Domaine de Chevalier
L'Esprit de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
Another great 2nd. Rich and dark in the glass, the nose is fresh but earthy with floral notes, coffee and dark fruit. Palate evolves over a couple of hours, opening into a great blend of stewed fruit, spice, almond, sour cherries and baking spice. Tannins are firm but acidity is in check and there is a nice medium length finish which has a little tart sweetness. Very enjoyable and plenty of unexpected complexity. — 5 years ago
Montes
Purple Angel Colchagua Valley Carménère Petit Verdot 2017
The Purple Angel lives up to expectations. A great blend of Carmenere and Petit Verdot which actually has a vibrant purple edge in the decanter. It is early days for this one but it can already be enjoyed with some decanting time but I think it is better than the 2016. Deep ruby and purple colour, the nose is a combination of Napa Cabernet and Australian Shiraz, rich, smokey, plenty of dark fruit and some nice burnt rubber and tar. On the palate there is blackcurrant, cherry, smoke and green and black pepper. This has a nice long finish and while it is definitely young, the tannins and acid are not overpowering. Definitely plenty of ageing potential and I think this will get better and better. Rating now is 9.2 but I’m sure it will end up at 9.5 in the future. — 4 years ago
Agricola Punica
Barrua Isola dei Nuraghi Carignane 2016
This is a very good modern style Italian. The nose is really fragrant, almost Napa like with plenty of dark, sweet fruit blended with lavender, vanilla and light oak. Palate is smooth and rounded with minimal acidity and a nice long slightly sweet and smokey finish, there is also a little licorice in here. Alcohol is on the high side but this is well worth trying, I really enjoyed it. — 5 years ago
Château Malartic-Lagravière
Grand Cru Classe de Graves Pessac Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
Great choice for New Year’s Day, this is really good. Stewed fruit, mushroom, blackcurrant and pepper on the nose. Rich, reddish purple in the glass, looks clean and elegant. Taste is fabulous after only a little air, black cherries, smoke, vanilla and some mineral infused chocolate. Tannins are medium and will allow plenty of further development but this is very enjoyable now. Highly recommended. Happy New year! — 4 years ago
Château de Pressac
St. Émilion Grand Cru Merlot Blend 2015
Delicious Christmas Day Bordeaux. Modern style with higher alcohol and loads of dark fruit. Deep rich red in the glass and lively aromas of fruit, leather, oak and vanilla. Palate is vibrant and layered, initially bold but smoothing out in the mouth. A little acidic early on but an hours air really settles this wine down. Very enjoyable and perfect to enjoy over a long, lazy day. — 4 years ago
Château Dassault
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
Fantastic wine, really enjoyed this one. The nose is stewed blackberries, plum, tobacco, baking spice, cedar wood and raisin. This is powerful juice and it tastes rich and almost chewy with the myriad of flavours balancing the tannins and acidity. The palate is ripe dark cherries, light smokey oak, vanilla and winter spices. It has a long elegant fruit driven finish which I liked. This may not suit the purists as alcohol is high and the style is right up in your business but I wish there were more Bordeaux offerings at affordable price points that really make you feel wow, that was just a great reflection of the region that can be enjoyed now, without taking a second mortgage or waiting until a time you may never see to enjoy. Worth grabbing a bottle. — 5 years ago
Clive McNish
Great Pinot very enjoyable. — 4 years ago