Château d'Armailhac Pauillac
A famous 5th growth Bordeaux from the classic appellation of Pauillac that has undergone many name changes over its life. Starting life as Mouton d'Armailhac before changing in 1956 to Mouton Baron Philippe which changed to Baronne to commemorate the Baron's second wife. In 1991, the Baron's daughter decided to give the Château an original name to separate it from the other Mouton's and Château d'Armailhac was born. Situated across the road from the famous Mouton, the estate is run separately, but with equal care. Wines of great concentration and intensity are produced, as one would expect from such pedigree. The 2009 is the perfect example of this with a wine of fantastic intensity and concentration. One of the finest d'Armailhac's is living memory, swathes of blueberry, roasted meats and espresso coffee characters are present early and will only further develop with careful ageing over the next 20 years.
Pontet Canet
Château d'Issan Margaux
The 2010 Chateau d'Issan is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, showing 'classic Margaux' in its perfume, finesse and apparent elegance. Soils are gravel and clay, which contributes to the high-tones of perfume from the wine, and though an estate that is neccesarily clawing its way back to a higher profile, is doing so with deeds in bottle over showmanship. On its side, the vineyard is dense with older vines that naturally offer lower yields, allowing for a higher quality of fruit for the winemaking team, in turn producing a wine of stellar quality from 2010.
Chateau Pavie Macquin St Emilion
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
Chateau Pavie Aromes de Pavie St Emilion
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.
Chateau Phelan-Segur St-Estephe
Plenty of cabernet character with currant and blackberry and some fresh-herb undertones. Medium body. Fine, firm tannins. Refined and together. Oyster shell and hints of spices such as cloves and white pepper. Tapenade. Typical for the appellation. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit verdot and 21% merlot.