Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2me cru classe
Majestic, intense, full bodied and tannic, Cos dEstournel is considered the leading wine of St Estèphe. Highly tannic in its youth, over time it develops much much like the great wines of adjoining Pauillac. The wine is typically a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, consistently displaying immense power and evident breed.
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1er cru classe
One of the most famous - as well as one of the most expensive - wines in the world, Chateau Lafite Rothschilds history dates back to 1235, by which time, it is believed, the vines were already planted and thriving. Nearly 1,000 years later it still retains the name of its then-owner Gombaud de Lafite. It wasnt until 1868 that the Rothschilds came to become the Chateaus owners, after it was sold at public auction in Paris - and it remains in their hands today. Producing an elegant Paulliac wine, Chateau Lafite is renowned for its characteristic blend of rich dark fruit with spicy, savoury and earthy notes of cassis, tobacco, and truffle. The 2016 earned sterling reviews, with James Suckling scoring it a perfect 100 and speculating on its standing as Perhaps the greatest Lafite since the legendary 1959.
Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases 2me cru classe
With one of the longest and most pedigreed histories in the Medoc region, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases has passed through the hands of some of Frances most notable and wealthiest noble families, culminating in the Las Cases family - the final royal family to hold title to the Chateau. Up until the French Revolution, after which large portions of it were sold off, it was one of the largest vineyards in Bordeaux. Today, the estate remains family owned by the Delons, of which brother Jean Hubert and sister Genevieve manage proceedings. Famed for producing a wine of structure, power, and traditional style, the 2016 vintage has earned outstandingly high praise, including a score of 100 from Andrew Caillared and a 19/20 from Jancis Robinson who praised its extraordinary vitality and energy and proclaimed it glorious to taste now.
Maya
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia
The 2016 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia from Napa Valley, USA, is a superb example of the region's renowned Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Deep ruby in colour, this wine opens with an enticing bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark cherry, followed by subtle notes of cedar, vanilla, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and well-structured, with silky tannins and a beautiful balance between fruit, oak, and acidity. Flavours of ripe plum, cassis, and dark chocolate linger on the long, elegant finish. This vintage is a true expression of its terroir and the skill of the winemaking team at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Enjoy with a juicy ribeye steak or cellar for another 10-15 years for further development. A must-try for any Cabernet lover.