Pinot Grigio Blush, Sacchetto, Venezie, I.G.T., Italy, 2012

A dry, fresh and fruity rosé with delicate aromas of red berries and crammed with summer fruit

flavours. Crisp and lively on the palate with good intensity of ripe berry and red cherry fruit.
343 Menetou-Salon Rosé, Domaine Jean Teiller, Loire, 2011 42.50

(100% Pinot Noir)

Pale salmon in colour, this delicate, dry rosé from Domaine Jean Teiller palate is redolent of

raspberries and strawberries prior to a clean, fresh finish. “Very pale yellowy salmon. All Pinot

Noir and very fresh and perfumed. Not intense but very pretty and bone dry. Juicy and very

worthwhile for fans of pink Sancerre. Lovely, balanced and refreshing. Bring on the poached

salmon! Clean, confident and assertive.” Jancis Robinson.com 16.5/20
344 Grenache-Syrah Rosé, Domaine de Montauberon, Côtes de Thongue,

Languedoc-Roussillon, 2013 35.00

(60% Grenache, 40% Syrah)

Once a royal estate, Domaine de Montauberon was bought by the ancestors of current owner

Philippe de Bertier ,13 generations ago. Philippe's rosé is a refreshing blend of Grenache and Syrah

with vibrant raspberry flavours and delicate notes of white blossom. This vivacious pink from the

Côtes de Thongue is liquid summer pudding!

(52% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 11% Mouvèdre, 8% Cinsault, 9% Clairette, 6% Bourboulenc, 2% Picpoul)

Tavel is the world's most famous rose wine. An intense ruby colour, with a complex and powerful

nose of red fruits, strawberry and raspberry. Very juicy and nicely rounded, with delicious red and

black cherry fruit laced with additional watermelon, violet and red licorice notes. A stony hint on

the finish keeps it all honest.

(98% White Zinfandel 2% Symphonia)

346 Coeur de Grain, Clos Mireille, Domaine Ott, Côtes de Provence, 2009 65.00

(50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Syrah)

This is beautifully presented, delicately blended and quite light. A silky nose of white fleshed

fruit with further fulsome aromas of plants, flowers and fruits encourage you to try it. Perhaps

more medium bodied rather than as light as some Rosés. There is an abundance of flavour with

a harmonious balance between liveliness and freshness notes of fresh fruit and generous roundness.

It has an intensity that builds to a pleasant finish which lasts nicely in the mouth. Finishing on peaches

and nectarines. Fantastic as an aperitif. The favourite luncheon wine for the wealthy elite on the

Cote d'Azur!

(Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) Suitable for vegans

A bright pink colour with aromas redolent of strawberries and candy floss. The palate has a

lively acidity, plenty of strawberry fruits and a persistent finish, The quality and style partly

comes from the granite-clay soils and the cooling Atlantic breezes, mitigating South Africa’s

fierce summer heat and helping to promote the delicate flavours and fresh textures.

it to produce more fine wines with more regularity than any other part of France, or any other country. Bordeaux

is divided by the rivers Garonne and Dordogne and, after their confluence, the Gironde. The western side, the Left

Bank, is home to the great names of the Médoc, Graves and Sauternes whilst the Right Bank houses Blaye, Bourg,

Fronsac and, more famously, Pomerol and St Emilion. The two sides offer contrasting geological landscapes with the

Left Bank soils being gravel based over limestone, forcing the vines to struggle for survival. Centuries of alluvial deposits,

sand, silt, mud and gravel have been offloaded in linear terraces where Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety.

On the Right Bank, limestone generally rises to the surface, although one exception is Pomerol with gravel soils and,

famously, a button of clay at its’ highest point- home to Pétrus. This side of the river favours Merlot in the driving

seat with, usually, Cabernet Franc in the blend. The climate is maritime and therefore extremely changeable.

051 Château Cadet, Côtes De Castillon, 2008 34.00

(75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc)

Rich jet-ruby in colour, this presents a blend of red and black fruit on the nose. The

palate is very pure on attack. There is a lovely richness and texture, an opulence which,

allied to freshness makes for a wine with both gravitas and vitality.

052 Château Les Ricards, 1^er Côtes de Bordeaux, 2009/2010 42.25

(70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec) Suitable for vegans

A lovely nose of truffles, smoke and fresh berried fruit. The palate is plump and chewy with

well-integrated, finely grained tannins. There is a chocolate richness here which opens out through

a long, fine finish. Stunning wine from Xavier & Corinne Loriaud , a great Bordeaux value wines.

050 Château Roc des Cambes, 2004 99.00

(70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc)

Perfumed and spice on the nose, concentrated cassis, leather and plump fruit are

complemented by heady floral notes. The palate reflects this and is further enriched by

layers of toasty oak and vanilla. Proprietor is François Mitjaville (Tertre Roteboeuf). It is

expensive for a Bourg, but worth it:. Full-bodied, robust, tannic, rich and long lasting.
Graves and Pessac-Léognan

The left bank of the Garonne river, from the north of Bordeaux to 10 kilometres east of Langon.

(50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc) Suitable for vegetarians.

Deeply coloured, offering fresh, pure fruit on the nose. The palate, luscious and

sappy, is very ripe but with real freshness too.

054 Château Les Carmes Haut Brion, 2002 110.00

(50 % Merlot, 40 % Cabernet Franc, 10 % Cabernet Sauvignon) Robert Parker – 90 points

Sweet and sour cherries along with spice box and tobacco characteristics jump from the glass

of this floral, ethereal Graves. Cunningly seductive and surprisingly light as well as soft and

alluring, medium-bodied, attractively lush, pure, and persistent with good finesse, depth and ripeness.
Pauillac

Sandwiched between St-Estèphe to the north and St-Julien to the south.

065 Château Haut-Bages Monpelou, 2008, Crû Bourgeois 75.00

(70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc) Wine Spectator – 87 points

It has a light feel to it but there is no denying that it has all the qualities of a great wine; opulent

bouquet with aromas of blackcurrant and cedar. It is very well structured with a light but elegant

finish. This superb Pauillac frequently rivals its classed growth neighbours in quality, but still sells at

a fraction of their price.

064 Echo de Lynch Bages, 2010, Crû 99.00

(58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 90 points

The second wine from the legendary Château Lynch Bages. Dark ruby in colour offering a sweet

nose of red fruits, plums and a touch of jam with some creamy vanilla oak. Palate is sleek and pure,

with seamless cassis, blackberry and bitter cherry notes laced tightly with iron and sweet spice.

067 Château Pontet-Canet, 2004, 5ème Crû Classé 130.00

(63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 91 points, Wine Spectator – 93 points

Inky/purple colour and with a classic nose of sweet crème de cassis, cedar, and spice box. Sweet

fruit, ripe tannin, broad, dense and focused with tremendous purity and a personality that suggests

no manipulation, no nonsense, and hard work in both the vineyard and winery, this beautiful Pauillac

should age for 2-3 decades. Finishes with noble, broad tannins and outstanding persistence. Like the

2003 version, this wine really saturates the entire palate with flavour. Medium to full-bodied.

057 Château Lynch Bages, 2005, 5ème Crû Classé 295.00

(71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot) Robert Parker – 97 points

of blackberries, cassis, graphite and pen ink. Full-bodied with velvety tannins that have resolved

themselves beautifully over the last eleven years, with a thick, juicy, succulent mid-palate, and a long,

layered finish. This wine is still an adolescent, but it exhibits admirable purity, texture, mouthfeel and

power combined with elegance. One of the all-time great examples of Lynch Bages.
- 11 -
Médoc and Haut Médoc

The left bank of the Gironde estuary, stretching northwest from Bordeaux to Soulac.

062 Château de Lamarque, 2008 58.00  

(46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 24% Cebernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot) Suitable for vegetarians. Wine Spectator – 87 points

A lustrous jet-ruby in colour. Ripe blueberry and blackberry fruit come through on the nose with

grenadine freshness and delicate spice. The palate reflects these aromatics, developing a base of

cherry liqueur, warm fruitcake and mocha. Integrated tannins and refined peppery, minerally backbone.

061 Château Bernadotte, 2005, Crû Bourgeois 64.00

(49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 87 points, Decanter – 16.5 points

Owned and run by the proprietors of Pichon Lalande with the same wine-making team. Lots

of blackberry fruit aromas followed by a mellow, well-rouded mouthfeel bursting with fruit,

smoky and rich. Plush, easy going style with hedgerow fruit flavours. Medium to full-bodied

with fine tannins. This is a glimpse of the Pichon Lalande style at a modest price.

063 Château La Lagûne, 2006, 3ème Crû Classé 90.00

(55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot) Robert Parker – 91 points

An outstanding wine and further evidence of just how strong this estate’s wines have become.

Sweet plum and red and black currant fruit, intermixed with notes of resiny pine forest and forest

floor as well as a hint of barrique, are followed by a wine with gorgeous depth, an attractive,

medium-bodied texture, a fresh, poised personality, and a moderately long finish. This is another

beauty, not weighty, but pure and savoury
Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol

Small area on the western extremity of the St-Emilion district, just northeast of Libourne.

(100% Merlot) Suitable for vegetarians.

Second wine of Château Gazin, the immediate neighbour of Pétrus. Exuberant, pure, sweet

bouquet of caramelized black cherries and currants interwoven with tapenade, toasty oak,

earth and truffles. It is rich, concentrated, medium bodied with flavours of ripe cherries and

plum fruit, delicately spiced.

068 Château Certan-Marzelle, 2003 95.00

(100% Merlot) Suitable for vegetarians. Robert Parker – 89 points

Brilliant garnet in colour, this is immediately inviting. Laden with sweet fruit compôte, pomegranate

and cassis aromas, complemented by ripe cherry and almond notes. Palate very much reflects the

nose but is even more luxurious, layered with vanilla and mocha, through to a prolonged, toasted finish.

071 Château Trotanoy, 2003 185.00

(90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 90+ points

A deep ruby/plum colour in addition to a big sweet nose of lovely floral, blackberry, jam

and cherry aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate with velvety yet firm tannins and

a long finish. Very tight and chewy yet balanced and fresh.

072 Château Hosanna, 2003 185.00

(80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 90 points

Dense ruby/purple, with a glorious nose of blackberries, cassis, white flowers, licorice,

and a hint of sweet oak, this seamless wine is a classic example of purity and symmetry.

Combining power with charm and finesse in a deeply textured, rich, elegant, yet flavourful

style, this is a brilliant effort as well as a compliment to proprietor Christian Moueix

In the centre of the Haut-Médoc, some 28 kilometres northwest of Bordeaux.

(65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc) Wine Spectator – 89/91 points

A masculine-styled, dense purple-coloured 2009, this cuvee offers up scents of charcoal, asphalt,

black currants, incense, and crushed rocks. This deep, medium to full-bodied, well-made Margaux

is broader, richer, and more substantial than usual, with more alcohol as well as substance. The

tannins are ripe and well-integrated.

090 Baron de Brane, 2010 68.00

(58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon) Wine Spectator – 89-92 points

This second wine of the esteemed Second Growth Ch.
Brane Cantenac is bright and intensely

floral, with a lovely violet aroma and long, rich plum sauce, blackberry and currant notes. There's

lush toast, but it's nicely integrated. Very suave.

089 Château Giscours, 2001, 3ème Crû Classé 125.00

(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot) Robert Parker – 90 points

The deep plum/purple-coloured 2001 exhibits notes of melted licorice, barbecue spices,

violets, blackcurrants, and a hint of blackberries. Medium-bodied and fleshy, with a cunning style

that sneaks up on the palate, building in increments, this pure, rich, concentrated yet elegant,

charming effort provides further evidence of this Château’s strong rebound.

087 Château Palmer, 2001, 2ème Crû Classé 265.00

(51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot) Robert Parker – 90 points, Wine Spectator – 94 points

Brilliant, dark redcurrant colour. Toasty and quite cedary, with beautiful, polished aromas of

light mocha, redcurrants, dried plums, cherries and earth, with a hint of vanilla and spice. Complex

and remarkably clean, boasting delightfully pure fruit, firm tannins, balanced acidity, and a lovely,

lasting hint of delicate cedary currants on the finish. Simply wonderful, with beautiful structure, balance,

and breed. Multi-dimensional, compelling effort with both power and elegance. This is terrific stuff!

In the centre of the Haut-Médoc, 4 kilometres south of Pauillac.

(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot) Robert Parker – 90 points WineSpectator.com – 91 points

The second wine of Château Ducrû-Beaucaillou is a fine example of this cuvée. Sweet black raspberry

and black cherry fruit aromas soar from the glass of this open-knit seductress. Beautiful full-bodied,

lush, expansive flavours, low acidity and sweet tannin suggest, it is an amazing sleeper of the vintage.

078 Château Gruaud-Larose, 2003, 2ème Crû Classé 115.00

(66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec) Robert Parker – 88 points

The 2003 Gruaud Larose’s dark plum/garnet colour is followed by sweet aromas of damp earth,

forest floor, herbs, espresso roast, cassis, licorice, and plums. Medium-bodied as well as surprisingly

up-front and precocious, it possesses sweet tannin, very nice concentration, and loads of earthy/herbal

characteristics intermixed with black fruits, and an attractive, but supple, evolved finish.

088 Château Talbot, 2001, 4ème Crû Classé 160.00

(66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 89 points

Revealing admirable richness, a layered texture, sweet tannin and abundant quantities of smoky

cassis, liquorice, herb, earth and leather characteristics. With complex aromatics and splendid

richness, it admirably blends power with elegance.

086 Château Léoville Barton, 2007, 2ème Crû Classé 170.00

(72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 10 Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 95+ Points

These wines symbolise what makes Bordeaux so world-renowned! The uncompromisingly made,

formidably powerful, masculine, and highly extracted 2003 has an inky purple colour to the rim,

a big, deep personality with a tight but promising nose and palate of blackberry, loganberry, créme

de cassis, smoke, charcoal, liquourice, and perhaps even truffle. It has a beautifully seductive, soft

exterior. The overall impression is one of polish, balance and great length.

080 Château Ducrû-Beaucaillou, 2004, 2ème Crû Classé 190.00

(73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot) Robert Parker – 93 points

One can’t say enough about the efforts Bruno Borie is pouring into this wonderful estate that I

have often called the “Lafite Rothschild of St.-Julien.” An undeniable success, the 2004 Ducrû boasts

sweet aromas of creme de cassis, spring flowers, pain grille, licorice, and road tar. This pure, medium

-bodied wine possesses moderately high tannin, superb concentration, good sweetness, and low acidity.
Saint-Estèphe

The most northerly of the classic communes, is situated 18 kilometres south of Lesparre.

085 Château Phélan-Ségur, 2006 80.00

(52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot) Robert Parker - 88 points

A very good effort from this estate, the dark ruby/purple wine reveals sweet, smoky blackcurrant

fruit along with a hint of crushed rocks which provides a distinctive minerality. Round, ripe, and

medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, it can be consumed over the next decade.

079 Château Cos d’Estournel, 2000, 2ème Crû Classé 275.00

(60% Cabernet Sauvignon 38% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 91 Points

Deep bluish purple in colour with a reticent but emerging bouquet of cedar, licorice, blueberry,

cassis, vanilla, and lead pencil shavings, Medium-bodied, rather than full, elegant wine with some

spicy tannins and an excellent mid-palate with a persistent finish. Purity and classicism are hallmarks

of this top-flight wine.

083 Château Montrose, 2006, 2ème Crû Classé 205.00

(72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot/Petit Verdot) Robert Parker – 94+ points

The most dramatic difference between the 2006, and previous vintages are that the wines have

sweeter, silkier tannins, although analytically, they are as high as those found in the great Montrose

vintages of the past. The 2006 is extraordinarily elegant and finesse-styled, but it exhibits stunningly

concentrated, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit with hints of flowers and minerals. Full-bodied with

a savoury, expansive mid-palate as well as sweet, noble tannins
Saint-Émilion Et Montagne

The right bank of the Dordogne, 50 kilometres east of Bordeaux.

(70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc) Suitable for vegetarians.

Tiny three hectare estate in St Sulpice de Faleyrens fights way above its weight in 2010 as if jockeying

for recognition among its grander mates in the Moueix stable. Such terroir makes for easy-drinking,

generous wines which drink well even when very young. Dark, opaque ruby colour, this has a delectable,

earthy, cold black fruit nose, a freshly rich, well extracted palate and a sweet, pure long finish.

066 Château Teyssier, 2006, Grand Crû Classé 52.00

(85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc) Wine Advocate – 90 points

Very concentrated and textured with excellent balance. Feet firmly in Bordeaux, head somewhere

in the New World making this wine very approachable. This 2006 is classic St-Emilion Grand Crû,

offering good red cherry/plummy/black fruit with lovely smooth, ripe tannins. Generous finish.

076 Château Valandraud, 2001, Grand Crû Classé 215.00

(70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc) Robert Parker – 94 points

As hard as it may be to believe, Valandraud’s 2001 is better than their 2000. One of the great

efforts from proprietors Murielle Andraud and Jean-Luc Thunevin, the 2001 Valandraud boasts a

saturated plum/purple colour as well as a sumptuously sweet nose of Varhona chocolate intertwined

with espresso roast, blackberries, cherry jam, and currants. Full-bodied, opulent, voluptuously textured,

pure, rich, and seriously endowed, this is a brilliant effort from Bordeaux’s leading revolutionary.