DE-96
2023 Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"Dark purple colour with violet hue and almost black core. Very densely woven nose with aroma reminiscent of blackcurrants, blackcurrant spurs, ripe blackberries and elderberries, fine toasting,... subtle oak. A wine with elegance, purity and great freshness, precision and purity. On the palate well balanced with ripe tannins, finely grained, complemented by juicy fruit quoting the nose, excellent structure and length. Another great Batailley." 96 pts., Markus del Monego MW, MS
"Beautiful fruit with currants and blackberries, as well as notes of walnuts and chocolate. So much blackberry fruit here. Aromatic. Medium- to full-bodied with very fine tannins on the deep and structured palate. Racy and long finish. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 2% petit verdot."
95-96 pts., James Suckling., www.jamessuckling.com
£162 / Case£27 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 6x75cl
"Toasted oak, lanolin, honeyed caramel, lemon zest and red apple peel on both the nose and palate. This has an unctuosity, a richness to the texture giving beautiful honeyed lemon touches with... Semillon fatness and intensity from the Sauvignon. It’s sleeping a little right now, feels as if it’s calm and quiet, not yet ready to show the world what it’s about but you do get a precision and detail along the edges, a real sculpting of elements. I love the presentation, such a success for the vintage, excellent winemaking on show. It's the soft vibration you get as the flavours travel from start to finish that is so promising - a lot of life and immense enjoyment to come from this." 96 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£635 / Case£105.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate