VM-92
2018 Chateau Laroque Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"The 2018 Laroque fulfills the promise it showed from barrel last year. It has an irresistible bouquet of layered black cherry and blueberry fruit, fresh and lively with beautifully integrated oak.... The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity and a spicy, black-pepper-tinged finish that feels ever so slightly attenuated. Give this 3–4 years in bottle if you can." 92 pts., Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2001 Chateau Clerc Milon 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 12x75cl
"The 2001 Clerc Milon has a lovely bouquet that puts the 2000 in its place with exuberant black cherry and bilberry fruit, estuarine scents and hints of orange blossom and iodine. Wonderful! The... medium-bodied palate offers succulent tannins and vibrant red berry fruit laced with white pepper and cedar. Very harmonious, with impressive weight toward the finish. This is cruising at its peak, and given this showing, it will continue to offer great pleasure. One to seek out." 92 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£900 / Case£75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Chateau Ormes de Pez Saint Estephe Cru Bourgeois 6x75cl
£105 / Case£17.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Chateau Ormes de Pez, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"The 2019 Ormes de Pez is laced with savory herbs, leather, licorice, tobacco, dark fruit and expressive earthy undertones. There is good breadth and plenty of personality leading into the grippy finish. Drink this potent, pleasantly rustic Saint-Estèphe over the next decade or so." 91 pts., Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£107 / Case£17.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2017 Kanonkop, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 6x75cl
£180 per case of 6 bottles IB
"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has a glorious, feisty bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberry and cassis aromas that burst from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with... supple tannins, a silky-smooth texture and a cohesive, polished finish that is irresistible. Simply a top-class Cabernet Sauvignon." 92 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£180 / Case£30 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Croix Canon, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"The 2018 Croix Canon is a total pleasure to taste today. Sumptuous and inviting, with so much appeal, Croix Canon is a fabulous wine to drink now and over the next decade, maybe more. Soft curves,... silky tannins and pliant fruit give the 2018 so much charm. Dark plum, spice, new leather, rose petal and mint all wrap around the juicy finish. In a word: exquisite." 92 pts., Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£150 / Case£25 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Chateau Langoa Barton 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"The 2018 Langoa Barton is succulent and racy right out of the gate. Inky red fruit, sweet floral notes, cedar and spice all mesh together effortlessly. This mid-weight, pliant Saint-Julien is every bit as seductive as it was from barrel." 92 pts., Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£210 / Case£35 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Chateau Berliquet Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"The 2019 Berliquet has a refined bouquet of lifted dried iris petal scents mingling with blackberry and wild strawberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins and fleshy red berry... fruit laced with tobacco and Chinese five-spice, and very well proportioned and detailed on the finish. Sophisticated. Tasted twice." 91 pts., Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£222 / Case£37 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Future Arrival 2019 Carillon d’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"The 2019 Le Carillon d'Angélus, bottled in May 2021, has a delineated, poised bouquet of those same aromas that I observed from the barrel sample bottle – black cherries, raspberry and iris... petals– though with a very slight marine influence that becomes more accentuated with time. The fresh palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainier tannins compared to last year, fine grip and a touch of black pepper toward the finish. This is a very fine Deuxième Vin that should drink well after 3–4 years... " 92 pts. Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£336 / Case£56 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur