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Dating back over 800 years in the Bordeaux region, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is owned today by Daniel and Florence Cathiard. The estate also features a world class spa, which specialises in Vinotherapie - using grape extracts in many of their treatments. Up until the year 2000, the estate was not known for producing top quality wines, however in the capable hands of the Cathiard family and after over a decade of hard work and reinvention, the wines truly began to come into their own. It has been, in the words of Andrew Caillard, an astonishing ascendancy in the past 15 years, and given the sterling reviews the 2016 vintage has received, its trajectory seems set to continue its meteoric rise.

Château Valandraud 1er Grand Cru Classé B is a wine from vintners Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Upon his transition from wine merchant to winemaker in 1989 (when the pair purchased a small patch of vines in St-Émilion), Thunevin became known as a ‘bad boy’ of Bordeaux, creating boutique styles in boutique quantities. This wine is powerful and juicy, rich in black fruit with inky concentration and an esoteric swagger. It is classic, but with attitude. Aged in 100% new oak, with plenty of potential for extended aging.

Chateau Canon is a 1er Grand Cru Classé estate in the St Emilion appellation on Bordeauxs right bank. The Grand Vin Chateau Canon is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. After harvesting the grapes are meticulously sorted before undergoing fermentation and a two week post-ferment maceration to build tannin structure. Maturation takes place in 60% new French oak for 18 to 20 months. In the best years, Chateau Canon is deeply coloured and plush with ample mouth-coating blue and blackberry fruit.

Bellavista is a single vineyard wine produced only in the very best years. The Bellavista vineyard comprises 22.82 hectares on an elevated plot with clay and gravel soils. A blend of Sangiovese with small amounts of Malvasia Nera, the wine undergoes a temperature controlled fermentation, pumping over and maceration over a 26 day period to build tannin structure. Following pressing, the wine is transferred to a mix of new and seasoned French oak barriques for 15 months maturation. Bellavista is typically a powerful yet profoundly elegant wine replete with red fruit, savoury earthy forest floor notes and polished tannins, with superb ageing potential.

Chateau Canon is a 1er Grand Cru Classé estate in the St Emilion appellation on Bordeaux’s right bank. The Grand Vin Chateau Canon is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. After harvesting the grapes are meticulously sorted before undergoing fermentation and a two week post-ferment maceration to build tannin structure. Maturation takes place in 60% new French oak for 18 to 20 months. In the best years, Chateau Canon is deeply coloured and plush with ample mouth-coating blue and blackberry fruit.

Chateau Angélus is one of the most renowned estates of Saint-Émilion, currently designated Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the most recent classification of Saint-Émilion. Located due west of the town of Saint-Émilion, the estate’s vineyards lie on a warm south-facing slope. The Grand Vin is a dense and unctuous blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, matured in 85-100% new French oak barriques for 18-22 months. Complex and concentrated, Chateau Angélus can appear slightly austere when young, developing greater generosity and richness with age.

The balancing act of Chateau Montrose sees 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and for the first time an inclusion from the recently purchased vineyard parcel of Phelan Segur. Chateau Montrose is considered a top producer from St-Estephe, known for potential in cellaring and considered unique for its style, which is set to 'vin de garde' wines. The estate property is set on gravel-based soils and sits in what is conisdered a microclimate, also conspiring in the unique perfumes, composition and forimdable structure of these wines. 2010 has been spectacular for Montrose power and presence, and will be a worthy wine to drink in a decade to 75 years.

Château Figeac is a wine estate that had a very long history. It was once part of the Cheval Blanc estate, whichs soils was well known to be two-thirds of gravel, allowing Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot to grow flourishingly in the area. The 2010 Figeac, had a beautiful complexity to enjoy now or the longevity to cellar for those who prefers. Wine will benefit from decanting.