St-Emilion
First officially classified in 1954, St Emilion is one of Bordeaux's largest winemaking appellations, producing more wine than Listrac, Moulis, St Estèphe, Pauillac, St Julien and Margaux combined. Many of the region's finest vineyards can be found atop the steep limestone slopes of the village itself, although a fledgling band of garagiste producers are eschewing terroir to make small-batch, deeply-concentrated wines from their homes.
St Emilion is one of Bordeaux's largest producing appellations, producing more wine than Listrac, Moulis, St Estèphe, Pauillac, St Julien and Margaux put together. St Emilion has been producing wine for longer than the Médoc but its lack of accessibility to Bordeaux's port and market-restricted exports to mainland Europe meant the region initially did not enjoy the commercial success that funded the great châteaux of the Left Bank.
St Emilion itself is the prettiest of Bordeaux's wine towns, perched on top of the steep limestone slopes upon which many of the region's finest vineyards are situated. However, more than half of the appellation's vineyards lie on the plain between the town and the Dordogne River on sandy, alluvial soils with a sprinkling of gravel.
Further diversity is added by a small, complex gravel bed to the north-east of the region on the border with Pomerol. Atypically for St Emilion, this allows Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon to prosper and defines the personality of the great wines such as Ch. Cheval Blanc.
In the early 1990s there was an explosion of experimentation and evolution, leading to the rise of the garagistes, producers of deeply-concentrated wines made in very small quantities and offered at high prices. The appellation is also surrounded by four satellite appellations, Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin and St. Georges, which enjoy a family similarity but not the complexity of the best wines.
St Emilion was first officially classified in 1954, and is the most meritocratic classification system in Bordeaux, as it is regularly amended. The most recent revision of the classification was in 2012
Prices:
Bottle
£22.50
Bottle 12 x 75cl 225cs
Bottle
£27.50
Bottle 12 x 75cl 21cs
Simon Staples, Asia Director
Bottle
£29.50
Bottle 12 x 75cl 10cs
Now entering its eagerly-awaited prime, this strikes a perfect balance between classicism and fruit-driven approachability. Laroque is a sizeable estate, but less than half of its 61 hectares is deemed worthy of inclusion in this, the Grand Vin. It's a blend of 87 percent Merlot and 11 percent Cabernet Franc, with just a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon, from the estate's older vines, which are overlooked by one of the Right Bank's most equisite chateau.
Will Heslop - BBR Buyer
Bottle
£32.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 390cs
Ripe and forward with all the rigour of this great château, “No.3” is ideally suited to a Sunday dinner table groaning with friends and roast beef. A quick decant is advisable, but this St Emilion will reward accordingly.
Bottle
£34.50
Bottle 12 x 75cl 22cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 10cs
Its owners describe this tiny 2.3-hectare vineyard as their garden – and it’s tended with a meticulousness worthy of the Chelsea Flower Show. Clos de la Madeleine 2010, a blend of 76 percent Merlot and 24 percent Cabernet Franc, exhibits all the class of the vintage, with lush tannins and fresh acidity. Complex yet harmonious at seven-years-old.
Will Heslop, Buyer. Berry Bros. & Rudd
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate #227, Oct 2016
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 6cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 4cs
Classic St Emilion, this is already displaying some very appealing maturity. The wine glows a profound ruby in the glass, only breaking at the rim. Aromas of dried fruit and mocha signal depth, while the palate – generous and benevolent – offers spicy red fruits, a silky texture and well smoothed-out tannins.
Bottle
£72.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl 7cs
Bottle
£72.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl 9cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 5cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 9cs
Like all the top Right banks there is such perfect balance of textured fruit, freshness and delicate touch of oak. There is a finesse and minerality to the palate with length and freshness to the finish. It is top drawer St Emilion and a perfect counter to the two previous vintages.
Hong Kong Fine Wine Team
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 6cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 41cs
A masculine, yet ultimately feminine beauty in perfect equilibrium, harmony, power and grace. Please, please just make it affordable for us mere mortals this year. Simply magnificent.
Simon Staples, Berrys’ Fine Wine Director
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 100cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 5cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 13cs
Hong Kong Fine Wine Team
I love the weight to this wine thanks to the soft and buttery Merlot and 30 year old vines. The fruit is succulent with a richness we have come to expect from Chateau Canon. Patience is required but you will be rewarded with elegance, freshness and a brightness of fruit. 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.
Laura Atkinson, Private Account Manager
Case price (Magnum 3 x 150cl)
Magnum 3 x 150cl 3cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 2cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 8cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Max Lalondrelle - Fine Wine Buying Director
Case price (Bottle 3 x 75cl)
Bottle 3 x 75cl 15cs
Case price (Bottle 3 x 75cl)
Bottle 3 x 75cl 8cs
Bottle 3 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 3 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 3 x 75cl 3cs
Bottle 3 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle
£395.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Robert Parker - Bordeaux 4th Edition - Feb 2002
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Salmanaz. 1 x 900cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
The 2014 vintage of our own St Emilion comes from a marvellous Grand Cru property managed by Alain Vauthier, co-owner of Ch. Ausone. A predominantly Merlot blend, this is a delicious example of the region from the team at Ch. Fonbel.
The nose is bursting with bramble fruit and mocha notes, while the palate is rich, velvety and absolutely seamless. This will age well for a year or two, but is drinking beautifully now. Match it to roast lamb, a rib of beef and fine, hard cheeses.