In the upper echelon of 2nd Growth estates, Chateau Cos D''Estournel is located in St-Estephe appelltion, on the fringe of Paulliac and notably just north of the famed Lafite vineyards. Tourists flock to the Medoc estate to see the unusual, Asian-inspired Chateau design, but the wines hold their own and rightfully are considered the finest within St-Estephe. Oak is set to around 80% new barrels while alcohol is a modest 14.5%; the blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Merlot and complimentary Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in tow. A wine for thirty or so years.

The family behind DBR Lafite has been producing wine in Bordeaux since 1868. Their understanding of Bordeaux has been culminating over six generations, driven by the purpose of allowing wine lovers all over the world to be able to dive into the originality of the varied appellations and terroirs with confidence. DBR Lafite is also B-Corp certified, demonstrating their commitment to environmental and social responsibility. The wines of the Saga R range serve as the reference point of each appellation, with a focus on expressing the freshness and elegance that make Bordeaux great. For Saga R Bordeaux Rouge, there is a higher proportion of Merlot (70%) with remainder of the blend (30%) sourced from well-exposed slopes suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. The Bordeaux tradition of blending these grapes is followed to make a more harmonious wine, and no oak is to preserve the purity of the fruit. A gorgeous bright, crimson purple in appearance, with aromas of dark berries (blackberries, blackcurrants) and Morello cherries. The palate is dense, harmonious and balanced with an aromatic, spicy finish of liquorice. Wonderfully fresh, with richness and excellent drinkability.

Clear. pink reflective colour. Citrus and white floer aromas on the nose with mild spicess. In the mouth, the attack is elegant, reminding you of Mediterranean flavours. the fruit is well combined with minerality, espressing softly before a perfectly full finish. Suggested pairings: A fresh summer salad of lobster; crayfish in saffron; freshly made Gariguette strawberry zabaglione.

This Domaine Paul Jaboulet Côtes du Rhône takes its name from the 45th North parallel which runs two kilometres from the cellars of Maison Paul Jaboulet. Their wine has had this name since the beginning of the 1950s. Elegant and aromatic Grenache blend, with red fruits blended with spices. Well-structured on rounded tannins, with a final spicy note.

Yannick Amirault inherited five hectares from his father in 1982 and has since transformed the domaine to one reputable of Bourgueil. The fruit for this Cabernet Franc is sourced from the La Coudraye vineyard situated within the appellation of the famous Loire Valley. The wine has typically great depth, freshness and powerful fruit characteristics. Will reward will medium to long term cellaring.

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste produce some of the best value wines in the Pauillac region, if not simply some of the best quality in general. Cabernet based reds are their staple and generally produce wines of a robust and masculine nature. In recent years the wines are close to rivalling the famed Pichons .

At the very top of the Appellation. Black fruits with spicy ink notes on the nose The palate- the tannins are very powerful but also mellow, smokey notes pepper, highlights wonderfully the Syrah variety on granite soils.

Chateau Canon shows no shy and retiring character in 2010, set to a naturally ripe and high 15% alcohol. Though power and density is a motif in 2010, there is a surprising suppleness in this wine, born from central St-Emillion vineyards and the same family of wine as Chateau Rauzan-Segla of Margaux. Almost evenly split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc usually, it''s three quarters Merlot in 2010; the wine matures in oak barrel for 18 months, with around 70% of those offering new wood character. While dense and compact, there is a succulence to the wine that suggests cellaring to two decades would be apt.

Clos Cantenac's Petit Cantenac, a wine from the Saint-Émilion appellation in Bordeaux. Nestled in the heart of this region, Clos Cantenac is known for its commitment to sustainable and organic winemaking practices. Petit Cantenac is a blend predominantly composed of merlot, the hallmark grape of Saint-Émilion, enriched with the nuances of cabernet franc. The vineyards are diligently managed, allowing the vines to flourish in the region's unique terroir characterised by a mix of limestone, clay, and gravel soils. This blend yields wines that embody the essence of Saint-Émilion, boasting a delightful complexity and depth. Petit Cantenac captivates with its elegant structure, offering an array of flavours ranging from ripe red and black fruits to subtle hints of floral and spice notes. Every bottle of Petit Cantenac encapsulates the passion, artistry, and respect for the land that defines Clos Cantenac, inviting wine enthusiasts to savour the legacy and experience the quintessence of Saint-Émilion.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild’s celebrated second wine, Carruades de Lafite is named from plots acquired in 1845 just next to the vines on the Château hilltop and the final blend contains both declassified first growth fruit as well as a higher percentage of Merlot than the first wine, anywhere from 30-50 percent depending on the vintage. As a result, you get the elegance and persistence of Lafite but also a suppleness making it approachable when young but always with enough structure to warrant at least a decade of cellaring.