2012 Trinite Estate, Acaibo
Regular price £66.00 Save £-66.00ABOUT THE WINE
The 2012 vintage, is the first vintage produced by Claire and Gonzague Lurton, who are part of great Bordeaux families. Acaibo is nestled in the hills in a small corner of the Chalk Hill area. The estate sits in an intimate bowl between three valleys: the Russian River Valley, the Alexander Valley, and Knight's Valley. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
TASTING NOTES
The Acaibo is remarkable for its very intense, almost seductive expression of aromas. The bouquet offers an elegant combination of floral notes (violets), spices (pepper, cinnamon, liquorice and vanilla), red fruit (blackberries and raspberries) and earthy undertones.
FOOD PAIRING
Goes well with steak, beef fillet and rack of lamb.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is the first ever vintage of this American project. Sold out at the winery, this wine is now a collector's item.
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.
2008 Chateau Montrose
Regular price £168.95 Save £-168.95ABOUT THE WINE
Originally a hunting estate owned by Alexandre de Segur, known as La Lande de l'Escargeon, the estate that would come to be known as Montrose passed into the ownership of Etienne Dumoulin in 1778, whose son built the chateau. The name was derived from the heather-clad hills, which would turn pink when the flowers were in bloom; sailors on ships passing through the Gironde Estuary called the hill upon which the chateau was built la Mont Rose. By 1815 the estate was regarded as one of the finest in Saint-Estephe. Many owners later, the estate was purchased by the Bouygues brothers in 2006; renovations have followed, including work to expand the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon planted. The second-wine was first released in 1983, and typically accounts for 30% of the production of the estate.
TASTING NOTES
12 months in 30% new oak barrels to produce a more accessible style than the Grand Vin; this is nevertheless regarded as one of the more powerfully structured second wines from Bordeaux. In keeping with the priorities of the new owner, the second wine is dominated by Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon reserved for the Grand Vin. Bright violet colour, with cassis and raspberry aromas, and a floral, red-fruited palate with mocha, cedar and dusty, fine-grained tannin on the finish. A classic style, ready for drinking now, after 10 years.
FOOD PAIRING
Best with rich stews and beef-dishes.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The exposed terroir of Montrose protected the estate from the dangers of rot in this vintage, providing an excess of quality fruit, of great benefit to the second-wine.