2012 Chateau Grand Corbin
Regular price £21.60 Save £-21.60ABOUT THE WINE
Chateau 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.
FOOD PAIRING
Perfect with meaty pasta dishes, or lamb meatball with tomato sauce.
2014 Chateau Brane Cantenac, Baron de Brane
Regular price £21.75 Save £-21.752015 Chateau Potensac
Regular price £40.45 Save £-40.452015 Chateau Grand Corbin
Regular price £42.40 Save £-42.402016 Chateau Cantenac Brown, Brio
Regular price £45.70 Save £-45.702014 Chateau Berliquet
Regular price £48.25 Save £-48.25ABOUT THE WINE
Berliquet is one of the oldest vineyards in Saint-Emilion, able to trace its history back to 1794. 9 hectares of vineyards are superbly sited on the limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion, adjoining those of Chateau Canon and Chateau Magdelaine. Until 1978 Berliquet's wine was made by the local co-operative; since 1978 the wine has been vinified and matured at the chateau and the wines have improved significantly, earning promotion to Grand Cru Classe' in 1985. Typically a blend of 67% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon.
TASTING NOTES
Red and black fruit, with notes of fruitcake and roasted herbs; medium-bodied and fairly easy-going. Fragrant and appetising.
FOOD PAIRING
Great with grilled steak, aubergine pasta or bacon tartlet.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Early-drinking Saint-Emilion, from a very reliable estate.
2018 Chateau L'Enclos
Regular price £53.30 Save £-53.30ABOUT THE WINE
Nestled in the heart of Pomerol and neighbored by Le Pin and Château Clinet, Château L'Enclos is an estate synonymous with classic opulence. With guidance from renowned oenologist Michel Rolland, continuous enhancements in both the vineyard and cellar have propelled this estate to ever-greater heights. The 2018 vintage showcases the exceptional qualities of this prestigious appellation.
TASTING NOTES
Indulge in the sumptuous, velvety notes of ripe blackberries, intertwined with nuances of dark chocolate and a hint of black cherry. The 2018 vintage presents an elevated expression of Pomerol, carrying the richness of its predecessor while exhibiting its own unique charm.
FOOD PAIRING
Superbly suited to dishes like rosemary-infused rack of lamb, duck confit, or a porcini mushroom risotto, Château L'Enclos pairs harmoniously with the depth and complexity of these culinary delights.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Approachable now, this Pomerol will continue to evolve and impress until 2033. Château L'Enclos remains a property to watch in the Pomerol appellation.
2014 Chateau Chasse Spleen
Regular price £57.50 Save £-57.50ABOUT THE WINE
Chateau Chasse Spleen remained the property of the Castaing family until it was sold just before World War 1 to a German family of wine merchants. After the outbreak of World War I, Chateau Chasse Spleen was confiscated as enemy property and sold at an auction in 1922 to the Lahary family. The modern era for Chateau Chasse Spleen starts in 1976 when the estate was bought by the Merlaut family. At the time of the purchase, Chasse Spleen owned about 40 hectares of vines. Under the direction of Jacques Merlaut and his daughter Bernadotte Villars they expanded their vineyard holdings so that today, Chasse Spleen has 80 hectares of vines. They also updated and modernized their winemaking facilities.
TASTING NOTES
The 2014 Moulis Chasse-Spleen is refined. On the nose, it is ample, frank and aromatically fresh. Mainly produced on a fleshy black fruit aromatic palette, typical cedar accents are felt after swirling. The palate is ample, vibrant, elegantly structured on creamy and delicate tannins. The grain is fine and precise. The finish is persistent. This wine is a total success!
FOOD PAIRING
Pairs very well with venison, oven baked pasta with bacon, mushroom risotto, hard cheese.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is a very good example of Moulis from a good vintage.
2016 Chateau Gloria
Regular price £130.75 Save £-130.75ABOUT THE WINE
One of the better-known Crus Bourgeois of the Medoc, still at reasonable prices. Chateau Gloria is made up of holdings of classified Crus and would deserve to be classified in its own right. Recent vintages have found all their character again, in the tradition of the great Saint-Julien wines.
TASTING NOTES
A majority Cabernet Sauvignon blend, expect beautiful aromas of blackcurrants and blueberries. The body is full, with very fine tannins that are strong and bright. Drinking very well right now, and will continue to develop over the next two decades and beyond.
2018 Vintage also available
2014 Chateau Giscours
Regular price £81.30 Save £-81.302011 Chateau Grand Corbin
Regular price £85.20 Save £-85.202006 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.
2012 Chateau Leoville-Poyferre
Regular price £113.10 Save £-113.10ABOUT 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
The latest harvest since 2008; this vintage of Poyferre contains more Cabernet Sauvignon than most, adding distinction and herb-etched complexity to the usual ensemble of black fruit and vanilla. Beautifully satisfying on the palate, with luscious weight tempered by excellent structure.
FOOD PAIRING
Complex beef or lamb stews; would pair well with earthy, tomato-based sauces.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
With more edge than most Poyferre wines from recent vintages, this is one to leave until after 2022 but it has the potential to easily outshine its more accessible siblings thereafter.
2011 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 Lynch-Bages
Regular price £149.10 Save £-149.102006 Chateau La Conseillante
Regular price £193.10 Save £-193.10ABOUT THE WINE
An exceptional 12-hectare estate located on the boundary between Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, which can trace its history back to 1735. Acquired by the Nicolas family in 1871, the estate has remained unchanged since, and is today still managed by the family. Winemaking facilities were renovated in 2012, and 50-80% new barrels are used for each vintage, depending on the character of the wine from that year. Barrel-ageing is usually 18 months.
TASTING NOTES
Astonishing finesse, with powerful aromatics of spicy, dark fruit and violets. On the palate it is fresh and harmonious, with blackberry and raspberry fruit, smooth and creamy with plenty of underlying structure; hefty tannins have softened beautifully with time. This was always a wine to hold; less appealing on release than the 2005, but with exceptional potential; drink from 2016.
FOOD PAIRING
Excellent with game or beef; hold back on the spice, as this wine has beautiful subtlety which anything too flavoursome might hide.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A stellar wine; will age gracefully until 2036.
2007 Chateau Figeac
Regular price £194.90 Save £-194.90ABOUT THE WINE
An 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 â 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 refined, structured wine; fruitcake and rich plum aromas lead to a blackberry laden palate, with coffee and fine-grained tannins on the finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Grilled and roast lamb with garlic and rosemary.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A somewhat backwards vintage which will probably be best from 2022 onwards.
2006 Chateau Figeac
Regular price £315.90 Save £-315.90ABOUT THE WINE
An 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
An elegant and surprisingly approachable vintage for Figeac; sweet aromas of menthol, fruitcake, cherries, and black currants, silky tannins and an evolved, precocious style, drinking well from 2015.
FOOD PAIRING
Grilled and roast lamb with garlic and rosemary.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Despite their Cabernet-driven style, this vintage shows only the vaguest hints of the green pepper notes that affected right bank wines from this year.