The greatest vineyards have of course proved that they will produce great wine whatever the conditions. In a region as renowned and celebrated for its rich history as Bordeaux, twenty years is a mere blink of the eye. However, the changes over the last two decades have been profound. Vineyards have changed hands, new winemaking techniques have come and gone and of course the worldwide interest in the very greatest wines has gone into overdrive.
Single bottle£580.71
Notes of loganberry, bramble and fresh cassis on the nose, this is fresh, stylish and charming with lots of energy and lift. On the palate, there is excellent depth but nothing is forced, the wine moving in the mouth with silky elegance backed up by good, ripe tannic structure. Minerality on the finish adds seriousness to accompany the succulence of...
moreDouble Magnum 300cl £580.71
Case 12 x 75cl £591.34
Bottle 75cl £49.28
Case of 6 x 75cl £592.08
Bottle 75cl £98.68
Case of 12 x 75cl £608.16
Even considering some of the great vintages produced under the late Alexis Lichine, this estate has never made a wine as impressive as their 2005. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt is obviously realizing this vineyard¿s full potential. The deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by an open-knit, exotic bouquet of spice, incense, flowers, and sweet black cherries and blackberries. Rich and opulent, with...
moreBottle 75cl £50.68
Case of 12 x 75cl £608.16
Ripe blackberry nose - very aromatic. Full, strong entry with grainy dissolved tannins and a melée of red and black fruits. Really quite brambly in nature with broad middle palate weight and mineral touches. Zippy, lively, finely crafted and well integrated and wonderful length - very good potential. 17.5 points
moreBottle 75cl £50.68
Case of 12 x 75cl £608.16
Bottle 75cl £50.68
Case 12 x 75cl £632.14
Bottle 75cl £52.68
Case of 12 x 75cl £632.16
Pure, cool and inviting, this is an awesome GPL. The nose opens with the essence of cassis before moving through to forest fruits and cedar spice. On the palate, the wine is lively, layered and succulent with plenty of intensity and fabulous length. This is an elegant and extremely fine Pauillac and a terrific result for Xavier Borie. Also highly...
moreBottle 75cl £52.68
Magnum 150cl £638.96
Magnum 150cl £638.96
Case of 3 x 150cl £646.08
Magnum 150cl £215.36
Case of 12 x 75cl £692.16
Bottle 75cl £57.68
Case of 12 x 75cl £692.16
Bottle 75cl £57.68
Fashions have seen the rise and fall of the garagistes and the influence of the consultant winemaker. However, for all of these human elements, the 1855 classification remains unchanged and, whether it has been the torrid heat of 2003, the gloom of 2007 or the glory of 2005, the greatest vineyards have proved that they produce great wine whatever the conditions.
In the next twenty years, we will undoubtedly see further pressure on supply at the top with prices continuing to stretch credulity. But what of the hundreds of smaller producers, who have struggled so badly in recent times? Theirs is not the good fortune of great terroir and in a fast moving world, it is here that reform is needed most strongly. The EU wine lake has been emptied and the bad practices that it encouraged are happily draining away too. For the consumer, the result must be the guarantee of ever greater quality because whatever the level of classification, if Bordeaux wants to maintain its position as the number one wine region in the world, quality must be at the centre of its plans.
