Merlot

Possibly the “wine of the vintage,” the 2008 boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, camphor, truffles and crushed rocks. With great fruit on the attack and mid-palate, a medium to full-bodied, multidimensional mouthfeel and a skyscraper-like finish, this prodigious effort over-delivers, even for this phenomenal terroir. Give it 5-8 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 40-50 years.

92-94 Points - Neal Martin

The Moulin St Georges is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that was picked on the 11th and 12th October respectively. Apparently there was a little bit of rain that they hoped would stop...but it didn’t. The nose is floral and generous with hints of fruitcake infusing the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe, rounded entry. It is silky smooth and there is beautiful delineation and poise towards the finish as one often founds with this often under-estimated Saint Emilion. Wonderful tension here, mainly thank to the 3.55pH – great persistency. Tasted April 2013.

96 Points - Neal Martin

Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2008 Trotanoy has an attractive bouquet with engaging clarity and purity: raspberry preserve, wild strawberry, a trace of something almost medicinal just below the surface. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a crisp line of acidity, subtle notes of cedar and tar infusing the red berry fruit with a composed, structured finish with plenty of freshness and vigor. Classic in style, well crafted and sure to give another two decades of pleasure, this is a stupendous Trotanoy that is up there with the 2009 and 2010 . Yes, it's that good and in fact, it kept on improving as it opened in the glass. 

92 Points - Antonio Galloni "The 2016 Petit-Figeac is a gorgeous, silky second wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Sweet floral notes add freshness and lift to this expressive Saint-Émilion. In 2016, Petit-Figeac has a bit more Franc than usual which also contributes to the wine's perfumed personality. This is impeccably done."

Only available in cases of six - just £9.50 per bottle

A fruity and expressive wine that has a brilliant ruby red colour. With notes of red fruits such as raspberries and cherries, giving the wine a young style, great structure and complexity. Great aromatic intensity. This is a Merlot with good balance of tannins, acidity, oak and red fruits.

The Estate line brings together wines with a fresh, honest style that respect the varietal expression of their region of origin. Maipo is well-known for its Merlot wines as well as its Cabernet. This wine is a good example of this classic from Maipo.

Nick Butler, The Real Review "Maintaining a lively, youthful crimson-red hue. Violets and lifted red-berry aromas, subtle and assured. Cedar and toast, cinnamon and red licorice. An elegant less-is-more cabernet blend; plenty of raspberry and blueberry energy without straying into darker fruits. Tannins are finely-grained and ripe. Acidity in that same red-berry spectrum underwrites a promising future. Excellent."

Winemaker "This Cabernet Merlot packs a punch! Bright and charming, the perfume of Cabernet Sauvignon strikes you first, followed swiftly by its precise and structured palate. With its partner in crime Merlot providing the palate weight, with fruit generosity and richness.  Juicy, medium bodied and full of flavour. Red currants, cherries and blueberries fill the palate complemented by the dusty fine-grained tannin and precise structure. The refreshing acidity balances the supple tannin and red fruits that leaves you wanting more."

97+ - 98+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “This is not powerful per se – more ethereal, terroir driven and as close to a left bank Bordeaux I have ever sampled from Australia. The wine needs coaxing from the glass - 4-hours in a decanter does the trick and delivers an extraordinary sense of minéralité. Supremely focused with tightly coiled fruit. Time being the only key to unlock its full potential. Violets aplenty which work wonderfully, along with brooding, dark fruits, laced with fine herbs, bay, graphite, minerals and sea salt.  The balance is astonishing, the flavours slowly creep up on you. A wine which is utterly effortless, so pure and so precise. Today, this wine exudes intellect and detail – the best years are yet to come. Nonetheless, it is outstanding in its youth, but will be close to perfection in its prime (10 years in my opinion). In short, a very special wine which must be served with consideration and the mood to match. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”   

93-95 Points - Robert Parker

94 Points - Neal Martin

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Chapelle d'Ausone 2010 has a tightly coiled bouquet that is very linear and controlled, not as expressive as its peers but with fine mineralite. The palate is tight on the entry with crisp tannins, bright tart cherry fruit and plenty of energy. It builds in the mouth to quite a structured, linear finish that does not forsake breeding and class. If only all second wines were as good as this. Tasted January 2014.