2018
2018 Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"Suave and sophisticated, the 2018 Pichon Boron is a real heod-turner. Silky, polished tannins wrap oround a core of inky dark red/purplish berry fruit. More than anything else, the 2018 impresses... for its exceptionol balance. All the elements are so impeccably balanced. That will make the 2018 eosy to drink relatively early, olthough my preference would be to leave it in the cellor for the better part of the next decade. Rose petal, spice, blood orange and mint add brightness and perfume on the long, finely-knit finish." 97 pts., Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
£700.02 / Case£116.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Penfolds, Grange, South Australia 6x75cl
"This wine comes with high expectations—as does the vintage. The 2018 vintage across South Australia (and cheekily, we could probably extend the accolade to all of Australia) was excellent. It was... warm, but without incident, and responsible for powerfully ripe, serious wines. Many producers made some of their best wines in this vintage. So here, to the 2018 Grange: there is spiced raspberry, lashings of salted licorice, red curry paste, layers of forest berries, rendered lamb fat and crushed pink peppercorns to start. In the mouth, the tannins close around the fruit with the same polish and seamlessness as the 2008, possibly the 2004? Very different vintages, but there is a textural similarity for me. This is polished and glossy and so very pretty. It contains 3% Cabernet Sauvignon this year, and 69% Barossa, 18% McLaren Vale and the balance from Clare Valley. Each of the regions brings with it its own characteristics. Barossa brings the red dirt, blood, deli meat and rust. McLaren Vale brings the plush purple fruits with a side of meat and licorice. Clare brings the polish, the opulence and the velvet texture. With their powers combined, this is an extraordinary Grange. One of the true greats, which will only get better as it ages." 99 pts., Erin Larkin, robertparker.com
£2,175 / Case£362.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena Zapata, Mendoza 6x75cl
“... The results are breath-taking. Purple in the glass with garnet flecks, this wine delivers layers of aroma, beginning with black currant and moving on to intense, precise notes of lavender and... mint along with hints of black tea, sage and cigar box. In the mouth, austerity vies for supremacy with sheer power, a balance overseen by polished, grippy tannins placed into relief by a well-judged freshness that keeps the whole package light on its feet. This is a wine of tension foregrounded by the blend: the Malbec smooths out the Cabernet Sauvignon, which in turn brings energy to a red with an extremely long finish.” 96 points, Joaquín Hidalgo, www.vinous.com
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2018 Domaine de Chevalier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 12x75cl
"A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 35% new, the 2018 Domaine de Chevalier has a deep garnet-purple color, pouncing... out of the glass with energetic scents of crushed blackcurrants, fresh, juicy blackberries and ripe plums, with suggestions of crushed rocks, bay leaves, unsmoked cigars and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with muscular black fruits, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long and mineral laced. Give it another 4 years in bottle to flesh out and drink it over the next 25+ years." 95+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com [31/03/2021]
£650 / Case£54.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois 12x75cl
£125 / Case£10.42 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Chateau Siran Margaux 6x75cl
£130 / Case£21.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Kanonkop, Paul Sauer, Stellenbosch 6x75cl
"Inky crimson, almost black at the core. Dark, spicy, intense, powerful but introverted now. Concentrated black fruit, lovely depth and muscular richness but without being a body-builder wine. As it... opens in the glass, peppery with pure cassis and just a tiny and attractive hint of leafiness. Even a touch of violets, which is unusual on a wine dominated by the Cabernets. Chewy, long and satisfying. Dark-chocolate aftertaste. Powerful, unreconstructed, classic. Big but all beautifully in harmony. Great length. " 17.5 pts., Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Chateau les Gravieres Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
£99 / Case£16.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Paul Jaboulet Aine, Hermitage, La Maison Bleue 3x150cl
£270 / Case£90 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2018 G.D. Vajra, Barolo, Bricco delle Viole 6x75cl
"The 2018 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is not super intense, but it is balanced in its own way. The wine is subdued but complete with softly yielding tannins to support an elegantly streamlined... mouthfeel. Bricco delle Viole is a high and cool growing site in Barolo at 400 to 480 meters in elevation with characteristic Sant'Agata marl soils with fossils. The wine represents a selection of fruit from over seven hectares. With fermentation in steel tank and aging in large Slavonian oak, you are invited to a silky, lifted and beautifully delicate experience with an accessible personality."
95 points, Monica Larner, www.robertparker.com
£345 / Case£57.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 G.D. Vajra, Barolo, Albe 6x75cl
"Lovely Nebbiolo aromas of rose, violet, red berry and botanical herb shape the fragrant nose. Smooth and savory, the elegant palate features juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and cake spice... alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It's already drinking beautifully but also promises years of pleasure. Enjoy through 2030." 94 pts., Kerin O'Keefe, 9/1/2022
£170 / Case£28.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Giovanni Almondo, Roero, Bric Valdiana 6x75cl
The Almondo family have been in Piedmont for the past 600 years, yet their foray into winemaking only dates to 1980 when Domenico came up with an ambitious plan to create top quality wine from their... family vineyard. The result is superb, and the Roero Bric is a Nebbiolo-based red cuvée that will age beautifully and represents a stunning value alternative to the more famous names across the Tanaro river, Barbaresco or Barolo. The 2021 exhibits tell-tale floral and sweet yet crunchy red cherry aromatics, with hints of peppery spice. Lovely mouthfill and power, this is very pleasant now and will improve for the next 5 to 7 years. (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£160 / Case£26.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 M. Chapoutier, Hermitage, Chante-Alouette 6x75cl
"Looks quite deep gold and old! There was a very mature note on palate entry but then this was followed up by a distinctively green-fruit streak running through it – doubtless evidence of the... unusual ageing pattern of white Hermitage. I would hold on to it for a while now, though it was probably pretty winning at two years old." 17 pts., Jancis Robinson
£230 / Case£38.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Benjamin Leroux, Volnay Premier Cru, Les Mitans 6x75cl
"Dark-fruited and elegant nose. A touch peppery but with a dark restraint at the moment. Sweeter fruited on the palate than on the nose, creamy texture, caressing and round but with lovely freshness. Juicy but dry at the same time, terrific freshness and persistence in a baby wine." Julia Harding MW, 11/19, 17 pts.
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Fay, Napa Valley 6x75cl
"From the famous site that kicked off a revolution in Napa Cabernet, this wine is aromatic in cedar, earth and sage. Robust and generously concentrated in berry, cherry and cassis, it is complex, structured and velvety smooth, the tannins supple and supportive, unfurling slowly in the glass." Virginie Boone, 98pts.
£660 / Case£110 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 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 2018 Domaine Rossignol-Trapet, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru, Petite Chapelle 6x75cl
£360 / Case£60 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru, La Perriere 6x75cl
£360 / Case£60 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Paul Jaboulet Aine Cote Rotie Domaine des Pierrelles 6x75cl
£270 / Case£45 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Petite Chapelle La Maison Bleue 6x75cl
£260 / Case£43.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Paul Jaboulet Aine Saint-Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes 6x75cl
£140 / Case£23.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Domaine Michel Magnien, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 6x75cl
"From 3 plots, two in Monts Luisants and one in Fremières. Richer purple, consistent with the touch of oxidation showing in this sample. Tougher stuff on the palate, definitely serge rather than silk, tannins integrate well though and this should come through. There is a dense aftertaste for certain." 91-95 pts., Jasper Morris MW
£950 / Case£158.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Future Arrival 2018 Chateau Montlandrie, Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux 6x75cl
A superb wine from the stable of Denis Durantou from the well-regarded Cotes de Castillon. St-Emilion in style from the limestone soil and the grape mix, as well as the winemaking - Denis also owns Chateau l'Eglise-Clinet in nearby Pomerol.
£97.50 / Case£16.25 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
The 2018 Batailley, matured in 60% new oak, is almost identical on the nose as I found it in barrel, decked out with attractive black cherries and cassis notes, the cedar element a little heightened... and freshly rolled tobacco notes developing with aeration. Very fine delineation here, and the oak is well integrated. The balanced palate offers fine tannins that frame the blackberry and bilberry fruit. The salinity comes through nicely on the finish, which is less silky than before, but it waves adieu with a long spicy aftertaste. Very fine and very Batailley. 93 pts., Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£202.50 / Case£33.75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate