St Julien
St Julien is the smallest of the ‘Big Four’ Médoc communes although, without any First Growths, it is recognised to be the most consistent of the main communes with many châteaux turning out impressive wines year after year. The wines can be judged as much by texture as flavour, and there is a sleek, wholesome character to the best. At their very finest they combine Margaux’s elegance and refinement with Pauillac’s power and substance.
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
Ready, but will keep,
This is the first vintage of our own-label St Julien to be made by Ch. Léoville-Las Cases, one of the finest properties in Bordeaux. Broodingly deep, dark and glossy in the glass, it has a ripe nose of black cherries, crème de cassis and cedar wood. The full-bodied palate is laden with pure blackcurrant fruit, wood-smoke and has a long, complex finish. A blend of 63 percent Merlot and 37 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, the superb 2016 vintage will repay a year or two in the cellar, but is hard to resist now.
Chateau Talbot,
For laying down,
A very solid performer both in terms of quality and pricing. It is very difficult to find any cheap back vintage of Ch. Talbot and when we do it is always at a higher price that release. The 2014 made under the watchful eyes of the famous consultant Stephane Derenoncourt is a stunner. Blackcurrant and cherries on the nose with a touch of cedar, one of the most focused and fresh wine of the appellation, lovely concentration and depth on the palate, bags of black fruits in the middle and and excellent finish with firm but ripe tannins. Serious and structured it will provide customers with generous fresh early drinking while having all the ingredients for long term cellaring. Definitely one to watch.
Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director/Bordeaux Buyer
Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director/Bordeaux Buyer
Chateau Leoville Poyferre,
Ready, but will keep,
The Second Wine of the remarkable Ch. Poyferré, this always amazes. It is dense on the nose with lots of currants and is very pure and intense. On the palate there is lovely, crunchy fruit and, again, lots of currants, with great intensity, balance, firm but ripe tannins and a long finish. This is a fantastic little wine for drinking over the next 15 years and will definitely be one for my cellar.
(59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot)
Max Lalondrelle, Bordeaux Wine Buyer
(59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot)
Max Lalondrelle, Bordeaux Wine Buyer
For laying down,
This Fourth Growth St Julien estate has been performing consistently well for the past several vintages and 2014 is no exception. The nose is pretty, attractively perfumed, fresh and expressive. The palate is dominated by rich, fleshy fruit. There is a purity here, great precision and ripe tannins which grip, and offer an intense focus. High acidity, complexity and a persistence on the finish suggest this wine has excellent potential for aging. Elegant and fine, it is a wine that the château can be proud of. Bravo indeed.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
Patrick Maroteau's excellent 2015 from this Fourth Growth estate shows a real purity, with great precision and ripe tannins that grip and offer an intense focus. The rich, fresh, spicy nose of damsons and blackberry fruit oozes class. There is precision here, a polish – quite simply harmonious.
The wine tastes glorious, just as great wine should taste: crunchy pure and fresh fruit, high acidity, silky ripe tannins and nice balance. This is a triumphant wine, with a typical and classic blend for this great estate, and phenomenal length. It is a wine that the château can be proud of. Really elegant and one of our favourites, it's a must-buy this year.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
The wine tastes glorious, just as great wine should taste: crunchy pure and fresh fruit, high acidity, silky ripe tannins and nice balance. This is a triumphant wine, with a typical and classic blend for this great estate, and phenomenal length. It is a wine that the château can be proud of. Really elegant and one of our favourites, it's a must-buy this year.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
Ch. Saint-Pierre is one of the smaller and lesser known properties within the appellation of St Julien. The 2015 brims with juicy red and black forest fruit, while the palate has a savoury twist of graphite. Full-bodied and flavoursome, this displays ripe, firm tannins and refreshingly crunchy fruit on the finish.
Chateau Gruaud Larose,
For laying down,
This is an abnormally luscious and seductive wine for Gruaud Larose; especiallysurprising in a vintage like 2006. The powerful, spicy dark fruit nose withhints of violets acts as a highly enticing welcome. But, fear not, alongsidethe abundant, creamy, blackberry and strawberry fruit it has good tannic grip,freshness and lots of breed and elegance, in that typically chunky GruaudLarose way. Manager David Launay was ruthless with his selection, using only45% of his crop for this wine. The result is very satisfying, providing onceagain an irresistible combination of value and quality.
Simon Staples - Fine Wine Director - Jun-07
Simon Staples - Fine Wine Director - Jun-07
Ready, but will keep,
Branaire-Ducru continues to enhance its reputation as one of the hottest estates in Bordeaux. Its 2006 is wonderfully sophisticated and stylish with great precision and elegance. It is sexy too in its own smouldering restrained way. A rich, spicy fruitcake nose is followed by fresh, floral, creamy red and black fruit with a dash of pepper. The tannins come thundering in at the finish, accompanied by another wave of concentrated morello cherry fruit. In the hierarchy of things this is as good as the Pichons, not as good as Léoville-Poyferré but probably better than Léoville-Barton.
For laying down,
Only 8000 cases a year are produced from this St Julien wine property and, for me, it is one of the best estates in this commune, just below the likes of Las Cases and Ducru Beaucaillou. From 2004 onwards this estate has outperformed most of its peers, and the last three vintages have been mesmerising.
The 2010 shows some intense cassis and plums on the nose and huge amounts of freshly-crushed black fruit on the palate. It has a remarkable balance between fruit and acidity, and the tannins stretch all the way across the palate and into the finish. This is one of the wines of the week.
Max Lalondrelle, Bordeaux Wine Buyer
The 2010 shows some intense cassis and plums on the nose and huge amounts of freshly-crushed black fruit on the palate. It has a remarkable balance between fruit and acidity, and the tannins stretch all the way across the palate and into the finish. This is one of the wines of the week.
Max Lalondrelle, Bordeaux Wine Buyer
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
Drink now,
Commonly thought to be the second wine of Léoville-Las Cases, Clos du Marquis is actually a vineyard separate to the main estate, a little further inland adjoining Léoville-Poyferré and Léoville-Barton. However, the wine is made by the team at Las Cases so, if not a second wine, it is certainly a mini-Léoville-Las Cases. The 2000 is now at its peak maturity. The bouquet is warm and mellow, with subtle notes of tobacco and cedar. Its meltingly soft tannins are supported by a suave, velvety texture. The wine should be decanted to separate any sediment, but only just before service; its beguiling maturity has no need of further aeration. Drink now to 2022.
Chateau Gruaud Larose,
Ready, but will keep,
Surprisingly accessible as well as supple, this 2001 St.-Julien reveals a deep plum/purple color along with a rich bouquet of smoke, roasted vegetables, black currants, plums, licorice, and Asian spices. Velvety-textured and medium-bodied, with loads of fruit, and a plump, expansive, plush texture, this is an atypically forward Gruaud Larose to drink now and over the next 12-14 years.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Jun-2004)
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Jun-2004)
Chateau Beychevelle,
Ready, but will keep,
The enigmatic Philippe Blanc, director of Ch. Beychevelle, was in fine humour when we visited him to taste his 2008 Grand Vin. This estate just gets better and better and Philippe’s sunny disposition was a reflection of the bright fruit shining out of his wine. The round, plump, fleshy feel of 47% Merlot certainly comes across with opulent notes of ripe morello cherries but 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc add to its darker side and provide an elegant backbone. This is well balanced and rewarding: a fine achievement.
Chateau Gruaud Larose,
Drink now,
Bottles of this product are discounted by 30%. Price shown includes saving.
Ch. Gruaud Larose is a Deuxième Cru Classé property that produces one of St Julien's most full-bodied and long-lived wines. Sometimes tannic and ungainly in youth, with bottle-age the wines become marvellously harmonious, developing complex and beguiling characteristics of concentrated black fruits, cedar, spices and liquorice.
Deeply coloured, massively structured, with ample mature tannins, spicy oak and tobacco-scented dark berry fruit. A wine of undisputed ageing potential, this is drinking gloriously now.
Ch. Gruaud Larose is a Deuxième Cru Classé property that produces one of St Julien's most full-bodied and long-lived wines. Sometimes tannic and ungainly in youth, with bottle-age the wines become marvellously harmonious, developing complex and beguiling characteristics of concentrated black fruits, cedar, spices and liquorice.
Deeply coloured, massively structured, with ample mature tannins, spicy oak and tobacco-scented dark berry fruit. A wine of undisputed ageing potential, this is drinking gloriously now.
Chateau Leoville Poyferre,
For laying down,
This was, in my view, the best wine made in St Julien this year, at least until I tasted Léoville-Las Cases later on the same day, and even then it was a close-run thing. Poyferré always seems to have succulence on the palate which is almost sensual and, despite the record level of tannin, it is there again this year. The bouquet is complex, redolent of hedgerow fruits with hints of red berries alongside, and a key feature here is the wonderful persistence of flavour along with the very fine-grained tannins. It is wonderfully fresh and yet another in a long string of successful wines from this estate.
(61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc)
(61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc)
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
For laying down,
This property seem to be able to deliver exceptional wines whatever the weather due to arguably one of the best terroir in Bordeaux and a dedicated wine making team who is adverse to trends and do not manufacture their wines. This year is no exception, the nose is intense and layered with cassis and blackberries. Once on the palate the power and drive is instant, covering all parts with meaty, powerful black fruits. The length is firm and focused but the tannins are very ripe. This vintage will open up quite quickly but with such power and balance this is also built for the long term.
Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director
Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
For laying down,
One of several highlights of 2008, Ch. Léoville-Las Cases is an example of how brilliant St Julien can be in a good year. Interestingly it was also virtually the only estate in the Left Bank where Cabernet Franc really seemed to work in 2008 and the successful addition of a heady 12% in this blend adds a voluptuous perfume to the 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Intensely concentrated with dense blackcurrant cassis, vanilla, a creamy texture and tannins which are linear but softened by a massive coating of black fruit, this is most definitely a must-buy wine this vintage.
Chateau Leoville Poyferre,
Ready, but will keep,
I have had this wine three times out of bottle, rating it 97 once and 98 twice. It is a colossal success and a potential legend in the making. Its saturated, dense inky/blue/purple color offers up notes of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, and creme de cassis. A synthesis of power and elegance, this multi-layered wine has spectacular concentration, sweet but high tannin, and low acidity A stunning effort that showcases this legendary terroir, it is a brilliant, brilliant success. The quintessential Leoville Poyferre?
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - April 2006
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - April 2006
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
Ready, but will keep,
Performing better from bottle than it did from cask, this blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc has put on weight over the last year. It exhibits the classic style of both Las Cases and St.-Julien in its deep black currant notes interwoven with sweet cherries, wet stones, and toasty vanillin. Made in a structured, medium to full-bodied style with superb concentration, beautiful purity, and admirable symmetry, this beauty is one of the strongest efforts of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2028. Also tasted: 2004 Clos du Marquis (88)
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 29/06/2007
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 29/06/2007
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou,
Drink now,
From the bottle, it has an attractive bouquet with plush blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, indeed, showing more fruité than I was expecting. There is a roundness to these aromatics, perhaps a little more like 1985 in some ways. The palate is medium-bodied and here the seriousness and structure of the 1986 vintages shows through. There is impressive body and though it felt firm and masculine on the finish, there is clearly sufficient fruit that counterbalances the backbone. The decanted version showed a little more volatility on the nose, but here I discerned more complexity on the palate. The 1986 Ducru poured directly from bottle felt a little more savory and strangely, more cohesive, with more of the terroir coming through on the slightly loamy, brown sugar-tinged finish.
Drinking window: 2016-2036
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate - Dec 2016
Drinking window: 2016-2036
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate - Dec 2016
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
For laying down,
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored and composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Clos du Marquis gives up gorgeous notions of crushed plums, blackberries and cassis with hints of chocolate box, pencil lead, menthol and lavender. The palate is medium-bodied, very finely crafted and refreshing with firm yet fine-grained tannins, great intensity and a long, mineral-laced finish.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 27/04/2018, The Wine Advocate
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 27/04/2018, The Wine Advocate
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
For laying down,
Dark ruby, the nose is at first reserved, then gives way to notes of Morello cherry, cacao and coffee. Very complex. On the palate it has great acidity and the tannins are wonderfully melded, but underneath there is real power and concentration to this wine. It’s a keeper and will cellar for many, many years. Serious in every respect.
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 14%, Cabernet Franc 11%
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 14%, Cabernet Franc 11%