Archive Releases

22 June 2010

So, we finish the day with Château Ducru Beaucaillou, which (currently) takes the prize for the most unpalatable price. Really, how on earth can they justify an "opening" price of £2,000.00 per case? Put simply they can't, particularly as the 2008 has scored the same (96-98. For reference: The 2008 "opening offer was £715.00 IB per case).

Sadly, I am now finding the campaign sickening. In fact, I am morally and professional unable to support such abject greed. It's evident that some Châteaux have clearly lost sight of what "En-Primeur" means, which I find shameful...

Tomorrow is another day – We can only hope for some sense!

We now have Bernard Magrez's flagship property, Château Pape Clement "Rouge" available @ £1,050.00 IB per case...

NB: The 2005 (98 RP Points) is available for £1,200.00 IB per case

Robert Parker 95-97+ "A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Pape Clement is not as dense or provocative as the 2005, but it is a worthy competitor. Tighter and more muscular than the 2005, the 2009 reveals an opaque purple color along with notes of graphite, blueberries, and blackberries, stunning richness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and tremendous length and intensity. Some patience will be required, and I do not believe this effort will achieve the near perfection of the 2005, but it is another winner in this extraordinary vintage. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine finished around 13.5% alcohol"

Neal Martin 94-96 "A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, cropped at 43hl/ha between 24th September and 21st October, this Pape-Clement has a ripe, how shall I say, almost "feline" nose that seems to purr with class. Very fine delineation and very focused. Just a touch of tobacco developing in the glass. The palate is full-bodied, dense and very weighty, bold but firm tannins, a more masculine Pape-Clement and beautifully balanced towards the finish. Very pure with a cool, refined finish. This is sophisticated and classy"

James Suckling 94-97 "There's lovely density and beauty to this young wine, with tobacco, light vanilla, chocolate and ripe fruit. Full and polished, with velvety tannins. Long and reserved, but very, very serious"

This morning kicks off with Château Palmers @ £2,400.00 IB per case...

Robert Parker 94-96 "The black/purple-colored 2009 Palmer exhibits a level of tannin that exceeds anything they have previously produced. The final blend is 52% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot, and the finished alcohol is 13.9%. It is hard to say this 2009 will turn out better than Palmer's extraordinary 2005, but it certainly will be different in style given the alcohol level and power of this vintage. Pure blackberry and black currant fruit notes intermixed with hints of incense, graphite, and wood are followed by an opulent, thick, juicy wine with plenty of structure, and enormous concentration, mass, and length. Four to five years of patience is required, but this beauty should last for three decades or more"

Neal Martin 94-96 "A blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 52% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot, cropped between 23rd September and 14th October, and 13.9% and 3.75pH. IPT is 88, which has never been seen before. A deep purple hue, the nose very tight at the moment with black cherry, cassis, a touch of oyster shell and liquorice. Blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium to full-bodied with seamless tannins, beautiful balanced and immense purity. The oak is well integrated (50%). Wonderful poise on the finish and superb length. Yes, modern in style, but there it is imbued with irresistible purity"

James Suckling 95-98 "Loaded with exotic fruit, with masses of crushed blackberry and blueberry. Superclear and fruit forward. Full and velvety, with fresh acidity and a long, long finish. This is almost in your face, but reserved in a way. Superseductive"

Jancis Robinson 18.0
Steven Spurrier 19.0

The super-second Pauillac property, Château Pichon Baron is available @ £1,000.00 IB per case – The American critics preferred its neighbour, Château Comtesse Lalande however, I'm firmly with the British camp who favoured Pichon Baron... Limited Availability

Neal Martin 95-97 "A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, picked between 24th September and the 9th October, cropped at around 35hl/ha and bestowed with 13.76% alcohol. This has a very tight nose at first, demanding coaxing from the glass. Very fine definition, a strict linearity at first, opening up a glacial pace, graphite, smoke, small black cherries, a hint of bilberry and crushed stones. The palate is full-bodied with brilliant definition and focus, even finer tannins than the stupendous 2008, very rounded and supple and yet with a firm linear backbone. No frills at the moment, just pure concentration. Wonderful persistency towards the finish. Top class"

Jancis Robinson 18.0 "33 hl/ha, older vines. Two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one third Merlot - they say Merlot quality in 09 was very Cabernet Sauvignon-like. IPT (total polyphenol index) 88, TA 3.4 g/l. One of the most concentrated vintages ever - from fruit not extraction. Very very dark crimson. Very mineral and grown up. Lovely lift and great, polished tannins. Very fresh and fine tannins with density and lift on the finish. Very sophisticated. Lots of mass. Reminds me a little of their 1990, though the yields were very much lower in 2009. Very glossy and confident. Very sophisticated"

Steven Spurrier 18.5 "Black red, big, smoky rich and exotic nose, lots of depth, robust vineyard structure and powerful yet harmonious length, all vigourous potential"

Robert Parker 93-95
James Suckling 92-95