Saint Emilion & satellites

Chateau Lauriol is the 100% Merlot second wine of perennial over-achiever - Chateau Puygueraud, owned by the Thienpont family. It comes from their vineyards in the Côtes du Francs. Sleek and sophisticated this is remarkably classy for the price. The expertise of the team screams out...(read more)

The second wine of Chateau Goubau comes from the vineyard parcels facing south and south-west on the slopes bordering the domain's natural source. Made from a blend of 95% Merlot grapes and 5% Cabernet Franc grapes, the wine is spicy and fresh with aromas of red fruits, plums and spice. On...(read more)

2016 was an amazing vintage here. This is such an impressive wine. We've always admired the family's work at this small estate, perched on the hill looking across to the 'Big boys' of Cheval Blanc and Chateau Petrus. Their efforts, this super terroir and the great vintage have come togethe...(read more)

This is another great effort from Francois Thienpont. It comes eclusively from a 2 Hectare plot that the family rent on a very long-term basis. The vines were planted in 1958 and that old vine intensity is clear. Although this is mostly Merlot - the 8% of Cabernet Franc stands proud. A beg...(read more)

The second wine of L’Hêtre, a new wine in the distinctly up-and-coming AP of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux. Owned by the Thienpont family, organically farmed and situated high on the limestone plateau to the east of St-Emilion, this is great value considering its pedigree. 95% Me...(read more)

From the Nicolas Thienpont family of estates (which includes Pavie Macquin and Larcis Ducasse) the Puygueraud is juicy and intense with ripe fruit exploding on the nose and a generous palate of cassis and black cherry. A great, open, crowd-pleasing style of claret that would tackle roast p...(read more)

This wine comes from vineyards planted at the tip of the limestone plateau which stretches west to Saint-Emilion. These are the best parcels of the estate situated on the outskirts of the village of Saint-Philippe-d'Aiguille with subsoils of clay and limestone. Made from a blend of 95% Mer...(read more)

This lovely youthful cuvee demonstrates good rounded acidity with subtle notes of blackcurrant, cedar wood and black plum. Its mid-bodied mouthfeel would partner any good game bird dish or a more classic red meat roast or stew. L&S

Cracking. This is really attractive. Savoury but then good mulberry and softer dark fruit too. Good bit of spice and lovely fine-grained tannins keep this driving along effortlessly. Good and sophisticated.

The Croix Canon 2014, a blend of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, comes from a separate vineyard that belonged to Château Madras plus the young vines from Canon itself. It has a fragrant raspberry bouquet with a touch of limestone coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with che...(read more)

100% Merlot from the famous Thienpont family. Smart fruit here retains some lift and refreshment because of the gentle and sensitive approach in the cellar, leaving just enough cedar-wood spice to root it firmly in Bordeaux. This is a remarkably sophisticated, yet easy-to-love claret. It h...(read more)