Our Top Picks: The Best of Bordeaux | 2020 Vintage
Embark on a journey through the prestigious world of Bordeaux wines in our exclusive tasting! Discover the rich history of Bordeaux, the artistry behind these acclaimed wines, and hear first-hand tales of the Chateaux behind the wines. The tasting, led by "Mr. Bordeaux" himself, Puneet Dhall, will guide you through the secrets that make Bordeaux wines legendary, and enrich your knowledge of the region itself. Whether you're a novice or an enthusiast, join us for an unforgettable exploration of Bordeaux's finest wines, unlocking the essence of this iconic region sip by sip.
Join us to learn about the 2020 Vintage in Bordeaux and take the opportunity to taste through the following wines:
Tasting Journey:
- Château Brane-Cantenac Blanc Margaux
- Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc AOC Graves Cru Classé
- Château Talbot AOC Saint Julien Fourth Growth
- Château Haut-Bailly AOC Graves Cru Classé
- Château Margaux AOC Margaux First Growth
- Château Haut Brion AOC Graves First Growth
- Château La Conseillante AOC Pomerol Exceptional Growth
- Château Figeac Premier Grand Cru Classé B
- Château d'Yquem AOC Sauternes 1er Cru Supérieur
Do not miss the opportunity to try nine of the world's top wines side-by-side in perfect state, in a perfect environment. Tickets to the Masterclass are limited to 15 people only, you can secure your spot by contacting puneet@dnfinewine.com.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact us at ana@dnfinewine.com or 09 357 0493.
D&N Portfolio Sensorium 2023: That’s a Wrap!
D&N Portfolio Sensorium 2023: That’s a wrap!
Your Support made it a Success
Our Dhall & Nash inaugural Sensorium Tasting Event was a blast, thanks for being part of it – we truly value your time & outstanding participation. Whether it was in Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, or Wellington – We really couldn’t have done this event without you all – customers, suppliers, colleagues, friends & whanau!
As esteemed Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas said on the day:
“This event is outstanding – you should have done this five years ago”.
Cameron Douglas
Thanks Cam, you’re right… so, watch this space!
We would like to express our gratitude towards all attendees for making the event so darn informative & fun. Our D&N valued suppliers really tickled quite a few hundred tastebuds all around the country. They worked hard – they chatted, they poured wines, they joked & cajoled! How lucky are we to represent such hardworking quality artisanal producers. We’ve actually exhausted the superlatives. Here’s a huge heartfelt thank-you from D&N to:
Duckhorn, Bogle Family Vineyards, Pares Balta, Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Easthope Family Winegrowers, Collaboration Wines, Bohemian, Folium, Hawkshead, Knappstein Enterprise Winery, Zema Estate, Chambers Rosewood, Coravin, Poppies, 144 Islands, Clevedon Vineyards, Columbia Crest, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
for taking the time, effort and energy to attend attend in person, celebrate and support this endeavour.
And another warm thank you to those who weren’t able to attend but contributed in other ways to making sure this event was full of delicious offerings:
De Martino, La Marca Prosecco, Sartori di Verona, Quinta do Crasto, Cillar de Silos, Frank Cornelissen, Schloss Lieser, Champagne André Clouet, Digby Fine English, Digby Fine English, Wines of Substance, Cristom, Causse Marines, Domaine de Noiré,Tania et Vincent Careme, Col d’Orcia, San Felice, Pelissero, Bibi Graetz
And even though our international and local suppliers have headed home, and we’ve taken down the signs, tidied up, relived some super-duper tasty wines, then reluctantly gone back to our daily routines, we’d love to share some special event memories with you…
Our design whiz kid Aimée certainly covers how the whole D&N team felt:
“It was an absolute whirlwind before, during and after! Usually as a very behind-the-scenes persona I don’t get to see a lot of the ‘action’ so it was really amazing to see the team at the forefront doing what they do best – not just our DN team but our wider team of suppliers, winemakers, customers and visiting producers. It was a really wonderful reminder that we really are surrounded by such awesome folks and products!”
Now here’s a few special shout-outs:
- To Takaki from Folium, for turning up hours early and helping with event prep, and then staying hours late to help with pack down. A humble hero!
- To Julz from Collaboration for being kind enough to work Sensorium with us on her birthday! 🥳
- To our new portfolio additions, 144 Islands and Clevedon Vineyards – they’ve already made a big impression & we’re extremely excited to introduce them to the rest of NZ.
- To our international representatives who travelled from far afield to little Aotearoa – you made it a truly unique experience for our trade show attendees.
- To the hardworking crew at each venue who made it all look seamlessly effortless.
- To the dog lovers’ group, Denis from Hawkshead, Karl from Duckhorn, Sonja & Aimée from D&N sharing proud puppy pics. It’s not just about the wine you know! 🐶
What about a few beverage highlights:
- Aimée had some stand-out bevvies on the day: “I slammed a few Pentire+Tonics during the day, I will admit! For someone that works in this biz I don’t drink a lot, and it can make me feel like a wet blanket sometimes, so to have such a swishy drink that isn’t just a coke and looks and tastes very ooh-la-la is still quite novel to me! For the harder stuff, I did enjoy some classic Bille’ Rosé. It just simply never disappoints.
- From the BECA group of hardcore Bordeaux buffs who attended the Bordeaux Masterclass: “those were bloody delicious wines & we learned more about the region & the vintage!”
- For D&N Content Specialist, Sonja, it was too tough to choose: “It’s hard to pick a favourite child when there were so many divine wines – here’s but a few, starting with the ethereal, elegant, Tuscan producer Bibi Graetz’s Colore & Testamatta. Such precision & purity from Sangiovese is mind boggling. Then Julz’s Collaboration Verdant chardy knocked my old cotton socks right off – classy. And how about Easthope’s Paddock Six Syrah – soaring out in the stratosphere!”
- Our senior Auckland account manager, Tori, was at all the events & succumbed to the charms of the Italians – “Looking after the Italian table was dreamy… Sangiovese heaven. From Chianti Classico to Brunello di Montalcino, and a very special Bibi Graetz.”
You Can't Beat Welly on a Good Day...
From Brandon (a.k.a. the wild DJ of Wellywood):
“Wellington Sensorium was buzzing! A sensational day in the Capital City. Massive thank you to all the customers and suppliers of their support and to the Public Trust Hall for having us at their fabulous venue. Special shout to our loyal out of town customers who made the effort to come down from Hawkes Bay, Whanganui, Bulls, and Palmerston North.”
Of course, a shout-out must go to the ‘last-(wo)men-standing’, who have such stamina to keep the party going even when everyone was ready to turn into a pumpkin – no naming or shaming 😉
Our resident American specialist & Auckland Account manager Melissa, summed up our sentiments well:
“What a special opportunity to have some of our fabulous suppliers and makers, from near and far, all under one roof to share their stories, anecdotes and wines with our customers.”
Hear Hear to that!
The Garden City Put on a Show...
After these intense multi-city series of events, we would love to keep our conversations going – you know – those crazy wine geek talks we managed to squeeze in whilst jostling, pouring, & 3-way explaining that scintillating bottle of obscure vino to eager young wine enthusiasts planning new listings for summer.
Let us know if you tasted something fresh & delectable at the show from a new producer perhaps or revisit an old favourite from a new vintage? We want to keep our chats humming & the wine pouring.
Please stay in touch with your Account Managers & don’t forget to check out our D&N Upcoming Events page on our website.
If you haven’t already, feel free to share any thoughts & give us your feedback so we can do it even better next time! Your feedback does count.
Our sincerest thanks to ALL ♥︎
'Once in a lifetime' Exclusive Dinner with Guest - Ferréol Dufou of Château Troplong Mondot, 1st Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion
This dinner held at Auckland's Paris Butter restaurant aims to accomplish two significant goals: bringing together the fine wine community and providing an exceptional dining experience.
This exclusive event will serve as a platform for wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and industry professionals to come together in a convivial setting and engage with Troplong Mondot's esteemed representative, Férreol Du Fou.
As attendees savor a top-notch dining experience meticulously curated by Paris Butter, they will have the opportunity to interact with Férreol Du Fou, exchanging insights and knowledge about the world of fine wines. By uniting wine enthusiasts and providing a top-tier dining experience, this event at Paris Butter fosters a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere, further enriching the appreciation and enjoyment of fine wines among all attendees.
Tasting:
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2009
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2015
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2017
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2002
- MONDOT 2018 MAGNUM
'Once in a lifetime' Exclusive Trade Masterclass with Guest - Ferréol Dufou of Château Troplong Mondot, 1st Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion
Dhall & Nash, in collaboration with Troplong Mondot's Férreol Du Fou will host this Masterclass designed specifically for 16 trade professionals in New Zealand.
The class aims to provide an unparalleled learning experience for trade professionals. Led by Férreol Du Fou, the renowned expert and representative of Troplong Mondot, participants will have the opportunity to delve into the rich heritage and winemaking philosophy of this esteemed vineyard. Held at the prestigious location of The French Cafe in Auckland, the Masterclass offers an exquisite ambiance and the perfect setting for industry professionals to expand their knowledge, refine their palate, and establish valuable connections within the wine community.
By attending this event, trade professionals can enhance their expertise, discover new flavours, and gain invaluable insights into the artistry behind Troplong Mondot's acclaimed wines, ultimately elevating their knowledge and careers in the New Zealand wine industry.
Tasting:
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2009
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2014
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2015
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2017
- TROPLONG MONDOT 2018
- MONDOT 2018
- MONDOT 2019
What Is 'En Primeur'? The Ultimate EP Explainer
What is 'En Primeur'? Demystifying Bordeaux - the Pantheon of World Class Wines
In Light of the 2022 En Primeur Vintage
“The Miraculous 2022 Vintage”,
“It’s astonishing. Nothing is out of balance”,
“It sets a new benchmark for Bordeaux”,
“This is a vintage of remarkable concentration, energy & harmony”.
The wine sages have spoken and they are buzzing about Bordeaux’s 2022 vintage… And our man on the ground, D&N founder, Puneet has joined in the exaltation upon his recent return from the Nirvana of Fine Wine – En Primeur week in Bordeaux. He was suitably awed by the sheer quality & calibre of the 2022 wines he tasted and excitedly wants to share his suggested best Bordeaux buys with us.
Puneet’s En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Day 1
Every year, thousands descend upon Bordeaux for "Crazy Week" to sample the latest wines produced out of the region and Puneet was there to report on the 2022 vintage...
Puneet’s En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Day 2
Puneet's trip through the Bordeaux region continues as he takes part in Day 2 of "Crazy Week" and reports back on the 2022 vintages...
Puneet’s En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Day 3
"Crazy Week" through the Bordeaux region continues, as Puneet reports back on his third day sampling the latest drops produced...
Puneet’s En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Day 4
The final day of "Crazy Week" in Bordeux, as Puneet reports back on his fourth day sampling the latest drops from the region...
D&N as trusted stockists of a darn Fine & Rare portfolio of collectible vinous gems, knows that Puneet’s experience and first-hand knowledge will save collectors time and money, and for the uninitiated, halt a descent into some rabbit holes with eye-wateringly high price tags!
As you know, in our blogs, we love to indulge in a bit of wine geek talk – not to be exclusionary or elitist but rather to share valuable info which will hopefully empower yourselves & newbies alike to understand the world of wine even better!
“Bordeaux en Primeur: the Tinder of Fine Wine.”
Wine Anorak
Let’s decode what En Primeur really means to us, the drinkers:
Firstly, Bordeaux En Primeur week is an annual Spring pilgrimage when over 6,000 international wine professionals and trade folk head to the fine wine capital of the world to try barrel samples of the new vintage. Industry members are all eager to discover the potential of the latest vintage, that was harvested the previous September.
Secondly, the actual term ‘En primeur’ to buy the wine can be compared to a type of “wine futures”. It allows you to purchase wines early while the wine is still in the barrel. This offers you the opportunity to invest before the wine is bottled & at the point of greatest availability of top Bordeaux. Notably, En Primeur sales are limited to a few prestigious properties, most of which enjoy Grand Cru Classé or similar status. This equates to approximately two hundred labels.
By investing in these brand new vintages, you get first pick – and incredible value – before bottles hit the open market. It’s an incredible way of starting your own private fine wine collection – all kept & nurtured in the best possible conditions at the Châteaux, until they’re released 18 to 24 months later. By the way, remember, once your wine is shipped, D&N has optimal Chiller Storage Facilities available if required. Read more here.
The En Primeur pricing is ultimately dictated by the quality of the vintage plus supply versus demand! And the 2022 vintage is looking extremely good but sadly, supply is down. Then worldwide demand after the Covid years is expected to hit a high again.
En Primeurs do have an influence on the “reference prices” for the new vintage presented over the course of the barrel tastings week. Prices are generally set within two months of En Primeur week. Industry members from around the world have been able to form an opinion about the quality of the vintage to be released, based on scores & reviews during the various tastings.
Depending on the critics’ assessments, & numerous other factors, the châteaux then release for sale a portion of their total production at an opening price. This is sold in strict allocation to wine brokers (the négociants) in Bordeaux. The négociants then sell the En Primeur offers on allocation around the globe.
What are the advantages of buying wines En Primeur?
Let’s be honest… the En Primeur system is based on speculation. Buyers take a chance by banking on the increased value of the wine when it is bottled two years later. At stake is the buyers’ ability to detect the initial signs of a top wine very early on in the maturation phase. Here’s where eagle-eyed & sharp-palate Puneet comes in ….
You can trust Puneet to sniff out the best bottles & will tailor-make your collection specifically to your tasting desires & interests. Expertly curated to perfection.
With Puneet’s professional guidance, you’ll have a selection of top notch, age-worthy & exceptional Bordeaux bottles to enjoy for years to come or even possibly to do a bit of Liv-Ex trading. It can also be the only way in NZ to secure wines that are available in extremely limited quantities.
Fortunately, D&N has access to highly prized Grands Crus Classés whose prices will undoubtedly soar when they are released into the open market. It is estimated that savings of more than 30% can be made compared with the price tag on a bottled wine.
“When wine is rare, supply limited and demand high, the sensible choice is to acquire it whilst supply is at its greatest”
Decanter Magazine
When you’ve got blue-chip Bordeaux producers from a stellar vintage like 2022, then the value-for-dollar of buying En Primeur is a no-brainer for any savvy connoisseur, collector, or someone ready to have their palate horizons expanded.
The 2022 Bordeaux are wines that you must find room for—in your budget and in your cellar. Our allocation comes and goes each year in the blink of an eye, so strike while the iron’s hot!
Puneet's En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Summary, Report & Recommendations
Puneet's En Primeur Bordeaux Tour, Report & Recommendations
“This vintage has given them a glimpse of a good future for Bordeaux.”
The Bontemp is the wooden bowl in which the egg whites are whisked for that most amazing part of the winemaking process, the fining of the wines. A truly fitting symbol to end the Bordeaux En Primeur week and celebrate the 2022 vintage.
The vintage is truly fascinating. If you had asked the Commanderie (The elite group of Châteaux owners) in May 2022 what they perceived of the vintage, their heads would have been hung low, predicting not only an apocalypse for 2022 but for future vintages also given that for many the 2022 climatic conditions were a harbinger of years to come. Widespread frosts in spring of 2022, A large hail event not long after, and then three of the hottest months ever recorded in the region starting in May. Every Château employed their own methods to combat these conditions. Château Margaux reduced foliage in an attempt to reduce photosynthesis, Château Latour kept foliage to shield the berries from harsh sun, soils, yeasts, crop cover… all were played with. Harvests were conducted earlier than normal with many picking their Merlot in the last week of August. And then as the wines began to vinify it was clear that something remarkable was happening. The wines had a vibrancy, a freshness, an elegance and a restrained power, large mouth feel and incredible length. The vintage was turning into a truly memorable one and a success. And in the end, all the vignerons could say was that in large part this was down to the vines and the terroir and their own ability to adapt to climatic conditions. The combination of limestone, gravel and clay soils allowed the roots to both go deeper and find amazing flavour components. They were able to survive from the retained water in the soils and its increased water carrying capacity. In the end the vines adapted. 2022 is their vintage.
And so, we gathered on our final night of the tour to celebrate, and the mood was high. The commanderie were relieved and ecstatic. This vintage has given them a glimpse of a good future for Bordeaux. Large bottles of ’99 Latour circled the table and my cup was always full. I laughed and danced with my new friends. I am quite sure that Xavier, the owner of Branaire Ducru, will be owing me a bottle of something special as The All Blacks defeat France in this year’s World Cup. The Prince of Monaco is now my friend. And to my dear friends in New Zealand, It was Bordeaux that truly inspired me to enter this crazy world of luxury and sensory delight. For me it is not about the final product, the sensory delight or even the social coming together, it is the fact that wine is a most natural product and springs from our Earth, and the same vine speaks to us so differently from each terroir. I believe that all of our food should be like this, we should have thousands of baked beans and thousands of cauliflower flavour profiles – every foodstuff uniquely speaking of its terroir. Being an individual whilst being part of a group – somewhere in that is the grand unifying theory.
Good night one and all and if you wish to partake in this year’s 2022 En Primeur Campaign, please don’t hesitate to let me be your light through the chamber.
My Recommendations to Purchase En Primeur 2022
I recommend the following wines because I believe that they are outstanding from the vintage, and that buying them EP will definitely offer a far better price than waiting to purchase upon release, and also because these first tranche allocations ex Château will be very scarce and snapped up by the global market.
I have chosen several superstars which must not be missed if you want the very best and several excellent value wines which will knock your socks off at more reasonable (for Bordeaux) prices. I have also chosen wines which displayed incredible balance and supple tannins and whose drinking life will last both several decades and yet be ready to drink as soon as they are in your hands or very soon thereafter.
Wines will be available in New Zealand late 2024 with 50% payment by Dec 2023 and remainder upon arrival into New Zealand and at the point of delivery to you. Happy drinking!
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin. Drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Cheval Blanc AOC Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A | Colour | 3 | 20 | $1000+ | Wine of the Vintage: Amazing colour, dense garnet, wow! On the nose and palate – full, fresh, superb tannin – Cashmere, already ripe, finesse and balanced, red and blue fruits – you can drink this right now, incredible. Will age for decades too. So much restrained power wrapped up in elegance. 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet franc, 1% Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 10 | ||||
Château Vieux Château Certan AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $350+ | Very complex, licorice, spice. Very very good balance and tannin, this wine builds and builds through the palate, has decades of life in it. 75% merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Château La Consellante AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $350+ | Aromas of sea salt and fruit swirl. Exceptional length, complex, beautiful, satin tannins. Power, elegance – drink after 2025 or more, will age incredibly. 87% Merlot 13% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9+ | ||||
Château Talbot AOC Saint Julien Fourth Growth | Colour | 3 | 18 | $100+ | Jean-Max Drouilhat makes a great wine – elegant, pretty, very good tannin. |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande AOC Pauillac Second Growth | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $250+ | Silky, powerful, exceptional, clean, long. 78% Cabernet sauvignon 17% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Château Calon Ségur AOC Saint Estèphe Third Growth | Colour | 3 | 18.5+ | $200+ | Very very nice. Fresh, tannin, excellent structure, power, wow. 70% Cabernet sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Château Pontet Canet AOC Pauillac Fifth growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5-20 | $200+ | Incredible Nose, savoury, complex nose, great power and strength, a wide palate, minerality, the wine is biodynamic and has a hint of wild herbs mixed with a salinity – this wine could polarise, I think it is great 57% Cabernet sauvignon 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9.5+ | ||||
Château Brane Cantenac AOC Margaux Second Growth | Colour | 3 | 19+ | 150+ | Perfumed aromatics and blue fruit, energy, fresh, plush, blue, very long, smooth. Will be ready to drink very early, great. |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Margaux AOC Margaux First Growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5 | $1500+ | Exquisite nose, a fine fine palate. Again fresh, amazing tannin, ripe with texture and very long length and firm structure 40% of crop. |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Château Lafite Rothschild AOC Pauillac First Growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5 | $1500+ | Great! Red fruit, balance, refinement, length, amazing hint of menthol. 94% Cabernet sauvignon 5% Merlot 1% Petit verdot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 19.5 | ||||
Château Montrose AOC Saint Estephe Second Growth | Colour | 3 | 18.5-19.5 | $250+ | Really good, ripe powerful round length, bright, fresh supple. Cabernet sauvignon 66% Merlot 25% Cabernet Franc 8% Petit verdot 1% |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Troplong Mondot AOC Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $150+ | Great colour, generous wine with power and elegance – great! 85% merlot 13% Cabernet sauvignon 2% Cabernet franc |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9+ | ||||
Château Pavie Macquin AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 18+ | $150+ | Long – good cashmere and power. | |
Nose | |||||
Palate | |||||
Chateau Haut Bailly AOC Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $175+ | Beautiful nose of fruits (red, blue and black) geavels and stones, mineral , great power, great texture, plenty of mouthfeel and body |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 19 |
Puneet's En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Day 4
Puneet’s En Primeur Bordeaux Tour - Day 4
Thursday, 27th April 2023
Every year, thousands from around the world descend upon Bordeaux for what the locals call “Crazy Week” where the wine industry’s finest come to visit the famous Chateaus of the region and sample hundreds of the latest vintages. In this final part, Puneet recounts his experience visiting the region and just what to look out for from 2022.
DAY 4 : Thursday 27th April - Morning Visits
Troplong Mondot, Pavie, Ausone, Valandraud
Visit 27: Château Troplong Mondot AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé
Troplong is the highest point of Saint Emilion and we really do have a great view. They own 42 Ha 28 of which is classified as Premier grand cru classe. They have clay at the top of the hill and as you come down the slopes this becomes more limestone based. This was important in 2022 as it gave greater water carrying capacity. Vines had to grow longer roots and extracted more mineral type characters. Fereol the winemaker was busy but is excited to visit Aotearoa in mid September.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Troplong Mondot | Le Mondot de Troplong Mondot AOC Saint Emilion | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Great balance, freshness and energy and lovely tannin structure 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Troplong Mondot | Château Troplong Mondot AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé | Colour | 3 | 19+ | Great colour generous wine with power and elegance great! 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9+ |
Visit 28: Château Pavie AOC Saint-Émilion
A lovely morning tasting conducted by Ched de caves. I am finding Castillon very interesting for 2022, lying East of St Emilion on the Gironde and following the limestone seam, there could be some good buys to be found here. Aromes also is a lovely wine quite apart from Pavie.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pavie | Clos Lunelles AOC Cotes de Castillon | Colour | 3 | 16 | Big big tannins very drying this barrel sample needs to be looked at aging upon bottling 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 7 | ||||
Pavie | Château Monbusquet AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé | Colour | 3 | 18 | Beautiful violets on the nose, cashmere on the palate, fresh, round, hint of chocolate, cream. 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Fcanc, 15% Caberner Sauvignon |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Pavie | Aromes de Pavie AOC Saint-Émilion Grand cru | Colour | 3 | 18 | Good, more serious, secondary characters, less fresh more length grainy tannin will age well approach from 2025 onwards. 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Pavie | Château Pavie AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 19+ | Plush, velvet, cashmere powerful, elegant, fresh its got it all. 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Visit 29: Château Ausone AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A
A wonderful Chateau to visit, this place really goes back to Roman times – with whole buildings carved millenia ago from a rock face. You get a tremendous view of the vineyards and the village of Saint Emilion which really is very pretty.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ausone | Château Simard AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Good, clean stay concentrated, nice simple tannin, elegant |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Ausone | Château de Fonbel AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | I liked it all the characters of fruit and bright but large tannin |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 7.5 | ||||
Ausone | Château Haut Simard AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Better, red, fresh nice tannin ok |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Ausone | Château HaMoulin St George AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Really very pretty more interesting and complex nose, well structured tannin bright |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Ausone | Château La Clotte AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Really good again less aroma on nose at this stage but more round, flesh, blue fruit nice length, some power |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Ausone | Chapelle d’Ausone AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Quite deep ruby red garnet colour – deep good expression powerful good mid palate tannins and nice finish |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Ausone | Château Ausone AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Power, elegance, bright, fruit and secondary characters, minerality, length and wide tannins present will need a few years to supple |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valandraud | Château Balestard La Tonnelle AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 17.5+ | ||
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Valandraud | Château Canon La Gaffeliere AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 17.5+ | pretty | |
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Valandraud | Château La Couspaude AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 17.5 | plush, cashmere, v good | |
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Valandraud | Château Dassault AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 18+ | tannin lots | |
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Valandraud | Château La Diminique AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 17 | ||
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Valandraud | Clos Fourtet AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 17 | ||
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Valandraud | Château Franc Mayne AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 18 | good | |
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Valandraud | Château La Gaffeleiere AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 18+ | good to better | |
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Valandraud | Château Grand Mayne AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 18 | ||
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Valandraud | Château Larcis Ducasse AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 17.5+ | ||
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Valandraud | Château Larmande AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 17.5+ | ||
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Valandraud | Château Pavie Macquin AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 18+ | long – good cashmere and power | |
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Valandraud | Château Pavie Macquin AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 17.5+ | Very good | |
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Valandraud | Château Valandraud AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 18+ | ||
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Visit 31: Lunch Château Fleur Cardinale AOC Saint-Émilion
Just around the corner from Valandraud is Château Fleur Cardinale. We really are on the North Easter edge of Saint Emilion now, just a touch cooler than further into the appellation. The current custodian Caroline Decoster shows us around the property. She is vibrant, full of energy and ideas. The winery has sharp imagery and has a modern tough well integrated with the traditional. A new experience we enter the winery through a nature corridor where we see and hear the look and sound of their vineyards through the seasons – a very sensory experience, and only the beginning Caroline has invested in an immersive Virtual reality experience also, alas we did not have time to try this nor the need as we were in the property itself – although this could be a useful tool in New Zealand. We are then shown to a dining room. Caroline’s parents in law were originally from central france Limoges, famous for its porcelain and china, and this dining room supports some of the most impressive Limoges ware I have seen. We progress to lunch off these beautiful plates. Incredible. We discuss everything from wine to climate to children and art. A great afternoon.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
La Fleur Cardinale | Château La Fleur Cardinale AOC Saint-Émilio | Colour | 3 | 18 | Good colour, fresh, great length and expression, fruit and secondary character |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
DAY 4: Afternoon Visits
Smith Haut Lafite, Haut Bailly, Carmes Haut Brion, La mission Haut Brion
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smith Haut-Lafitte | Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge AOC Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé | Colour | 3 | 18.5-19.5 | Toast, spice, length, coffee, tannins already integrated |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9+ | ||||
Smith Haut-Lafitte | Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc AOC Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé | Colour | 3 | 19 | Salt, mineral, lovely texture, oyster shell, great balance and astounding length wow |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Smith Haut-Lafitte | Le petit Smith Haut Lafite Rouge AOC Pessac-Léognan | Colour | 3 | 17 | Grainy tannin good length nice concentration |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Smith Haut-Lafitte | Le petit Smith Haut Lafite Rouge AOC Pessac-Léognan | Colour | 3 | 18 | Merest hint of grass aromatic nose, the most kiwi like Blanc I have tried yet from Bordeaux |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
Visit 33: Château Haut Bailly AOC Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé
Haut Bailly has a new winery and I love it. Why? Because it really is in tune with its local terroir. Yes it uses precious Earth resources like steel for its tanks and fittings, but it is thoughtful in all ways on how it co exists with Mother Earth, Dug into the hill with a garden roof, water reticulation, energy panels, heat and temperature conversation, the list goes and on and on and what a joy it is to hear birds tweeting and bees buzzing around the winery as if it was native garden and woodland. And then add to this the wines are delicious (or because of this….)
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
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Haut-Bailly | Haut Bailly II AOC Pessac-Léognan | Colour | 3 | 18.5+ | Bright, juicy, delicious really very good, super nose 65% Merlot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Haut-Bailly | Chateau Haut Bailly AOC Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé | Colour | 3 | 19+ | Beautiful nose of fruits (red, blue and black) geavels and stones, mineral , great power, great texture, plenty of mouthfeel and body |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 19 |
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
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Ch. de Fieuzal | Colour | 3 | 17+ | Good palate obvious tasty qualities | |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8+ | ||||
Ch. de Fieuzal | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Fresh,bright good balance and length and nice integration of oak to create a ligh texture with just the right amount of weight to mineral | |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Ch. de Fieuzal | Colour | 3 | 17 | Great label with the horse nice acid and fruit not enough texture | |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Ch. de Fieuzal | Colour | 3 | 18 | Lovely golden colour already nice nutty and bortrtis characters and vibrancy – delicious. They also have a second wine worth tasting | |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
Visit 35: Château Les Carmes Haut Brion AOC Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé
A very interesting visit indeed. Avant garde with chic architects and close to the Bordeaux town, modern art scrawled on the concrete tanks, hipster winemakers and team – This wine is for K road except K Road cant afford it. So its for rich people who think they like to go to K Road! Great wines though and as natural as it gets
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
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Les Carmes Haut Brion | C des Carmes Haut Brion AOC Pessac-Léognan | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | 70% whole bunch a dense interesting wine, fresh wild bush and herbs on the nose very ‘natural wine’ |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Les Carmes Haut Brion | Château Les Carmes Haut Brion AOC Pessac-Léognan | Colour | 3 | 18+ | Large juice berryish (wild berries) hedgerow, country lanes, good tannin structure, will stay lifted and fresh for decades and drink now |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
Visit 36: Château La Mission Haut Brion AOC Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé
It is the end of the week. I sit in the tasting room of La Mission Haut Brion. A room that is hundreds of years old, with wood panels and the most beautiful wood pane large window looking out into the greenest of gardens. A room of zen, a room with untold stories and right now it feels that in this moment time has stood still, the pendulum has frozen mid swing and here I am in this room with me, my friends and some of the greatest wines ever made.
DAY 4: Evening Black Tie Gala Dinner
La Fete du Bontemps
The Bontemp is the wooden bowl in which the egg whites are whisked for that most amazing part of the winemaking process, the fining of the wines. A truly fitting symbol to end the Bordeaux En Primeur week and celebrate the 2022 vintage. The vintage is truly fascinating. If you had asked the Commanderie (The elite group of Chateau owners) in May 2022 what they perceived of the vintage – they would have had heads down predicted not only an apocalypse for 2022 but for future vintages also given that 22 climatic conditions may be a harbinger of years to come. Widespread frosts in Spring of 2022, A large Hail event not long after, and then three of the hottest months ever recorded in the region starting in May. Every Chateau employed their own methods to combat these conditions. Chateau Margaux reduced foliage in an attempt to reduce photosynthesis, Chateau Latour kept foliage to shield the berries from harsh sun, soils, yeasts, crop cover all were played with. Harvests were conducted earlier than normal with many picking their Merlot in the last week of August. And then as the wines began to vinify it is clear that something remarkable was happening. The wines had a vibrancy, a freshness, an elegance and a restrained power, large mouth feel and incredible length. The vintage was turning into a truly memorable one and a success. And in the end all the vignerons could say was that in large part it was down to the vines and the terroir and their own ability to adapt to climatic conditions. The combination of limestone, gravel and clay soils allowed the roots to both go deeper and find amazing flavour components while being able to survive from the retained water in the soils and water carrying capacity. In the end the vines adapted. 2022 is their vintage.
And so we gathered on this night to celebrate, and the mood was high. The commanderie were relieved and ecstatic. This vintage has given them a glimpse of a good future for Bordeaux. Large bottles of 99 Latour circled the table and my cup was always full. I laughed and danced with my new friends. I am quite sure that Xavier the owner of Branaire Ducru will be owing me a bottle of something special as The All Blacks defeat France in this year’s World Cup. The Prince of Monaco is now my friend. And to my dear friends in New Zealand, It was Bordeaux that truly inspired me to enter this crazy World of luxury and sensory delight. For me it is not about the final product, the sensory delight or even the social coming together, it is the fact that wine is a most natural product and springs from our Earth, and the same vine speaks to us so differently from each terroir. I believe that all of our food should be like this, we should have thousands of baked beans and thousands of cauliflower flavour profiles – every foodstuff uniquely speaking of its terroir. Being an individual whilst being part of a group – somewhere in that is the grand unifying theory. Good night one and all and if you wish to partake in this year’s 2022 En Primeur Campaign, please don’t hesitate to let me be your light through the chamber.
My Recommendations to Purchase En Primeur 2022
I recommend the following wines because I believe that they are outstanding from the vintage and that buying them EP will definitely be a far better price than waiting to purchase upon release and also because these first tranche allocations ex Chateau will be very scarce and snapped up by the global market. I have chosen several superstars which must not be missed if you want the very best and several excellent value wines which will knock your socks off at more reasonable (for Bordeaux) prices. I have also chosen wines which displayed incredible balance and supple tannins and whose drinking life will last both several decades and yet be ready to drink as soon as they are in your hands or very soon thereafter. Wines will be available in New Zealand late 2024 with 50% payment by Dec 2023 and remainder upon arrival into New Zealand and at the point of delivery to you. Happy drinking!
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Cheval blanc AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 20 | $1000+ | Amazing colour, dense garnet, wow! on the nose and palate – full, fresh, superb tannin – Cashmere, already ripe, finesse and balanced, red and blue fruits – you can drink this right now, incredible. Will age for decades too. so much restained power wrapped up in the elegance. 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet franc, 1% Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 10 | ||||
Château Vieux Château Certan AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $350+ | Very complex, licorice, spice, Very very good balance and tannin, this wine builds and builds through the palate, has decades of life in it. 75% merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Château La Consellante AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $350+ | Aromas of sea salt and fruit switl, exceptional length, complex, beautiful, satin tannins, power elegance drink after 2025 or more will age incredibly. 87% Merlot 13% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9+ | ||||
Château Talbot AOC Saint Julien Fourth growth | Colour | 3 | 18 | $100+ | Jean-Max Drouilhat makes a great wine – elegant, pretty e very good tannin |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande AOC Pauillac Second growth | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $250+ | Silky, powerful, exceptional, clean, long 78% Cabernet sauvignon 17% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Château Calon Ségur AOC Saint Estèphe Third growth | Colour | 3 | 18.5+ | $200+ | Very very nice. Fresh, tannin, excellent structure, power, wow. 70% Cabernet sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Château Pontet Canet AOC Pauillac Fifth growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5-20 | $200+ | Incredible Nose, savoury, complex nose, great power and strength, a wide palate, minerality, the wine is biodynamic and has a hint of wild herbs mixed with a salinity – this wine could polarise, I think it is great 57% Cabernet sauvignon 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9.5+ | ||||
Château Brane Cantenac AOC Margaux second growth | Colour | 3 | 19+ | 150+ | perfumed aromatics and blue fruit, energy, fresh, plush, blue, very long, smooth will be ready to drink very early, great |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Margaux AOC Margaux first growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5 | $1500+ | exquisite nose, a fine fine palate, again fresh, amazing tannin ripe with texture and very long legth and firm structure 40% of crop |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Château Lafite Rothschild AOC Pauillac first growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5 | $1500+ | Great! red fruit balance refinement length amazing hint of menthol 94% Cabernet sauvignon 5% Merlot 1% Petit verdot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 19.5 | ||||
Château Montrose AOC Saint Estephe second growth | Colour | 3 | 18.5-19.5 | $250+ | really good ripe powerful round length, bright, fresh supple Cabernet sauvignon 66% Merlot 25% Cabernet Franc 8% Petit verdot 1% |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Troplong Mondot AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $150+ | great colour generous wine with power and elegance great! 85% merlot 13% Cabernet sauvignon 2% Cabernet franc |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9+ | ||||
Château Pavie Macquin AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 18+ | $150+ | long – good cashmere and power | |
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Chateau Haut Bailly AOC Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé | Colour | 3 | 19+ | $175+ | Beautiful nose of fruits (red, blue and black) geavels and stones, mineral , great power, great texture, plenty of mouthfeel and body |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 19 |
Puneet's En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Day 3
Puneet’s En Primeur Bordeaux Tour - Day 3
Wednesday, 26th April 2023
Every year, thousands from around the world descend upon Bordeaux for what the locals call “Crazy Week” where the wine industry’s finest come to visit the famous Chateaus of the region and sample hundreds of the latest vintages. In this third part of a series, Puneet recounts his experience visiting the region and just what to look out for from 2022.
DAY 3: Morning Visits
Brane Cantenac, Issan, Palmer, Rauzan Segla, Margaux
Visit 18: Château Brane Cantenac AOC Margaux second growth
Henri Lurton runs a tight ship here, but he sets his own mark and understands the individuality of people and the senses. In such a way he achieves uniqueness from his wines that sets him as a class above. The Estate is 75 Ha. In 2022 the small berries, particularly from The Merlot gave a denseness, suppleness and aromatic quality to thew wine. Henri fermented at cooler temperatures from a 100+ lots. At first the Grand vin had no poress additions, but he found the Cabernet sauvignon skin so amazing that he added some of this press to the Grand vin.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
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Brane-Cantenac | Colour | 3 | 18+ | Aromatic, plush, smooth silky tannins ready to drink | |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Brane-Cantenac | Château Brane Cantenac AOC Margaux second growth | Colour | 3 | 19+ | Perfumed aromatics and blue fruit, energy, fresh, plush, blue, very long, smooth will be ready to drink very early, great |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Visit 19: Château d’Issan AOC Margaux third growth
This Chateau’s architecture look and feel linger back to 1300 to 1600 AD. Its large stonework, its clos and moat with actual water. There is a mediaeval quality to the place – you expect trumpets to blare with coats of arms unfurling from the brass. The owners are very keen to work with New Zealand and open up Pacific markets.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
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Issan | Blasson d’Issan AOC Margaux | Colour | 3 | 17 | Good tannin and length, nice power, from the eatern edge of the estate, petit verdot is on own rootstock 44% Cabernet sauvignon 55% Merlot, 1% Petit verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Issan | Château d’Issan AOC Margaux third growth | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Fresh, vibrant, tannin good but large will take a few years to mellow, unlike Brane which are already supple the malbec parcel adds to the blend 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
Visit 20: Château Palmer AOC Margaux third growth
We are told at Palmer that the Merlot really adapted to conditions and although June through to harvest was record breaking heat, the Merlot developed ripe, complex and aromatic characters. The Chateau was relieved and confident for the future and really believe that the future is in Clay. Vine maintenance is also key with cover crops and biodynamic principles. Vineyard age also plays a key part in adaptation. Also as the intense heat started early, in May the vines again had some time to adapt to the heat before veraison and harvest.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
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Palmer | Colour | 3 | 18 | Great nose so complex, intensity and good concentration on palate, plenty of flavour and lovely ripe tannins. The alter ego comes from about 1/3 of the estate mainly from gravel soils | |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Palmer | Château Palmer AOC Margaux third growth | Colour | 3 | 18.5+ | Delisious, power voluptuousness, elegance, dark fruit, firm structure, ripe wines are from deeper gravel and clay parts of the estate |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 |
Visit 21: Château Rauzan Ségla AOC Margaux second growth
A very cool visit – we were shown various samples from the barrel room – always a great help to understand more about why the final blend is as it is. The Chateau GM is very keen for her technical team to learn more English and is considering sending some of the team to New Zealand – I have promised them and many others fly fishing excursions around Taupo – and even with a helicopter thrown in to get to the higher streams!
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rauzan Ségla | Château Rauzan Ségla AOC Margaux second growth | Colour | 3 | 17 | Nice, savoury character, elegant and quite gentle, quite linear perhaos not as round and full as others 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 |
Visit 22: Château Margaux AOC Margaux first growth
Managing director Philippe Bascaules conducted our tasting. And what a tasting. With the large Chateau we are escorted through several levels of security through a square gravel courtyard into a simple white conservatory lining the courtyard. Phillipe talks in depth about his work and the vines. He believes that removing leaves in extreme heat and therefore limiting the plants ability to photosynthesise is now a key philosophy for Margaux and a key reason to their success this year. He grants me permission after the tasting to take a photo down the path in front of the legendary Chateau. I do so with a copy of Ponsonby News.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Margaux | Pavillon blanc du Château Margaux | Colour | 3 | 17 | Nice, savoury character, elegant and quite gentle, quite linear perhaps not as round and full as others. 72% Cabernet sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Margaux | Pavillon rouge du Château Margaux AOC Margaux | Colour | 3 | 18.5+ | Exceptionally fragrant nose, so elegant, power, fresh, long length with concentration, velvety tannin, creamy 32% of crop |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Margaux | Château Margaux AOC Margaux first growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5 | Exquisite nose, a fine fine palate, again fresh, amazing tannin ripe with texture and very long length and firm structure 40% of crop |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 |
DAY 3: Lunch
at Château Lascombes AOC Margaux second growth
Another incredibly picturesque Chateau and wow what a lunch – the best of the tour and more fit for a wedding. The string duo playing as we arrive, the bright lit room with exceptional china and tableware and the biggest cheese table ever with every great cheese from France represented – various vintages of aged Margaux on the table C’est magnifique, lunch was so good I take some extra time and skip the UGC margaux tasting – life’s pleasure must take precedent.
DAY 3: Afternoon Visits
Latour. Mouton, Lafite, Montrose, Duhart, Clerc Milon
Visit 23: Château Latour AOC Pauillac first growth
There is always an excitement when you visit one of the elite Chateau and for many Latour feels like the top one, although through these tasting I can see how each first growth is unique to its terroir and appellation. We have a tasting with an English gent which is different and of course all get quite excited as we leave to get pictures near the famous Tower – Latour!
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Latour | 18 Le Pauillax de Château Latour AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | Really, really approachable, juicy, round, fruit driven joyful |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Latour | 22 Le Pauillax de Château Latour AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Round, plump, felsh, good mid palate 48.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46.2% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Latour | 17 Les Forts de Latour AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | Blue, round and broad length also velvet big wine tasty |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Latour | 22 Les Forts de Latour AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | Beautiful nose, fragrant aromatics, good power, fresh, nice tannins 58.7% Cabernet Sauvignon 37.9% Merlot 3.4% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Latour | 15 Château Latour AOC Pauillac first growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5 | Wow, blue black fruit, slate, mineral, saline round and full, power elegance – this has it all |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Latour | 22 Château Latour AOC Pauillac first growth | Colour | 3 | 19 | Perfect nose, so much aroma, vioets, very very large wine but elegant very long finish 92% Cabernet sauvignon 7.4% Merlot, 0.15% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Visit 24: Château Clerc Milon AOC Pauillac fifth growth (includes Mouton Rothschild)
The company has a nice collection of Pauillac Chateau, and the wines are very well made, perhaps it was late in the day, or a crowded tasting room, these wines were shining but not shining brightly to me to knock my socks off, this is unusual given the level of greatness I am seeing elsewhere, I would love to revisit the Mouton again and reassess
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clerc Milon (Mouton R.) | Pastourelle de Clerc Milon AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Really good, great value, bright elegant and ripe tannins |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Clerc Milon (Mouton R.) | Château Clerc Milon AOC Pauillac fifth growth | Colour | 3 | 17-18.5 | Great nose massive tannin will need a while perhaps after 2028 or so big power large concentration – I’d like to taste this gain in a few years |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 7.5 | ||||
Clerc Milon (Mouton R.) | Château d’Armailhac AOC Pauillac fifth growth | Colour | 3 | 17.5-18.5 | Bright red/blue fruit juicy, full, round, more rip but still big tannin |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Clerc Milon (Mouton R.) | Le petit mouton de mouton rothschild AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 16 | Nose is not so great, palate is ok, tannins not bad, fruit is bright and some roundness to mouthfeel |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 7.5 | ||||
Clerc Milon (Mouton R.) | Château Mouton Rothschild AOC Pauillac first growth | Colour | 3 | 17.5-18.5 | Nose is good, length is nice up front, dips a little in the middle and comes back well at the end, very nice finish |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
Visit 25: Château Lafite Rothschild AOC Pauillac first growth
I love this Chateau. The back of the Chateau opens up onto a deck which looks out over the most beautiful lake – true Monet style. My negociant tells me they had the Chateau to themselves for the evening a year ago, and 5 of them dined on the terrace overlooking the lake – I my gosh I hope that opportunity comes to me one day – its a bucket list thing!
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lafite-R | Moulin de Duhart AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 17 | Good as you know bright fresh power, elegant although a little less tannin smooth at sacrifice of length although a good finish 87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Lafite-R | Château Duhart Milon Rothschild AOC Pauillac fourth growth | Colour | 3 | 17.5-18 | Big. Plenty of power large tannin needs a lot of time 78% Cabernet sauvignon 22% merlot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5-9 | ||||
Lafite-R | Carruades de Lafite AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 18+ | Really nice good, racy, bright smooth tannin and length. 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Lafite-R | Château Lafite Rothschild AOC Pauillac first growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5 | Great! Red fruit balance refinement length amazing hint of menthol 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate |
Visit 26: Château Montrose AOC Saint Estephe second growth
After last night’s party a return to the scene! We have a strong intelligent young guy present – Arnaud – he spent some time at Waiheke with Steve at Stonyridge, so we get on famously. Its the last tasting of the day and no engagements this evening. I down the Montrose!
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Montrose | Château TronquoyAOC Saint Estephe | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Good structure, finesse and power bright god fruit 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Montrose | Dame de Montrose AOC Saint Estepehe | Colour | 3 | 18+ | Delicous round, expressive powerfull ripe 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Montrose | Château Montrose AOC Saint Estephe second growth | Colour | 3 | 18.5-19.5 | Really good ripe powerful round length, bright, fresh supple. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Puneet's En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Day 2
Puneet’s En Primeur Bordeaux Tour - Day 2
Tuesday, 25th April 2023
Every year, thousands from around the world descend upon Bordeaux for what the locals call “Crazy Week” where the wine industry’s finest come to visit the famous Chateaus of the region and sample hundreds of the latest vintages. In the first of a series, Puneet recounts his experience visiting the region and just what to look out for from 2022.
DAY 2: Morning Visits
Ducru Beaucaillaou, Beychevelle, Pichon Lanande, Lynch Bages
Visit 11: Château Ducru Beaucaillou AOC Saint Julien Second growth
An iconic site in the Medoc owned by Brono Borie. They have a lovely dog on site and Brino’s mother known as Madame Beaucaillou is now 97 years old and still busys herself around the Estate. An eclectic Chateau full of vitality and life, with a brimful of overt aristocracy. I mean all the Chateaux belong to the aristocracy, but here you can feel the old money in the skin of the people and the walls of the building. Yet I’d take these people over Elon Musk any day.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ducru-Beaucaillou | Madame de Baucaillou AOC Haut Medoc | Colour | 3 | 15.5 | Lovely, fresh, pretty nose, palate a little flat and dry large tannin |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 7 | ||||
Ducru-Beaucaillou | Le Petir Ducru AOC Saint Julien | Colour | 3 | 17 | The restaurant wine’ this Chateau waspreviously Lalande Borie – more balance, power, fresh, slate, good length, round easy well made |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Ducru-Beaucaillou | La Croix de Baucaillou AOC Saint Julien | Colour | 3 | 17+ | Deep crimson colour, more toasted nose, great palate more silky texture, velvet, cafe creme element good to drink now |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Ducru-Beaucaillou | Château Ducru Beaucaillou AOC Saint Julien Second growth | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Delicious, again fresh nose, lovely elegant yet concentrated, good length grainy tannin drink after 2025. |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
Visit 12: Château Beychevelle AOC Saint Julien Fourth growth and UGC tasting for Saint Julien/Listrac
A very enjoyable stroll around Château Beychevelle tasting Saint Julien and Listrac Medoc wines. Saint Julien had a good showing the freshness, balance, perhaps the alcohols were a bit higher than yesterday’s right bank wines but all in all a good show. Talbot has always been a favourite of mine, but honestly so many good wines. I also had a look at the wines of Listrac Medoc, just North of Margaux on the west coast. These wines will be good value in 2022 such as Clarke, Fourcas Hosten and Fonreaud.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UGC St Julien / Listrac Ch Beychevelle | Château Beychevelle AOC Saint Julien Fourth growth | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Lovely colour, good aromatics, well done on legth and full mouthfeel |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
UGC St Julien / Listrac Ch Beychevelle | Château Branaire-Ducru AOC Saint Julien Fourth growth | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Very good, fresh, elegant tannins stay fresh not as silky as Poyferre |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
UGC St Julien / Listrac Ch Beychevelle | Château Gloria AOC Saint Julien | Colour | 3 | 17+ | Better tannins, bery good value, fresh, power etc |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8+ | ||||
UGC St Julien / Listrac Ch Beychevelle | Château Gruaud Larose AOC Saint Julien Second growth | Colour | 3 | 17 | Good vintage typical – ripe tannins, fresh, power, elegant |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
UGC St Julien / Listrac Ch Beychevelle | Château Langoa Barton AOC Saint Julien Third growth | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Expressive of vintage and better tannins at the back end with less astringency will be ready to drink earlier perhaps from 2024 |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
UGC St Julien / Listrac Ch Beychevelle | Château Leoville Barton AOC Saint Julien Second growth | Colour | 3 | 18 | Fresh, power, elegant, length good tannin structure |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
UGC St Julien / Listrac Ch Beychevelle | Château Leoville Poyferre AOC Saint Julien Second growth | Colour | 3 | 18+ | Really enjoyed this wine, silky tannin, good aromas and length |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
UGC St Julien / Listrac Ch Beychevelle | Château Talbot AOC Saint Julien Fourth growth | Colour | 3 | 18 | Jean-Max Drouilhat makes a great wine – elegant, pretty e very good tannin |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Visit 13: Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande AOC Pauillac Second growth and UGC tasting for Saint Julien/Listrac
Pichon Lalande and Pichon Baron sit practically across the road from each other in Pauillac and they are the classic fairy tale castles. These would have been the Castles that Rapunzel was trapped in with it soaring minarets at each corner. The great thing about Pichon Lalande is that you are practically sitting on along one edge of Latour and get a great view of the Latour tower. Chateaux dont get any bigger or grander really.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pichon Lalande | Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande AOC Pauillac Second growth | Colour | 3 | 19+ | Silky, powerful, exceptional, clean, long 78% Cabernet sauvignon 17% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Pichon Lalande | Pichon Comtesse Reserve | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | Saline, length, power, grace, fresh biodynamic 54% Cabernet sauvignon, 34% Melot, 10% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Pichon Lalande | Château Pez AOC Saint Estephe | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Silky, slightly saline, concentrated power 59% Merlot, 38% Cabernet sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit verdot |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 8 |
Visit 14: Château Lynch Bages AOC Pauillac Fifth growth
Wow – Lynch Bage’s new winery must be the most advanced I have ever seen and must be the most advanced in the World. A gleaming glass and steel post modern cube on 4 or 5 levels with every widget and widget that you might ever need to make perfect wine….good thing their grapes are pretty good! And then lunch in their barrel hall… I hear the school teacher shout…Wilkins! Actually I don’t but the lunch was very reminiscent of an english school hall canteen except we were drinking exceptionally aged Bordeaux with beautiful food.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lynch Bages | Château Lynch Bages AOC Pauillac Fifth growth | Colour | 3 | 18 | Fresh, length, excellent 66% Cabernet sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3% Cabernet franc, 3% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Lynch Bages | Echo de Lynch Bages AOC Pauillac | Colour | 3 | 16 | Grunty tannin, but has the power will develop well but will need a few years 64% Cabernet sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 7 | ||||
Lynch Bages | Blanc de Lynch Bages | Colour | 3 | 17+ | Rock melon, light texture, gresh, mineral, aromatic 67% Sauvignon blanc, 22% Semillon, 11% Muscadelle |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Lynch Bages | Château Haut Batailley AOC Pauillac Fifth growth | Colour | 3 | 17 | |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Lynch Bages | Haut Batailley Verso | Colour | 3 | 15.5 | A medicinal element to the wine |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 7 | ||||
Lynch Bages | Château Ormes de Pez AOC Saint Estephe | Colour | 3 | 16+ | Nose a little bit cardboard, silky tannin, good length and balance, well built on palate structure 39% Cabernet sauvignon, 51% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petiti Verdot |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 7.5 | ||||
Lynch Bages | Château Batailley AOC Pauillac Fifth growth | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | The 22 Vintage contains a tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s reign – good tannin structure plus the typicity of the vintage, power, fresh fruit and so on |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 |
DAY 2: Afternoon Visits
Cos D’Estournel, Calon Segur, Pontet Canet
Visit 15: Château Cos d’Estournel AOC Saint Estèphe Second growth
I have been drinking and selling Cos d’Estournel for many years, but this was my first visit to the Chateau and in all this time someone had forgotten to send me the memo. The place is a shrine to Indian architecture. I walk past 9 Hedges each shaped as an elephant. The exterior follows Mughal lines of architecture, geometric fountains, intricate minarets, internally the place is plush and exotic. I discover that the original owner in search for investment to keep the Chateau afloat had travelled to India in the early 1800’s (in the knowledge that thirty Brits would be there) and uncovered a whole market by himself. Unconventionally he set up his own bottling plant at the Chateau, and produced, bottled and dispatched the wines to India himself. I wasn’t until 1924 that any other Chateau followed suit and Mouton began bottling themselves. Until then Cos was an outlier in every sense. The owner was nicknamed the ‘Maharaja of Saint Estephe’ an honorific I now have my eye upon! The Chateau labels 2022 as an emotional vintage but as we know now – the results are exceptional.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cos d’Estournel | G d’Estournel AOC Gironde | Colour | 3 | 17 | Surprisingly good from the Northern territory on the estuary of the Gironde, fleshy, broad and linear, velvety, good value drink now Merlot 67%, Cabenet Sauvignon 29%, Cabernet Franc 3.6%, Petit verdot 0.4% |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Cos d’Estournel | Pagodes de Cos AOC Saint Estèphe | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Great flavours, still punchy but balanced, red, blue fruits and leather with grained but already soft tannins Cabernet sauvignon 50 %, Merlot 49%, Cabernet Franc 1% |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Cos d’Estournel | Château Cos d’Estournel AOC Saint Estèphe Second growth | Colour | 3 | 18+ | Beautiful, good acid, length, grainy but well integrated tannin, generous, open Cabernet sauvignon 61%, Merlot 37%, Cabernet franc 1%, Petit verdot 1% |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Cos d’Estournel | Pagodes de Cos Blanc AOC Medoc | Colour | 3 | 18 | Sea shell, salty, mineral, light texture, no new oak from North by ocean Sauvignon Blanc 57%, Semillon 43% |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 8 | ||||
Cos d’Estournel | Cos d’Estournel Blanc AOC Gironde | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | Wow, body, length, ageable, texture Sauvignon blanc 74% Semillon 26% |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
Visit 16: Château Calon Segur AOC Saint Estèphe Third growth
Their is a lot of cool things about Calon Segur. Firstly is is a Clos 9walled) vineyard one of only a handful in Bordeaux. The label expresses this Clos as a heart which is very cool. Also the Chateau loves the colours of the brightest lipstick gloss red – its sexy and dangerous and chic. And the wines are good! The Chateau claims that ‘The 2022 vintage is characterised by very small berries combining a great richness in tannins and anthocyanins and a great freshness, preserved by the clay of ou terroir’
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Calon Ségur | Château Calon Segur AOC Saint Estèphe Third growth | Colour | 3 | 18.5+ | Very very nice. Fresh, tannin, excellent structure, power, wow. 70% Cabernet sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit verdot |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Calon Ségur | Le Marquis de Calon Segur AOC Saint Estèphe | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Toasted nose, very good, depth, length, structure, integrated tannin 58% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Calon Ségur | Château Capbern AOC Saint Estèphe | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | Good, concantration, round, generous going to moccha 52% Cabernet sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit verdot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Calon Ségur | Château Vray Croix de Gay AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 18-19 | Plush, cashmere, velvet, gorgeous 81% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 | ||||
Calon Ségur | Château Le Prieure AOC Saint Emilion | Colour | 3 | 17+ | Good, nice mineral element, elegeant, length 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8 |
Visit 17: Château Pontet Canet AOC Pauillac Fifth growth
A quite remarkable Chateau, the place has a ranch feel, indeed being biodynamic they do have many horses, but it is more than that. The place is large, sprawling and steeped in history, it feels oh so Pauillac. Justine Ts=esseron conducts our tasting. More and more we realise the Bordelaise are not completely sure of how they have achieved such a remarkable result in their wine given the frosts, hail and extreme heat weathered by them.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pontet-Canet | Château Pontet Canet AOC Pauillac Fifth growth | Colour | 3 | 19.5-20 | Incredible Nose, savoury, complex nose, great power and strength, a wide palate, minerality, the wine is biodynamic and has a hint of wild herbs mixed with a salinity – this wine could polarise, I think it is great. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9.5+ |
DAY 2: Evening
Chateau Montrose, Saint Estephe Party
Charlotte Bouygues and Pierre Graffeuille had invited me to an evening at their Chateau – Montrose toi celebrate The 2022 En primeur vintage. Charlotte Bouygues is daughter of Martin Bouygues who himself is son of Francis Bouygues. In the early twentieth Century Francis setup Bouygues International, now one of France’s biggest industrial firms. To put it in perspective these are the kind of guys who have their own exclusive club within the Billionaire’s club. These are also the kind of people who own the big Chateau these days. They are intelligent, sophisticated people and most importantly they know how to retain wealth within a close circle of wealth holders – usually the family. But anyway here I was invited to their party. I had a good group of cohorts in my party group, an Australian somm, some wine merchants from Estonia and a couple of my Negociant team.
In a tight turnaround we finished out Tuesday avo tastings, and headed straight to the party. A splendid entrance, into the magnificent winery foyer, and we are greeted in a Royal line up by the entire Bouygues family. The matriarch is Melissa Bouygues, she cuts an impressive figure and is undoubtedly ‘The Queen’ – Magnificent blond hear, in a satin green ball gown and a pearl necklace and earring set which would test the neck muscles of ‘The Rock’ himself. I greet the Matriarch and we settle on a brief conversation about New Zealand and the fine things in life. I move into the room and pick up a cheeky 2019 Montrose. ‘Slurp’ Oh yes its good.
It seems a big theme for the night is going to be ‘Light’. Some dude has a cool light box. My gang lines up for a lovely black and white contrast photo. “Come back later in the night” he grins…”after a few more wines” We tour round the Chateau, Plenty is going on. I waltz into the barrel room and pick up a 2010 Montrose…wow we’re moving on up a level now, secondary characters, power, fruit and supple tannins…wow. The room is busy, some winery hands are racking a barrel ‘old school’ style, tipping the barrel with a long pulley lever and pouring the barrel wine into a wine glass which is checked by candlelight for lees and sediment and then poured into a new barrel. Another worker solemnly concentrates as he top syphons some aged Montrose from a Methuselah into separate decanters. A 30 metre long garden is set up where everything in the garden is completely edible. I wonder how ‘shroomy’ the mushrooms will be and gulp down a few, seems to put me in a good vibe anyway.
We are ushered into the Montrose barrel room, possibly one of the most impressive of such structures in Bordeaux (and there are a few). Romanesque arches around a large square auditorium both long, wide and high, You could easily fit a couple of large aeroplanes in here. We wait expectantly and are rewarded. I personally have not spent too much time at the ballet, but a duet is performed in and amongst a golden light show at one end of the barrel room. The theme remains ‘From roots to light’ – It lasts 7 or 8 minutes and moves me and my cohorts to tears. My buddies from Estonia tell me how Talin in Estonia is known for its incredible World class ballet, I book a date with them.
We roll out of the barrel room and I am lucky enough to stumble into a Jeroboam upon which a special label is being created that night with a certain amount of guest signatures on the bottle – I sign up. Late that night the bottle is rolled out avec label to much fanfare. And then the launch of Montrose’s first ever white wine. After so much red this is an absolute joy. As a kiwi I am always blown away by white Bordeaux – it has such a large amount of Sauvignon blanc, but the silkiness and texture obtained overlaying the minerality and acidity is something that we do not achieve/seek in our wines. I wonder if Hawkes Bay and Waiheke may be missing a trick here.
The night wears on, the band comes out to play, The Bouygues’ show us that they can dance with the common people. I am whisked into a van and return to Bordeaux centre ville, quite satisfied.
Puneet's En Primeur Bordeaux Tour: Day 1
Puneet’s En Primeur Bordeaux Tour - Day 1
Monday, 24th April 2023
Every year, thousands from around the world descend upon Bordeaux for what the locals call “Crazy Week” where the wine industry’s finest come to visit the famous Chateaus of the region and sample hundreds of the latest vintages. In the first of a series, Puneet recounts his experience visiting the region and just what to look out for from 2022.
The Bontemp is the wooden bowl in which the egg whites are whisked for that most amazing part of the winemaking process, the fining of the wines. A truly fitting symbol to end the Bordeaux En Primeur week and celebrate the 2022 vintage. The vintage is truly fascinating. If you had asked the Commanderie (The elite group of Chateau owners) in May 2022 what they perceived of the vintage – they would have had heads down predicted not only an apocalypse for 2022 but for future vintages also given that 22 climatic conditions may be a harbinger of years to come. Widespread frosts in Spring of 2022, A large Hail event not long after, and then three of the hottest months ever recorded in the region starting in May. Every Chateau employed their own methods to combat these conditions. Chateau Margaux reduced foliage in an attempt to reduce photosynthesis, Chateau Latour kept foliage to shield the berries from harsh sun, soils, yeasts, crop cover all were played with. Harvests were conducted earlier than normal with many picking their Merlot in the last week of August. And then as the wines began to vinify it is clear that something remarkable was happening. The wines had a vibrancy, a freshness, an elegance and a restrained power, large mouth feel and incredible length. The vintage was turning into a truly memorable one and a success. And in the end all the vignerons could say was that in large part it was down to the vines and the terroir and their own ability to adapt to climatic conditions. The combination of limestone, gravel and clay soils allowed the roots to both go deeper and find amazing flavour components while being able to survive from the retained water in the soils and water carrying capacity. In the end the vines adapted. 2022 is their vintage.
And so we gathered on this night to celebrate, and the mood was high. The commanderie were relieved and ecstatic. This vintage has given them a glimpse of a good future for Bordeaux. Large bottles of 99 Latour circled the table and my cup was always full. I laughed and danced with my new friends. I am quite sure that Xavier the owner of Branaire Ducru will be owing me a bottle of something special as The All Blacks defeat France in this year’s World Cup. The Prince of Monaco is now my friend. And to my dear friends in New Zealand, It was Bordeaux that truly inspired me to enter this crazy World of luxury and sensory delight. For me it is not about the final product, the sensory delight or even the social coming together, it is the fact that wine is a most natural product and springs from our Earth, and the same vine speaks to us so differently from each terroir. I believe that all of our food should be like this, we should have thousands of baked beans and thousands of cauliflower flavour profiles – every foodstuff uniquely speaking of its terroir. Being an individual whilst being part of a group – somewhere in that is the grand unifying theory. Good night one and all and if you wish to partake in this year’s 2022 En Primeur Campaign, please don’t hesitate to let me be your light through the chamber.
<<TABLE>>
My recommendations to purchase En Primeur 2022.
I recommend the following wines because I believe that they are outstanding from the vintage and that buying them EP will definitely be a far better price than waiting to purchase upon release and also because these first tranche allocations ex Chateau will be very scarce and snapped up by the global market. I have chosen several superstars which must not be missed if you want the very best and several excellent value wines which will knock your socks off at more reasonable (for Bordeaux) prices. I have also chosen wines which displayed incredible balance and supple tannins and whose drinking life will last both several decades and yet be ready to drink as soon as they are in your hands or very soon thereafter. Wines will be available in New Zealand late 2024 with 50% payment by Dec 2023 and remainder upon arrival into New Zealand and at the point of delivery to you. Happy drinking!
Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Approx NZ Landed Price | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Château Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | $450+ | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavour all over the mouth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Day 1: Morning Visits
Beau-Sejour-Becot, Figeac, Cheval Blanc, Canon, Angelu
A beautiful morning. I wake up in Hotel Normandie – right in the centre of Town. In the breakfast room, quiet, just one or two others, I’m sure industry people. The buffet has the most delicious mini sausages and amazingly golden scrambled eggs – I pair this with some fresh hams and crusty bread. I will need to eat well – over the next four days. For I (together with a couple of thousand of the most influential industry types globally) will be visiting dozens of the most famous Chateaux and tasting hundreds of wines, all barrel samples of the 2022 vintage. In Bordeaux the Locals call this ‘The Crazy week’. The continued global fame, allure and almighty wealth of this region rests on the consensus of the cognoscenti during this week – The Bordelaise pull out all the stops, the red carpet is laid out in style, the magnificent Chateau are all puffed up, exquisite gardens manicured and barrel halls and wine cellars are polished to space station cleanliness. This is a global PR exercise that has been conducted in this manner for centuries and is now finely tuned for maximum seduction. On the way out of the breakfast room, I grab a choc au pain. I meet my negociant contact outside the hotel – Adrien. He wears a very cool orange neck scarf. We jump into a cool Mercedes van – very ‘A Team’ and then pick up the various cohorts of our eclectic tasting group. Tom from the UK, Madame Honda from Tokyou and Dimitri and Svetlana from Moscow. And so we drive into Bordeaux wine country with today’s schedule very much a ‘Right bank’ day for our group.
Visit 1 : Chateau Beau-Séjour Bécot Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé B
A gentle mist has rolled over St Emilion and now the Easter sun is already taking hold at 9:30am. We enter the gravel courtyard of Beau-sejour Becot. A winding iron staircase around the brick tower brings us into the beautiful tasting room. We meet with Julien Becot (partner of owner Juliette Becot)and Jean de Cournaud, technical director. The estate under in its current family has now been owned for 3 generations, but like many many Chateaux in the region – the wines have been planted for over a thousand years.In recent years, the vines have been planted from an East west orientation to a North South Orientation. Julien explains how in the vineyard the team are becoming more data aware. They analyse the vineyard point to point in clusters of 30 vines at 3 times per year and add these results (soil type, moisture and so forth to a computer generated soil health map. This helps them to determine specific management techniques for ultra small parcels within the vineyard
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beau-Séjour Bécot | Chateau Beau-Séjour Bécot AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé B | Colour | 3 | 17-18 | Silky, beautiful, fresh, elegant, good tension, dense mid palate. 76% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet suvignon. Interestingly the Cab Franc in this blend is typically 10% so a significant increase – this is something we encounter again and again accross both left and right bank for the 22 vintage. Harvest 5th to 18th September, 55% New oak, 30% Oak cask, The rest in clay amphora and 1 yr old barrels |
Nose | 5.5+ | ||||
Palate | 8.5 | ||||
Beau-Séjour Bécot | Château Joanin Bécot AOC Côtes de Castillon | Colour | 3 | 16+ | Cotes de Castillon is 50KM north East of St Émilion. The two areas have the same Limestone plateau overlaid with some clay. The wine displays well rounded, fresh and juicy berries. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet franc. 35 days cold maceration. Harvets 15th to 26th September |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 7+ |
Visit 2 : Chateau Figeac Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A
We drive Into the car park, I start to learn that as the Chateau is higher up the hierarchy, so with it comes more security. Various gendarme types meet us at the car park and again at the Chateau gates. Adrien our negoce works his charm and connections and we breeze on through. We meet with owner Blandine de Manoncourt. I find it incredible that we taste just one solitary wine and yet the entire waelath of this estate is built on this one product. It goes to show that you do not need a plethora of wines and wine styles to grow and carve out a significant market niche. Blandine is very happy, not only with the wine but that the Estate has been reclassified into the top elite status of Saint Émilion Classe A this year. We begin to hear what becomes a familiar story for the whole vintage. 3 serious weather events in the year. Spring frosts, followed by hail, followed by record high temperatures mid growing season. The worry was for an over ripe over extracted vintage – but by some growing miracle the vines at harvest displayed incredible freshness, power and tension and this comes through in the wines. After the tasting – our tasting group is starting to relax and bond – we make some poses at one of the coolest windows overlooking a vineyard in Bordeaux.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Figeac | Chateau Figeac AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | Amazing, broody nose, still BIG tannin, drink from 2027 onwards, awash with flavoour all over the mounth. 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, 1 % Cabernet sauvignon. |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Visit 3 : Chateau Cheval Blanc Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A
We walk down the pristine paths of Cheval blanc to the winery – the mid morning freshness remains with us. The day really is very pleasant. We bump into General Manager (and resident genius) Pierre Lurton also walking in, opting for the double breasted jacket over the polar neck and worn leather satchel – he looks every inch the part. We taste in a corner of the winery and Pierre gives us an impromptu 5 minute Masterclass. As I write these notes now having finished the week, and I reflect on the vintage – then Cheval blanc is easily the superstar of the vintage – It will be exceptional from the day it is released and for many many decades.The Saint Emiilio blue clay over limestone bedrock soils allowed water to retain in the heat of the year and to provide a remarkable ripeness and freshness..
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cheval Blanc | Chateau Cheval blanc AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 20 | Amazing colour, dense garnet, wow! on the nose and palate – full, fresh, superb tannin – Cashmere, already ripe, finesse and balanced, red and blue fruits – you can drink this right now, incredible. Will age for decades too. so much restained power wrapped up in the elegance. 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet franc, 1% Cabernet sauvignon |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 10 | ||||
Cheval Blanc | Chateau Quinault L’Enclos AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 3 | 17 | Supple but some agression the dark berry and concentration of Cabernet suvignon are present 63% Merlot 20% Cabernet sauvignon 17% Cabernet franc |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5+ |
Visit 4 : Chateau Canon Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé
Canon feels quaintly french. You feel that every lunch time the local boulangerie sends baguettes to the workers. It has an elegant charm, a simplicity that speaks to sophistication. Its GM Nicolas Audebert gave us one of the most succinct and knowledgeable appraisals of the vintage of anyone over the week, and he also rang the Canon bell for us!.Essentially many variables were at work to what appeared on the surface to be a ‘dog of a vintage’,to actually turn out to be one of the great vintages with exceptional balance in ripeness, freshness, power and flavour profiles. In some ways the vines adapted themselves to the difficult climatic conditions, their roots went deeper as temperatures soared, possibly as a memory from recent hotter years. The clay soils retained enough water to provide energy for the vines in the hottest months. The vignerons worked carefully with leaf management trying to find the right balance between managing photosynthesis and keeping the berries shaded.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canon | Canon Château Canon AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé | Colour | 3 | 17.5-18.5 | Spicy and aromatic nose, fresh, lovely round mid palate, more power, grainy tanins, good minerality,Early pick for Merlot from 30th August, 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. will be ready to drink after 2025 |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5+ | ||||
Canon | Château Berliquet Saint-Émilion Grand cru classé | Colour | 3 | 18 | Spicier than Canon, lengthier a saline element to the wine at back of palate, would pair well with Bisque, very good indeed will be ready from release |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 9 |
Visit 5 : Chateau Angelus Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A
The bells of Chateau Angelus are iconic, I was told they would not ring for me, but there they were ringin’ aplenty as we entered the Estate. The other things I learnt is 1) the people at Angelus love Chandeliers starting from their grand hallway entrance 2) The Chateau owners clearly have a thing about absolutely massive high ceiling barrel halls, the barrel hall at Angelus is splendid and yes several Chandeliers for our gratification 3) The good people of Angelus had decided to label the vintage as ‘Majestic saying ‘The vintage isn’t just unprecedented, it is extraordinary’ 4) They have the most beautiful framed photos of their gnarly old vines at various stages of harvest along their incredible winery hall.5) and finally their wines weren’t too shabby
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Angelus | Angelus Château Canon AOC Saint-Émilion Premier grand cru classé A | Colour | 3 | 18.5-19.5 | Cashmere notes on palate, fresh, roundy, grainy tannin, herbal and floral aroma notes, muscle,power and elegnance very good |
Nose | 6.5+ | ||||
Palate | 9+ | ||||
Angelus | Carillon d’Angelus AOC Saint-Émilion | Colour | 3 | 17+ | Good length, silky, tight and linear 90% merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet sauvignon from 18 Hactares |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 8.5 |
Lunch at Château la Vaisinerie AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion
with Alain Moses Chairman and Founder of TWINS Negociants
After an incredible morning in Saint Émilion, where it is dawning how well the right bank has performed in the 2022 vintage, we make our way for a lovely pitstop on the outskirts of Saint Emilion, an AOC called Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion, at the Country home and Chateau of Alain Moses, Chairman and founder of Twins negociants. The garden path to the front of the house is so wonderful, country plants, herbs and flowers line the path, bees busy doing their thing, a stillness of air, we are all very ‘present’ here. La Vasiniere is Alain’s country project and his second home. I comment on how I love the sculptures around the house, created in jet black stone. He comment’s “Really – They are my wife’s – she is a designer from Milan – Everything must be Black or white” It seemed to me he would not be too averse to some alternate colours in his house from time to time. I supped the 2019 vintage – very nice. The food was jumping off the barbeque, as we learnt more about the TWINS story. Alain set up the business in the 1990’s with his twin sons Antony and Sebastien, and in the late 2000’s handed over the reins entirely to his children. The negociant has an excellent reputation with all the Chateaux in Bordeaux, and also Alain loves Patisserie, in fact who doesn’t love Patisserie – If a French person was a food item they would most certainly be some form of Patisserie. After a lovely lunch we head out to the Chateaux of Pomerol… onwards.
DAY 1: Afternoon Visits
L’evangile, Vieux Chateau Certan, La Conseillante, Client, Nenin (Leoville Lascases)
Visit 6 : Château L’Évangile AOC Pomerol
And here we are, the iconic Pomerol. The appellation is so small you can see almost every corner. I really like the label of Evangile, sharp post modern lines although the label is many many decades old, depicting its iconic red winery. Pomerol really is magic. The perfect match of clay, blue clay, limestone and even sand making up its soils. The wines at Evangile are a good start.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
L’Evangile | Château L’Évangile AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 16 | Nice power and mid palate, hints of bitter chocolate 88% Merlot 12 % Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 7.5 | ||||
L’Evangile | Blasson de L’Évangile AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 18 | Very good, Cinnamon abd spice, good length, long tannins, some spice, good mid palate, fresh 82% Merlot, 17.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 8 |
Visit 7 : Château Vieux Château Certan AOC Pomerol
Fondly known as VCC to its followers. This Pomerol giant is always a sensory and cerebral Masterclass much in the fashion of its owner Alexandre Thienpont. You feel this as soon as you enter the Estate. Beautiful old Wisteria lines the building. The place has a calmness to it, a sense of ‘perfect fit’ between the winery and its surroundings – I always feel this in the greatest wineries. I love listening to Alexandre, a soft voice and much knowledge about his terroir – he illuminates me that young Cabernet from his sites can fall between aromas of Wisteria and Chamomile
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCC | Château Vieux Château Certan AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 19+ | Very complex, licorice, spice, Very very good balance and tannin, this wine builds and builds through the palate, has decades of life in it. 75% merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 |
Visit 8: Château La Conseillante AOC Pomerol
Every Grand Vin in Pomerol is exceptional, and in a vintage like 22 – they are just shining. They say for 2022 ‘Ou of extreme conditions came balance’. Again we receive another Masterclass from Bertrand Nicolas 5th generation at Conseillante, Owner and GM. He notes that Conseillante is on a Plateau. To the North is Petrus with its 100% blue clay soil and therefore 100% Merlot wines. To the South is Cheval Blanc which has more gravel than clay and edges uo further with its Cabernet varieties. To the West is VCC which is mainly gravel and similarly has larger proportions of Cabernet Franc, and to the East Evangile with larger clay proposents and Merlot proportions. For Conseillante they are almost the combined profile of all these terroir with 60% clay and 40% clay/gravel. As we know now, May 2022 was the warmest month ever on record or the region, however by a miracle of nature they had perfect flowering on 18th May.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
La Conseillante | La Conseillante Château La Consellante AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 19+ | Aromas of sea salt and fruit switl, exceptional length, complex, beautiful, satin tannins, power elegance drink after 2025 or more will age incredibly. 87% Merlot 13% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 7 | ||||
Palate | 9+ |
Visit 9: Château Clinet AOC Pomerol
Ronan Laborde has been running the estate since 2004, his family have owned Clinet since 1999. He wants to keep the Esate modern, fresh, connected to the consumer, producing Grand vins and great value also. He is famous in the region as The Marathon Man’ often seen running around Bordeaux practising for his Marathons. I love this place.
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clinet | Clinet Château Clinet AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Fresh, beautiful, upfront round and plush, good length, grainy tannins, will be ready in a few years from bottling 80% mrlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 8.5+ | ||||
Clinet | 2019 Fleur de Clinet | Colour | 3 | 15.5 | Good length, some heavy tannins 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 7 | ||||
Clinet | Château Lecuyer AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 16 | Good early flavour, descends quite quickly from mid palate to drying tannins – again large and needs time 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 7.5 | ||||
Clinet | 2018 Ronan by Client | Colour | 3 | 16 | All right bank grapes, great value, meaty, toasty, easy, pleasant 95% Merlot |
Nose | 6 | ||||
Palate | 7.5 | ||||
Clinet | 2019 Pomerol by Clinet AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 17 | Fresh, typical merlot, round, expressive a little more length and this would be elevated from good to really good wine 95% merlot 5% Cabernet Franc |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 7.5 |
Visit 10: Château Nenin AOC Pomerol
We finish the day at Chateau Nenin, a petit (by relative standards) and exquisite Chateau with lovely mini maze hedges. We enter into the house and are ushered into a beautiful dining roon, with white as its predominant theme and bronzes and artefacts peppering the room as the other feature. A lovely tasting from parent owner Domain Delon and a nice entry into Left bank with Saint Julien
Visit | Wine | Sensory Type | Sensory Score | Total Score | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nenin (Léoville Las Cases) | Château Nenin AOC Pomerol | Colour | 3 | 17.5+ | Silky, elegant, viscous, lovely, seductive, Cashmere Merlot 64% Cabernet Franc 36% Soils a mix of clay and gravel |
Nose | 5.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Nenin (Léoville Las Cases) | Château Potensac AOC Medoc | Colour | 3 | 17.5 | A limestone soil, great nose, fresh, fruit and mineral expression and graphite, good concentration, length just lacking a little power and length 43% Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot 36.5%, Cabernet Franc 19.5%, Petit verdot 1% |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Nenin (Léoville Las Cases) | Château Clos Du Marquis AOC Saint Julien | Colour | 3 | 18.5 | Very expressive nose, red fruit, lovely palate, flavours accross the broad palate lovely lingering after taste Merlot 45.5%, Cabernet sauvignon 44.5%, Cabernet Franc 10% |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9 | ||||
Nenin (Léoville Las Cases) | Château Léoville-Las Cases AOC Saint Julien Second growth | Colour | 3 | 19 | Domaine Leoville split after the french recvolution into Las cases, Poyferre and Barton. A brooding nose, lovely length, power and concentration will age well |
Nose | 6.5 | ||||
Palate | 9.5 |
Day 1: Evening TWINS Soiree
By now our tasting group are a well gelled team. Madame Honda enjoy 12 Latour from Jeroboam and continue in this vain with gems from Jero such as 09 Troplong Mondot 06 L’Evangile and many others – the party was off to a swing – The TWINS team were a joy to get to know, met a fellow Kiwi working at Jeroboams in London, in fact it has been great to reconnect with a lot of the UK fine wine crowd on this trip, before the night can cross the midnight threshold, I am ushered into a taxi and ferried home – this is is only day 1 and we have 3 more days to go!