By Edward Richardson on 09/06/2017
Out today is PICHON LALANDE at £710 per 6 bottles IB. This left Galloni completely spell-bound. He scored it 97-100/100 and described it as 'simply extraordinary.
By Charles Lea on 08/06/2017
CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE have released their wines. The grand vin is out at £467.50 per 6 bottles IB. This was a really classy wine with an intense core of outstanding Cabernet fruit. There's gorgeous texture and lovely length here too - it's a supremely well made Pessac.
By Edward Richardson on 08/06/2017
PICHON BARON has been released at £1,350 per 12 bottles IB. It is very hard to exaggerate just how good this wine is. When we tasted at the Château in April we discovered something with the level of freshness, purity and richness that you'd normally associate with a first-growth.
By Edward Richardson on 08/06/2017
Two of the big-guns from Saint-Julien are out. DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU is at £852 per 6 bottles IB. Neal Martin scored this a very impressive 96-98/100. Galloni rated it 94-97/100 and called it 'simply magnificent', and 'one of the highlights of the vintage'. We found it had lovely even-toned harmonious fruit, beautifully pitched tannin, and remarkable concentration.
By Edward Richardson on 07/06/2017
CLOS FOURTET is out at £500 per 6 bottles IB. Now this is really top-quality Saint Emilion. There are all the elements you'd expect in abundance; a concentrated smokey nose, a really dense and polished black fruit core, and that inimitable mineral undertow which holds it all together.
By Will Edwards on 07/06/2017
Italy has always been close to the heart of Lea & Sandeman and we are very fortunate enough to represent some superb estates across the length and breadth of this beautiful country.
By Edward Richardson on 07/06/2017
Chateau D'ISSAN has been released at £285 per 6 bottles IB. The estate's old vines meant it coped better than some of its Margaux neighbours in the long, dry summer. As a result, this isn't a wine that's obviously ripe and luscious, it's much more classical and refined in style.
By Beth Thomas on 06/06/2017
Following on from the other releases of the morning, BRANE-CANTENAC is also out at £630 per 12 bottles IB. Neal Martin waxed lyrical about this wine, giving it 96-98/100. He called the palate, 'simply the best that I have ever tasted at the estate' and felt that this was 'everything you could possibly want from a Margaux.
By Edward Richardson on 06/06/2017
Out today is LÉOVILLE BARTON at £372.50 per 6 bottles IB. The Wine Spectator gave this an outstanding 96-99/100(!). Jancis absolutely loved it too, scoring it 18/20. She praised its 'glorious texture and flavour' and called it a 'really a standout Barton.' Jane Anson hailed it 'a total triumph' and her 'favourite for years at this property' (96/100).
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 Lucy Marcuson on 01/06/2017
Last week we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Albert Jané Ubeda from Acústic & Autòcton Cellers for two days of trade visits and a private client dinner at the wonderful Canham in East Sheen - see pictures below.