2011 Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs
Regular price £179.00 Save £-179.002011 Deutz Amour de Deutz
Regular price £159.00 Save £-159.00ABOUT THE WINE
One of the oldest members of Champagne's prestigious Grandes Marques houses, Champagne Deutz of Ay, France, has been making distinctive champagnes marked by finesse, elegance and complexity since 1838. The house has upheld the traditions of fine Champagne making handed down through five generations. Owning a significant portion of its own vineyards, Deutz selects only top rated grapes from 275 acres of vineyards in the finest crus of Champagne. The wines are slowly and carefully aged in the chalk-walled cellars far beneath the historic village of Ay.
TASTING NOTES
Notes of lemon verbena, white lilies together with the signature yeastiness of toasted brioche and a vibrant backbone of orchard fruit, reflecting the premium quality of the vintage Chardonnay grapes.
FOOD PAIRING
White fish, even ones with strong flavour like sole and a wide array of creamy rind cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This Blanc de Blanc is made from 100% Chardonnay sourced within vineyards only 20 miles from the winery.
2011 Chateau Lynch-Bages
Regular price £149.10 Save £-149.102011 Chateau Lascombes
Regular price £131.50 Save £-131.50ABOUT THE WINE
Château Lascombes, 2ème Cru Classé in 1855, bears the name of its first owner, Chevalier de Lascombes, born in 1625. At the turn of the 18th century, Jean-Francois Lascombes, a counselor at the Bordeaux Parliament, dedicated his wealth to making a great wine at Lascombes. The existing chateau was built in 1867 by Chaix d'Est Ange. Alexis Lichine took over the property in 1952, and oversaw a significant restructuring of the vineyard and cellars. In 1971, he sold to the English brewer, Bass-Charrington, who sold the estate to its current owners, American company Colony Capital in 2001.
TASTING NOTES
An unusually high proportion of Merlot was used in 2011 – easier to ripen, in this cool vintage. Bright, dark-berry fruit and dusty chocolate characterise the aromas; the palate is similarly bright and fresh, with an undertow of firm tannin. Toasty oak, blueberry, liquorice and forest floor add complexity to this exceptionally well-made wine. Approachable from 2018, with ageing potential until 2030.
FOOD PAIRING
Venison, creamy beef dishes, hard cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A fascinating example of how winemakers, by tossing aside the usual blend, can produce truly exceptional wines from inimical vintages.
2011 Chateau Leoville-Poyferre
Regular price £126.65 Save £-126.65ABOUT THE WINE
The history of the Leoville estates can be traced back to 1638, when all three Leoville properties were one. After the French Revolution, the estate was split into the Leovilles Barton, Poyferre and Las Cases. Purchased in the early 1900s by the Cuvelier family, Leoville-Poyferre lagged behind the other Leoville properties in terms of quality and renown, until 1979, when Didier Cuvelier took over management of the property. Extensive modernisation and replanting followed, culminating in the hiring of Michel Rolland in 1994. This program of improvement continues, and Leoville-Poyferre is currently one of the most impressive and exciting properties in Saint-Julien.
TASTING NOTES
Another stunning wine from an off-vintage from this ever-improving chateau. Superbly complex aromas of truffle, smoke and black cherry; sweet, soft fruit on the palate, with notes of coffee and earth. Tannic and bright, with beautiful balance. A gutsy, satisfying wine, from a vintage in which many of its peers lack depth on the palate; time in bottle will bring elegance and refinement.
FOOD PAIRING
Complex beef or lamb stews; would pair well with earthy, tomato-based sauces.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Showing well already in 2018, this is a vintage to drink before 2030.