4eme Cru Classe
2014 Chateau Beychevelle 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
“The 2014 Beychevelle has a very comely, pure bouquet with heightened dark cherry, blackcurrant and wilted violet scents rendering it almost more Margaux-like than Saint Julien. The palate is... medium-bodied, svelte in texture with light tannin. It is a nimble Beychevelle, light on its feet with wonderful freshness and tension towards the finish. This is a very well-crafted wine from Philippe Blanc and his team, a St. Julien that is nimble on its toes.” 92 pts., Neal Martin, robertparker.com
£485 / Case£80.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2009 Chateau Marquis de Terme 4eme Cru Classe, Margaux 12x75cl
£600 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Chateau Branaire-Ducru 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
£230 / Case£38.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2021 Chateau Talbot 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"Spearmint and blackcurrants on the nose with some gorgeous perfume too. Excellent intensity of blackcurrant juice, not fleshy, more linear and direct, the lightness of flavour balancing with fine,... just gripping tannins that also offer touches of tobacco and toasted spice flavours. It's overall quite a delicate and well worked wine for the vintage, with gentle fruit persistence and a lifted finish. Will no doubt round out over ageing, giving more density to the really beautifully presented floral-touched bramble fruit. Elegance and class; promising indeed." 93 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£234 / Case£39 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 Chateau Saint-Pierre 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"This is excellent, really the most gorgeous balance of power, with dark blueberry juicy fruits and lots of liquorice. Excellent balance and a seductive overall frame. Great stuff - the tannins are pretty fierce though, needs time, will reward ageing." 94 pts., Jane Anson, decanter.com
£231 / Case£38.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2018 Chateau Marquis de Terme 4eme Cru Classe, Margaux 6x75cl
"The 2018 Marquis de Terme is pliant, racy and inviting. Silky tannins and plush, forward fruit add to the wine's undeniable appeal and sense of immediacy. Although not especially complex, this racy,... fruity Margaux has a ton to offer. Best of all, it will drink well with minimal cellaring. Tasted two times." 90-93 pts., Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£186 / Case£31 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 Chateau Branaire-Ducru 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
St-Julien 4ème Cru Château Branaire-Ducru is situated in the extreme south of the appellation just opposite an equally renowned Chateau Beychevelle and is appreciated for the Left Bank’s more... ethereal expressions of Cabernet-led cuvées.
With the late owner Patrick Maroteaux’s extensive technical improvements introduced over the past twenty years at the chateau, Branaire-Ducru ranks indisputably among Saint-Julien's finest.
The 2020 is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, grown in 60 Ha of deep, gravelly soil, having spent 16-20 months in 60-65% new oak. Fresh raspberry, red currant and graphite abound, with a well-defined, grippy structure that delivers chiselled, sweet and bitter blackberry on the finish.
£186 / Case£31 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 Chateau Duhart-Milon 4eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
A lovely earthiness with nuances of cigar and tobacco leaf, forest floor, pepper corn and sweet red currant. Medium-bodied, elegant, silky and fresh, with a beautiful symmetry and balance, along with... freshness, length and purity in the fruits, this is a top vintage for the chateau. 2020 Duhart-Milon is a blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot, and the first vintage made in the new cellars, which for the first time allow for parcel by parcel vinification.
£342 / Case£57 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 Chateau Talbot 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
As Chateau Talbot’s third vintage under the direction of Jean-Michel Laporte (ex-La Conseillante) overlapped a trio of consecutive great years in Bordeaux, there was every indication that his 2020... would create as much anticipation as his 18’s and 19’s. That expectation was fully justified with the refinement and elegance this St Julien gem continues show.
A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, the vintage shows a floral and fruit spectrum on the nose, with blackcurrant, berry and cassis; lifted, concentrated and fresh, its palate is expansive with a delicious lick of minerality, one whose elegance is matched only by a terrific length.
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur