By Edward Richardson on 02/06/2017
MALARTIC LAGRAVIÈRE is out at £246 per 6 bottles IB. We were really impressed by this fine, high-toned and very classy Pessac. Neal Martin gave it 94-96/100 and described it as a 'pixelated Pessac-Léognan that exudes style and panache.
By Edward Richardson on 01/06/2017
GRAND PUY LACOSTE is out at £367 per 6 / £734 per 12 IB. In his glowing note for the 2016 Neal Martin paid tribute to this 'bastion of quintessential Pauillac'. He says that, 'not unlike its stylistic sibling Montrose,' it is made in a style that he openly admits he 'adores'.
By Edward Richardson on 01/06/2017
Another busy morning in Bordeaux today.
By Edward Richardson on 31/05/2017
MALESCOT SAINT EXUPÉRY has been released at £252 per 6 bottles IB. We were all really impressed by this - it was clearly one of the stand-out wines from Margaux in 2016. Neal Martin gave it 94-96/100 and called it 'sensual and voluptuous' but with great delineation and precision on the finish.
By Beth Thomas on 30/05/2017
After the bank holiday lull, a very exciting morning in Bordeaux today. We have the release of the Domaine Clarence Dillon wines - most notably HAUT BRION and LA MISSION HAUT BRION - as well as LARCIS DUCASSE and RÉSERVE DE LA COMTESSE. HAUT BRION is out at £2,490 per 6 bottles IB.
By Charles Lea on 30/05/2017
Ignoring the holidays in the UK and US, second growth Château Gruaud Larose was launched onto the market yesterday, along with its popular second wine Sarget de Gruaud Larose. Half the vineyard here is now farmed biodynamically and this may account for what seems to be an increased transparency and detail in the wines.
By Beth Thomas on 24/05/2017
Out this morning are the Cazes family wines of Pauillac. The grand vin itself CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES has been released at £575 per 6 IB. The price of Lynch has drifted higher in recent years, but so have the reviews, and this 2016 has the highest ratings ever en primeur.
By Beth Thomas on 24/05/2017
While Lynch Bages (now sold out) was obviously the big news of yesterday, several other releases are more than worthy of mention. 2016 CHÂTEAU GRAND MAYNE at £360 per dozen was not only given a terrific note by Neal Martin (94-96), but was also mentioned in his introduction to the vintage: 'I was deeply impressed by Grand-Mayne this year.
By Beth Thomas on 24/05/2017
CHÂTEAU ANGÉLUS is out this morning at £1788 per 6 IB. There are some highly impressive scores here, 96-98 from Neal Martin who expects this wine will reach the top of his banded score once in bottle, 17++ from Jancis Robinson, 99-100 from James Suckling, 97 from both Jane Anson and Tim Atkin, and 94-97+ from Antonio Galloni.
By Edward Richardson on 22/05/2017
This morning sees the release of a trio of very impressive Saint Juliens. An excellent and highly-rated LANGOA BARTON has been released at £420 per 12 IB, and the stylish LA CROIX DE BEAUCAILLOU has followed at exactly the same price.
By Beth Thomas on 19/05/2017
Following the release earlier this morning of CHÂTEAU GLORIA and CHÂTEAU SAINT PIERRE comes the wonderfully impressive CHÂTEAU PALMER, one of the great wines of Margaux. This has been released at £1420 per case of 6 In Bond, which is certainly a price as grand as the wine.
By Edward Richardson on 19/05/2017
CHÂTEAU GLORIA , which has been on a quality charge this year, is out today at £360 per 12 bottles IB. We were really impressed with the quality of the 2016. It has good volume and density but will certainly need time in the cellar to round out.