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Planted in 1300, the estate is the oldest planted vineyard in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1959.

France's Bordeaux, is the spiritual home of the Cabernet family of grapes, which extends beyond Sauvignon and Franc to Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. If you love Margaret River Cabernet blends, or indeed the Merlot dominant reds of Hawkes Bay, NZ, then you must look at the wines upon which many of them have been modelled. This wine is Cabernet and Merlot, deep and rich, cassis and earthy cedar, structure and uncommon length - all hallmarks of Grand Cru Bordeaux.

With a name like George Smith, you could be mistaken for thinking this vineyard was on the northern side of the 'channel', but alas, it resides in Pessac-Léognan in France's famed Bordeaux region. Bought by the Englishman in 1720, the wine still bears his name. The red wine that comes out of the estate is one of aromatics and spiciness and of recent times, more opulence and fruit weight.

The 2017 Haut-Bailly is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple colored, it has a wonderfully spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, anise and fenugreek with core of roses, warm blueberries, black forest cake and black raspberries plus hints of underbrush and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied with firm, ripe, grainy tannins, it has oodles of freshness and great finesse, continuing bright and energetic on the long, minerally finish.

The Arômes de Pavie 2021 is the 2nd wine from Chateau Pavie and is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc. It matures in French oak barrels, 70% of which are new French oak. In the glass the wine is a deep purple-black color. Still closed in its early years, but with some waltzing comes the lush scents of stewed black plums, black cherry compote and red and black currants. The wine further has aromas of tar, baked herbs and charcoal. On the palate, the Aromes de Pavie is full body wrapped in layers of black fruit, framed by soft tannins and tons of freshness and finishes long and earthy.

Raspberry and fresh cherry abound on the nose with hints of mint and rich fleshy plum. A mixture of deep clay on hard limestone gives perfume and richness whilst retaining elegant acidity. The lifted fruit is delicious with savoury chalky tannins

"Château Smith-Haute-Lafitte dedicate 11 hectares of their vineyards in Graves to white wine production. In 1990, Olympic ski champions Daniel and Florence Cathiard purchased the Château and revolutionised its production, reducing the amount of intervention in the winemaking and planting two extra white grape varieties, which has greatly increased the desirability and complexity of the label’s blanc. Sauvignon Blanc dominates in the vineyard, with small parcels of Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. Grapes are whole berry fermented, and no skin contact or malolactic fermentation takes place. They are aged on lees for a year with stirring, then aged in 50% new oak."

A blend of 51% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot from 2010 - the Chateau Pape Clement is located in Pessac covering 32 hectares of vines, planted to red and white varieties. The estate is considered one of the most historical in all of Bordeaux, with history dating back to the 14th century, though its reputation wasn't fully forged until the mid-20th century. Detailed vineyard work is now a motif for the prestigious winery, and winemaking is set to modern with the use of stainless steel and higher ratio of new oak barrels. Though considered Cru Classe Graves, Chateau Pape Clement is considered one of the most collectable and highest quality estates in Pessac-Leognan.