BORDEAUX SUPPLEMENT

ST. ESTÈPHE Northern-most of the four communes, St. Estèphe distinguishes itself from its Southern neighbour Pauillac with more clay soil beneath its gravel rises as the gravel transported by the Gironde diminishes downstream. These factors contribute to grapes higher in minerality as the roots grow deep in search of water. The Châteaux have performed well here, thriving on the excellent freshness in the wines. There were some very cold spells in spring, but Châteaux avoided the frost. Harvest started late and continued even later as the wineries waited for the grapes to reach perfect ripeness. The Merlot harvest was wrapped up at the end of September and the Cabernet was harvested between 1st and 14th October. Calon Segur and Montrose were our favourites here: Calon have made an incredibly elegant modern and poised wine whereas Montrose is more in a classic style but again blessed by an excellent freshness. The style overall is classic, with lower alcohol levels and bright juicy fruit still with the textbook minerality. St. Estèphe offers excellent chances to pick up great buys.

REDBORDEAUX

LEMARQUISDECALON-SÉGUR 58%Merlot, 42%Cabernet sauvignon. 36Hl/Ha, 17months in oak 30% new barrels. Very pretty ruby colour with a hint of red, an attractive nose of red and black fruit with a good cool mineral note. Bit of plumon this fleshy palate, a charming red fruit note and a hint of flowers. The tannin is very fine giving a light structure. The freshness is goodheremaking for an already quite approachable wine. Elegant and juicy, with that savoury finish which is quite long and ends on a serious dark tannic note. Classy and classic. DRINK: 2026 - 2036 £210 - £250 / 12 BOTTLES WA89-91 CHÂTEAULESORMESDE PEZ, CRUBOURGEOIS EXCEPTIONNEL 40% Cabernet sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 6% Cabernet franc, 5% Petit verdot. 16 months in oak 45% new barrels. Dark ruby with purple rim. A pretty perfumed nose of ripe blackberry fruit. Thepalateshowsmoreripeblackberry, blackcurrant and a bit of blue fruit. The tannin is fine and gives a little grip on the finish. Earthy and mineral, very true to St. Estèphe. The freshness is here, quite tight still so will need time but a good expression of fruit on the mid palate. A LES PAGODESDECOS 60%Merlot, 36%Cabernet sauvignon, 3%Cabernet franc, 1%Petit verdot. 35Hl/Ha, 11 months in barrel with 45% new oak. A very attractive punchy fruit driven nose. Expressive cassis and a hint of rose petal. The palate is red fruit and the tannin is very fine and ripe. The finish has quite a lot of grip from the fine but rather firm tannins. Quite attractive and unique in style with its richer approach. DRINK: 2026 - 2036 £170 - £210 / 6BOTTLES WA90-92 good effort this year. DRINK: 2026 - 2038 £110 - £130 / 6BOTTLES WA90-91

CHÂTEAUCALON-SÉGUR, 3ÈMECRU 81% Cabernet sauvignon, 11% Cabernet franc, 7% Merlot, 1% Petit verdot. 36Hl/Ha 43%of harvest used in theGrandVin, 20months in oak 100%newbarrels. An intense nose, with red and black fruit, earthy with some spice notes and a slight floral lift. The fruit on the nose is incredibly ripe. Quitemodern and showy, the palate is also very generous in juicy, fleshy fruit. The tannin is very fine and silky giving a medium body. The freshness level is very good giving a juicy finish that lingers on the red and black fruit. You wouldn’t know that it’s 100% new oak other than the slight tannic grip on the fin. Very good, bright modern and precise. DRINK: 2030 - 2050 £430 - £525 / 6BOTTLES WA95-96+ CHÂTEAUMONTROSE, 2ÈMECRU 62% Cabernet sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6 Cabernet franc, 1% Petit verdot. 38 Hl/Ha, 39% of harvest went into the grand vin. Dark deep colour. A dense Cabernet nose of leafy cassis, graphite, woodsmokewith a hint of blue fruit. The palate is really on the traditional style, lots of dark fruit with a hint of plum. The medium tannin is inky and gives firm structure and graphite notes. The finish has freshness with more very dark fruit and a hint of salinity. High points are a velvety texture and a much lower alcohol level than the last three vintages. A classic style which will please the traditionalists. DRINK: 2030 - 2050 £720 - £850 / 6BOTTLES WA94-96 CHÂTEAUCOSD’ESTOURNEL, 2ÈMECRU 64% Cabernet sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet franc, 2% Petit verdot. 18months inbarrel 55%newoak. 35Hl/Hadown just 10% on last year. A little muted on the nose but some velvety bramble fruit and cool mineral notes coming through. An attractive palate here which has lots of crunchy fruit, fine but grippy tannin giving a velvety mouth feel. A textural finish with cassis, blue fruit and herbs ending with some very firm tannins and wood smoke notes. Chewy tannins to finish. DRINK: 2033 - 2048 £800 - £995 6BOTTLES WA94-95 The 2021 Cos D’Estournel is “medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless palate that’s impressively vibrant and concentrated.” - WILLIAMKELLEY,WINEADVOCATE

7

Farthinghoe Fine Wine Ltd FARTHINGHOEFINEWINE.COM

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator