Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan
An upswing in quality over the past decade or so, has resurrected Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte's position amongst Bordeaux Chateau. New ownership breathed life into exceptionally positioned vineyards, now farmed with less chemicals, with a more sympatico approach in winery. Famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland is an additional feather in Smith-Haut-Lafitte's cap, enhancing the wines concentration, power and depth, while maintaining a finesse. Though full-bodied, the wine from 2010 will be approachable a little earlier than most other fine Bordeaux, with more moderate tannin - that being said, it's life will stretch several decades too.
Ulysses
Petrolo Galatrona
Alphonse Mellot La Demoiselle Sancerre Rouge
Penfolds Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, South Australia
Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon combines with South Australian cabernet for a multi-regional blend Max Schubert could only dream of. Matured in French and American oak, this release shows a dark fruit intensity with notes of black pepper and coffee liqueur.
Domaine Violot-Guillemard Pommard-Rugiens Premier Cru
Tua Rita Per Sempre Syrah Toscana
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste produce some of the best value wines in the Pauillac region, if not simply some of the best quality in general. Cabernet based reds are their staple and generally produce wines of a robust and masculine nature. In recent years the wines are close to rivalling the famed Pichons .