative in a non-pejorative use of the word, harmonious and quite sturdy towards the finish. I like this. Whilst it has no intention of being the most flamboyant Pauillac on the gravel terrace, it is imbued with nobility. Drink: 2026-2052"
92-94pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate: "The 2019 Duhart-Milon is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, harvested from the 19th of September to the 4th of October. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vivacious notes of plums preserves, black raspberries and blackcurrant pastilles with suggestions of menthol, dark chocolate, pencil lead and woodsmoke plus a touch of garrigue. Medium-bodied, the palate is spritely and refreshing, with bags of juicy, mint-laced black fruits and an approachable, plush texture, finishing long and lively."
95-96pts, James Suckling: "A very balanced, refined Duhart with ever so fine tannins and currant, tobacco and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium to fine tannins. Its extremely long and polished. Direct. You already want to drink this."
94pts, Jane Anson, Decanter.com: "This one might sneak up on you, confirming the rise of this wine in recent years. Clear depth of fruit, and above all clear Pauillac character. This feels strict and confident, with beautiful balance and restraint. Duhart is one of the later-ripening and cooler Pauillac terroirs which is why in the past it could be overly austere when young, but it is benefitting from recent hot summers in terms of its fruit ripeness. Pencil lead is prominent here, along with cassis and bilberry. Very precise, very elegant, with a creaminess to the fruit through the mid palate, and overall this is an excellent Duhart. Drinking window 2026 - 2042"
SICDM19
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Estephe
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Tasting notes: Dark inky purple core and hue. Fine purity, intense with violet scented dark fruit, wild berries, cassis and tobacco leaf. Fine density of fruit on the palate, layered with finely tuned tannins and good oak integration. Fresh and digest with a long and pure finish.
SICHS
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Cabernet Franc (35%) & Merlot (65%)
Tasting notes: Ripe, sweet and fairly intense. Firm, grippy structure. A touch tighter and longer than stablemate Simard.
SICPAL94
Region: France, Bordeaux, Margaux
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Tasting notes: Ruby colour with a flowery blackcurrant scented nose leads in to a fleshy palate of black fruit intermingled with liquorice and a hint of truffle.
SICCLM
Region: France, Bordeaux
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Tasting notes: Laced with dark fruit flavour (cassis, blackberries, plums and more) with delicious complexity and just the right amount of oak. Chateau Les Moines offers a perfect balance of spiced fruit and oak that will have you wanting more. The beauty of Cru Bourgeois wines is that they sit just below the Cru Classé levels and are continually evaluated. This means you get excellent, well tested wines that aren’t just relying on a famous name that offer incredible value.
Reviews
Jane Macquitty, The Times 9/4/2021: "Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Classy cru bourgeois claret, with gorgeous, rich, tarry, beef tea fruit."
Jonathan Ray, The Spectator: "A fine Cru Bourgeois claret that always goes down a storm with readers and rightly so. A blend of 70 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 per cent Merlot from a 10/10 vintage, its resolutely in its prime with buckets of spicy, plummy fruit, and should be knocked back with abandon."
SICCTG
Region: France, Bordeaux, Graves
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Background: Chateau Trebiac Graves is skilfully managed by Arnaud de Butler, Château de Trébiac lies on a gravel plateau at Portets, 35 km south of Bordeaux. Over the past five years, both the estate's vines and winery have been completely rehabilitated. This really is the product of this exceptional gravel terroir on the Plateau du Portets, crafted with painstaking care by Arnaud de Butler.
Tasting notes: This wine is a beautiful, intense garnet red. Red berried fruit (cassis, redcurrant) predominate in an expressive bouquet, together with smoky, more mineral notes.
Oak aged in French barrels for three months giving a bouquet of dark chocolate and toast. The palate offers a fruity finish with velvety tannins. This wine will age beautifully.
SICCFSE
Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion
Grape variety: Cabernet & Merlot
Background: Château Fonplégade's name (literally "fountain of plenty") was derived from the historic 13th century stone fountain that graces the estate's vineyard. It quenched the thirst of passing pilgrims for hundreds of years, and continues to provide sustenance to the estate's vines in the driest vintages. Grapevines have thrived at this exceptional site, perched on the limestone plateau that is home to Saint-Emilion's finest vineyards, since the late 1500s. In 1852, legendary wine merchant Jean-Pierre Beylot purchased the estate and built the elegant château that still stands on the property. Enchanted by the terroir, history and grandeur of the estate, with its ancient Roman pathways and graceful vine rows, Denise and Stephen Adams acquired Château Fonplégade in 2004 and spent 15 years tirelessly revitalizing the vineyards, renovating the cellar and lovingly restoring the château.
Tasting notes: Deep ruby colour with a generous nose of fresh red fruits and spice. Full-bodied, round mouthfeel supported by an elegant acidity (from the limestone terroir). Remarkable mineral focus.
TRISA
Region: France
Grape variety: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Tasting notes: Rich dark purple with bright ruby highlights. Aromas of ripe black cherries, nutmeg and clove. It is full and concentrated and is a wine that can be enjoyed upon release and over the following ten to fifteen years. Its elegant colour offers a dark purple colour with intense ruby reflections. Harmony and finesse are combined with aromas of ripe black fruit and spices.
SICSBR
Region: France, AOC Bordeaux
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Background: Sirius is a modern Bordeaux both in style and presentation, a wine of the finest quality with fullness and depth of a typical Bordeaux.
Winemaking process: The majority of the grapes are vinified in the traditional Bordeaux way: the bunches are totally de-stemmed and the grapes fermented, in vat, at between 27 and 32oC to extract colour and tannins. There follows a period of vatting (15-21 days) to give the wines their characteristic Bordeaux structure and the potential to age well. To maximize the fruit, however, the remaining proportion of grapes undergoes carbonic maceration. Once the different vats are blended, Sirius is aged in French oak barriques for 12 months.
SICGBP
Region: France, Bordeaux, Pauillac
Grape variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon (52%) & Merlot (48%)
Background: Château Pichon Baron de Longueville is made from vines on the estate's historic terroir. The result is wine that's full-bodied and rich in tannins and characterised by finesses and elegance. Their length on the palate is exceptional and they have excellent ageing potential. In the 17th century Jacques de Pichon, Baron de Longueville, began to develop the vineyard at Pichon-Longueville. The wine's reputation was established a few years later.Tasting notes:
The colour is a deep and intense pomegranate red. The nose is accentuated by the fresh fruit, crème de cassis and blueberry, as well as a sophisticated oaky note. The palate is soft and velvety, and the tannins delicate and precise. Borne on the great maturity found in the quality of the fruit, the finish is flavoursome, elegant and distinguished, in an opulent whole devoid of heaviness.
CBRGE
Region: France, Bordeaux
Grape variety: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Background: Château Bauduc is a wine estate just south of the town of Créon in Bordeaux's Entre-deux-Mers region between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, although its wines are predominantly produced under the wider Bordeaux appellation title. The estate – owned and managed by expat Britsh husband-and-wife team Gavin and Angela Quinney – produces a range of wines including a Bordeaux whites, Bordeaux reds, rosés and a sparkling Crémant de Bordeaux.
Tasting notes: Medium bodied and partially aged in oak, it’s easy, fruity and supple enough to drink quite young. A French bistro sort of wine. Although it is a young red, it is ready to drink now, with attractive, easy fruit and soft, supple tannins.
Expert opinion
Previous Vintages: Château Bauduc (Bordeaux Supérieur) 2017
The year of the frost, nevertheless this has come out of it rather well. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a good concentration in the glass, with a dusty and claretty hue. The nose is restrained when compared to other vintages, with savoury notes of dried cranberry and blackberry, in a taut and crunchy just-ripe style, touched with vanilla caramel presumably from the oak. Medium bodied, cool and restrained on the palate, the taut vibe continues here with damson stone and cranberry fruit, and a touch of black pepper. Lightly textured, with dry and lightly grained tannins, and fresh acidity, this is good to drink now. From a 2021 Update. 89/100
Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com. January 2021.
Château Bauduc (Bordeaux Supérieur) 2016
This was a benevolent vintage in the region, providing volume and good quality, and the latter aspect shows here. As always it is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. In the glass it shows a surprisingly modest concentration, with a gentle claretty red hue. The nose hints at some early evolution here, with scents of spiced and degraded red cherry fruit, with a medicinal twist. The palate, meanwhile, shows a cool and supple style, with a little silky edge. I see that medicinal twist coming in again, along with notes of red pepper, red cherry and a touch of coconut. Fresh and lightly composed, and for drinking over the next few years. From a 2021 Update. 90/100
Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com. January 2021.
'These are excellent-quality wines - reds as well as whites - consistent and easy to enjoy. One to follow.'
Inside Bordeaux, by Jane Anson. Published by BBR, 2020.
“Wonderful plummy fruit and liquorice and leather scent. Soft, feathery tannins and just the right amount of mid weight. Not hugely complex, but presses all the right buttons for this level of Bordeaux. Very pleasurable claret.”
Richard Hemming MW, Jancis Robinson.com
“Today this is a model estate for Bordeaux, the white wines clean cut and vibrant, the reds increasingly good. And yet they remain affordable.”
Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com
“Red, pink and white, they are utterly drinkable, each possessing a classic, mouthwatering Bordeaux texture and easy going fruit.”
Oz Clarke
CBHR
Region: France, Bordeaux
Grape variety: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Background: Château Bauduc is a wine estate just south of the town of Créon in Bordeaux's Entre-deux-Mers region between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, although its wines are predominantly produced under the wider Bordeaux appellation title. The estate – owned and managed by expat Britsh husband-and-wife team Gavin and Angela Quinney - produces a range of wines including a Bordeaux whites, Bordeaux reds, rosés and a sparkling Crémant de Bordeaux.
Tasting notes: Medium bodied and partially aged in oak, it’s easy, fruity and supple enough to drink quite young. A French bistro sort of wine. Although it is a young red, it is ready to drink now, with attractive, easy fruit and soft, supple tannins.
A special cuvée, this blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon was made from two parcels of vines in a single block, and aged in small French oak barrels. A full bodied wine, it's ripe enough to drink young or keep it for years.
CHN
Background: For the first time, Château Heritage introduces its wine called “9” to be a true representation of a Lebanese wine; the real taste of Lebanon using the nine red grape varieties of the Bekaa-Valley.
Tasting notes: Château Heritage used primarily Cinsault that gave this wine its warmth and softness; Cabernet-Sauvignon and Syrah that gave it its structure, colour and freshness; and the other six varieties being present in small quantities played the role of salt and pepper. The cocktail of the 9-grapes gives this wine a taste of ripe plums with fruit flavours and tobacco.
SICCL
Region: France, AOC Bordeaux
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Tasting notes: One of the shining stars of the "Petit Chateaux" from Bordeaux. In many ways - more interesting than Australian wine.
This wine has a beautiful sombre red colour with deep purple tints. Generous, complex bouquet, with notes of blackcurrant and blackberry clearly discernible with a hint of spice in the background. The impression on the palate is one of a creamy, smooth wine with fine length and structure thanks to beautifully balanced tannins. A harmonious whole that closes with a soft, balanced finish of jammy fruit notes.
SICCDPL
Region: France, Bordeaux, Margaux
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) & Merlot (65%)
Tasting notes: The modernity and fruitiness of a Second Wine with a savoury and charming structure, recalling the elegance typical of Margaux. Produced from younger vines, it is harvested, vinified and aged with the same care as the Grand Cru. A dominant Merlot blend, which favours roundness and a silky touch on the palate.
Food pairing: Confidences de Prieuré-Lichine can be enjoyed in all circumstances, ideally for the aperitif, a convivial meal, an evening with friends.
Reviews: The Wine Advocate 92 points – ‘The 2016 Prieure-Lichine has a medium to deep garnet-purple colour and a bold, intensely scented nose of warm blackcurrants, black raspberries and mulberries with hints of cedar chest, tobacco, dried herbs and iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate has bags of class with lovely, vibrant black berries flavours and earthy sparks framed by ripe grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing.’
SICELB21
Region: France, Pauillac
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Tasting notes: The fruit character is friendly and accessible, mostly showing blackcurrant and cherry. The palate is held by the tannins, forming a reassuring, solid block which will soften in the short term. This is the epitome of worthy dependability.
Reviews
Wine Advocate87-88/100: “Offering up aromas of minty cassis and blackberries mingled with loamy soil, the 2021 Echo de Lynch-Bages is a medium to full-bodied, lively and charming wine that's nicely balanced, but not especially deep or penetrating.”
Neal Martin, Vinous87-89/100: “The 2021 Echo de Lynch-Bages has a clean and pure bouquet, blackberry and bilberry fruit, a subtle marine/estuarine influence in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins on the entry, moderate weight and depth, gentle grip with a touch of graphite on the finish. It needs to knit together during barrel maturation, and I have little doubt that it will.”
Jane Anson90/100: “A little more angularity to the tannins than the Ormes de Pez, a little more serious overall, very much in the Pauillac spirit. This gets better as it opens, it has good balance and plenty of freshness, 11% new oak, rest one year old.”
SICCB
Region: France, AOC Bordeaux
Grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec
Tasting notes: Dark ruby with some bricking. Shy nose combining floral scents, dark stone fruits, spice and toast touches. Lovely smooth, ample texture framed by fine tannins. Still reticent with a spicy mid-palate and vegetal finish.
A wine with a beautiful, sustained garnet colour heralding in a pleasing nose of small berried fruits with spicy touches. The generous, well-balanced palate is tautly structured over a carefully managed, well-integrated tannic base. A pleasant Bordeaux with real character, ideal for sharing over a family meal.
Food pairing: This wine will be associated with grilled or roasted meat, duck breast or accompanied by a cheese platter.