Delicious drinking Clarets...

94 Points - Neal Martin

You cannot escape just how lovely this bouquet is. Touches of white flowers, vanilla pod, custard creme, mango and a touch of lime. Wonderful definition. The palate is medium-bodied, fine tannins, real depth of flavour here with the oak interwoven into the plush, oaky texture (showing less of the petrol aromas it exhibited at birth.) It will need time for that oak to subsume itself entirely, but it is a really beautiful Blanc '07.

97 Points - Neal Martin

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Leoville Las-Cases 2010 has a very elegant bouquet with earthy, tobacco infused black fruit, fine delineation and well-integrated oak. It is tight at first, but opens nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry. Very fine tannins, very elegant and harmonious with beautifully judged acidity leading to a classic finish that is totally seductive. Glorious. Tasted January 2014.

Robert Parker "Possibly the greatest Fieuzal since the legendary 1985, the 2013 boasts a light straw color with a greenish hue as well as a stunning perfume of tangerine oil, orange marmalade, citrus and honeysuckle. Surprisingly full, rich, exuberant and borderline flamboyant, this is a stunning white Graves to consume over the next 20+ years."

94+ Points - Stuart McCloskey "This is quintessential Pauillac and the best Pedesclaux I have sampled from the estate in over 10 years. The palate is full-bodied with copious sweet ripe black fruit, marked by soft tannins and wonderful harmony and tension. This is undoubtedly an outstanding Pedesclaux which could get better?"

The selection process under proprietor Bruno Borie is so severe at Ducru Beaucaillou that readers should be giving serious attention to the second wine, Croix de Beaucaillou, which sports a dramatic black and gold label. The 2011 exhibits attractive black currant and black cherry fruit, medium body, silky tannins and a lush, round, up-front appeal. Enjoy it over the next decade.

Winemaker "Very intense colour. The nose is dominated by fruit notes such as cherries and blackcurrants. A touch of cedar elegantly brings the nose together as a whole. On the mouth, the wine is well balanced and expresses with subtlety its purity and loyalty to the Pauillac’s territory. It really is Château Pontet-Canet’s little brother."

Stuart McCloskey "It’s difficult not to be impressed, silky / supple tannins work harmoniously with the high quality fruit. Cabernet flavours dominate with blackberry leaf, cassis with a touch of cocoa coming through as the wine starts to reach its tenth birthday. Really delicious but does require 2-3 hours in a decanter."

Stuart McCloskey "Stylish Sauternes from an outstanding vintage. At perfect maturity and awaiting the company of Stilton or Roquefort."

92-94 Points - Neal Martin "The de Fieuzal Blanc has a lifted, perfumed bouquet with touches of dried orange peel and apricot blossom that are well defined and vigorous, perhaps leaning slightly to the New World (though there is nothing wrong with that.) The palate is well balanced with crisp green fruit, lemongrass and orange zest that builds to a vibrant, satisfying finish. This is a superb white from the estate."

90-92 Points - Neal Martin "From Alain Vauthier’s estate, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this is showing very good fruit intensity on the nose, the oak very unresolved at the moment, nice purity though with blackberries, a touch of iodine and blueberry compote. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, supple and quite fleshy, lovely focus on the caressing finish. Nice tension with wild strawberry and raspberry liqueur. Excellent.

Only available in cases of 12 - just £10.30 per bottle

Many years have passed since we teamed up with Hubert de Bouärd; co-owner of Château Angelus, and the famed Kentish artist Graham Clarke to create our first own-labelled Bordeaux wine. Individually sourced, using carefully selected grapes, resulting in a fabulous table Claret. How does it taste after a decade? We put our own wine to the acid test this week…

Stuart McCloskey tasted 27.11.2019 “A lovely nose of redberries, mulberry, liquorice, clove and a whiff of new oak and graphite unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied and surprisingly seductive. Merlot is in the driving seat with a lovely spicy and sweet fruit entry. Mid-palate offers more savoury / earthy notes. I detect a Burgundian forest floor intermixed with dried herbs, cedar and sandalwood. The tannins are fine and polished beautifully. A touch of dryness on the finish indicating this should be consumed over the next 2-3 years. Overall, this is a cracking Claret (serve it blind as I am sure most would consider this a £20 / £25 bottle). Decanted for 1-2 hours and served in Zalto’s Bordeaux glassware