Vanya Cullen continues to amaze the world with her brilliantly flavoursome and elegant Cabernet named after Di Cullen, a true pioneer. Vanya is also pioneering in her own style with the introduction to 100% bio-dynamics and the results are to there to be seen by all. The highest possible Langon's Classification is bestowed upon this wine and with it's agability is one for the true wine lover and collector. [Biodynamic]
From a 37-acre vineyard, Château Pavie Macquin is stunningly situated on the clay-limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion on the right bank of Bordeaux. 2010 has produced a formidable wine: a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a top release of the harvest year and a highlight from St-Émillion in 2010. Tannins, restraint and inward concentration are motifs, this is a wine for the patient, sophisticated collector who wishes to embellish a cellar with pedigree wines that need time and maturity to come to the fore.
Bahans Haut Brion is the second wine of the famous Chateau Haut Brion of Pessac Léognan and is usually excellent buying, at only a fraction of the price of its bigger brother. Fruit forwards, soft round stylish offering hints of figs, plums, black currants, cherries and minerals.. Soft with supple tannins.
Château La Fleur Pétrus is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant red blend. Vintage 2010 has the great balance between the intensity of the fruits, acidity and oak flavour. Ripe black fruits and jammy cherries with a hint of meaty back tone. Full body with pronounced tannins, elegantly put together. Perfect for those who love to cellar their reds.
Cos d'Estournel remains today one of the true icons of Bordeaux, and the trademark of Saint Estèphe. With it's pagoda like house (as it's one of the rare Bordeaux's without a Château) it is a must visit for all travelling along the route des châteaux. Always of great reputation, the wines soared in esteem throughout the tenure of Bruno Prats through 1971 to 1998 and continue to this day with their Cabernet Sauvignon based wines of extreme purity and elegance. The 2009 vintage will be highly sought after with the conditions in the left bank region at their very best. Showing a more riper, plump fruit nature than the usual masculine, long-lived trademark, this years Cos will be quick out the door.
Although this wine is plush, dense and rich, it possesses a compelling percussion and balance. Right up there with Grange and Hill Of Grace as one of Australia's best Shiraz, and from one of the greatest vintages too!
There are minuscule volumes produced of the Cirsion by Bodegas Roda (the name of the thistle which is Roda's logo) which is made from grapes specially selected for the suppleness of the tannins they deliver. Parcels selected are from low-yielding older Tempranillo vines of 45 years and more, from four vineyards. Choosing the plants with the softest tannins, this makes the wine very attractive and supple early on, but it still has great ageing potential.