CHATEAU SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE Rouge Grand cru classe
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.
Vasse Felix Tom Cullity (Gift Boxed) Cabernet Malbec
VASSE FELIX Tom Cullity (Gift Boxed) Cabernet Malbec, Margaret River
Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Figeac 1er grand cru classe
While a fair share of Bordeaux vineyards can claim significant historical pedigree, few would be able to touch Chateau Figeac - it is one of a select few St Emilion vineyards to have been continuously occupied for over 2,000 years! The estate dates back to the second century when even the ancient Romans who occupied the area were aware of its outstanding terroir. One figure dominates the Chateaus modern era, and that is Thierry Manoncourt who ran the property from 1947 until his death in 2010, just shy of his 93rd birthday. Under his leadership, the Chateau was the first major Right Bank estate to embrace modern techniques such as temperature controlled, stainless steel vats. The traditional-styled Bordeaux has, understandably, gone through a wide range of iterations in its 2,000-plus year history - yet it still manages to surprise and delight. The 2016 earned rave reviews from critics, with Jancis Robinson hailing it as a wine of which ...the Manoncourt family should be very proud.
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2me cru classe
Taking its name from its uniquely rocky terroir (beau caillou translates as beautiful stones), and Bertrand Ducru who purchased the estate in 1795, what we know today as Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou as a wine producing estate, has history stretches back to the 13th century. Owned today by The Borie family (who have long-standing roots of their own in Bordeaux), the Chateau is, according to many, producing the best wines in their history at this very moment. The 2016 vintage has already been hailed as yet another monumental success for the winery with Antonio Galloni praising it as simply magnificent.
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1er Cru Classe Aile D'Argent Blanc
Château Mouton-Rothschilds dry Bordeaux white is made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle, all planted within 4.5 hectares of vines. It is one of the few Bordeaux whites that is subject to malolactic fermentation. Ripe, intense, and elegant, stone fruit and citrus dominate the palate of this wine, with a line of racy acidity to add freshness.
Tenuta Dell'ornellaia Massetino
Les Forts de Latour Pauillac
Les Forts de Latour is the wonderful second label of the famous Château Latour of Pauillac. Les Forts lacks none of the legendary power and concentration of its elder brother although it is approachable at a much earlier age. Rich Cabernet influence dominates this wine that comes from Latour fruit that doesn't make the grand vin as well as the younger vine material. The 2009 is considered one of the truly great vintages in living memory and it is in these years that secondary wines like this Forst de Latour really shine. Value and pedigree all wrapped in one package!
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron has become simply known as
Chateau Haut-Brion Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
Since the 2007 vintage this has been the second wine of Chateau Haut-Brion. Its name (until the 2006 vintage) was Château Bahans Haut-Brion.