Bordeaux

The majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend yields a wine with ripe blackcurrant, cedar tree and earthy aromas. Notes of cherry, cranberry, spice and hints of liquorice continue on the palate which is enveloped in smooth, ripe tannins. This wine shows lovely balance, depth and structure with an elegant finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 15%, Petit Verdot 3% and Cabernet Franc 2%

ABV = 13.0%.

Based in Pessac Leognan on the left bank of Bordeaux, the elegant and noble Château de Rouillac is imbued with a historic past. In the 19th century Château de Rouillac was owned by Baron Haussmann, who produced a delicious wine which is said to have delighted Napoleon III. The current proprietor Laurent Cisneros and his family took up the reins of this magnificent property in 2009, passionately championing sustainable and environmental practices. The property has had a long association with horses and possesses beautiful stables; Titan their huge and impressive horse is still used today to plough the exceptional gravel soils in the vineyard. Renowned oenologist Eric Boissenot produces wines which are delicately blended with the utmost precision to reveal their optimum expression.

The property is located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation and is right at the entrance to the city of Bordeaux. The vineyard sits on an exceptional terroir of gravel. The estate covers 36 hectares of which 26 hectares are planted with vines. The vines are cultivated sustainably, with respect for the environment and the biodiversity on the estate. Herbicides are not employed; instead the vineyard is cultivated in the traditional manner. The grapes are manually harvested.

2012 was a challenging vintage characterised by high rainfall. However, a hot, dry period during the summer promoted the growth cycle and ripening of the grapes. 2012 was a grower’s vintage; meticulous work in the vineyard reduced the risks of disease pressure and allowed for a harvest of good quality. Harvest dates were carefully chosen, resulting in good quality fruit with silky tannins. Harvest took place 1st to 12th October 2012.

Fermentation and maceration of the skins took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats, lasting for 20 to 25 days. During vinification daily pump-overs and punching down of the cap took place in order to extract colour and tannins; and impart structure and flavour. 100% of the wine was transferred to French oak barrels, one third of which was new and the wine underwent malolactic fermentation; two thirds of the wine were aged in barrels of one year.

Cabernet Sauvignon 58%, Merlot 42%.

A concentrated deep red wine, with ripe red and black fruit flavours enhanced by spicy notes of cloves and subtle truffle flavours. Silky smooth on the palate with fine and elegant tannins and a long, succulent finish.

ABV = 13.5%.

Château Lamothe-Bouscaut is located in the village of Cadaujac and dates back to the 12th century. In 1999 it was acquired by its neighbour, Château Bouscaut, owned by Sophie Lurton and Laurent Cogombles. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines grown on the deep gravelly soils are on average 35 years old. The vineyards are sustainably managed and pruning is carried out by hand by five vineyard workers on the nine-hectare estate.

The rich, plush palate of Château Lamothe-Bouscaut is a result of a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks and then aged for 12 months in oak, 45% of which is new.

Surprisingly approachable for its age, this Pessac-Léognan is ripe and generous and an excellent example of a fruit forward modern Bordeaux that is delicious to drink.

ABV = 13.0%.

Reviewed by Decanter in their July 2019 Bordeaux supplement, in the article "My favourite Everyday Claret" (see blue link below).

Chateau Larose-Trintaudon Haut-Medoc 2014 - July 2019 Decanter review

Château Larose Trintaudon dates back to 1719, but it wasn't until 1838 when Henry Delaroze, Mayor of Saint-Laurent, planted a vineyard on a gravelly mound in a place called 'Trintaudon' that its winemaking history began. The history remained the same as its sibling Larose Perganson, because it formed part of Jean-Pierre du Pontent's, acquisitions in 1719, when he was Counselor to the King of France. During the subsequent years, the property fell victim to phylloxera and neglect and it wasn't until 1963, when Professor Emile Peynaud was brought in to replant the vineyards, that the Château achieved the reputation that it has today.

Nestled between the communes of Saint-Julien-de-Beychevelle and Pauillac, the 190-hectare vineyard of Château Larose Trintaudon is planted upon one of the oldest layers of Médoc gravel, called the 'Pyrenean layer'. Situated on the borders of the Pauillac and Saint-Julien Appellations, it benefits from very similar growing conditions as its neighbour Château Latour. The soil is mainly composed of fine and sandy gravels on top of a clay-based limestone soil. The vines are 28 years old on average with a planting density of 6,600 vines per hectare. The team green harvests every Spring to ensure that grape bunches hang separately, allowing air to circulate around each one, and to control yields.

An exceptionally cold and damp summer threatened the 2014 vintage. However, an unseasonably warm and dry autumn brought fruit back on track, which resulted in perfumed and high acidity in the wines. The reds are fresh, medium bodied with supple tannins and perfect for both early drinking and cellaring.

The wine, a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 51% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, was fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain the primary fruit aromas. It was then aged in oak for 12 to 16 months of which 50% was new, adding complexity and roundness to this structured and elegant wine.

This wine is very deep, intense ruby in colour with violet hues. On the palate, sweet spices of vanilla, cinnamon and ginger entwine with flavours of dates and dried figs. A racy, incredibly full-bodied and wellstructured wine with enormous density and power. Infinite length on the palate with excellent balance between fruit, tannins and acidity.

ABV = 13.5%.

Cabernet Sauvignon 77 %, Merlot 13 %, Cabernet Franc 10 %Tasting notesAn attractive red, shading slightly to orange at the rim, the wine has an open and intense nose on black fruit aromas like cherry and blackberry, along with cedarwood, fresh mint, some more floral notes and perfectly integrated oak.From the outset, the full palate offers opulence and an attractive density, with remarkable depth of flavour. A rigorous mid-palate offers a texture of refined and silky tannins in a display of controlled power before a more tender finish.Label Artist: Gu Gan (1942)OWC wooden case for 1 imperial - good condition. 

The stunning 18th century Château Puy Guilhem is located on the hills of Saillans, overlooking the appellations of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. The vineyard covers 14.5 hectares and is situated at the highest elevation of the Fronsac appellation, where the quality soils produce rich, concentrated grapes. The vineyard is manually cultivated following a sustainable philosophy and renowned consultant oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt vinifies by parcel, creating hand-crafted, fruit focused and beautifully balanced wines.

2009 is widely cited as an outstanding vintage. The growing season was almost perfect, with a long, fine, warm summer and crucially, cooler nights which helped to retain balancing acidity. The wines are intensely ripe and rich.

The appellation of Fronsac is on the right bank close to Saint Emilion. The wines are dominated by Merlot. Château Puy Guilhem’s vineyard is situated in an elevated position of the appellation, atop high quality soil composed of a mix of clay and silt, which imparts structure to the wine. The vineyard is managed sustainably without the use of herbicides. Cover crops of grass are grown between the vines and manged with light tilling.

Fermentation took place in temperature controlled vats and lasted for 24 to 48 hours. The fermenting must was manually pumped over, with daily observations to check the evolution of the skins. Maceration lasted between three to four weeks to extract the desired levels of colour, flavour and tannins. The wine was aged for 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels, of which 50% were new and 50% was of one year.

100% Merlot.

A mature and traditionally styled Bordeaux showing ripe and fleshy black berried fruits with a lovely savoury and earthy finish. A powerful yet elegant red with ripe berried fruits enhanced by a subtle note of oak spice. Full bodied, with juicy fruit and an attractive savoury note on the finish.

ABV = 14.0%.

Ripe, friendly, plummy red with firm tannic backbone. Very well made and great to enjoy young. Medium bodied.

ABV = 13.0%.

Ripe, friendly, plummy red with firm tannic backbone. Very well made and great to enjoy young. Medium bodied.

ABV = 13.0%.