Clos Fourtet 1er grand cru classe (B)
From the legendary Clos Fourtet winery, this Saint-Émilion rouge has all the depth and concentration you would expect from such an esteemed Bordeaux name. The Premier Grand Cru Classé Clos Fourtet holdings have been the site of wine production since the middle-ages, Now under the guardianship of Philippe Cuvelier, the wine continues to delight. Traditional winemaking techniques make for an elegant style that sings with minerality and its impressive terroir. The vines are located in a single block, close to the medieval village, and grow atop a limestone plateau. Fresh, yet simultaneously deep and seductive, this will please for many decades.
Chateau Pavie 1er grand cru classe (A)
Dating back to Roman times, and being one of only four Saint-Émilion producers elevated to the status of Premier Grand Cru Classé, it would seem Chateau Pavie has rather a lot to live up to - and by all accounts, they are holding up their end of the bargain with this year’s vintage. Since coming under the consultation of renowned Bordeaux-based oenologist Michel Rolland, the Chateau has gained a reputation for vintages of higher concentration and intensity than were yielded in the past - but this year’s release seems to indicate this historic Chateau still has the power to surprise. Retaining the glamour and panache of recent years, the 2016 has been thrilling and charming critics thus far, with many praising its superior balance and restraint. It is expected to cellar spectacularly, suggesting further delights yet to be discovered.
Chateau Troplong-Mondot 1er grand cru classe (B)
Chateau Magrez Fombrauge
The Chateau Magrez Fombrauge 2018 is a stunning representation of Bordeaux winemaking at its finest. With its deep ruby hue, this wine immediately captivates the eye. On the nose, aromas of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark chocolate mingle with subtle hints of cedar and tobacco, creating a complex yet inviting bouquet. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and velvety, with a perfect balance of tannins and acidity. Flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and spiced oak dance on the tongue, leading to a long and satisfying finish. This vintage, produced by the renowned Chateau Fombrauge in 2018, is a testament to the dedication and expertise of its winemakers. It is a wine that can be enjoyed now, but also has the potential for further aging, making it a truly remarkable addition to any cellar.
Chateau Fleur Cardinale "Intergalactique"
This 2020 Intergalactic Edition by Château Fleur Cardinale takes the château's fine wine on an interstellar adventure through space. The 2020 Intergalactic Edition by Château Fleur Cardinale invites you to prepare for take-off and enjoy a sky-high view of this exceptional vintage. In 2020, the planets align at Château Fleur Cardinale and promise a superb weather forecast. The château's wines are also entering another dimension thanks to a vinification process carried out entirely in the new cellars. The Intergalactic Edition takes on an even bolder meaning, the Château Fleur Cardinale are lending their support to the association Décrochons la Lune, which strive towards improving the everyday quality of life of all children suffering from serious illnesses, particularly childhood cancers. One euro will be donated to the association for each Intergalactic Edition box set sold. For this edition, 2,000 magnums are for sale. These magnums, adorned with a unique label, are presented in a wooden box screen-printed with phosphorescent elements. The Aquarius, Gemini and Libra zodiac signs are depicted on the box and pay tribute to the Decoster family, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary at Château Fleur Cardinale.
Château Montrose St-Estèphe
The balancing act of Chateau Montrose sees 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and for the first time an inclusion from the recently purchased vineyard parcel of Phelan Segur. Chateau Montrose is considered a top producer from St-Estephe, known for potential in cellaring and considered unique for its style, which is set to 'vin de garde' wines. The estate property is set on gravel-based soils and sits in what is conisdered a microclimate, also conspiring in the unique perfumes, composition and forimdable structure of these wines. 2010 has been spectacular for Montrose power and presence, and will be a worthy wine to drink in a decade to 75 years.
Chateau Le Gay
Chateau Pavie-Decesse Grand cru classe
Château Pavie Decesse is a St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé property in the Côtes sub-district, considered the equal of its illustrious neighbour, Chateau Pavie. The origins of both can be traced back to ancient Roman times. The 3.5ha vineyard, on chalky, limestone and clay soils and contiguous with Pavie, is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Following cold maceration, the Chateau wine is vinified in temperature-controlled oak vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wine is aged in 80% new oak for between 18 and 24 months, depending on vintage character. Production is small, around 650 dozen each year. The hedonistic Pavie Decesse style combines opulent, rich, sensuous textures with minerality, freshness and concentration. Due to its lush style Pavie Decesse drinks well young, yet does develop additional complexity with time in the cellar. Wine quality has been consistently excellent under the ownership, since 1997, of Gerard and Chantal Perse.