Archive Releases
28 April 2009
My God I sound like such a grump but I'm really disappointed with Château Doisy Vedrines offerings' – We absolutely adored their 2007 and sold over 50 cases. Sadly, there's absolutely no way I can recommend their 2008 @ £220.00 IB per case particularly as we were selling the sensational 2007 @ £210.00. . . I appreciate the Pound/Euro situation comes in to play but, please. . . . . . Some sense is needed!
On a brighter note, one of the great names of Barsac has also released this afternoon – Château Climens, which we can offer @ £700.00 IB per case or £710.00 IB per case of (24 x 37.5). The 2008 has received some glowing reviews; 18.5 from Decanter & 18.0 from Jancis Robinson however, I'm actually wondering if this price is attractive enough following their breathtaking 2007, which literally flew out of the door @ £910.00 per case last year. I think it's a beautiful wine for the 'drinker' however, for those wishing to 'speculate' on the wines future value, then I would be far more cautious as it's always going to be overshadowed by the 2007.
Can this campaign get any more frustrating? Its Sooooooooooooo tedious just sitting and waiting for the odd Château to release their prized wine. It's clearly evident that the remaining are waiting for Parker to release his score – I suppose the likes of Cos d'Estournel, Las Cases, Ducru Beaucaillou etcetera and all the 'top' right-banks are needing a decent score from Monsieur Parker to justify their pricing! I actually think this doesn't bear well for the campaign – Anyhow, time will tell!
Today, we have one mentionable release. . . Château Grand Puy Lacoste, which we can offer @ £290.00 IB per case or £280.00 IB per case if 2 or more cases are purchased… It has received some very respectable scores/& comments from the critics' with Steven Spurrier (Decanter) awarding 17.0 and Neal Martin (92-94) who believes this is "Up there with Pichon Lalande"
"This has a lovely, far more expressive nose than I expected with black cherries, a touch of iodine and violets (redolent of the superlative 2006) with superb definition. Just a faint hint of oyster shells. The palate is full-bodied, fully ripe tannins, a little more rounded than usual but superb depth, a wine that really caresses the palate. Blackberry, a touch of briary and cedar with a dash of vanillary new oak towards the finish. Superb length. Up there with Pichon Lalande. This is a more feminine GPL compared to other vintages, but one imbued with great breeding. Excellent".
We can also offer the following however, none of them are real bargains and I would rather you wait a few years and then purchase them once bottled (The prices will be the same).
i. Château Cantemerle @ £165.00 IB per case
ii. Château Haut-Batailley @ £210.00 IB per case
On a positive note, we're due heavy rain this afternoon, which somehow elevates the frustration! It's better to sit waiting whilst it's raining than when it's sunny!