Chateau Laroque Grand cru classe
The largest estate in St Emillion, Laroque has been in the Beaumartin family since 1935, but has been completely revitalised and garnered a cult following in the last decade. The vineyards were originally put down in the 18th Century, with the current vines planted in the 1960s. David Suire has taken in the mantle of winemaker with aplomb - his most recent releases being consistently excellent. The property also produces fruit for wines sold as Chateau Peymouton and the estates second wine Les Tours de Laroque.
Chateau La Lagune 3me cru classe
With a long and tumultuous history in the Haut-Médoc, stretching all the way back to its classification as one of fourteen 3me crus in the 1855 Classification, the Chateau has been rescued from obscurity, sold from family to family and endured superbly, as this latest offering amply exhibits. Unique, vibrant, and deep in colour, the 2016 can proudly hold its head up among the best La Lagune releases of recent years. Intensely aromatic, with a supple, medium-bodied palate, it will benefit from four or five years in the cellar and give ample rewards for your patience.
Chateau Cantemerle 5me cru classe
Château Cantemerle's is a fifth growth (5ème Cru Classé) Chateau located in the Haut-Medoc appellation of Bordeaux. The Chateau is situated in one of the most beautiful settings of the region, in woodlands on the outskirts of the city of Bordeaux. The wine undergoes 12-16 months maturation in 50% new French oak barriques. Chateau Cantemerles style is lively and fruit forward. The best vintages show complex aromas and flavours of black currants, plums and spice with superb freshness and plentiful fine-grained tannins.
Chateau Chantecaille Clauzel
In every wine region there are hidden gems, and Bordeaux is no exception. Chateau Chantecaille Clauzel is a tiny (0.4ha) patch of vines right on the border between St-Emilion and Pomerol, wedged in by vines owned owned by Chateaux LEvangile and La Dominique. Illustrious near-neighbours include Cheval Blanc, Petrus and Gazin. Chance, a proud family history and local politics account for its survival. If the cards had fallen differently Chantecaille Clauzels fruit would be incorporated in a much more famous and much more expensive wine. Chantecaille Clauzel is essentially Merlot, with a little Cabernet Franc. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and matured in seasoned barriques (just five or six of them) at the Clauzel familys nearby Chateau Guillot Clauzel.
Chateau de Lamarque
Cape Mentelle Zinfandel
A unique wine from the 36 years old, low yielding bush vines of the Cape Mentelle's original Estate Vineyard. This Zinfandel exudes flavours of plum pudding, black cherry and sweet spices on a rich, mouth filling palate. Hand picked, basket pressed and matured in the finest oak it is. Australias leading example of this bold and generous variety. Crunchy red cherries and an enticing blend of Asian all-spice, red liquorice and star anise, developing into warm mocha notes carried by fine grain savoury tannins and graphite notes characteristic of the Cape Mentelle's Wallcliffe vineyard.
Domaine Elian Da Ros Vignobles D'Elian Marmande
This is one of the gems produced by cult winemaker Elian Da Ros, who learned the art of winemaking at the prestigious Domaine Zind Humbrecht in Alsace before taking over the family vineyard. This luscious red is a blend of half Cabernet Franc, with the rest a split between Merlot and Syrah and matured for 18 months in old oak. Drink young for the sheer enjoyment.
Bovin Kleopatra
Kleopatra is the first wine of this region obtained from the Cabernet Franc grape variety from Bovin own vineyards. Characterized by a ruby red color with a smell of pomegranates, cranberries and other red fruits rich in vitamin C. It has well balanced taste and smell.
Chateau Labegorce Cru bourgeois
Labegorce is found just north of the town of Margaux, opposite Chateau Lascombes. It produces wines that are often favourably compared to its neighbouring classified Margaux Growths, but available for considerably less of an investment. Its instantly recognisable and iconic chateau was constructed in 1821, and the modern estate was purchased by Hubert Perrodo in 1989, now managed by his daughter Nathalie. The wine is typically made up of at least 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by slightly less Merlot and a small balance of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Soils here are primarily sandy gravel with small amounts of limestone.
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett Cabernet Merlot, Hawkes Bay The lions share of Trinity Hills grapes comes from the Gimblett Gravels region, in the lee of Roys Hill. The gravelly soils were left behind by the Ngaruroro River as it changed course over time. The low fertility soils offer little kindness to the vines, forcing them to work and work to produce small crops of great flavour and aromatic concentration. The low fertility soils offer little kindness to the vines, forcing them to work and work to produce small crops of great flavour and aromatic concentration.