Two of the big-guns from Saint-Julien are out. DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU is at £852 per 6 bottles IB. Neal Martin scored this a very impressive 96-98/100. Galloni rated it 94-97/100 and called it ‘simply magnificent‘, and ‘one of the highlights of the vintage‘. We found it had lovely even-toned harmonious fruit, beautifully pitched tannin, and remarkable concentration. As Jane Anson says, this is ‘an utterly beautiful wine.’ If you want one of the best wines of the vintage, without having to buy a first-growth, then this is the one.
LÉOVILLE POYFERRÉ 
is out at £399 per 6 bottles IB. This was also extremely very well received by the critics. Galloni scored it at 94-97/100, Molesworth 95-98/100 and Jancis 18/20. Neal Martin rated it 95-97/100 and described how it was ‘perhaps one of the most harmonious Poyferré‘ that he had encountered en primeur. He added, ‘it just glides across the mouth and slips down the throat with consummate ease. Superb.’ We found it cool and opulent with masses of fine, dry flavour-filled tannins. This is a Poyferré with enormous potential and, when you consider it’s only £50 more than Léoville Barton, it looks like a very strong buy.
From Pessac comes LES CARMES HAUT BRION , out at £345 per 6 bottles IB. It’s not just the architecture that has been turning heads at this estate. These wines are fast becoming masterpieces in their own right. Everything about the 2016 is in perfect proportion. It shows ample force and density but there is also balletic floral lift, astonishing detail, and effortless power. Neal Martin was as impressed as we were. He scored this 95-97/100 and flatteringly described it as ‘not a million miles away from Lafleur.’ Jane Anson rated it 95/100 and simply said this, ‘I love it, what a stunning wine.’ Sadly this is only available in micro-volumes but do place orders and we will see what we can do.
It’s the same story for CLINET – tiny volumes so availability will be very limited. It’s out at £864 per 12 bottles IB. This drew 96-98/100 from Neal Martin. He called it ‘a magnificent Clinet, cool and mineral-soaked, both cerebral and lip-smackingly delicious.’
As ever you can keep up to date with everything #Bdx16 on our Recent Releases page.