- Alfrocheiro
- Barbera
- Blaufrankisch
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Canaiolo
- Carignan
- Carmenere
- Corvina Veronese
- Corvinone
- Counoise
- Dolcetto
- Frappato
- Garnacha
- Grenache
- Malbec
- Mencia
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvedre
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- Nero D'Avola
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- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Nero
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- Blaye - Cotes de Bordeaux
- Brunello Di Montalcino
- Cahors
- Chateauneuf du Pape
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- Cote Chalonnaise
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- Cote de Nuits
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- Cotes de Thongue
- Dolcetto d'Alba
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- Langhe
- Lussac - Saint Emilion
- Maremma Toscana
- Margaux
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- Monteregio di Massa Maritima
- Pauillac
- Pomerol
- Ribera del Duero
- Rosso di Montalcino
- Saint Emilion
- Saint Estephe
- Saint Georges - Saint Emilion
- Saint Joseph
- Saint Julien
- Sancerre
- Sant'Antimo
- Sant'Antimo
- Sonoma County
- Stellenbosch
- Toro
- Valpolicella
- Yarra Valley
- Alfrocheiro
- Barbera
- Blaufrankisch
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Canaiolo
- Carignan
- Carmenere
- Corvina Veronese
- Corvinone
- Counoise
- Dolcetto
- Frappato
- Garnacha
- Grenache
- Malbec
- Mencia
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvedre
- Nebbiolo
- Nerello Mascalese
- Nero D'Avola
- Nero di Troia
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Nero
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Primitivo
- Rondinella
- Sangiovese
- Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Touriga Nacional
- Vaccarese
- Valpolicella
- Zinfandel
- Barbera d'Alba
- Barolo
- Blaye - Cotes de Bordeaux
- Brunello Di Montalcino
- Cahors
- Chateauneuf du Pape
- Chianti Rufina
- Cote Chalonnaise
- Cote de Beaune
- Cote de Nuits
- Cote du Rhone
- Cotes de Thongue
- Dolcetto d'Alba
- Haut Medoc
- Heathcote
- Langhe
- Lussac - Saint Emilion
- Maremma Toscana
- Margaux
- Medoc
- Monteregio di Massa Maritima
- Pauillac
- Pomerol
- Ribera del Duero
- Rosso di Montalcino
- Saint Emilion
- Saint Estephe
- Saint Georges - Saint Emilion
- Saint Joseph
- Saint Julien
- Sancerre
- Sant'Antimo
- Sant'Antimo
- Sonoma County
- Stellenbosch
- Toro
- Valpolicella
- Yarra Valley
2012 Capanna, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Regular price £95.80 Save £-95.80ABOUT THE WINE
The Capanna farm, owned by the Cencioni family since 1957, is situated in the Montosoli area, to the north of Montalcino. Founded by Giuseppe Cencioni and his sons, Benito and Franco, it was one of the first farms of the modern period of Brunello. The farm is still family run from both a farming and winemaking viewpoint, with 11 hecatres out of 23 devoted to olive groves.
TASTING NOTES
A deep ruby red colour with garnet hues. Delicate bouquet of red fruit and a hint vanilla. Smoke, roses and liquorice on the palate; very aromatic and persistent, with excellent round tannins and structure, and a long finish. The extra time in oak has served to mellow the tannins in the wine, creating a broader palate and a more refined drinking experience.
FOOD PAIRING
Pairs well with roasted red meats, game and aged cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A powerful yet very elegant wine. We recommend letting it breathe at least 30 minutes before serving.
2013 Tenuta Fanti, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Macchiarelle
Regular price £406.40 Save £-406.40ABOUT THE WINE
Farmed by the Fanti family since the early 1800s, the Tenuta Fanti is a 300 hectare estate in a valley just south of Montalcino, complete with olive groves, fields of wheat and grain, and 50 hectares of vines, within the boundaries of one of the most highly regarded appellations in Italy, Brunello di Montalcino.
TASTING NOTES
Captivating; blackberry, dark plum and spice. Liquorice, black cherry, sawdust and rounded, silky tannins on the palate. Plenty of grip, open and expressive, with vanilla and cinnamon on the long, nuanced finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Best with grilled beef or lamb dishes with plenty of heft.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Produced from a single vineyard on the estate, with vines over 40 years old.
2015 Chateau Talbot
Regular price £95.40 Save £-95.40ABOUT THE WINE
Legend has it that Chateau Talbot takes its name from a British soldier, Connetable Talbot, who was killed in a battle at Castillon in 1453; the estate was named in his honour. Since 1917, Talbot has been owned by the Cordier family. The family has invested heavily in Talbot to ensure that it achieves the quality levels of which it is capable. With 102 hectares of vineyards, Talbot is one of the largest estates in the Medoc; wines see 50-60% new oak, for around 15 months.
TASTING NOTES
Medium-bodied, dense fruit, extremely youthful, with plenty of potential for long-ageing. Red and black fruit, tobacco leaf and a stony mineral-character which will soften with time. Quite charming at this early stage; time will add polish to the long, smoky finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Strong flavours; lamb, beef stews, cured meat.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A fabulous Talbot to drink at 10-15 years from vintage, somewhat forward, but for the moment one to store rather than consume.
2016 Sequoia Grove, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Regular price £94.00 Save £-94.00ABOUT THE WINE
Sequoia Grove is located in the gem of the famed Napa Valley, in what’s known as the Rutherford Bench. The Bench is a very unique geological formation, as it is consisted of a special composition of soils and rocks, and is considered one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. With a mix of alluvial loams, limestone, chalk and red & black volcanic soils, it’s at the prime area for producing wine. As the legendary Napa pioneer André Tchelistcheff quoted, “it takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.” Founded in 1979, the estate is one of Napa’s cult estates for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
TASTING NOTES
A real terroir wine of Napa Valley, despite not being shy at all with its incredible opulence. Concentrated notes of blackcurrants, strawberry jam, black mulberries, blackberries and blueberries, with a spicy, fresh eucalyptus edge. The intensity of the tannins are married to the velvety, chocolatey texture of the wine. It gets more delectable with the cocoa, tobacco and clove notes coming from the premium French barriques which were used. 14% Cabernet Franc and 11% Merlot help support the structure and complexity of the wine.
FOOD PAIRING
Southern barbecued ribs, lamb shank casserole with baked beans and chili con carne.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The estate barn is blessed to be surrounded by some of the last remaining groves of huge, majestic sequoia trees. It is also known to house Napa’s first underground cellar.
2016 Chateau Figeac, Petit Figeac
Regular price £150.10 Save £-150.10An ancient vineyard, named after its Gallo-Roman owners, the Figeacus family, the Figeac estate has been continually occupied and farmed for at least two thousand years. The terroir is very special indeed, a large part of the original 200-hectare estate was sold off during the 18th Century to the Ducasse family to become Chateau Cheval Blanc, and other sections contribute to some of the finest estates in the appellation. The 42-hectare vineyard that remains contains vines over 100 years of age, with an unusually high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon planted.
TASTING NOTES
A supple, expressive wine laced with sweet dark cherry, plum, tobacco, mint, liquorice and leather. Open and accessible, this is a delightful, Cabernet-dominated second-wine.
FOOD PAIRING
Roast beef, veal and venison. Steak pies. Beef daubes, ox cheek and other stews cooked in red wine.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Petit Figeac may lack the longevity of the grand vin, but serves up a greater generosity of fruit and an earlier-drinking style.
2021 Domaine Antonin Guyon, Gevrey Chambertin 'La Justice'
Regular price £88.50 Save £-88.50Also available in 2019 Double Magnum
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 the sufficient structure for longer-term ageing.
FOOD PAIRING
Rabbit ragu with rosemary potatoes, pheasant with roasted parsnip with truffle oil and dry-aged sirloin steak.
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.
2019 Pierre Mayeul, Gevrey Chambertin
Regular price £88.50 Save £-88.50Pierre Mayeul is the story of three old friends united by the same passion for Burgundy and with a shared goal to produce high-quality wines where each cuvee beautifully represents the individual terroir and 'climat' of each appellation. Each with a long history of Burgundian winemaking, they vinify their wines in an old castle in Ladoix and age the wines in barrels in cellars that date back to the 17th Century situated in the very heart of Beaune.
TASTING NOTES
Bearing a dark ruby hue, an intoxicating aroma of wild blackberries, spicy undertones, clove notes and a whisper of raspberry reduction permeate the senses. The palate presents an exquisite tapestry of opulent dark fruits laced with nuances of espresso and a dash of black pepper. The well-integrated tannins lend a perfect depth to the vivacious fruit character, orchestrating a harmonious, velvety finish that echoes long after the final sip.
FOOD PAIRING
This delightful offering will impeccably accompany a sumptuous beef Wellington wrapped in truffle-infused mushroom duxelles, or a game pheasant adorned with a rich dark cherry sauce. A truffle and mushroom risotto or venison loin with a dark fruit compote will also provide an exceptional culinary pairing, ensuring a memorable Burgundian feast.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Sourced from the esteemed Gevrey Chambertin appellation, a region known for producing some of Burgundy's most robust and age-worthy Pinot Noirs, the 2019 iteration truly reflects the elegance and finesse typical of this illustrious appellation. Its complex flavour profile and refined structure encapsulate the exceptional conditions of the vintage, making it a wine worth savouring and cellaring. It's a vivid testament to the meticulous craft that Pierre Mayeul pours into every bottle.
2018 Domaine Vincent Bouzereau Corton rouge Grand Cru 'Les Fietres'
Regular price £88.40 Save £-88.40ABOUT THE WINE
The Bouzereau family has been vine growers for over 10 generations. An interesting feature of the estate is the interest of Vincent (and his father before him) for vine-stocks. Current vines are issued from pre-phylloxera selections, and Vincent keeps reproducing qualitative vines from his vineyards rather than following the common usage of cloning a couple of specimens only. This technique provides more bio-diversity in Vincent’s vineyards, and reflects in his sensational wines. Vincent wine-making technique is traditional, he does not add any yeast or enzyme.
TASTING NOTES
Light red in colour. Aromas of cherries and plums. Although still young the tannins are soft and has a very long finish. Powerful aromas and great intensity of flavours.
FOOD PAIRING
Delicious with veal with a rich sauce would benefit if you add mushrooms. Also good with duck and creamy cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Although 2018 was quite a warm vintage, the wines, especially the reds, have great power and balance. It could very well be one of the best vintages in this decade. This Corton can be drank now but will definitely improve with further ageing.
2020 Domaine Antonin Guyon, Chambolle Musigny 'Clos du Village' Monopole
Regular price £88.30 Save £-88.30The 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
Lovely aromas of violets and perfumed red cherries. Beautifully concentrated, with excellent structure and intensity, this wine may be kept for up to 25 years. A robust expression of the appellation, this wine is best enjoyed with food, at least 5 years from vintage.
FOOD PAIRING
Roasted pigeon with wine sauce, crispy Peking duck, beef cheek Bourguignon and lentil dhal.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A special appellation; the wines of Chambolle-Musigny combine ethereal delicacy with powerful flavour. This is perhaps the most age-worthy wine from this domaine.
2008 Chateau Batailley
Regular price £88.00 Save £-88.00Also available: 2016 Vintage
ABOUT THE WINE
Chateau Batailley is Borie-Manoux's and the Casteja-family's flagship. The name is derived from the battle (bataille) that took place where the chateau and vineyard are today during the Hundred Years War, around 1453. Vinification is fairly standard, with hand-harvested grapes fully de-stemmed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place partly in tank, partly in barrel, and the wine is then aged in new French oak, 60% new, for about 16 months before bottling. Since 1995, subtle changes have seen the wines achieve more delicacy and purity of fruit-character, resulting in wines of greater finesse which still remain true to their Pauillac roots.
TASTING NOTES
Crisp, bright red fruits; pepper and cassis on a medium-bodied palate. Hefty tannins will subside after 2022, but decanting will allow this wine to display its exceptional quality in the shorter term if temptation cannot be deferred.
FOOD PAIRING
Chateau Batailley is best served with classic meat dishes: veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, and roasted, braised and grilled vegetable dishes. It can also pair well with Asian dishes and hearty fish courses like tuna-steak.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This wine never stops to surprise, glass after glass.
2006 Chateau Langoa-Barton
Regular price £86.25 Save £-86.25ABOUT THE WINE
The Barton family, the current owners of Chateau Langoa Barton are able to trace their Bordeaux roots all the way back to 1722, when they left Ireland to start a new life in Bordeaux. In 1821 they bought an estate in St. Julien, Pontet-Langlois, which they renamed Langoa Barton. The 25-hectare estate is marked out by its relatively cool terroir vineyards are spread throughout the centre of the appellation, all inland away from the Gironde. Highly traditional winemaking, with only 50% new oak, makes this estate less showy than many of its counterparts, but allows it to shine with bottle-age typical recommendation is 15 years from vintage.
TASTING NOTES
The 2006 Chateau Langoa Barton has a lifted nose of small dark cherries, blackberry, incense and marmalade - quite showy for Langoa Barton, full of joie-de-vivre. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, ripe and demonstrating impressive density plus a firm grip. Mouth-coating, yet well-balanced; a delightful vintage from an ever-reliable chateau. Rewards time in the decanter.
FOOD PAIRING
Steak, beef burgers, aged hard cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Out of all the 1855 Classified Growths, it is the only chateau that is still in the hands of the same family who owned it at the time of the classification.
2011 Chateau Grand Corbin
Regular price £85.20 Save £-85.20Chateau Grand Corbin is one of the oldest estates in Saint-Emilion, dating back to the 15th century. The beautiful chateau was constructed in the 1800s. In the late 1990s, Anabelle Cruse and her sisters purchased the shares of Chateau Grand Corbin from the other family shareholders and took over complete ownership of the 15.5-hectare estate. In December 2010, the estate was purchased by the Groupe SMABTP, who combined it in 2012 with the vineyards of Chateau Haut Corbin and Chateau Le Jurat to form a new 24.5-hectare estate under the Grand Corbin name.
TASTING NOTES
Relatively light in this cooler vintage; made for relatively early-enjoyment, with accessible red-berry aromas and earthy undertones. Black fruit comes through on the palate, along with wood-spice; classic austerity on the finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Perfect with meaty pasta dishes, or lamb meatball with tomato sauce.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A beautiful wine, the first vintage produced under the new owners, with Hubert de Bouard (owner of Chateau Angelus) as Consultant Oenologist.
2015 Chateau Lagrange (Saint Julien)
Regular price £81.45 Save £-81.45Sold as Baron Saint Julien during the 18th Century when under the ownership of the Baron de Brane, Lagrange dates back to the middle ages, with definitive documentation going back to 1631. Originally one of the largest estates in the region, over the centuries Lagrange saw significant reductions in vineyard area, as plots were sold off to cover debts accrued by its owners. In 1983 the estate was purchased by the Japanese Suntory company, which proceeded to invest heavily in renovation and modernisation. A proportion of Petit Verdot was planted in 1988, white grapes were added in 1996; and the wines saw significant improvement, culminating in a number of exceptional vintages beginning in the year 2000.
TASTING NOTES
Cherry blackcurrant, liquorice and pepper; cool and elegant with a rich, spicy undertone that will carry the wine for further decades.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal with pork dishes, which will not diminish the elegance of the wine.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Produced from vines with an average age of 32 years.
2014 Chateau Giscours
Regular price £81.30 Save £-81.302016 Chateau Batailley
Regular price £80.50 Save £-80.50Also available: 2008 Vintage
ABOUT THE WINE
Chateau Batailley is Borie-Manoux’s and the Castéja-family’s flagship winery. One of the oldest estates in the Médoc the name is derived from the battle (“bataille”) that took place during the Hundred Years’ War and where the chateau and vineyard are sited today. The estate is currently experimenting with biodynamic farming techniques on a 5- hectare parcel. Overall vinification is pretty standard, with hand-harvested grapes fully de-stemmed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place partly in the tank, and partly in the barrel, and the wine is then aged in 60% new French oak for about 16 months before bottling. Since 1995, subtle changes have seen the wines achieve more delicacy and purity of fruit character, resulting in wines of greater finesse which still remain true to their Pauillac roots.
TASTING NOTES
A rare, but beautiful blend of fresh red berries of raspberry and rose hip married with the savoury meatiness and cigar box with a sweet vanilla undertone, not to mention the charming crushed violets. A truly elegant and complex claret, which shows power in a restrained way, but still managed to have polished and gripping tannins that are dazzling and promising facing forward. This wine is now in its drinking window, and will stay there until the late 2040s…
FOOD PAIRING
Roast mallard with radicchio and pear salad, braised veal shank with winter root vegetable purée. Any seared & dry-aged beef cut should also pair impeccably.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This wine will never cease to surprise, glass after glass, and is unquestionably moreish. Drinking beautifully now but still retains some solid ageing potential.
2014 Clos du Marquis
Regular price £160.75 Save £-160.75Own by the Delon family of Leoville Las Cases, Clos du Marquis was created in 1902. The name was taken from the Petit Clos, the residency of the Marquis de Las Cases, and the estate consists of a patchwork selection of vineyards within the appellation of Saint Julien which were not historically part of the Domaine de Leoville. Having been created after the 1855 classification, the estate has no ranking, but represents an excellent expression of the region.
TASTING NOTES
Attractive, perfumed aromas of red berries, wild heather, cedar and raspberry coulis. Opulent on the palate, with genteel tannin giving structure to red and black fruit characters, finishing with a mineral element. 50% new oak adds a plush smoothness to the overall experience.
FOOD PAIRING
Best for beef dishes, although the wine is quite versatile and will serve well with a wide array of full-bodied dishes.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
An impressive, accessible Saint Julien, with excellent ageing potential – this will drink well until 2034 and beyond.
2018 Chateau Figeac, Petit Figeac
Regular price £79.90 Save £-79.90An ancient vineyard, named after its Gallo-Roman owners, the Figeacus family, the Figeac estate has been continually occupied and farmed for at least two thousand years. The terroir is very special indeed, a large part of the original 200-hectare estate was sold off during the 18th Century to the Ducasse family to become Chateau Cheval Blanc, and other sections contribute to some of the finest estates in the appellation. The 42-hectare vineyard that remains contains vines over 100 years of age, with an unusually high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon planted.
TASTING NOTES
A supple, expressive wine laced with sweet dark cherry, plum, tobacco, mint, liquorice and leather. Open and accessible, this is a delightful, Cabernet-dominated second-wine.
FOOD PAIRING
Fillet steak with sauce Bordelaise, fresh Tagliatelle carbonara with shaved white truffle and roasted gammon.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Petit Figeac may lack the longevity of the grand vin, but serves up a greater generosity of fruit and an earlier-drinking style.
2017 Domaine de la Ferte, Givry
Regular price £79.70 Save £-79.70Own by the Devillard family, Domaine de la Ferté owns vines which were once farmed by the monks of the Abbey of Citeaux in 1170. Today the estate extends over 3 hectares, planted exclusively to Pinot noir. Their wines offer superb quality at relatively affordable prices.
TASTING NOTES
Beautiful garnet-ruby colour. Nose is rich with woody and fruity notes with aromas of blackcurrant. In the mouth, the wine is full and rich. Tannins are silky and the wine develops woody and black fruits aromas.
FOOD PAIRING
This Givry will go perfectly with grilled meat or a light beef stew.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Givry itself is one of the five appellations of the Cote Chalonnaise, producing predominantly red wines from the Pinot noir grape variety.
2014 Chateau Cantenac Brown
Regular price £77.85 Save £-77.85ABOUT THE WINE
The Chateau for Cantenac Brown is unique in the Bordeaux wine appellation. It is perhaps the only Bordeaux chateau designed as a traditional Tudor estate in the entire region! At the start of the 19th century, the well-known Scottish, animal painter, John Lewis Brown purchased the estate and Bordeaux wine vineyards. As was the tradition in the Medoc at the time, he renamed the estate Cantenac Brown. More recently, in 1989 AXA, the massive insurance company with several Bordeaux chateaux in their portfolio including Pichon Baron in Pauillac, and estates in Pomerol and Sauternes bought the vineyard. AXA sold the property in 2006 to the Halabi family.Today, the Simon Halabi family are the owners of Chateau Cantenac Brown. One of the first moves made by the new owners was to place Jose Sanfins in charge of the wine making at Cantenac Brown.
TASTING NOTES
Among the finest Cantenac-Browns of the last three decades, the saturated purple-coloured 2000 is a sleeper of the vintage. Loaded with chocolatey black currants intermixed with sweet earth, cedar, and spice box, it exhibits medium to full body, surprisingly ripe tannin for a wine from this estate, a multi-layered texture as well as mid-palate, and a finish that lasts 25-30 seconds.
FOOD PAIRING
Any game, red meat, super creamy cheese and fatty fish cooked with complex herbs and spices. Lamb curry.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is the wine for you if into earthy, tannic full-bodied wines.
2021 Chateau de Chamirey, Mercurey Red
Regular price £75.00 Save £-75.00A 95-hectare estate (37-hectares of vineyard) covering some of the finest terroirs in Mercurey. The château, overlooking the village of Chamirey, was built in the early 18th Century, and saw a succession of owners before coming into the Devillard family through marriage. The estate began bottling its own wines in 1934, making it a forerunner in the region.
TASTING NOTES
Wild strawberries, cherries and raspberries on the aromas; bright and fresh on the palate, with a nutty element and a touch of earthiness on the finish. Light, flavoursome, easy-drinking.
FOOD PAIRING
Well-suited to chicken dishes, or as an aperitif. Can also be served lightly chilled.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Sourced from ten different village-plots in the region, and three Premier Cru plots; 40% is aged in lightly toasted French oak (10% new), 60% in stainless steel tank, for 12 months.
2015 Chateau Cantenac Brown
Regular price £74.80 Save £-74.80ABOUT THE WINE
The Chateau for Cantenac Brown is unique in the Bordeaux wine appellation. It is perhaps the only Bordeaux chateau designed as a traditional Tudor estate in the entire region! At the start of the 19th century, the well-known Scottish, animal painter, John Lewis Brown purchased the estate and Bordeaux wine vineyards. As was the tradition in the Medoc at the time, he renamed the estate Cantenac Brown. More recently, in 1989 AXA, the massive insurance company with several Bordeaux chateaux in their portfolio including Pichon Baron in Pauillac, and estates in Pomerol and Sauternes bought the vineyard. AXA sold the property in 2006 to the Halabi family.Today, the Simon Halabi family are the owners of Chateau Cantenac Brown. One of the first moves made by the new owners was to place Jose Sanfins in charge of the wine making at Cantenac Brown.
TASTING NOTES
Among the finest Cantenac-Browns of the last three decades, the saturated purple-coloured 2015 is a sleeper of the vintage. Loaded with chocolatey black currants intermixed with sweet earth, cedar, and spice box, it exhibits medium to full body, surprisingly ripe tannin for a wine from this estate, a multi-layered texture as well as mid-palate, and a finish that lasts 25-30 seconds.
FOOD PAIRING
Any game, red meat, super creamy cheese and fatty fish cooked with complex herbs and spices. Lamb curry.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is the wine for you if into earthy, tannic full-bodied wines.
2014 Chateau Branaire Ducru
Regular price £74.00 Save £-74.00Chateau Branaire Ducru has a long history that goes all the way back to 1680. Patrick Maroteaux bought Branaire Ducru in 1988 from the Tapie family who had owned the chateau since 1919. Extensive technical improvements have allowed Branaire Ducru to become one of the most impressive wines to come out of Saint-Julien. Typically, there is a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, which contributes to the wine's distinctive style and quality.
TASTING NOTES
65% Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage; deep ruby colour with jammy black raspberry, spice and toasty oak perfume. Strong, ripe tannins, with fresh cassis, black olive and blackberry on the palate; complex, perfectly balanced, probably the best vintage of Branaire Ducru yet!
FOOD PAIRING
Great with mushroom risotto, lamb with spicy vegetables and aged hard cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Exceptional value relatively to quality; and a very special, iconic vintage for the chateau. Showing best after 2020.
2014 Chateau Leoville Las Cases, Petit Lion
Regular price £72.55 Save £-72.55The largest of the three ‘Leoville’ properties, with 97 hectares of vineyard spread throughout the appellation of Saint-Julien. Classified 2ème Cru, the wines of this estate are unquestionably of 1er Cru quality. The history of the estate can be traced back to 1638, when all three Leoville properties were one, and were the site of many winemaking and viticultural innovations which remain in use to this day. After the French Revolution, the estate was split into the Leovilles Barton, Poyferre and Las Cases. Following acquisition in 1976, the estate has achieved ever-growing esteem under the ownership of Michel Delon.
TASTING NOTES
Bright and expressive in this vintage, with a weight comparable to the grand vin. Silky tannins frame a fresh, fruit-driven palate, with oyster-shell minerality on the finish. An impressive wine, fragrant and exceptionally well-crafted, typical of this estate.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal for beef or vegetarian stews, and quite suitable for lamb as well, given the aromatic intensity of the wine.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Excellent value, relative to the grand vin, from an under-rated vintage – the market was looking forward to the 2015 vintage, and so the attention (and therefore prices) given to the 2014 wines was somewhat less; the quality, however, was not.