THE FINEST WINES OF BORDEAUX

Transcription

1 THE FINEST WINES OF BORDEAUX Includes an exclusive 1996 first growth mixed case, and 2001 ten years on TCMAR11 thewinesociety.com/bordeaux

2 The publication of a delightful and highly informative new book by James Lawther MW, The Finest Wines of Bordeaux, has coincided with our Bordeaux offer this year, which includes several of the fine Clarets we and he regard most highly. For hedonistic pleasure, there is a wonderful collection of 2001 vintage wines, many of which are now in regrettably short supply. Also for drinking now, there is an eclectic mix from left and right banks, including magnums of Pey La Tour, Happy surprises come in the quality, drinkability and potential of our 2007 vintage selections, a year not to be overlooked, and we revisit the great 2005 vintage in the form of Bordeaux s finest second wines. All this topped by an exquisite 1996 first growth mixed case. James s book is available to buy here, or you can receive a free copy by purchasing the The Finest Wines of Bordeaux Mixed Case featured on page 5. Some of the beautiful photography by Jon Wyand which illustrates the book is used throughout this offer. Joanna Locke MW, Society Buyer FIRST GROWTHS: 1996 VINTAGE MIXED CASE The early growing season was excellent in 1996, with optimal conditions for the grapes. August was gloomy but then the sun came back in September. It was a year that favoured cabernet sauvignon-based wines, the best of which show the grape at its finest. They are balanced wines, with great complexity, length of flavour and staying power. Starting to open up now, these still have a long life ahead. A Trio of 1996 First Growths A three-bottle case containing a bottle of each of the following: ref TC-MX1165 at 2,950 One case per member Château Lafite, 1996, Pauillac 84% cabernet sauvignon, full and with lovely silky, long-lasting flavour. Lafite enthusiasts have recognised the elegance of 1953 and the power of Now to % Château Latour, 1996, Pauillac Exceptionally fine, ripe and concentrated fruit, with depth and elegance. At Latour they say it s reminiscent of their great Now to % Charles Chevallier Lafite s technical director Château, 1996, has some of the finest cabernet vineyards in the Médoc and it shows in the finesse and pure, aromatic cabernet fruit in this wine. Now to % The Finest Wines of Bordeaux by James Lawther MW The latest in a series of illustrated guides created by the editorial team at The World of Fine Wine magazine. James Lawther MW profiles his 90 favourite producers and provides an informative history of the region and insight into local winemaking techniques and the people behind the wines. Members can order the book at the special price of if ordered with wine, or 15, if ordered separately (including UK P&P), or receive one free of charge with The Finest Wines of Bordeaux Mixed Case, on page 5. ref TC-BO647 2

3 2001: A DELICIOUS VINTAGE TO ENJOY NOW Overshadowed by the much-lauded millennium vintage which preceded it, 2001 proved to be a great year for merlot and the right bank, and, although slightly more challenging on the left bank, it has turned out to be a lovely Claret vintage, and the wines are already delicious. Château Les Ormes de Pez, 2001, Saint-Estèphe Ormes de Pez is owned by the Cazes family of Lynch Bages and managed as professionally as all their properties. The 2001 is 57% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 12% cabernet franc. Now rich and cedary, it is particularly successful in Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 360 dozen Anthony and Lilian Barton of Langoa and Léoville- Barton Château Langoa Barton, 2001, Classic, cedary, elegant Claret from Anthony Barton s home property, notable in Bordeaux not least for being the longest in single family ownership. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 420 dozen Château Prieuré-Lichine, 2001, New owners and winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt have raised the bar at Prieuré-Lichine and this is a great success of the vintage. With 50% merlot, this has concentrated fleshy ripe fruit and good structure. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 420 dozen Château d Issan, 2001, A true with fragrant bouquet and graceful charm, from this beautiful, greatly improved classed-growth property in the south of the appellation. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 468 dozen Château Giscours, 2001, A magnificent property that has benefited from the care and investment of its Dutch owner, and manager, since Elegant, full-flavoured. Now to % Available only as part of the mixed case TC-MX1160 Château Léoville Barton, 2001, Just starting to open up, in common with many left-bank 2001s, this has Léoville Barton s classical, tight-knit structure and fine fragrance. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 624 dozen Château Belair, 2001, Saint-Emilion Premium Saint-Emilion from a 12-hectare estate next to Château Ausone in the golden core of the commune, since acquired by the visionary Moueix family. Now to % Six bottles only per member. ref TC-CS bottle 360 per six Christian and Edouard Moueix Hosanna, Belair and La Fleur Pétrus Château Gazin, 2001, Pomerol Gorgeous Pomerol from an outstanding vintage for the region with rich, opulent, already velvety palate supported by good tannin structure. Now to % ref TC-CS bottle 780 dozen Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, 2001, Pauillac Madame May-Eliane de Lencquesaing may since have turned her attentions to South Africa, but she was still very much in charge in 2001, when only 37% made the grand vin. Remarkably sweet-fruited, rich and generous, with just a hint of Pauillac power. Now to % Six bottles only per member. ref TC-CM bottle 510 per six Comte Eric d Aramon Château Figeac Château Figeac, 2001, Saint-Emilion From one of the great estates in Bordeaux, a gorgeous Claret which is one of the great wines of the vintage. Glorious aroma and sumptuous, fresh, long-lasting flavour. Now to % ref TC-CS bottle 960 dozen 2001 Clarets Ten Years On ref TC-MX1160 at 385 A six-bottle case containing a bottle of each of the following: Château Léoville Barton, 2001, Château Giscours, 2001, Château Belair, 2001, Saint- Emilion Château Gazin, 2001, Pomerol Château Figeac, 2001, Saint- Emilion Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, 2001, Pauillac FREE UK delivery when you order 12 bottles or if your order is 75 or more 3

4 CLARETS FOR DRINKING NOW Magnum of Château Pey La Tour Réserve, 2005, Bordeaux Supérieur Pey La Tour is in grand company in James Lawther s book, praise indeed for this property which performs consistently above its appellation. A splendid example of modern Bordeaux at its best, full of generous ripe healthy fruit. Now to % ref TC-CB magnum 126 per case of six magnums Philippe Blanc of Châteaux Beychevelle and Beaumont The Society s Exhibition Saint- Julien, 2006 Deserving of its position here, we felt, given that it is Beychevelle s second wine, Amiral. Lovely, welcoming, cedary fruit and medium-rich flavour. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 222 dozen The Society s Exhibition, 2004 One of the most elegant Clarets in our range, fine and suitably very stylish from consistently high performing deuxième cru, Rauzan-Ségla, owned by the Wertheimer family of Chanel. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 240 dozen Château Clarke, 2005, Listrac The Rothschild family bought and replanted this estate in the 1970s and the mature vineyard and their commitment to high quality has brought its reward. Excellent full, ripe fruit with proper Médoc structure and considerable finesse. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 300 dozen Château Carbonnieux, 2005, In our opinion, the finest Claret this property has ever made, with delicious sweet fruit and elegant balance. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 300 dozen Château Chasse-Spleen, 2006, Moulis The outstanding property of Moulis with a classed-growth reputation for producing full long-keeping wines. Since its purchase by the Merlaut family in 1976, it has gone from strength to strength. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 312 dozen Céline Villars-Foubet owner of Chasse-Spleen Château Brane Cantenac, 2004, A wine of great charm. Full, ripe and supple with engaging bouquet and fruit. Approachable with pleasure young, middle-aged or old. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 414 dozen Henri Lurton of Brane Cantenac Château Giscours, 2004, Now with ripe, almost peppery fruit that is still fresh and youthful, the palate is gentle and very well-balanced. Attractive, elegant mid-weight Claret. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 468 dozen Château L Evangile, 1999, Pomerol Powerful and concentrated, but with the fragrance that comes with 25% cabernet franc. Opulent and long on the palate. Now to % ref TC-CS bottle 900 dozen To order thewinesociety.com/bordeaux

5 2005 SUPER SECONDS La Réserve de Léoville Barton, 2005, The second wine of Anthony Barton s Léoville reflects the quality of the grand vin in this exceptionally healthy, well-balanced, harmonious vintage. Now to % Low stock. ref TC-CM bottle 264 dozen Les Fiefs de Lagrange, 2005, The second wine of classed-growth Lagrange. A more accessible wine than the grand vin, fruity yet full of style and charm. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 270 dozen La Parde de Haut-Bailly, 2005, Haut-Bailly made outstanding wine in 2005, and this second wine has exceptional fruit, lovely perfume and length of flavour. With more cabernet franc and less merlot than the grand vin, this has a touch less body but wonderful finesse. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 288 dozen Véronique Sanders of Haut-Bailly La Dame de Montrose, 2005, Saint-Estèphe Sweet, elegant, charming fruit from 54% cabernet sauvignon and 46% merlot. Can be drunk early but will keep. Now to % Low stock. ref TC-CM bottle 348 dozen Ségla, 2005, Wonderfully expressive aromatic bouquet over sweet, ripe, well-defined fruit. This is classed-growth Rauzan-Ségla s seriously good second wine from a great vintage for the property. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 348 dozen John Kolasa Rauzan-Ségla Croix de Beaucaillou, 2005, Saint- Julien Expressive, finely-scented aroma and rich imposing flavour from the second wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou, itself of classed-growth quality. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot to % ref TC-CM bottle 396 dozen Réserve de la Comtesse, 2005, Pauillac From Pichon Lalande, a fine, elegant and aromatic Claret with delicately mineral, smoky, sweet fruit and soft tannins. Full of charm. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 468 dozen 2005 Super Seconds Mixed Case ref TC-MX1161 at 165 A six-bottle case containing a bottle of each of the following: La Parde de Haut-Bailly, 2005, La Réserve de Léoville Barton, 2005, Les Fiefs de Lagrange, 2005, La Dame de Montrose, 2005, Saint-Estèphe Ségla, 2005, Croix de Beaucaillou, 2005, The Finest Wines of Bordeaux Mixed Case ref TC-MX1164 at 172 A six-bottle case including A free copy of James Lawther MW s The Finest Wines of Bordeaux And a bottle of each of the following: Château Clarke, 2005, Listrac Château Carbonnieux, 2005, Château Chasse-Spleen, 2006, Moulis Château Brane Cantenac, 2004, Les Fiefs de Lagrange, 2005, Château Giscours, 2004, 5 To order thewinesociety.com/bordeaux

6 2007: FOR DRINKING NOW Château Pey La Tour Réserve, 2007, Bordeaux Supérieur A fine, modern style Claret with a lick of sweetening, well-integrated oak, from a model estate that thoroughly deserves its recognition in James Lawther s book. Now to % ref TC-CB bottle 119 dozen Château Beaumont, 2007, Haut- Médoc Beaumont has only honorary mention here, though it is a stable mate of Beychevelle and run with equal care and commitment. Forward, elegant and charming, and a deserving members favourite. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 143 dozen Clos Floridène, 2007, Graves This Dubourdieu property at Pujols is on reddish clay sand over a subsoil of limestone and well suited to cabernet, here 65%, adding greater finesse to this already silky textured wine. Now to % ref TC-CM bottle 155 dozen Château Reynon, 2007, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Sister property to Clos Floridène and home to Denis and Florence Dubourdieu, planted and blended predominantly to merlot. A model estate producing modern but beautifully balanced wine that is a delight to drink. Now to % ref TC-CB bottle 155 dozen 2007 Clarets For Drinking Now ref TC-MX1162 at 140 A twelve-bottle case containing three bottles of each of the following: Château Pey La Tour Réserve, 2007, Bordeaux Supérieur Château Beaumont, 2007, Haut-Médoc Clos Floridène, 2007, Graves Château Reynon, 2007, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux 2007: FOR LAYING DOWN 2007 Clarets For Laying Down ref TC-MX1163 at 335 A six-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following: Château Léoville Barton, 2007, Anthony Barton commented to us: The quality of the 2007 will give great pleasure to those who appreciate elegance and finesse in a well-balanced fruity wine. With 75% cabernet sauvignon, this will be a lovely, classic Claret to % Château Pichon-Longueville- Baron, 2007, Pauillac Pichon Baron is located on beautiful gravelly soil in the southern part of Pauillac next to Latour. Its wines are typically muscular with great ageing potential, but the 2007 has extra charm even now to % Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, 2007, Ducru adapted brilliantly in 2007 to make one of the best wines of the vintage using 90% cabernet sauvignon to create a Claret with enormous charm and class. Perfumed, round and remarkably supple to % This offer is open until Sunday 10th April, 2011 while stocks last. To order thewinesociety.com/bordeaux The Society s Guarantee Drinking wine bought from The Wine Society should be a pleasurable experience. If at any time you are dissatisfied, we would like to hear from you. Contact us and we will be pleased to help. twitter.com/thewinesociety societygrapevine.com facebook.com/thewinesociety Registered as: The International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society Limited, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2BT Website thewinesociety.com Enquiries Orders