BORDEAUX UNDER ONE ROOF Many would argue that Bordeaux is home to the largest collection of fine wine vineyards and producers in the world. A vast region whose wines range from lesserknown appellations to the great crus classes of the Médoc, the diversity in character and style in Bordeaux is second to none. The wines of Bordeaux cover a vast price spectrum. From approachable, early-drinking petits châteaux wines from some of the more innovative appellations, such as the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, up to the lofty heights of the classed growths, the wines of the region offer something for every wine drinker. These tastings focus on some of our favourite producers all of whom offer, we believe, great value for money. THE WINES PAUILLAC 1. Château Batailley 2009 This fifth-growth property is owned and managed by Pierre Castéja, supported by the technical expertise of Denis Dubourdieu as consultant winemaker. A ripe, fragrant wine with excellent structure, this is a remarkable success from a popular Château whose consistently good wines have, in our view, moved up a notch in quality since 2002. Drink from 2020 to 2035. 13% ref CM13841 37.00 bottle 444 dozen 2. Château Batailley 2004 The Castéjas believe this vintage will develop in the style of 1996 or 1986 but will eclipse both. This wine has a lovely firm black-fruit quality with a typical touch of hazelnuts at this stage of its development and with the charm and finesse of the 2004 vintage.already a popular vintage for some in Bordeaux, this is just hitting its stride. Drink now to 2020. 13% ref CM8941 29.00 bottle 348 dozen MOULIS-EN-MÉDOC 3. Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux 2009 Rich, full and spicy with good complexity. Jean-Baptiste Cordonnier says they profited from the gentle slow maturation of the grapes to pick each plot at perfect ripeness: the advantage of the wonderful 2009 vintage. Drink from 2014 to 2025. 13% ref CM13691 16.50 bottle 198 dozen Very low stock
4. Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux 2006 From a 32-hectare estate next to Chasse-Spleen planted with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot, on mainly gravel and clay-limestone soil and subsoil. The vines have an average age of 32 years, the wine is matured for 12 months in French oak, a third of which was new in 2006. Drink now to 2016. 13% ref CM11871 14.95 bottle 179 dozen MARGAUX 5. Château Angludet 2010 There are five Sichel brothers involved in this family business. It is Ben who takes pride in making the wine and we loved his 2010. The 2010 vintage of this popular Margaux is a cracker, full of ripe fruit, freshness and elegance too and the stuffing to last as well as the gorgeous 1983. Drink from 2017 to 2030. 13.5% ref CM14931 29.00 bottle 348 dozen 6. Château d Angludet 2006 75% cabernet sauvignon and low yields contributed to the success here in 2006. This smells and tastes of abundant ripe fruit and has excellent structure. Low yields helped give depth. A star. Drink from 2014 to 2025. 13% ref CM11401 29.00 bottle 348 dozen Very low stock HAUT-MÉDOC 7. Château Belgrave 2009 One of the bargain classed growths today in our view, this property, situated next to Lagrange in St-Julien, has been totally transformed in the last 15 years and is now making stylish, long-lived claret. Drink from 2017 to 2030. 13% ref CM13781 24.50 bottle 294 dozen 8. Château Belgrave 2006 Now onto its rewarding plateau of maturity, this is a classically honed claret with delicious secondary notes of cedar and tobacco and fine, well-balanced tannins. Enjoy now or keep for another five years. Drink now to 2018. 13% ref CM11841 22.50 bottle 270 dozen 9. The Society s Exhibition Haut-Médoc 2008 Under the same ownership as Château Beychevelle in Saint-Julien, Château Beaumont is an enduring favourite with Society members, so we were delighted to further strengthen our relationship with this Exhibition bottling. A classic left-bank blend of merlot with cabernet sauvignon and a little petit verdot, with a touch of mellow oak on the palate. Drink now to 2018. 13% ref CM15021 13.95 bottle 167 dozen
10. Château Beaumont 2010 This now looks a step-up in qulaity from the lovely 2009 and is certainly one of the best three vintages we can remember from this admirable property which delivers utterly delightful, fine-flavoured claret at such a fair price. Drink from 2015 to 2021. 14% ref CM14871 12.95 bottle 155 dozen 11. Magnum of Château Beaumont 2006 Ready to drink and a treat in magnum, 2006 has proved a lovely vintage for Beaumont with fresh, stylish fruit and great charm. Drink now to 2016. 12.5% ref CM11344 28.00 magnum 168 six magnums 12. Château Charmail 2010 We have followed Château Charmail over many years and 2010 is perhaps their best vintage yet, with lovely cassis bouquet, delicious palate and great length. Drink from 2015 to 2021. 14% ref CM14971 16.00 bottle 192 dozen 13. Château Charmail 2008 Winemaker Olivier Sèze s wines have a generosity of fruit and energetic flavour rarely found at this price. The vineyard is in the northern Médoc, neighbour to Sociando- Mallet, which, though admirable, tends to cost much more. Drink now to 2016. 13% ref CM12961 16.00 bottle 192 dozen 14. Château Cissac 2010 The quality of the cabernet sauvignon at Cissac in 2010 was outstanding, and since the wine they made is 79% cabernet, it is a great success. They believe it is as good a wine as they have ever made and we agree. Careful work in the vineyard resulted in finer fruit and a wine that will be approachable earlier than some past years. Drink from 2016 to 2024. 13.5% ref CM14851 11.50 bottle 138 dozen 15. Magnum of Château Cissac 2009 This has been a property to follow for those who like traditional claret and it keeps those virtues in 2009 while adding extra ripeness and suppleness. Drink from 2014 to 2022. 13.5% For tasting only
CÔTES DE BOURG 16. [1] Château de la Grave Grains Fins 2012 Château de la Grave is a striking property surrounded by its own vineyards, just outside the small town of Bourg on the right bank of the Gironde. Philippe and Valérie Bassereau are the current generation to make wine here and their high standards continue to deliver an excellent range of wines which includes this unusual white, a blend of semillon and colombard. Drink now to 2015. 13% ref BW4671 9.50 bottle 114 dozen 17. Château de la Grave Caractère 2009 A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon which spent 12 months ageing in oak barrels on its fine lees. A superb vintage in Bordeaux, with healthy ripe generous fruit, here somewhat reminiscent of the excellent 2005, resulting in this supple wine which is friendly for Bourg as a result. Drink now to 2018. 14% ref CB4241 8.50 bottle 102 dozen 18. Nectar de la Grave 2009 Exceptional older-vine and barrel selection and probably their best yet, with freshness, ripeness and characteristic grip. Drink now to 2019. 13% ref CB3291 11.95 bottle 143 dozen SAINT-EMILION 19. Château Grand Corbin-Despagne 2009 A consistent favourite from a family property now run organically, their 2009 has the body and generosity typical of the vintage but also the potential to age gracefully and well in the long term. Drink from 2015 to 2030. 14% ref CS7451 30.00 bottle 360 dozen 20. Château Belair-Monange 2009 The lovely, rich, well-delineated palate and real class confirm that the Moueix family have raised the level of this outstanding property. Sadly, however, only a tiny crop in 2009 so quantities were and arevery limited. Drink from 2016 to 2040. 14% ref CS7661 115.00 bottle 1380 dozen Low stock 21. Château Belair Monange 2007 Before selling to the Mouiex family, Pascal Delbeck, untroubled by the fashion for blockbuster reds, made wonderfully individual clarets of silky elegance and almost Burgundian finesse from one of Saint-Emilion s greatest vineyards. Merlot made up 95% of the blend in 2007. Drink now to 2020. 13% ref CS6551 41.00 bottle 492 dozen Low stock
22. Château Carteau Côtes Daugay 2009 In our opinion the Bertrand family make some of the most enjoyable, reliable, bestvalue claret in Saint-Emilion. Their rule of thumb for optimum drinking is a minimum of five years bottle age but in this great vintage it will happily cellar for longer. Drink now to 2022. 14% ref CS8341 19.00 bottle 228 dozen 23. Château Carteau Côtes Daugay 2008 Approximately 75% merlot with the balance cabernet franc, this has lovely fruit freshness and fragrance, a touch of savoury oak and fine balance and is just hitting its stride. Drink now to 2018. 13.5% ref CS8131 17.00 bottle 204 dozen 24. Château de Fonbel 2010 A wonderful vintage for Alain and Pauline Vauthier s Fonbel. Drink from 2015 to 2022. 14% For tasting only 25. Château de Fonbel 2006 Fonbel, from Alain Vauthier of Ausone, generally needs a few years in bottle to show its true character and charm. It is now showing some velvety character, with ripe fruit spiced with 5% petit verdot. Drink now to 2016. 13% ref CS6261 18.00 bottle 216 dozen 26. Christian Moueix 2010 A merlot-dominated, smooth-textured house wine from right bank specialists JP Moueix; made to be round and easy to drink. Drink now to 2015. 13.5% ref CB4191 8.95 bottle 107 dozen 27. The Society s Saint-Emilion 2009 From JP Moueix, this has youthful deep colour, fleshy merlot fruit with good briary, berry-fruit flavours. Drink now to 2015. 13.5% ref CL81 11.95 bottle 143 dozen FRANCS CÔTES DE BORDEAUX 28. Château Puygueraud 2010 It is wine like this, with real depth of flavour and character, but from a lesser-known region that represents the best value in Bordeaux. The family property of Nicolas Thienpont who makes top Saint-Emilions like Larcis Ducasse and Berliquet does especially well in dry years. The 2003 was exceptional but this is finer with wonderful fruit freshness and complexity. Drink from 2015 to 2021. 14.5% ref CS7911 14.00 bottle 168 dozen
29. Château Puygueraud 2008 The leading estate of its district, on the high point of the commune, was bought in 1946 by Georges Thienpont, whose family also own Vieux Château Certan. A vintage that has developed well in the bottle, with typical blackcurrant fruit, good complexity, subtle tannins and freshness. Drink now to 2018. 13.5% ref CS8371 13.50 bottle 162 dozen CASTILLON CÔTES DE BORDEAUX 30. Château Ampelia 2010 Sumptious, full and spicy claret with a lovely touch of freshness, made from organically cultivated merlot (95%) and cabernet franc by François Despagne of Grand Corbin- Despagne, on this small Castillon property. Drink now to 2018. 14.5% ref CB3671 12.95 bottle 155 dozen 31. Château Ampelia 2009 François and Murielle Despagne bought Château Ampelia, a small (just four hectare) property in the Côtes de Castillon because they were convinced by the extraordinary quality potential of the site. The wine, majority merlot, is made from hand-harvested grapes and it is raised 100% in small barriques for 12 months, a third of which are new. Rich claret with the generosity of fruit of the 2009 vintage, and firm but velvety tannins which ensure good cellaring potential, but allow early-drinking pleasure. Drink now to 2019. 14% ref CB3441 12.95 bottle 155 dozen 32. Château de Pitray 2010 A blend of 80% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon which spent 12 months ageing in oak barrels on its fine lees. 2010 was a superb vintage in Bordeaux, with healthy ripe generous fruit, here somewhat reminiscent of the excellent 2005. Drink now to 2020. 14.5% ref CB3781 8.95 bottle 107 dozen 33. Château de Pitray 2008 Bottled especially for us, this 2008 cuvée has a touch of oak-matured wine in the blend, adding structure and sweetness to its healthy fruit. Drink now to 2018. 13% ref CB3421 8.50 bottle 102 dozen 34. Madame Château de Pitray 2009 Pitray s best wine in an exceptional vintage: a blend of 70% merlot and 30% cabernet franc, this is ripe and succulent with splendid richness and depth. Now highly sought after in the Far East (where it is sold under a jazzier label), so we were delighted to secure a good allocation first. Drink now to 2020. 14.5% ref CB3331 14.95 bottle 179 dozen
BORDEAUX ENTRE-DEUX-MERS 35. [2] Dourthe No. 1 Sauvignon Blanc 2012 A modern sauvignon blanc with a flowery bouquet and fresh medium-full palate from leading white-winemakers, Dourthe. Drink this year and next. 12% ref BW4621 7.50 bottle 90 dozen 36. Half-bottle of Château Pey La Tour Réserve du Château 2010 A ripe and full-flavoured red from this model estate at Salleboeuf. Drink now to 2017. 14.5% ref CB4252 5.50 half bottle 66 dozen 37. Château Pey La Tour Réserve du Château 2009 The reserve cuvée is the cream of the crop each year, fully ripe in this top vintage. Drink now to 2016. 14.5% ref CB3991 10.50 bottle 126 dozen 38. [2] Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve 2012 Predominantly semillon with some sauvignon and muscadelle, the immaculately tended vineyards are in the Entre-Deux-Mers district, south east of Bordeaux at Naujan et Postiac. The must is cool-fermented to retain the natural, vibrant fruit flavours of the grapes. This wine is light and dry with a fragrant aroma. Drink this year and next. 12% S ref BW4611 8.50 bottle 102 dozen 39. Château Bel-Air Perponcher Grand Vin 2010 Excellent cabernet sauvignon contributes in 2010 to this spicy, rich Claret which fills the mouth with wonderful ripe fruit. A blend of 80% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon aged in new oak barrels. Drink from 2014 to 2018. 14% ref CB3691 13.95 bottle 167 dozen 40. [1] Château Argadens 2012 Situated at St-André-du-Bois in the Entre-Deux-Mers, Argadens has been transformed into a model estate since its purchase by the Sichel family. A fragrant and easy-drinking blend of sauvignon and semillon. Drink this year and next. 12% ref BW4651 8.95 bottle 107 dozen 41. The Society s Claret The Society s Claret is a genuine light, fruity Bordeaux Rouge deliberately made to be drunk young. A traditional blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon the origin and makeup of which which will vary slightly with the vintage, since our blend is made after tasting numerous different cuvées. Drink this year and next. 13% ref CL61 6.25 bottle 75 dozen
PREMIÈRE CÔTES DE BORDEAUX 42. Château Mont Pérat 2009 Generously fruity with rich flavour, finesse and backbone. This is Thibault Despagne s home property and one of the finest wines of its district. The blend is made up of 80% merlot. Drink now to 2020. 14% ref CB3341 16.00 bottle 192 dozen 43. Château Mont Pérat 2008 Modern claret in the best sense with lovely intense, ripe, fragrant fruit and a delightful, clean, fruity aftertaste. 80% rich merlot with 10% each of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc adding structure and class. Drink now to 2018. 14% ref CB3121 16.00 bottle 192 dozen 44. Château Reynon 2010 Ripe and spicy claret with generous supple fruit that, whilst highly enjoyable in its youth will age gracefully too. For the first time there is 13% petit verdot added to the blend. Drink now to 2018. 14% ref CB3731 11.95 bottle 143 dozen Very low stock 45. Château Reynon 2009 The Dubourdieus nurture their home property vineyard with as much care as they do their Sauternes, picking the grapes in several stages as they ripen. 88% merlot, with 8% cabernet sauvignon and 4% petit verdot adding structure and spice. Drink now to 2017. 14% ref CB3301 12.50 bottle 150 dozen GRAVES 46. [1] Clos Floridène Blanc 2011 One of the most individual wines in Bordeaux and a star of the Graves appellation. The addition of around 40% old-vine semillon brings class, complexity and longevity to the blend. Drink now to 2017. 13% ref BW4481 18.00 bottle 216 dozen 47. Clos Floridène 2010 An unusually high proportion of cabernet, 65%, which suits the limestone soil here, and from a vintage when cabernet ripened so well, with finely scented cassis fruit and great length. Drink now to 2020. 13.5% ref CM15031 17.00 bottle 204 dozen
48. [8] The Society s Exhibition Sauternes 2010 Deliciously fruity and thoroughly satisfying sweet wine. A benchmark that makes a wonderful accompaniment to Roquefort cheese, as well as fruit-based, lighter desserts. Drink now to 2020. 13.5% ref BW4181 19.00 bottle 228 dozen BARSAC 49. [8] Cyprès de Climens 2010 Cypres, which means next to, is the second wine of Climens. The overall standard of the whole crop is so high that this is a very interesting proposition. Drink from 2014 to 2022. 13.5% ref BW4051 29.00 bottle 348 dozen 50. [9] Château Climens 2005 Infanticide yet so deliciously irresistable already. A fine vintage from a truly great property. Drink from 2015 to 2030. 13.5% For tasting only