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While the estate known as Chateau Haut-Bailly dates back to 1461, its wine production began in 1530, falling into the hands of the de Leuvarde and Le Bailly families in 1630. It was purchased in 1998 by Robert G Wilmers, a Harvard-educated banker, and his French wife Elisabeth and under their care, the estate has begun producing some of the best wines in its history. The cellars and production procedures were renovated and modernised and this year, the Chateau itself was awarded government recognition of its cultural and vinious heritage.

Chateau d’Esclans is situated in the heart of Provence, northeast of St. Tropez. With his acquisition of the Château in 2006, Sacha Lichine’s vision was to create the greatest rosés in the world, igniting the “Rosé Renaissance”. Château d’Esclans is home to Whispering Angel which is made from grapes sourced from amongst the most choice Vineyards in the vicinity of the Esclans Valley and nearby in the Cotes de Provence region. Harvesting is only conducted during at night time to avoid the heat of the day & to keep the crop of grapes fresh. Upon arriving in the Cellars, grapes are sorted for both health and quality ensuring that the selected grapes are assessed accurately in terms of overall quality. The harvest takes place each September, where grapes, at their ripest, are selected, picked and carefully placed in small crates, chosen in order to avoid too many grapes at the top crushing grapes at the bottom. Once the grapes arrive to the cellars all grapes which go into vinification are de-stemmed and resemble each of the physical characteristics dictated by the wine maker including shape, size, colour and condition. This is verified by an optical eye camera which is programmed to detect whether grapes correspond to the established criteria. The grapes are then sent through a soft crush mechanism which punctures them in order for the juice inside to flow followed by their entering a heat exchange system which reduces their temperature from what can be as high as 29 degrees celsius down to 7-8 degrees. Temperature reduction ensures that freshness and vivacity are locked in which is key to ensure consistent temperature control making the grapes ready for closed circuit (nitrogen) pressing ensues which produces 3 grades of what is primarily free run juice. Nitrogen pressing ensures no oxidation is taking place during the pressing process known as an accumulation of details that is carefully planned and monitored. Depending on which grade of juice the press produces, the wine makers determine which will be used to make barrel fermented (aged) wine or stainless steel fermented wine. The different grades of juice differ in terms of skin contact which pertains exclusively to the first press while the next two have no skin contact and increase in intensity from one to the next. The overall affect is a clear, clean tannin free juice which gives the wines an agreeable characteristic and taste profile while ensuring that the colour is quite pale. As the individual juices from corresponding Barrels and Vats are selected and placed into half bottles, the technical team will taste through these unique juices and they will start to form opinions for which wines they should be used to make the new vintage. The information which comes from this step in the process is noted for referential purposes related to the next step, the assemblage. The last step is the assemblage or blending for Chateau d’Esclans and Caves d’Esclans wines. While there is little variation vintage to vintage, percentage of different grape varieties that will make up the ultimate blend will differ with each new vintage, however the taste profile remains the same. Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino) grapes, its pale colour is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. The rewarding taste profile is full and lush while being bone dry with a smooth finish. A blend of the best free run juices and press juices, fermented and aged in stainless steel with temperature control. A beautifully pale pink, which is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. Flavours of fresh red berry fruit characteristics with floral notes and a ripe and fleshy feel on the palate. This popular rosé wine has great concentration, a smooth and round finish and no astringent aftertaste.

The balancing act of Chateau Montrose sees 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and for the first time an inclusion from the recently purchased vineyard parcel of Phelan Segur. Chateau Montrose is considered a top producer from St-Estephe, known for potential in cellaring and considered unique for its style, which is set to 'vin de garde' wines. The estate property is set on gravel-based soils and sits in what is conisdered a microclimate, also conspiring in the unique perfumes, composition and forimdable structure of these wines. 2010 has been spectacular for Montrose power and presence, and will be a worthy wine to drink in a decade to 75 years.

While it is true that lovers of Pauillac wines can sometimes be divided over their love of the wines from Lynch-Bages, it will go without question that the wines produced from the magnificent 2009 vintage are sure to be coveted by all. Vintage conditions were simply perfect and have allow this Pauillac producer to embrace its love of plush, fruit forward wines and yet deliver a wine of immense power and structure.

An upswing in quality over the past decade or so, has resurrected Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte's position amongst Bordeaux Chateau. New ownership breathed life into exceptionally positioned vineyards, now farmed with less chemicals, with a more sympatico approach in winery. Famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland is an additional feather in Smith-Haut-Lafitte's cap, enhancing the wines concentration, power and depth, while maintaining a finesse. Though full-bodied, the wine from 2010 will be approachable a little earlier than most other fine Bordeaux, with more moderate tannin - that being said, it's life will stretch several decades too.