Archive Releases
7 June 2010
And finally, we are delighted to offer and highly recommend the stunning Saint Julien second-growth, Château Gruaud Larose @ £465.00 IB per case...
It would be accurate to say that Gruaud Larose have produced something very special in 2009. Parker believes their 2009 is "the finest Gruaud Larose since the 1990" Neal Martin "Somehow the 1982 is coming to mind, and that is a great thing" & James Suckling "Could be better than the classic 2000"
Robert Parker 92-94+
"This is the finest Gruaud Larose since the 1990. Without a hint of brett in the 2009, it exhibits an opaque purple color along with a big, sweet nose of crème de cassis, new saddle leather, spice box, and boysenberries. Made in a rich, broad, savory, juicy style with lots of succulence, but none of the masculinity and ruggedness often found in this offering, this wine is loaded with concentration and extract. The tannins are largely concealed by the remarkable intensity of fruit and density. It should be drinkable in 7-8 years, and last for 30-40."
Neal Martin 92-95
"Tasted at the château and the UGC. The crop was picked between 23rd September and 29th September for the Merlot and 2nd October to 17th October for the Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, this Gruaud has a tightly wound nose of black cherries, a touch of black plum and black truffle, good definition and with time some more exotic aromas: hints of honey and a little espresso. The palate is medium-bodied, very linear on the entry but displaying very good definition, with notes of blackberry, a touch of raspberry, espresso, a little white pepper and a meaty character. It expands very well towards the finish, maintaining excellent definition and clarity, very good poise, a biscuit element inflecting the pure black fruits, an insistent but gentle grip and great persistency. Somehow the 1982 is coming to mind, and that is a great thing"
James Suckling 94-97
"Beautiful aromas of currant, black licorice and blueberry follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long, juicy finish. Big wine. Could be better than the classic 2000"
NB: Demand for this is huge and will be offered (firstly) to those who purchased the 2008. However, our allocations are excellent and we are confident that we will be in a position to offer some "new" buyers the opportunity to get a hold of a case or two. Please email us by return.
We carry on this afternoon with a flurry of releases. First up is the excellent Saint Julien property, Château Gloria, which we can offer @ £285.00 IB per case. Their 2009 has received consistently good reviews from the leading critics – 17/20 from both Jancis Robinson and Decanter.com. 90-93 from James Suckling and 91-93 from Robert Parker who says "There have been many great Glorias over the years as this property consistently over-performs. The 2009 may be the finest yet produced. Loaded with notes of Christmas fruitcake intermixed with red and black currants, licorice, spice box, and blackberries, this inky/purple-colored wine is atypically full-bodied with a viscous texture, and loads of tannin, extract, and richness. Deep and layered, it will offer thrilling sipping over the next 25+ years. (Bottles of the 1982 I own are fully mature, but are not close to falling apart"
Another property which has received excellent reviews is the Saint Emilion property, Château Grand Mayne, which we highly recommend @ £290.00 IB per case (limited availability)
Neal Martin 92-94
"Tasted at the Saint Emilion UGC, this has a ripe, black cherry, yellow plum and boysenberry nose with a touch of damson fruit. Moderate definition. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced with fine tannins. I like the delineation and freshness on this Saint Emilion. Whereas in some years they have flirted with over-extraction, this is much more restrained with finer clarity and precision on the finish. Excellent".
Robert Parker 91-94
"I enjoy this wine in nearly every vintage (the 1998 was one of my all-time favorites), and while the 2009 may not be better than the 1998, it is an impressive effort. Moreover, it represents a great value in top-notch Bordeaux. Its opaque purple color is followed by plenty of blueberry, boysenberry, and raspberry fruit notes intermixed with subtle hints of graphite and oak. The wine possesses ripe tannin, full-bodied power, admirable purity, and impressive amounts of glycerin and sweetness from its high ripeness (but not over-ripeness) in the finish. Consume it over the next 15+ years"
This week (which we expect to be very busy) starts with one of my favourites, Château Moulin St Georges, which I am delighted to offer and highly recommend @ £295.00 IB per case.
The vineyards receive the same meticulous attention as at Ausone and has the same owner and winemaker. All the fruit is hand-harvested. Fermentation is conducted in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks with a month-long cuvaison. Malolactic takes place, and the wine is aged for up to 18 months, in new French oak barrels. The 2009 is utterly superb and offers a real insight to Ausone's style but a damn sight more affordable!
Neal Martin 91-93
"Tasted at Chateau Ausone. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, cropped at 32hl/ha, the Moulin Saint Georges has a well defined, ripe, supple bouquet with notes of cassis, black plum, maraschino cherry and a touch of orange zest: harmonious and lifted. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins, a slight creaminess to the texture but it is not overdone. Very well balanced with fine tannins, very focused and lithe with pure red-berried fruits laced with a soupcon of vanilla pod towards the finish. Excellent".
James Suckling 90-93
"Offers blueberry and mineral on the nose. Full-bodied, with a tight tannin structure and juicy fruit. Bright acidity. Very lively".
Limited availability – Don't delay!
Over in the Pauillac we can offer the impressive Château Grand Puy Ducasse @ £265.00 IB per case.
Parker awards 90-93 and describes their 2009 as "Possibly the finest wine yet produced at this estate, the 2009 is even fatter, richer, and more unctuously textured than the 2005 (which I loved). It boasts an opaque purple color, thrilling levels of sweet crème de cassis and blackberries along with hints of underbrush as well as forest floor, silky tannins, full body, and a plush, heady, opulent personality. This stunning wine should drink well for two decades. Robert Parker added an asterisk to this wine score to signify that it is a wine he considers has the finest potential of all the offerings he has ever tasted from this estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux"