CHATEAU LA MISSION-HAUT-BRION Cru classe
Château la Mission Haut-Brion is on uniquely stony soil in the Pessac-Léognan appellation close to the city of Bordeaux. It is a Cru Classé in the Graves Classification of 1953. The 22.5 hectare red wine vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Merlot (44%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). The chateau wine is vinified in large (180hl) temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats and aged in 100% new French oak for an average of 22 months. Annual production is 6000-7000 dozen. The famous white wine of the chateau comes from 3.5 ha planted to Semillon (62%) and Sauvignon Blanc (38%). Overall planting density is 10,000 vines per hectare (red) and 8000 vines per hectare (white). Since 1983, under the ownership of Domaine Clarence Dillon (which also owns the neighbouring Chateau Haut Brion), the entire estate has been renovated vineyards, winemaking facilities and the chateau itself. The property got its name in the 1600s when it was owned by the Catholic Church.
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz has garnered a unique and cult following over its lifetime. With its 'old school' brown glass bottle and traditional label, Rockford Basket Press is one for the traditionalists. Big, bold and upfront fruit with all the lashings of chocolate, coffee bean and Christmas cake all have come to adore.
Château Leoville-Las-Cases St-Julien
While Chateau Latour might be proximate to the famed Leoville estate, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases is individually distinguished for its own unique character, and regularly is called the best wine of St-Julien. Classic Las Cases wines show incredible perfume, a result of lower temperature fermentation and an adherence to around three quarters of their barrels being new oak. The 2010 is as always Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, and shows with elegance, finesse and yet a layered complexity that draws the drinker in. Potential for this wine is immense; a life of 30 to 40 years in cellar should be considered.
Chateau Gazin
With the estate itself dating back to 1772, and the logo taking inspiration from an ancient connection to the Knights Templars history in the Pomerol region, Chateau Gazin is steeped in both winemaking and national history. Sharing borders with Petrus and LEvangile, it more than holds its own among its distinguished peers! It has been in the possession of the same family since 1917, with the most recent descendent, Nicolas de Bailliencourt assuming control in 1988. Under de Bailliencourts watchful eye, the Chateau has abolished machine harvesting, making a return to hand-picking, and producing lower overall yields.
Chateau La Conseillante
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste
Vinedo Chadwick Cabernet
Domaine Faiveley En Orveaux Grand Cru
Perrot-Minot Vieilles Vignes Champs Perdrix
Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases 2me cru classe
With one of the longest and most pedigreed histories in the Medoc region, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases has passed through the hands of some of Frances most notable and wealthiest noble families, culminating in the Las Cases family - the final royal family to hold title to the Chateau. Up until the French Revolution, after which large portions of it were sold off, it was one of the largest vineyards in Bordeaux. Today, the estate remains family owned by the Delons, of which brother Jean Hubert and sister Genevieve manage proceedings. Famed for producing a wine of structure, power, and traditional style, the 2016 vintage has earned outstandingly high praise, including a score of 100 from Andrew Caillared and a 19/20 from Jancis Robinson who praised its extraordinary vitality and energy and proclaimed it glorious to taste now.
