DE-96
2020 Chateau Haut-Brion, Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 3x75cl
"A blend of 71.4% Sauvignon Blanc and 28.6% Semillon, harvested 20th to 27th August and with an alcohol of 13.9%, the 2020 Haut-Brion Blanc slowly unfurls to reveal notes of fresh pears, spiced apple... slices, orange zest and lemongrass, plus touches of wet pebbles, dillseed and baking bread. The medium-bodied palate wears its lightly spicy apple and pear layers with grace and sophistication, supported by a racy backbone and subtly creamy texture, finishing long and mineral laced. It will need time, but there's no doubting it's a knock-out." Drink 2028-2045. 95-97+ pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 Domaine Vieux Telegraphe, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rouge 6x75cl
65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault and others. Cask sample.
Spicy, rather funky character on the nose. Sweet fruit but there is a hint of astringency here which takes away from... the whole. Acidity quite forward. Berry fruit on the palate. Firm tannins, less immediately appealing than many a 2020 Châteauneuf. 15.5+ pts., www.jancisrobinson.com
£235 / Case£39.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2015 La Rioja Alta, Vina Arana Gran Reserva, Rioja 6x75cl
Deep, dark crimson colour with an elegant garnet robe. The nose reveals a wide variety of aromas: red fruit, plums, blackberries and blueberries with subtle notes of pastry, coffee, caramel, cedar,... vanilla and cinnamon creating a fruity and balsamic bouquet. Balanced alcohol and acidity on the palate, with polished, supple tannins that contribute to its refined structure and fresh, delicate mouthfeel, as well as a long, lingering finish.
£168 / Case£28 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2021 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"Gorgeous deep pink purple rim to the glass. The nose is bright and intense, heady with perfumed aromatics and edges of graphite, cocoa and sweet red cherries. Such clarity on the palate, excellent... tension from the get go with beautifully expressed cherry and strawberry fruit that has a soft, ripe fleshy core. The tannins are fine but plentiful, coating the mouth providing the structure and frame. This has such a sense of quiet confidence - it's not shouting so much but gently showing off its many layers of fruit, acidity, minerality and freshness. This really grows on you, expanding and deepening as the flavours travel across the palate, coming in waves. Understated and introverted at the moment but still harmonious and classy. I love it." 96 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£2,550 / Case£425 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2021 Chateau Rauzan-Segla 2eme Cru Classe, Margaux 6x75cl
"A showstopper of a wine for me in 2021. Wonderful aromatic intensity on the nose filled with perfumed fruits, chocolate and wild flowers. Gorgeous clarity and precision, the tannins are fine and... powdery supporting the vibrant and energetic purple and black fruit; zingy blackcurrant, strawberry, cherry and plum with an overall creamy chalky texture and grip. Elegant and glamorous - so much styling on show, it feels polished and pristine with clear markings from the terroir but no harshness or austerity just great acidity and liveliness. Such mouthwatering salivation and lift at the end making you want another glass just to taste it again. Tasted twice and both times I loved it. Pure and precise with everything you want from a 2021." 96 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£360 / Case£60 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2021 Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"Beautiful and beguiling nose, perfumed blackcurrants and dark fruits; damsons, plums, raspberries and rose petals. Lovely crunchy fruit, real bite and presence in the mouth. Excellent precision,... tannins are succulent and ripe they fill the mouth with a juicy, intense granular texture. There is such depth to this - perfume, tobacco, earth, violets and concentrated fruits that have a verticality to them with an unprecedented 98% of Cabernet Sauvignon providing the support and the backbone. There is a crystalline purity to the fruit giving tension to the overall frame, it’s focussed and driven all with excellent definition. This is not a wallflower of a wine - it’s charming and confident, strutting its stuff right now and giving you absolut St-Julien terroir and vintage markers in the glass with slate, graphite and liquorice salinity on show. Skilled winemaking on show." 96 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£954 / Case£159 / 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: En Primeur 2020 Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
Ever known for its plush, ripe, pure and concentrated signature style, the 2020 upholds Poyferré’s consistency in producing one outstanding vintage after another: polished, silky, luscious, with... layers of textured fruit that follow an intoxicating nose of incense, smoked berry, cassis and tobacco leaf. Its finish is as seamless as it is intense, with an expanding freshness across the palate.
With 2021 completing 20 exemplary years under the expertise of the Cuvelier family, the 2020 vintage marks the occasion with a gold-etched, commemorative label. An exclusive bottle to enhance a special collection.
£432 / Case£72 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur