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2019 Domaine Antonin Guyon, Gevrey Chambertin 'La Justice'
Regular price £345.00 Save £-345.00Also available in 2021 Bottle
ABOUT THE WINE
The second generation now manages this domaine, founded by Antonin in the 1960s. Based in Savigny-les-Beaune, they own vines throughout the Cote d'Or, including parcels in some of the finest Premier and Grand cru vineyards. Harvest is by hand, with initial sorting in the vineyard; no more than 50% new oak is used, and the wines of the domaine have a classic freshness and purity to them.
TASTING NOTES
Beautiful ruby colour; the aromas are elegant and complex, with notes of redcurrant and cherry and a touch of cedar and smoke. The palate is intense, with black fruit and well-integrated nutmeg spice, softly fading into vanilla aromas on the finish. Plenty of weight to the palate, with a sufficient structure for longer-term ageing.
FOOD PAIRING
A more robust style of Burgundy, would suit a shepherd's pie; or tuna steaks.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A favourite of sommeliers in restaurants throughout Europe, Guyon wines are particularly well-suited to food-pairing, with bright flavours and succulent acidity.
2006 Chateau Palmer
Regular price £427.05 Save £-427.05ABOUT THE WINE
Chateau Palmer is named after a British officer, Colonel Charles Palmer (later Maj. General), who settled in Bordeaux in 1814. It is located in the center of the Margaux appellation, and its vineyards lie on a plateau of clay and gravel soils. Historically the estate has always prided itself on the exceptional quality of its wines, declassifying whole vintages (as in 1963 and 1968) when conditions weren't conducive to the usual high standards of the property. Classified as a 3ieme Cru Classe', it punches significantly above its classification. Since the 2017 vintage they are certified 100% biodynamic.
TASTING NOTES
Maraschino cherries, cassis and tobacco characterise the bright, youthful aromatics; medium-bodied on the palate, with a succulent core of cassis and blackberry fruit. The tannic structure is super-fine, beautifully integrated into the oak character on the finish. This is a remarkably elegant wine, which has developed superbly, and will continue to do so until 2040.
FOOD PAIRING
An excellent wine for venison.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Merlot at Palmer is planted on both the clay and gravel soils of the estate; the extra drainage provided by the gravel gives Palmer its elegant opulence, hence the unusually high proportion of Merlot (often 45-50%) in the blend for a left-bank wine.
2012 Opus One, Opus One
Regular price £538.50 Save £-538.50A joint venture between the Robert Mondavi company (the family are no longer involved) and the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild, based in the Oakville appellation within Napa Valley. One of the finest wines in California, and revered throughout the world. Initially a selection of the finest lots from the Mondavi Winery, since 1991 certain vineyard parcels came to be associated with Opus One, most notably the To-Kalon vineyard, which since 2005 has provided the core of the wine.
TASTING NOTES
Blackberry, rose petals and mocha aromas, with earth, cassis and leather providing nuance. Supremely silky on the palate, with rounded tannin and a bright mineral character; violet and lavender, a hint of mint and plenty of blackcurrant, black cherry and plum fruit. Supple and lingering, with truffle and charcoal on the finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Best enjoyed with substantial, yet subtle, foods which will allow the wine to shine - a fine steak with delicate seasoning, perhaps.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The 2012 is considered one of their greatest vintages; just entering its drinking window, this wine will continue to improve until 2030.
2005 Chateau Pavie
Regular price £549.60 Save £-549.60ABOUT THE WINE
The largest Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe, with some 37 hectares under vine. Vines were originally planted on the property by the Romans in the 4th Century CE; and the estate was famous in the 1800s as one of the finest wines to come out of Saint-Emilion. However, when the estate was purchased in 1998 by Gerard Perse, extensive work was required to revitalise the estate, work which paid off, first in an extraordinary renaissance in wine-quality from the early 2000s, and then, in 2012, with official recognition as the estate was elevated from 1er Grand Cru Classe B to 1er Grand Cru Classe A. The estate is also 70% organic, and working towards becoming 100%. The wine is fermented in new-oak vats, and aged in 80% new oak for 18 months.
TASTING NOTES
Almost opaque, darkly-coloured, with intense flavours of blackberry, plum, liquorice, spice, truffle and chocolate; balanced perfectly by a crushed-rock, cedar, coffee-bean mineral character, and a lengthy, violet-edged finish. Opulent and compelling.
FOOD PAIRING
Rich meat stews, mushrooms, braised venison.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Chateau Pavie is a wine which rewards and requires age, 15 years is a recommended minimum for a wine of this power and majesty. For this vintage, 2025 is perhaps when it will begin to show at its finest.