BORDEAUX SUPPLEMENT

ST. ÉMILION Visually the most beautiful area of Bordeaux and the most undulating, this fascinating, UNESCO world heritage town lying northeast of Bordeaux is one of Bordeaux’s largest producing appellations. As in nearby Pomerol, Merlot dominates the blends. Limestone makes up much of the subsoil, while closer to the river, alluvium and sand dominate. Wines from here exhibit earlier drinking characteristics. Historically, two Châteaux have shared the highest grading - Château Cheval Blanc, whose chai is out of this world, and Château Ausone, which ismuchmore understated but which benefits fromterraced south facing vineyards right at the foot of the Medieval town. They were recently joined by more modern styles of St. Émilion, Châteaux Angelus and Pavie-Macquin. There is a hugely diverse range to choose from, with some estates working towards extractionwhilst others choose to be less interventionist letting the vineyard express itself naturally. Somuch to choose from– Châteaux Figeac, Clos Fourtet andCanon are great favourites. The frost was a risk here in March and April but most established châteaux were able to avoid any damage with the use of fans and candles - some even lit fires between he rows. Efficient sorting during harvest was key to obtaining the highest quality Grand Vin. Some were very strict, rejecting a large part of their crop, such as Angelus who are 40% down on previous vintages, but the resulting wines are pretty, generous and refined. Our absolute favourite this year was Ausone and the critics agreed with a round 100 points from the Wine Advocate this year.

REDBORDEAUX

CHÂTEAUFONPLÉGADE, GRANDCRU 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet franc. 16-20 months in barrel, 50% newoak. A quite attractive plummy nose with bramble and floral notes. The palate is full of dark fruit, smoke spice and cola. Complex, cool and restrained. Fine firm tannin. Quite a showy wine despite the classic style. A great value

CHÂTEAUQUINTUS, GRANDCRU “The 2021 Quintus shows considerable promise, displaying more concentration and character than the 2017, combined with appreciably lower alcohol than intervening vintages. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums, loamy soil, raw cocoa and a deft framing of new oak, it’s medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with good concentration and a seamless, complete profile. It’s a blend of around 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc from the limestone slopes.” - WILLIAM KELLEY, WINEADVOCATE DRINK: 2028 - 2046 £425 - £500 / 6BOTTLES WA92-94 CHÂTEAUCANON, 1ERGRANDCRUCLASSÉ B 67%Merlot, 33%Cabernet franc. A serious, noseof redberries, blackcurrant and minerals. Cool clean and precise. The palate is juicy and fleshy, the tannin here is firm, fine, well worked and inky giving a consequential structure which is in balance with the rich fruit character. The refreshing acidity brings a cool, savoury and red berry finish with a bit of minerality and a subtle note of spice. Very good. DRINK: 2028 - 2048 £550 - £640 / 6BOTTLES WA94-96 CHÂTEAUDEVALANDRAUD, 1ERGRANDCRU CLASSÉ B “Opening in the glass with inviting aromas of dark berries, baking chocolate, exotic spices and vanilla pod, the 2021 Valandraud is a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy wine that’s seamless and layered, exhibiting impressive concentration, beautifully ripe tannins and a long, succulent finish. Bursting with fruit, this is an especially elegant Valandraud, with below-average alcohol at 13.5%, but it doesn’t lack for anything. Tasted four times, twice at the château.” -WILLIAMKELLEY,WINEADVOCATE DRINK: 2028 - 2046 £575 - £695 / 6BOTTLES WA93-94

buy at this price level. DRINK: 2026 - 2038

£150 - £180 / 6BOTTLES

WA89-91

CHÂTEAUPAVIE-MACQUIN, 1ERGRANDCRU CLASSÉ B 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet franc, 2% Cabernet sauvignon. An exuberant nose of ripe blackberries with a bouquet garni of herbs and a good mineral character. The palate is generous in fruit with a nice solid core of blackberry and red fruit. The finish is long and has generous spicy notes. The tannin is quite grippy but rounded and ripe. Some freshness on finish and some more generous fruit. Generous, modern and well made. DRINK: 2028 - 2046 £310 - £380 / 6BOTTLES WA93-95 CHÂTEAUTROPLONG-MONDOT, 1ERGRANDCRU CLASSÉ B “The 2021 Troplong Mondot shows considerable promise, exhibiting aromas of plums and wild berries mingled with notions of sweet spices, rose petals, vine smoke and raw cocoa, followed by a medium to full-bodied, seamless palate endowed with impressive intensity and texture. Built around beautifully refined, powdery tannins and lively acids, it concludes with a long, mouthwateringly saline finish. Macerations here were long but gentle, including a long cold soak before fermentation, and the blend, after much deliberation, is 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2%Cabernet Franc. Tasted four times.” -WILLIAM

KELLEY,WINEADVOCATE DRINK: 2028 - 2046

£390 - £480 / 6BOTTLES

WA93-96

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