Bordeaux

Chateau Rieussec R de Rieussec is a great French white blend of Sauvignon Blanc 57% and Semillon 43%, with 20% fermentation in barrels which adds flesh, weight and textural qualities to this classic Bordeaux white wine.

The winery was purchased by Domaines de Barons de Rothschild in 1984 and has since been extensively renovated. While Chateau RIeussec is most famous for its sweet southern French white blends of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc, it also produces outstanding dry whites, such as this stunning release from the 2022 vintage. 

Statuesque Bordeaux red from an outstanding producer; one of our top picks in store for drinking now and for ageing. 

Chateau du Tertre Margaux is one of the estate?s flagship wines. It is silky and elegant, yet powerful and concentrated. The palate is fruit forward with excellent texture, tannin and balance. This wine will age very well in the cellar but is already drinking excellently.

The 2018 Blason de l'Evangile is made up of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc; Merlot was harvested September 19 to October 2, and Cabernet Franc was picked September 25 to October 1. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up open, spicy scents of powdered cinnamon, cloves and aniseed with a core of black cherry compote, warm plums, chocolate box and dried mint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black fruits with tons of evocative, spicy accents, framed by rounded tannins and finishing with a lively lift.

Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 91 - 93 (Wine Advocate)

This blend of 66% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon shows off a bright deep red colour with purple reflections. Red fruit aroma dominate the nose overlayed with subtle peppermint notes. Balanced and smooth with fine tannins, this is classic Bordeaux in style with a spicy rich finish.

Ch?teau Chantalouette is the second wine of Ch?teau de Sales. Owned by the same family for over five centuries, the 116 acre estate is the largest in the appellation and boasts the only true castle of Pomerol.

The vineyards here are composed of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon on small gravel and iron-rich loess.

Vinification is managed delicately, leading to beautifully crafted wines that are expressive of their terroir. Traditional racking and light egg-white fining help to preserve the brightness of the fruit.

Chantalouette is named after one of the larger parcels constituting the vineyard of Ch?teau de Sales. The wine is charming, round, elegant, and approachable from a young age.

"Composed of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Chambrun is deep garnet-purple in color with warm blackberries, black cherry pie and blueberry compote with touches of fried herbs and cedar. The palate is medium to full-bodied with bags of vibrant fruit and a firm frame of rounded tannins, finishing long and refreshing."

Rating (90 - 92)+

Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Savoury, structured and classically beautiful Bordeaux which drinks beautifully with complex black olive, dried herb and fragrant dark fruit flavours now; made from 48% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc. 

Chateau Magnol has 31 hectares of grapes in the Haut-M?doc, west of the city of Bordeaux and has gravel as well as sandy soils in its vineyards. It has gained the classification of Cru Bourgeois, which this commandingly impressive wine more than lives up to. 

Chateau Larroque is based just outside the 'Graves' appellation in the southern part of Bordeaux.  Made from the classic blend of Bordeaux grapes, and matured for 12 months in French oak before further aging in bottle.

On first opening, medium bodied on the palate, red cherry and dried fruits, toasted almonds with dusty savoury bramble and spice. Once given a chance to breathe opens up to offer generous plump juicy dark fruits, cassis and liquorice.

Superb value for 'left bank' Bordeaux.

A lovely traditionally styled left bank Bordeaux from a Cru Bourgeois property in the north of Medoc. The vines were fully replanted in the late 70's with 47% Cabernet, 45% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc and 3% Petit Verdot and the wine offers lovely concentrated dark bramble fruits with beautifully integrated tannins and acid.

A powerful, deep and well-structured wine, round and elegant, with excellent ageing potential.

Chateau Laffitte Carcasset is a classic Saint-Estephe red wine. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it is crafted from the best plots in the vineyard. Since 2016, oenologist Hubert de Bouard and his team provide consulting on the winemaking process.

The wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, 45% of which are new. It is a powerful, deep and well-structured wine, round and elegant, with excellent ageing potential (an average of 15-20 years). Made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, the blend also includes a large percentage of Merlot, making it enjoyable to drink in its youth.

Ambrosius by name and by nature, this beautiful expression of Saint Emilion Grand Cru is a dry, impressive blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Grapes were grown on sandy soil and sandstone on one vineyard and this wine represents exceptional value for money, both for drinking now and for cellaring. Expect a commanding southern French red now; expect great complexity within four or five years of bottle age.