Bouchard Père et Fils 1er Cru Clos St Landry is known for its subtle, yet arresting, aromas, expressive palate, and remarkably smooth finish. The vineyard, planted over limestone and clay with marls, benefits from a southeast aspect and spans 1.98 ha. From hand harvested fruit, the wine is pressed to stainless steel for 3 to 4 month, before being transferred to French oak (up to 15% new) where it matures for 9 to 10 months.
Yalumba continue to produce amazing quality, premium wines for a fraction of the price they could demand. The Menzies is prime example with rich, blackcurrant and cassis fruit with integrated oak that fills the mouth.
Margaret River icons, Leeuwin Estate, have produced a wine of true class here. A great finish to the vintage shows up here with aromas of cassis, redcurrant and chocolate. Sweet ripe fruit on the palate is well matched with toasty French oak and fine tannin.
With the estate itself dating back to 1772, and the logo taking inspiration from an ancient connection to the Knights Templars history in the Pomerol region, Chateau Gazin is steeped in both winemaking and national history. Sharing borders with Petrus and LEvangile, it more than holds its own among its distinguished peers! It has been in the possession of the same family since 1917, with the most recent descendent, Nicolas de Bailliencourt assuming control in 1988. Under de Bailliencourts watchful eye, the Chateau has abolished machine harvesting, making a return to hand-picking, and producing lower overall yields.
The Bonneau du Martray family is recognized as one of the best producers in the Corton appellation, and their Corton-Charlemagne is renowned as one of the benchmarks of the region. Produced from low-yielding vines, 16 different parcels of grapes are vinified separately in order for their respective "terroirs" to be reflected in the final wine. Fermentation begins in stainless steel and after 5 or 6 days is completed in cask. The separate cuvées are matured in one-third new oak barrels for 12 months before being assembled and returned to cask for another 6 months prior to being bottled.
Château la Mission Haut-Brion is on uniquely stony soil in the Pessac-Léognan appellation close to the city of Bordeaux. It is a Cru Classé in the Graves Classification of 1953. The 22.5 hectare red wine vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Merlot (44%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). The chateau wine is vinified in large (180hl) temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats and aged in 100% new French oak for an average of 22 months. Annual production is 6000-7000 dozen. The famous white wine of the chateau comes from 3.5 ha planted to Semillon (62%) and Sauvignon Blanc (38%). Overall planting density is 10,000 vines per hectare (red) and 8000 vines per hectare (white). Since 1983, under the ownership of Domaine Clarence Dillon (which also owns the neighbouring Chateau Haut Brion), the entire estate has been renovated vineyards, winemaking facilities and the chateau itself. The property got its name in the 1600s when it was owned by the Catholic Church.
Chateau Canon is a 1er Grand Cru Classé estate in the St Emilion appellation on Bordeaux’s right bank. The Grand Vin Chateau Canon is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. After harvesting the grapes are meticulously sorted before undergoing fermentation and a two week post-ferment maceration to build tannin structure. Maturation takes place in 60% new French oak for 18 to 20 months. In the best years, Chateau Canon is deeply coloured and plush with ample mouth-coating blue and blackberry fruit.