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.
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.
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.
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.
2006 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Regular price £260.65 Save £-260.65ABOUT THE WINE
Pichon Lalande earned its name when Therse, the daughter of the founder received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville. During the 18th century the wine-growing influence at Pichon Lalande was definitely feminine. Perhaps that explains part of the wines sensuous qualities. Pichon Lalande was essentially managed by three women: Therese de Rauzan, Germaine de Lajus and Marie Branda de Terrefort. Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville succeeded his mother taking over Pichon Lalande when he was only 19. What happened next changed the landscape of the Medoc forever. On the eve of his death in 1850, he divided the property between his five children. In modern times May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, daughter of Edouard Miailhe became the new owner and general manager of Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande in 1978. She made numerous investments and improvements at Pichon Lalande. She later sold Pichon Lalande to the owners of Roederer Champagne in January 2007. Once the purchase for Chateau Pichon Lalande was concluded, in 2008, a complete renovation of the estate took place.
TASTING NOTES
Abundant aromas of chocolate, coffee, cedar, black currants, and a subtle touch of smoke, a rich, savoury, full-bodied mouthfeel, plump, fleshy fruit, and a superb finish. This is a 21st century version of the brilliant 1996.
FOOD PAIRING
Perfect with beef ragout and tagliatelle or pepper steak.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The opulence and body of this make it a great hedonistic experience wine.
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.