12
Chateau Bellegrave, Pauillac, 2018
Chateau Guiraud, Sauternes, 2017
First Growth. Premier Cru Classe in 1855. Every autumn a microscopic fungus called le « Botrytis Cinerea » appears and transforms the grapes. This is the famous 'noble rot' that is Nature's gift to Chateau Guiraud. In autumn the grapes take on a dark colour which can even seem austere, but this 'noble rot' is a precursor of aromatic expression. Understanding this phenomenon is essential as only the grapes that have been perfectly concentrated by the Botrytis will be picked one by one.
Château La Prade, Côtes de Francs 2015
The 2015 Chateau La Prade is a great wine to enjoy and completely over delivers for the price. Overflowing with rich, dark fruits enveloped in satiny smooth tannins, this is an easy wine to pick for your Tuesday night drinker. As you probably know by now, 2015 in Bordeaux was an exceptional vintage with well ripened fruit and exceptional balance and freshness. The beauty of the vintage is the quality extends from the higher priced Classified Growths and Grand Cru Classe's to the more reasonably priced wines. A perfect example is this wine from Chateau La Prade which received a 92 Point score from James Suckling."
Chateau Ormes des Pez, Bordeaux
Some very old ormes (elm trees), which no longer exist, account for the name of this property, whose history can be traced back to the 18th century. The 35-hectare vineyard is located around the hamlet of Pez and is divided into two main plots, in the center and north of the commune of Saint-Estephe.
Chateau Ormes des Pez has very homogenous soil (a clay gravel mixture typical of Saint-Estephe) and many of the vines are quite old. The grapes are hand-picked. After selecting the vats and blending, the wine is aged in oak barrels for 15 months in a magnificent cellar overlooking the courtyard.The 2016 vintage was characterised by a relatively early bud break, a wet spring, ideal flowering, a hot dry summer resulting in the progressive introduction of water supply constraints and an autumn conducive to ripening, bringing just a few millimetres of necessary rainfall.
Domaine Bersan, Chablis Premier Cru Montmains, Chablisien, 2022
Father and son duo Jean-Louis and Jean-Christophe run this 22-hectare estate based in Saint-Bris-le-Vineux. This village, beyond the limit of the Chablis district, is notable for its sheer number of highly respected growers, many of whom have vines up the road in Chablis. In France, Saint Bris is much sought-after, but thankfully it remains under-the-radar in the UK, making these wines a real coup when it comes to quality and pedigree of terroir. Soils are either Portland or Kimmeridgian and the village is chock full of 11th and 12th century cellars. The cellar carrying the name Bersan above the door is particularly lovely, crammed with barrels in which the wines peacefully mature.
Famille Vauthier, Château Moulin Saint-Georges, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 2013
The terraces of Moulin Saint-Georges (7 ha) face those of Ausone (same owner). Thanks to the quality of its terroir and the refined style of its wines, Moulin Saint-Georges is a sure bet in the appellation. As the Revue du Vin de France's 2024 guide points out, "quality has been impressively consistent for over two decades, and prices remain reasonable. The only regret is the quantities available...".