The whole stable of wines from Nicolas Thienpont at Pavie Macquin, which started with the Cote de Francs Puygueraud and continued through Trimoulet, to the grander wines, Berliquet, Larcis Ducasse, Pavie Macquin itself and Beauséjour (Duffau Lagarosse), showed very well. Here the work started in the vineyard even to the extent to changing the trellising of the vines mid-season, and Nicolas and consultant winemaker Stéphane Dérenencourt clearly got a handle on this challenging vintage. An effort has been made on price too, with Pavie Macquin down nearly 20% and Beauséjour down 25%.
Pichon Lalande seems to have decided that the way to deal with the apathy in the market is to release very little wine – 80% less than last year. Even this may take a moment to find a home this year at £625 per dozen, the same price as one can find the 2012, but if you want to be sure, we are all ears.
Bruno Borie’s Ducru Beaucaillou united the critics in praise, and this will surely be one of the better wines of the vintage.
2013 CHÂTEAU PICHON LALANDE 2ème Cru Classé Pauillac (£625 per doz)
2013 CHÂTEAU DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU 2ème Cru Classé Saint Julien (£720 per dozen)
2013 CHÂTEAU PAVIE MACQUIN Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion (£340 per dozen)
2013 CHÂTEAU LARCIS DUCASSE Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion (£330 per dozen)