JA-93
2020 Chateau La Pointe, Pomerol 6x75cl
One of the best offers of en primeur ‘20 and indeed an estate well on the up. Such that when a particular vintage renders the Right Bank the best merlot it has seen in living memory, La Pointe is... doubtless worthy of serious consideration for your drinking collection. 76% merlot, 24% cabernet franc. The vintage 2020 is just magnificent in Pomerol generally and at Château La Pointe in particular. We had rarely seen such fantastic Merlots : beautifully ripe yet not heavy, the fruit was vibrant. As for the Cabernet Francs, they were simply perfect! The 2020 vintage combines the opulence of the 2018 and the elegance of the 2019.
£180 / Case£30 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2022 Alter Ego de Palmer Margaux 6x75cl
"Dense fruits, violet reflections, with a hit of iris, peony and roses. This is a serious wine, with intense phenolics and full extraction that just walks the line, edges of ripe cassis, fig, saffran... spice, cocoa bean, grilled campfire notes, dark bitter chocolate and fennel. High drama, maintains estate signature, keeping its own imprint and personality. Harvest September 7 right through to October 5. Blend done by December, yield 23hl/h. 3.73ph. Thomas Duroux director." 92 points, jane Anson, www.janeanson.com
£402 / Case£67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Cantemerle 5eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc 6x75cl
"The finest wine this estate has produced in some time is the 2022 Cantemerle, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that bursts from the glass with... aromas of sweet blackberries, violets, rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an enveloping core of sweet, perfumed fruit framed by supple tannin, it concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. The pH is a very healthy 3.6 this year, and yields were low at 29 hectoliters per hectare."
92-94 pts, William Kelley, www.robertparker.com
£133 / Case£22.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Chasse-Spleen, Moulis en Medoc 6x75cl
"Beautifully poised and well delivered black fruits here, and this is excellent quality, unusual spices of sweet cinnamon, vanilla bean, turmeric, gourmet edging, with depth and tannic grip. Great... stuff, flashes of heat, but a ton of personality, and serious architecture that promises to age well. 40% new oak barrels for ageing. Now contains part of the vines from newly-purchased Château Brillette, with good quality Cabernet Sauvignon from gravel terroir, in place as of this 2022 blend vintage."
93 pts, Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com
£147 / Case£24.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Cantemerle 5eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc 3x150cl
"The finest wine this estate has produced in some time is the 2022 Cantemerle, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that bursts from the glass with... aromas of sweet blackberries, violets, rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an enveloping core of sweet, perfumed fruit framed by supple tannin, it concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. The pH is a very healthy 3.6 this year, and yields were low at 29 hectoliters per hectare."
92-94 pts, William Kelley, www.robertparker.com
£150 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur