|
Red Bordeaux |
|
2016 |
Beychevelle
|
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£420 |
The 2016 Beychevelle has a stunning bouquet of vibrant, shimmering blackberry and wild strawberry fruit laced with crushed stone and rose petals. The well-balanced palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a slightly savory/dried blood finish that lingers in the mouth. Tasting both in London and in Bordeaux, I found the latter bottle to have a little more precision and race on the finish. This will surely be a benchmark for this Saint Julien estate. Drink 2023-2055.
Score: 96 Neal Martin, vinous.com (Jan 2019), January 2019
|
|
96 |
|
Red Bordeaux |
|
2001 |
Bellevue Mondotte
|
3 |
Case |
12 |
75cl |
£900 |
Rating
94
Release Price
$150 - 175
Drink Date
2004 - 2022
Reviewed by
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Issue Date
30th Jun 2004
Source
153, The Wine Advocate
The newest baby of Gerard and Chantal Perse, this 5-acre vineyard (with vines averaging 45 years of age) was acquired in 2001. A blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (similar to Pavie-Decesse), it was cropped at a tiny 15 hectoliters per hectare, enjoyed a seven week maceration period, was aged in 100% new oak, the first six months on its lees, and bottled unfined and unfiltered after 24 months of aging. There are only 4,500 bottles of this elixir. While not as complex or delineated as Pavie or Pavie-Decesse, it is opulent, even voluptuous, with a heady perfume of ink, black fruits, truffles, and lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied, expansive, and velvety-textured, this huge, sweet, chewy St.-Emilion boasts great concentration and texture. Drink it during its first 15-18 years of life, although my instincts suggest it will live a lot longer.
|
|
94 |
|
Red Bordeaux |
|
2015 |
Leoville Las Cases - 6x75
|
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£750 |
Bottled in July 2017, the 2015 Leoville-Las Cases is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot cropped at 39 hectoliters per hectare. It has an arresting bouquet, very intense with blackberry, blueberry and oyster shell aromas, becoming more floral with aeration with hints of crushed violet developing. This is quite a “punchy” bouquet that demands your attention. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannin, a fine line of acidity, very impressive tension and an involving, mineral-driven finish (you can feel the tongue tingling after the wine has departed). It will require at least a decade in bottle, but it will be worth the wait. Anticipated maturity: 2025 - 2050.
Score: 96 Neal Martin, -, March 2018
|
|
96 |
|
Red Bordeaux |
|
2013 |
Angelus - owc 3x75
|
48 |
Case |
3 |
75cl |
£570 |
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Issue Date
28th Aug 2014
Source
214, The Wine Advocate
On the other hand, the opaque purple-colored 2013 Angelus, a brilliant blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc harvested between September 9 and October 3 (only 60% of the production was utilized), possesses good acidity as well as pure blueberry, mulberry and black currant fruit intermixed with notions of licorice, Christmas fruitcake, underbrush and forest floor. With medium body and more texture than is found in most 2013s, it should drink well for 8-10 years. This vineyard is meticulously manicured and the wine is brilliantly made by Hubert de Bouard.
|
|
93 |
|
Champagne |
|
2006 |
Krug
|
4 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£1,100 |
“Krug's superb 2006 Brut, which will be released this year, numbers among the vintage's high points, unfurling in the glass with a complex and expressive bouquet of tarte tatin, warm biscuits, ginger, honeycomb, dried white flowers, smoke and toasted nuts. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and textural, with a fleshy attack that reflects the warm vintage but segues into a beautifully vibrant palate that's deep and surprisingly reserved, displaying superb definition, delicately chalky structure and a long, lively finish. While this is a powerful vintage Krug, it's also beautifully balanced and will give immense pleasure for decades.”Erobertparker.com – 97 Points – William Kelly“Krug's superb 2006 Brut, which will be released this year, numbers among the vintage's high points, unfurling in the glass with a complex and expressive bouquet of tarte tatin, warm biscuits, ginger, honeycomb, dried white flowers, smoke and toasted nuts. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and textural, with a fleshy attack that reflects the warm vintage but segues into a beautifully vibrant palate that's deep and surprisingly reserved, displaying superb definition, delicately chalky structure and a long, lively finish. While this is a powerful vintage Krug, it's also beautifully balanced and will give immense pleasure for decades.”Erobertparker.com – 97 Points – William Kelly
|
|
97 |
|
Red Burgundy |
Leroy |
2001 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts
[owc] |
6 |
Bottle |
|
75cl |
£1,850 |
Domaine Leroy
2001
Vosne-Romanée "Les Beaux-Monts" ♥
1er Cru Red 750 ml
Score: 94
Drink: 2014-2020
Outstanding
Producer note: Mme Bize reports that her yields in 2001 were lower than in 2000, averaging only 17 hl/ha compared to the prior vintage's yields of between 20 and 22 hl/ha. As was the case for the 2000 vintage, Domaines Leroy and d'Auvenay elected to bottle quite early; just before the harvest for the 2001s and in early November for the 2000s. When I inquired as to why she elected to bottle so early, the response was essentially that it was to "preserve freshness and to use even less SO2". I tasted the Domaine Leroy wines in late November and I will taste the Domaine d'Auvenay wines in February (a report on which will appear in Issue 10).
The Leroy 2001s are, in a word, incredible and in most cases, clearly better than her very impressive 2000s. Mme Bize summarizes the two vintages by saying "2000 is bigger but 2001 is finer and more precise". I have commented in the past that the quality of the tannic structure of the Leroy wines seems to become ever finer with each passing vintage and so it is again in 2001. Moreover, there is a purity and remarkable texture to the wines that seems even more pronounced and perhaps because the ripeness was not as high in 2001 that the wines appear to be even more transparent to their respective terroirs than usual. In fact, when taken as a whole from the top to the bottom of the Leroy range, this may rival the 1993 vintage as her finest ever. Such comparisons aside, what is absolutely clear is that this is a knock out set of wines and despite the often painful prices, it is unquestionably a vintage to buy at least a few bottles because the wines are unquestionably sensational. Note: I will review the d'Auvenay reds in the next Issue. (Martine's Wines, Novato, California)
Tasting note: The first wine to display even a hint of toast with slightly ashy notes and combines opulent, pure, very spicy and very ripe black fruit aromas and mouth coating, beautifully textured, velvety flavors and astounding persistence. This is an ever-so-slightly more complete wine than the Brulées and while the ash notes would usually be of concern, there is so much concentration and power here that I have no doubt that the toast will successfully integrate.
|
|
94 |
|
White Bordeaux |
|
2011 |
Yquem
[individual owc] |
18 |
Bottle |
|
150cl |
£360 |
The 2011 seems to be a close cousin of the 2001 and possibly 1988. Light gold, restrained but very pure, noble and intense bouquet of honeysuckle, caramelized apricot, white peach with a subtle hint of toasty oak. It builds slowly but beautifully to a full-bodied wine and long finish. This vintage is about restraint and perfect balance despite the 144 grams of residual sugar. Some vintages are more exuberant or flamboyant-2011 is racy and compelling. Of course these wines can be drunk young, but expect the 2011 to age for 50 -75+ years in a good cellar. Robert Parker, 15/9/13
Score: 97
|
|
97 |
|
Red Burgundy |
Rousseau |
2007 |
Clos Saint Jacques
|
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£3,500 |
A touch of wood spice frames an ultra elegant, cool and mineral suffused red currant, cherry and raspberry nose that complements to perfection the detailed, supple, round and wonderfully classy medium weight flavors that possess positively gorgeous complexity on the sappy, mouth coating and explosively long finish. A wine of harmony and style with outstanding depth and the particularity of the '07 Clos St. Jacques is its unmatched delicacy.
Score: 93 Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (37), January 2010
Score: 92/94 Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, January 2009
|
|
93 |
|
Red Bordeaux |
|
2005 |
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild
[repack] |
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£1,300 |
An excellent second wine, the 2005 Le Petit Mouton exhibits soft, lush, subtle herb-infused black currant fruit along with notions of licorice, smoke, and burning embers. Enjoy this well-made effort over the next 7-8 years
|
|
88 |
