Château Lafleur is a tiny 4.5-hectare Pomerol property located opposite Pétrus and producing wines of comparable quality. It is owned and run by Sylvie and Jacques Guinadeau. While the majority of great Bordeaux châteaux have changed hands over the past several generations, Château Lafleur remains in the same family hands to this day. Its vineyards are situated on the gravel-rich Pomerol plateau and adjoin those of La Fleur-Pétrus. The soils here are particularly deep and are enriched by deposits of potassium and iron. Only natural fertilisers are used and yields are painfully low, even by Pomerol standards. Lafleur's wine is typically a blend of Merlot (50%) and Cabernet Franc (50%). It is aged in small oak barrels (50% new) for 18 months. Wines from Lafleur display a spectacularly intense perfume (partly attributable to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend) and display layers and layers of concentrated, black fruits, minerals, tobacco spices and creamy liquorice on the palate. The best vintages can last for up to 50 years.
Elegant and aristocratic kaleidoscope of aromas, an abundance of fruit flavours, blackberry, mulberry and blueberry with supporting complexity of mint, eucalypt, rhubarb, Turkish delight and cinnamon. The palate offers a rich tapestry of enjoyment and fulfilment of flavours of raspberry, strawberry and boysenberry to name a few. Made by Jim Barry.
Unmistakably, Grange, this 2012 vintage is complex, flamboyant and lifted. An aromatic multi-cultural characteristics. The earthiness is well integrated with the aromas of dark fruits, grounded coffee, red liquorice and black olives, which leads to a firmly structured finish.
Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Premier Cru
Domaine Armand Rousseau is a highly esteemed producer of top-quality red Burgundy, renowned for labels such as Chambertin and Charmes-Chambertin. The estate's ownership of 5.5 acres of the prestigious Premier Cru vineyard, Clos des Ruchottes, is a testament to the quality of their wines. The grapes undergo meticulous sorting and a cool maceration before being aged in barrel for 18-24 months. Armand Rousseau wines are bottled unfiltered, allowing the full expression of the terroir to shine through. These wines are highly coveted by collectors and investors due to their limited annual production of just 65,000 bottles. Burgundy is a highly respected wine region in east-central France, known for producing top-quality red and white wines. The region is home to famous producers such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Armand Rousseau, and Domaine Leroy. Burgundy's wines are some of the most prestigious in the world, with Grand Cru-designated vineyards being an essential marker for quality. The Côte d'Or is home to many of these Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines, including the Côte de Nuits and Gevrey-Chambertin. These wines are known for being finessed, earthy and age-worthy, making them highly desirable among fine wine investors and collectors. The Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Premier Cru 2020 is a wine that effortlessly combines power and elegance. The aromas of ripe black fruits, black cherries, spices and subtle woody notes create an unforgettable sensory experience. The velvety texture and tannic structure of this wine leave a lasting impression, making you crave more. The flavour profile is slightly riper, with the essence of black cherry and poached plum complemented by an array of spice, floral, earth and wood nuances. The medium-weight plus flavours are both elegant and bold, with a striking intensity and minerality that culminates in a powerful, focused and incredibly long finish. The harmony and balance of this wine are impressive and it is expected to age gracefully for several decades. Overall, the Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Premier Cru 2020 is a standout among Premier Cru wines. Its unique terroir and meticulous winemaking process make it a must-try for any Burgundy enthusiast. This wine is sure to impress even the most discerning of palates and is guaranteed to become a treasured addition to any collection.
Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Premier Cru 2020
Grange is arguably Australia’s most celebrated wine. Crafted with intensely structured shiraz grapes for an Australian style recognised as one of the world’s great wines. With an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951, Grange demonstrates the synergy between shiraz and South Australia.
Australia's most prestigious single vineyard icon, Henschke Hill of Grace's provenance from this small Eden Valley patch makes it the ultimate statement or rare gift. Stephen and Prue Henschke continue the tradition that is their family legacy with utmost class and ingenuity as can be tasted in this remarkable single-vineyard shiraz.
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. Named for the wealthy English military man who bought the estate in the early 19th century, Palmer is now majority owned by the Mahler Besse and Sichel families - famous Bordeaux negociants. Many of the best plots on the property were purchased after the Classification of 1855, explaining in part why Palmer did not warrant higher standing at that time. Certainly today there is no question that the wine is among Bordeauxs best. 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.
Australian Pinot Noir does not get any better than the wines produced by Phillip Jones at the iconic Bass Phillip winery. A Pinot Noir of utmoust power and elegance, the rival to any great Burgundy. Rated in the top classification in Langton's Classification of Australian Wine, Bass Phillip Pinot Noir is riddled with complex flavours of strawberry, violets, rose petal and forest floor. The length of palate is immortal.
Château Mouton Rothschild is the work of one man, the legendary Baron Philippe, who is solely responsible for this giant of Bordeaux. Taking charge in 1923 until his death in 1988, he created something the world will always be in debt for. He also started the tradition of getting an artist to design a label for every vintage, a tradition that continues to this day. In 2009, the wine almost transcends perfection. A quite low alcohol percentage given the ripeness of the fruit, the bouquet is reminiscent of cigar box and graphite with violets and cassis playing a part. The palate is both restrained and concentrated, a impressive result indeed. The structure of the wine is hidden somewhat by the exuberant fruit, yet it is that structure that will see this extraordinary wine cellar for the good part of half a century!