Archive Releases

7 May 2009

Much of yesterday was spent chasing down & securing our allocations for one of the top wines of the vintage, Château Pontet Canet, which received an extraordinary score from Robert Parker (96-98+). The score itself caused untold problems; the main one being that everyone in the world market wanted some. 95% of the négociants, which with deal with gave us exactly the same allocations as were purchased last year (& we thank them for the same) however, the odd one has sadly not been playing by the rules, which they themselves set. Dropping allocations because the Château has received a massive score and the demand as a consequence is unprecedented is no excuse in our book – We support this Château during the great and no-so great vintages and expect the same allocation each and every year (That's the Bordelaise rules). If we are running short on the 2008's (as a direct consequence of cut allocations) then we will, without hesitation cancel the equivalent amount of 2007 Pontet Canet orders from those same négociants. For the avoidance of doubt, all your 2007 Pontet Canet orders are safe and will be delivered without complication. This is more of a bold stance, which Z&B feel is necessary.

Anyhow, lets leave the politics behind and get on with the this fabulous wine.

To be fair – We are firstly offering/allocating the same 2008 quantities' to those who supported the wine last year (you will be sent an email directly) and if (and that's a big 'if') there's any 2008 left over or we can source more, we'll then send out an offer to buyers' who have shown support for other wines during this years campaign.

This morning sees the release of Château Cos d'Estournel, which is vying for the 'wine of the vintage' – We are able to offer the 2008 @ £775.00 IB per case or £765.00 if 2 or more cases are purchased.

Put simply, everyone adores this wine and please don't be fooled as this will sell. . .

94-96+ Robert Parker
"The 2008 Cos d'Estournel possesses an atypically high (85%) amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, with 13% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The first vintage vinified in the new facility, an unusually high percentage of the crop (78%) was included in the grand vin. The bad news is that yields were a minuscule 25 hectoliters per hectare. This wine achieved 13.8% natural alcohol, and the number of days between the flowering and harvest was 160, compared to the normal 100-110 (one of the keys to understanding the exceptionally high quality that characterizes the 2008 Bordeaux). There were no serious heat waves during the growing season, which meant that the maturation process was slow, long, and ideal. Combine that with the very low yields, and the superb weather from mid-September to late-October, and the often splendid results are much easier to comprehend. The inky/purple-hued 2008 Cos is still very young, and probably will improve even further as the wine came out of malolactic fermentation very late. It reveals exceptionally precise, fresh aromas of black fruits, crushed rocks, licorice, flowers, and subtle smoke. Dense and high in tannin, the extraordinary richness of polyphenols has given the wine power, substance, and depth, but the sweetness of the tannin and the seemingly low acidity, even though the wine tastes remarkably fresh and the pH is only 3.57 (compared to pH's close to 4 when the fruit is this ripe), has given the wine a precision and elegance that is remarkable. And don't forget, this is probably the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever used in a Cos d'Estournel blend. This wine should gain weight, richness, and a few Parker points by the time it is bottled. It is even denser and richer than the 1996, with an index of polyphenols at 80, which is not unusual for many of the top wines of the vintage, but is extremely high, and more along the lines of what one would find in the top wines of 2005. It should evolve for 30-35 years. This property has undergone a complete make-over, building a state-of-the-art, spaceship-looking new winemaking facility, and giving brilliant winemaker Jean-Guillaume Prats carte blanche authority from proprietor Michel Reybier. The team continues to fine tune and reflect on every possible detail in both the vineyard and the winery in order to achieve even greater success."

94-96 Neal Martin
"A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, cropped at 27hl/ha and representing 78% of total production. It has a deep purple colour. The nose takes some coaxing so left a minute or two before I start taking notes. Good definition, perhaps less intensity than the 2007 but very well poised. Blackberry, freshly tilled soil, wild hedgerow and dewy meadows. The palate is medium-bodied, here you find the power and the intensity, very focused, a greater sense of mineralité than I have noticed in previous years. The finish is quite linear, very "correct" but it really stays in the mouth long after you have swallowed this nectar. A serious contender for wine of the vintage...it's that good"

18/20 Jancis Robinson
"78% went into this thanks to small vats in new cellar. High IPT.Extremely deep purplish crimson. It even feels heavy in the hand... Dense terroir expression dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Then some spice and much less brutal than some earlier vintages. Extremely vital and lively. Not as concentrated as Latour but (slightly) more energetic than Lafite. Great balance and very fine tannins. Some old hands will object that this is a little 'lighter' than, say, 2005 - but I think it's very well judged. Not a trace of unripeness of fruit or tannin. And some real personality jumps out. Should have an unusually long drinking window. Very ,very clean. Fine and neat. Livelier than many other vintages."

We're delighted to offer the sensational Château Pavie Macquin @ £330.00 IB per case. . . Both Parker & Neal Martin award a very impressive 93-95 points, which will make this wine fly off the négociants sales ledger! Strictly limited availability – First come first served. . .

Neal Martin
"This has a very precise nose, tense black cherry and blueberry, wonderful definition. Not trying too hard – very natural. The palate is just superb: very pure, extremely fine tannins, immense focus and definition. Dark cherries and a touch of blueberry. Precise finish – this is top class. Bravo!" Tasted April 2009.

Robert Parker
"tasted this wine on four occasions, on one of which I was convinced it was still going through malolactic fermentation. It is another superb effort from this property that was elevated to premier grand cru classe status until a judge in Libourne, for unknown reasons, threw out the classification, a decision beyond belief, that is now under appeal. A number of exceptional wines have emerged from Pavie Macquin, which is managed by Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt, and the 2008 boasts a whopping 14.5% natural alcohol, higher than in 2005, 2000, or 1998. While extremely high in tannin and very unevolved, for those with patience and cold cellars, or who plan to pass on their wines to their children, this is a worthwhile choice. It is that backward, concentrated, and impressive. It exhibits a black/purple color in addition to stunning notes of graphite, black fruits, underbrush, chocolate, and roasted coffee beans. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, the high but sweet tannins, combined with the freshness of the acids make for a remarkably youthful, nuanced wine that should easily age for three decades"

The week closes (Bordeaux are on holiday tomorrow) with Château L'Eglise Clinet, which as you can imagine given 1) Parker & Neal Martins scores of 94-96+ & 95-97 respectively & 2) that Denis Durantou only managed to produce 800 cases has already sold-out on our books before even going on 'general' release. . .

Those of you lucky enough to secure a case or two @ £850.00 have something very special. . .

94-96+ Robert Parker
"So many great wines have emerged from this property administered with meticulous care and obvious passion by proprietor Denis Durantou that it hard to say the 2008 is better than some of the previous wines produced over the last decade. It is more backward and less evolved than some of the other Pomerols in this vintage, but the wine boasts an inky/ruby/purple color as well as an exceptionally pure bouquet of creme de cassis, black raspberry liqueur, charcoal, and a hint of black truffles. Dense and pure with massive concentration yet undeniable elegance and precision (because of the fresh acids), this full-bodied effort, despite the high level of Merlot in the blend, requires 7-10 years of patience. It should evolve for 30-40 years after bottling, and will be fascinating to compare with some of the legends produced here over the last ten years."

95-97 points. Neal Martin
"A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, this has a very pure, elegant nose with brilliant definition. It has an almost Burgundian personality. The palate has awesome balance - so much freshness and tension. Tart red cherries, crushed violets and minerals. Crushed stones on the finish. Also tasted samples directly from the barrel that are showing more power and depth, perhaps a greater length, less of the precision that will eventually be the signature of this great Pomerol." Tasted April 2009.