By David Porter on 18/05/2015
After 4 days off, the Bordeaux releases have started early today and in great quantity. Amongst those throwing their hats in the ring are some big names like Château Figeac and Château La Conseillante and also some of our perennial favourites, the superb value wines from Château Ferrière in Margaux, and the hugely appealing Pauillac - Château Haut-Bages Liberal.
By David Porter on 13/05/2015
A whole host of releases this morning includes some of our primeur favourites - Château Haut Bailly hits the market at £425/12. We were hugely impressed by the wine, pert, elegant and polished - a really lovely Pessac, as Jancis says: 'Rich and substantial but racier than the old Haut-Bailly style.
By David Porter on 12/05/2015
Château Pontet Canet has just come out and is yours for £648 per dozen. This great estate has gone from strength to strength over the last decade, the first Cru Classé to go fully bio-dynamic, they have re-introduced horses to work the vineyards, not to mention new concrete tanks and the rows of amphora that are an impressive sight in the chais.
By David Porter on 12/05/2015
Already this morning a host of interesting wines have been released. The highest profile is Château Calon Ségur at £415/12. There is a lot to recommend about this estate which is really on the move, thanks to huge investment from new owners maximising this great terroir.
By David Porter on 11/05/2015
This morning sees the release of the three wines from Château Margaux. Without doubt these are some of the wines of the vintage. The ‘Grand Vin’ at £2340/12. We were hugely impressed by this classically sophisticated 2014.
By David Porter on 07/05/2015
2014 Bordeaux – Issan 2014 £295, Climens 2014 £425, Lagrange 2014 £240, Gruaud Larose 2014 £390, Poujeaux 2014 £170
By David Porter on 05/05/2015
Chateau Haut Brion (Red) is a fabulous wine, but with older vintages available for very little more it begs the question we were asked this morning “Which major name is going to make their 2014 truly compelling?”
By Charles Lea on 04/05/2015
This morning – where France is not on holiday – the 2014 releases continue. The big one is Château Talbot 2014 (£290). We liked the wine, although the balance of all notes suggests a wine that maybe quite a firm style.
By David Porter on 30/04/2015
The arrival yesterday of Mouton and Lynch Bages finally struck a chord with the market. Well thought out prices mean that as 'primeur buys' these wines work. This small flurry has spurred on other châteaux it seems - and there has been a rush of releases this morning.
By Charles Lea on 29/04/2015
We loved Lynch this year, and so did everyone else: “Long and glamorous. Tasting it blind, I guessed it was Lynch” writes Jancis Robinson, and we like this ‘blind recognition’ – this is a wine with a personality which transcends vintages. Coming out at around £60 per bottle delivered to your cellar including VAT, this is recommended.
By Charles Lea on 29/04/2015
Angélus (released today at £1700), with Pavie, was elevated to the ‘Premier Grand Cru Classé A’ level in 2012, alongside Ausone and Cheval Blanc, so this is for them a big deal, although recently in London Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal agreed that nothing had really changed in terms of how the wine is made.