Archive Releases
13 May 2009
Over in Margaux we have a perennial favourite Château Malescot Saint Exupery which we are delighted to offer and highly recommend @ £265.00 IB per case. . . Their 2008 has received consistently high praises from all the leading critics'
17+ from Jancis Robinson, 91-93 Robert Parker and 90-93 from James Suckling – James ranks Malescot on-par with Château Margaux, Pontet Canet and above Palmer. Parker believes their 2008 "is not that removed in quality from the 2005" which currently sells @ £850.00 IB per case. . .
A must buy in our books!
This morning kicks off with the Saint-Emilion property, Château Grand Mayne, which we are delighted to offer and highly recommend @ £240.00 IB per case. We think this is a particularly attractive offer given Parker's high score of (92-94) and Neal Martin's whooping (93-95) which brings it inline with Châteaux Pavie, Pavie Macquin and above Angélus at £500.00 more expensive!
Robert Parker 92-94
"A true blockbuster from St.-Emilion, and unquestionably Grand-Mayne's finest effort since their 2005 and 1998, the 2008 boasts an inky/purple color as well as a lovely bouquet of blueberry liqueur, roasted coffee, and a touch of sweet, smoky oak. Full-bodied with exceptional density, super-ripe tannins, an impressive texture, and a 35+ second finish, this cuvee should be drinkable at an early age (2-4 years), and last for 15 or more"
Neil Martin 93-95
"Moderate intensity on the nose with blackberry, blueberry and a touch of cassis. Quite tight – not as showy as usual. Good definition – plus there is a sorbet quality underneath. The palate is medium-bodied, good weight and fine tannins. This is a more reserved Grand-Mayne but there is still great breeding here, a fine poise on the finish, less power than in previous years but perhaps greater freshness".
Undeniably, Château Montrose has produced something very special in 2008, with a Parker score of (95-97) which matches Châteaux Mouton Rothschild, Margaux, Haut Brion and Cheval Blanc. Moreover, Parker believes the 2008 "should achieve the heights of the 2003, 1990, and 1989" – It's worth noting that these vintages sell for £1,500.00, £3,000+ & £1,650.00 respectively, which makes the 2008 @ £500.00 IB per case a MUST BUY. . .
Robert Parker 95-97
"An undeniably great Montrose, after some time in wood, the 2008 should achieve the heights of the 2003, 1990, and 1989. Stylistically different from those wines, the 2008 harvest took place between September 29 and October 15, and yields were a modest 44 hectoliters per hectare. This superb terroir west of the Gironde River possesses a remarkable amount of gravel in the soil base. Sixty percent of the production made it into the 2008 Montrose, and the person responsible for so many great Haut-Brions, Jean-Bernard Delmas, came out of retirement to take charge over the last several vintages for proprietor Martin Bouygues. An inky/purple color is accompanied by sweet, pure aromas of black fruits and spice. This full-bodied wine exhibits superb concentration, sweet tannin, and a multilayered, textured, full-bodied mouthfeel with no hard edges. The sweetness of the tannin, the extraordinary purity of fruit, and the intense aromatics suggest a year of great ripeness. The difference between the 2008 and the 2003, 1990, or 1989 is the freshness and purity of expression. This should be a long-lived wine (35+ years), yet it will drink surprisingly well at a young age. For some reason, it comes across like an even more pure example of the 1989, even though there is nothing essentially comparable between the two harvests".
Be quick if you would like some!