Another slow week in Bordeaux has contained little of any excitement with a couple of exceptions and then came today’s three releases from the Lafite stable.We were pleased to see the release of two wines that we have been following keenly for the last few vintages. First out and a really great buy:
2014 CLOS MANOU Médoc (£150/case of 12)
Françoise and Stéphane Dief began Clos Manou in a a makeshift wine cellar in their garage. they produced their first wine in 1998, a harvest of just 600 bottles.
The unassuming façade of Clos Manou
The success with this fuelled their desire to become serious producers, and they have spent the past 16 years expanding their vineyards by gradually purchasing small parcels of vines until they reached the 18 hectares they own today, one parcel of which is from 1852 and survived the Phylloxera epidemic.
The second release to catch our eye was yesterday’s:
2014 CHÂTEAU CAPBERN Saint Estèphe (£110/ case of 12)
recommended at £110 for great drinking in 6-12 years. This year has seen a change in name from Capbern-Gasqueton to the more simple Capbern, this seems a slight shame, a possible case of dumbing-down, but must be seen by the new owners as a more memorable label for the uninitiated.
Vincent Millet, winemaker at Calon Segur & Chateau Capbern
Made by the brilliant team at Chateau Calon-Segur this is super drinking, perhaps a broader more polished style than in some vintages, but very enjoyable nonetheless and at £110 a case this is certainly worth making a slot in your cellar for.
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The bigger names to come out are all from the Lafite stable and for the reds they are both really rather well priced:
2014 CHÂTEAU DUHART MILON ROTHSCHILD 4ème Cru Classé Pauillac (£400/case of 12)
is a lovely wine in 2014, made by the very talented Chateau Lafite team. This is considerably down on last year’s price and is now almost the best priced vintage on the market – just as primeurs should be! Sophisticated and well-bred this is well worth consideration.
2014 CHÂTEAU L’ÉVANGILE Pomerol Château L’Évangile (£865/case of 12)
Although not ‘given-away’ – they have made a good effort on the pricing from this delicious Pomerol estate . This is down £185 a case from the inferior 2013 to and is a really good wine this year.
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2014 CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 1er Cru Classé Sauternes (£400/case of 12)
on the other hand has slightly missed the point it seems. The wine is excellent in 2014, but at £400/12 we think you would be far better off buying from our current stock of the impressive 2010 Rieussec which is just £280/12 – (90-92 Wine Advocate). For more info on this please get in touch.
This could have got the ball rolling for the campaign and hopefully other estates will take note of the pricing of these wines from Lafite, which are certainly showing some sensitivity to the market.
Have a great weekend and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any wish-lists, or if we can help in any way.