By Charles Lea on 21/05/2012
Another morning when many Chateau owners seem to have decided not to much to launch their wine onto the market as to rush them all out at once and hope no one notices them in the crowd.
By Charles Lea on 16/05/2012
France has a day off tomorrow, so we may have seen the last releases before next Monday. This afternoon saw the two junior wines from the Cheval Blanc stable take the the track. I liked both La Tour du Pin and Quinault l'Enclos, and the prices are not mad for the quality they are achieving here.
By Charles Lea on 16/05/2012
This morning looks like it might be a bit quieter than yesterday, with just three major releases, or four if you count red (£325) and white (£630) Domaine de Chevalier. The white has generated some interest in what is undoubtedly a very good vintage for this style.
By Charles Lea on 15/05/2012
Montrose, Lagrange and their seconds This afternoon has see the release of Montrose (£780) and Lagrange (£300), and their second wines Fiefs de Lagrange (£155) and Dame de Montrose (£250). Montrose rated for me as one of the wines of the vintage. Lagrange I rated (a rare circumstance for the vintage) the same as I rated the 2010 en primeur (93/100).
By Charles Lea on 15/05/2012
2011 Bordeaux - Too many to mention It seems that Bordeaux have decided that it's simpler just to dump all the wines on the market and let everyone sort it out for themselves, so here we go - not much we can say about each one individually, there simply is not time.
By Charles Lea on 14/05/2012
So many wines have come onto the market today that it has been hard to keep up. The full list of those that make it into our offer can be found here. (Link expired) Some at the lower end of the price spectrum offer reasonable value to the drinker.
By Charles Lea on 14/05/2012
Two contenders for wine of the vintage out this afternoon, Château Margaux, which Robert Parker rates 94-96, and Château Palmer, which is also exceptional. It's worth reading the notes to see who scores which higher. Robert Parker says of Margaux: 'It rivals what they achieved in both 2010 and 2009, which is virtually impossible to contemplate given the quality of those two vintages'.
By Charles Lea on 14/05/2012
Early releases include Lynch Bages, following on from the success last week for its Pauillac 'rival', Pontet Canet. At £750 per case this is cheaper than any other vintage on the market except the 2007, and while it's not perhaps the steal we have all hoped it might be, the strength of the brand here means this too must come recommended.
By Charles Lea on 10/05/2012
Out this afternoon is Château d'Aiguilhe, Stephan von Neipperg's entry level wine (a Castillon from the same stable as Canon la Gaffeliere). This is down 19% on the 2010 in € terms, so a good effort in this lower price range.
By Charles Lea on 10/05/2012
After a quiet day yesterday, ending with the release of Meyney (£210) in the late afternoon, this morning sees the release of Giscours, which I quite liked in its soft milk-chocolatey style, and to which Neal Martin has given a nice note (91-93, 'It has a pleasing purity for the vintage.
By Charles Lea on 10/05/2012
After yesterday's release of Pontet Canet, which seems to have 'worked' pretty well, we have a couple of rather lesser brands trying their luck at a similar discount to last year.
By Charles Lea on 09/05/2012
Away from the drama of whether the big names will double overnight, the 'trading' side of the market, there remains solid value to be had in amongst the lesser names, and frankly we do rather enjoy the process of unearthing gems at the right price.