Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac
While it is true that lovers of Pauillac wines can sometimes be divided over their love of the wines from Lynch-Bages, it will go without question that the wines produced from the magnificent 2009 vintage are sure to be coveted by all. Vintage conditions were simply perfect and have allow this Pauillac producer to embrace its love of plush, fruit forward wines and yet deliver a wine of immense power and structure.
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou St-Julien
Reputed to be the leading star of the ''Super Seconds'' of Bordeuax, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou is set over 50 hectares of vineyards in the south of St-Julien. The wine is composed from predominately Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with lesser influence from Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot and spends around 18 months in half new and half seasoned oak barriques. The 2010 vintage has conspired to produce what could arguably called one of the greatest releases of this wine, resplendent with fine, firm tannin, subtle oak, quiet power and a capacity to cellar for another half century.
Château Figeac Saint-Émilion
Château Figeac is a wine estate that had a very long history. It was once part of the Cheval Blanc estate, whichs soils was well known to be two-thirds of gravel, allowing Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot to grow flourishingly in the area. The 2010 Figeac, had a beautiful complexity to enjoy now or the longevity to cellar for those who prefers. Wine will benefit from decanting.
Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases 2me cru classe
With one of the longest and most pedigreed histories in the Medoc region, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases has passed through the hands of some of Frances most notable and wealthiest noble families, culminating in the Las Cases family - the final royal family to hold title to the Chateau. Up until the French Revolution, after which large portions of it were sold off, it was one of the largest vineyards in Bordeaux. Today, the estate remains family owned by the Delons, of which brother Jean Hubert and sister Genevieve manage proceedings. Famed for producing a wine of structure, power, and traditional style, the 2016 vintage has earned outstandingly high praise, including a score of 100 from Andrew Caillared and a 19/20 from Jancis Robinson who praised its extraordinary vitality and energy and proclaimed it glorious to taste now.
Bouchard Pere & Fils Vigne de L'enfant Jesus 1er cru
Vega Sicilia Valbuena
Château Cos D'Estournel St-Estèphe
In the upper echelon of 2nd Growth estates, Chateau Cos D''Estournel is located in St-Estephe appelltion, on the fringe of Paulliac and notably just north of the famed Lafite vineyards. Tourists flock to the Medoc estate to see the unusual, Asian-inspired Chateau design, but the wines hold their own and rightfully are considered the finest within St-Estephe. Oak is set to around 80% new barrels while alcohol is a modest 14.5%; the blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Merlot and complimentary Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in tow. A wine for thirty or so years.
Perrot-Minot En La Rue De Vergy
Nervi Conterno Molsino Nebbiolo
Nervi is a historic, benchmark Gattinara producer with 28.5ha of highly-prized Nebbiolo vineyards across the appellation, in the northern part of Piedmont. The modern Nervi was founded in 1906 by Luigi Nervi. Molsino is one of the estates two top named sites -- a historic cru with mentions in town records as far back as 1471. The Nervi family ran the estate until the 1990s, and in 2011 it was purchased by investors who brought in the leading Barolo figure Roberto Conterno as a consultant. Gattinara represents the purest expression of the northern [Piedmont] zones. Vino Italiano - David Lynch and Joe Bastianich In May 2018 Conterno purchased the estate. Gattinara was awarded DOC status in 1967, and upgraded to DOCG in 1990. Gravelly clay soils remnants of an ancient collapsed volcano -- are rich in granite and other minerals including iron, zinc, magnesium and manganese. The terroir gives the wines a distinct minerality which sets them apart from the neighbouring appellations. Molsino matures for at least four years in large oak vats.