By Edward Richardson on 18/05/2017
CHÂTEAU LE CROCK is a fantastic little cru bourgeois that sits right between Cos and Montrose. In great vintages this property really sings so when Neal Martin says the 2016 is a spitting image of the 2010, the signs are very good indeed! We found it bold and hedonistic.
By Edward Richardson on 17/05/2017
Lots of En Primeur activity this morning. The pick of the bunch is CHÂTEAU TALBOT at £246 per 6 bottles IB. Jancis says this is a wine that represents all that is best about the 2016 vintage. She's absolutely right. It's a wine of typically profound structure but there is plenty of intense blackberry fruit behind all that mass.
By Beth Thomas on 17/05/2017
Released this afternoon is CHÂTEAU DUHART MILON ROTHSCHILD at £310 per 6 IB. This is one of our recommended wines, we all found it a joy to taste and it is a great example of the brilliant wines from Pauillac in 2016. Neal Martin recommends it too, he says that it is 'a step up from the 2015' and scores it 92-94.
By Charles Lea on 15/05/2017
'a more classic style' of Pape Clément red, says Neal Martin (95-97), while Galloni found it 'one of the raciest, silkiest wines I have ever tasted here' (93-96), and that 'it is the wine's balance that is most remarkable'.
By Edward Richardson on 11/05/2017
The ever dependable right-bank stable of Denis Durantou has just been released. These are wines where the price-to-quality ratio is always off the scale - even more so so in a fresh and juicy vintage like 2016. The SAINTAYME and LA CHENADE will provide enormous pleasure almost immediately.
By Beth Thomas on 10/05/2017
Out this morning from Saint Estèphe is CHÂTEAU LES ORMES DE PEZ at £250 per case of 12 IB. We really enjoyed this wine on the two occasions we tasted it, and the critics seem to have shared our enthusiasm.
By Beth Thomas on 09/05/2017
With their election over, and confidence in the future of La France restored it is back to business in Bordeaux this morning. Château Branaire Ducru has been released at £232.50 per case of 6 IB. Jane Anson in Decanter, gives it 95 points: ‘Always a supremely elegant, measured take on St-Julien that delivers in spades in 2016.
By Peter Ogilvy-Wedderburn on 05/05/2017
Today sees the release of CHÂTEAU BATAILLEY , a real favourite of ours this year from Paulliac at £207 per case of 6 IB. 2015 saw the creation of a second wine here ('Lions de Batailley'), and the grape selection has dramatically improved the quality of Batailley itself.
By Charles Lea on 05/05/2017
You may not have heard of Château Jean Faure, but it's time you did. For a start, it is very well-placed: It is a fantastic clay terroir, ideal for the high Cabernet Franc content (like Cheval Blanc). It is planted to 50% Cabernet Franc and is also organically cultivated and will be certified 'organic wine' from the 2017 vintage.
By Beth Thomas on 04/05/2017
This morning brings the release of CHÂTEAU PRIEURÉ LICHINE at £175 per 6. This wine has received some high acclaim from the critics, with 95 points from Jane Anson in Decanter, and 18/20 from Michel Bettane.
By Beth Thomas on 03/05/2017
After a bit of a sleepy start yesterday following the May Day Bank Holiday, things have begun to get moving in Bordeaux today with the release of three great value wines. CHÂTEAU CAPBERN came out towards the lower end of our estimate at £170 for 12.
By Edward Richardson on 29/04/2017
Day 1: First Impressions This was my first primeur campaign so excitement was trumping exhaustion as we boarded the 06:30 flight to Bordeaux. Some startling efficiency at head office meant that we were sitting at the front of the aircraft (at no extra cost I might add!).