Artadi Vina El Pison, Rioja
The 2 ha El Pison vineyard was planted in 1945 on a gentle sloping site in the shape of an amphitheatre with deep sub-soils. Made entirely from Tempranillo, El Pison is a very rich and intense age-worthy style typically showing great purity of fruit and abundant chalky tannins that benefit from additional cellaring.
Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1ER CRU CLASSE Le Petit Mouton
The second wine of Chateau Mouton Rothschild was first released in 1993. Le Petit Mouton takes its name from a small house next to the main Chateau, the official residence of Baron Philippe Rothschilds wife and family. The Chateaus modern age began in 1922 producing vintages through what were, at the time, cutting-edge techniques; though seen as revolutionary at the time, many of these methods are still in use today. This includes the groundbreaking concept of bottling all wine on the estate, allowing for an unprecedented level of control over the Bordeaux sold from Mouton-Rothschild.
Casanova Di Neri Cerretalto
Cerretalto is a single vineyard Brunello from one of the very best sites in the region. The wine is made only in exceptional years when the quality of fruit warrants. The best fruit from the site is hand harvested, sorted, destemmed and crushed before undergoing wild yeast fermentation in open vats. The temperature controlled fermentation lasts 3-4 weeks and then the wine is transferred to oak barrels for 31 months followed by a further 30 months in bottle. The wine is kept back in the winery for 6 years before release.
Domaine d'Eugenie Grand Cru
Clos Vougeot is renowned for being one of the finest red wines in Burgundy with superlative depth, richness and power. Domaine d'Eugenies Clos Vougeot comes off a small holding of 1.36ha within the large walled Clos Vougeot vineyard. The plot is located in one of the best positions at the top of the slope and is managed along biodynamic principles. The fruit is handpicked, 50% is then destemmed with fermentation taking place in small vessels, before undergoing maturation in approximately 90% new French oak barrels.
Château Margaux
A 1st Growth of the highest order, Château Margaux is one of the original 1st growths classified in the Médoc and is arguably the most important of the region. Producing only some 33,000 cases of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaux consistently produces wines that are among the finest examples of the vintage. 2009 is regarded as one of the finest in recent memory in the region and 'normal' wines form the Margaux appellation are being heralded as truly exceptional. One can only speculate how magnificent the Château Margaux will be in 15-20 years time, if one can be patient enough!
Château Palmer Margaux
Château Palmer is considered one of the worlds first 'Super Seconds' (although actually classified as a third growth), a term relating to the top echelon of producers that fall outside of the ancient 1st Growth classification. Margaux's Château Palmer was named after a British general who fought under Wellington. It has been stated by quite a few wine critics that this could possibly be the finest Château Palmer ever produced. An amazing claim considering how phenomenal the 2005 was and is yet to be. Masses of concentrated aromas and flavours that will keep your senses entertained for hours on end. A truly remarkable achievement that will repay the patient cellarer over the next 30 years.
Chateau Palmer 3Me Cru Classe, Margaux
Regarded a Super Second (but technically a 3me growth), Palmer is capable of producing wines that equal or even outstrip the quality of its famous Premier cru neighbour, Ch. Margaux. The estate also makes a separate second label - named Alter Ego - which is made from similarly high-quality fruit but treated differently in the winery with the aim of producing a counterpoint in style to the First wine.
Gazin
Chateau de Beaucastel Cuvee Hommage Jacques Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape
Chateau de Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin is a monumental wine, made only in top vintages. The wine was first produced in 1989 as a tribute to Jacques Perrin, who died in 1978. Atypical for Chateauneuf-du Pape, the Hommage is a Mourvèdre dominant blend sourced from low-yielding old vines. Deeply concentrated and powerful, it possesses immense capacity to age.