2018 Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, Petit Ducru
Regular price £43.55 Save £-43.55ABOUT THE WINE
The esteemed Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, a 2eme Cru classé, presents its distinguished second wine, the 2018 Petit Ducru. Owned by the Borie family, the chateau encompasses 50 hectares in the southeast of the St Julien appellation. The vineyards flourish on well-drained gravel, peppered with stones up to 2.5 inches in diameter, and in 2018, the vines' average age was 45 years.
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Boasting a rich and captivating deep purple hue, the 2018 vintage of Petit Ducru showcases remarkable intensity and structure, reminiscent of the esteemed Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou. This elegant wine benefits from careful cellaring, allowing its character to gracefully evolve and develop over time. An exceptional choice for the discerning palate, this wine is poised to enchant for years to come.
TASTING NOTES
A harmonious blend of power and finesse, this wine reveals a bouquet of dark fruits, cassis, and delicate floral notes, underpinned by hints of earthy tobacco and smooth, velvety tannins. The palate is rewarded with a generous and refined fusion of blackberry, black cherry, and a touch of graphite, culminating in a long and captivating finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Savour this luxurious wine alongside a sumptuous beef Wellington, a decadent black truffle and mushroom pasta, or an extravagant cheese and charcuterie board to truly appreciate its exquisite qualities and depth.
2016 Chateau Cantenac Brown, Brio
Regular price £45.70 Save £-45.70Purchased by the Scottish painter, John Lewis Brown, at the beginning of the 19th Century, who added his name to the estate, and designed the Tudor-style mansion that graces the property today. A series of owners followed, and the estate suffered from a lack of investment, until 1989, when it was acquired by AXA Millésimes. Over the subsequent decade they worked tirelessly to improve the estate, and in 2006 the sold a greatly improved Cantenac-Brown to the Simon-Halabi family. Under this ownership the estate saw its three greatest vintages – 2009, 2010 and 2015 – before being sold once again in 2019.
TASTING NOTES
A blend of 49% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon & 11% Cabernet Franc, with a year in French oak barrels, 25% of which are new and 75% of them one-year-old barrels. The 2016 vintage captures the essence of a balanced vintage with enough flavour intensity while preserving the charming perfumed violet and rose notes. A full, velvety structure gives way to a long dark plum finish. A very precise and enjoyable Margaux that over-delivers for its value.
FOOD PAIRING
Roast quail with celeriac remoulade and pan-dried Jerusalem artichokes
FRIARWOOD SAYS
51% of the harvest was declassified for the second wine in 2016, with grapes that would usually be reserved for the Grand Vin adding to the depth and complexity of the Brio; this will be drinking well from 2021, and will continue to develop for a further decade.
2018 Chateau Nouret Cru Bourgeois
Regular price £46.00 Save £-46.00A 21-hectare estate purchased by the current owners in 2012. Extensive investment in the winemaking facilities and vineyards has seen considerable improvements in the quality of the wines produced. An estate on the rise.
TASTING NOTES
Blackcurrant, blueberry, toast and leather, with a fresh, accessible palate and impressive structure. 12 months in oak, 30% of which is new oak, providing additional complexity and a plush refined mouthfeel.
FOOD PAIRING
Try it with a juicy burger or beef stroganoff.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The more exposed terroir of Bas Medoc ('lower' Medoc) receives a greater amount of Atlantic weather than appellations further up the Gironde estuary; successful viticulture in this mild, humid climate is often very dependent on vintage-conditions. The late-summer heat of the 2018 vintage provided ideal conditions for this wine.
2014 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.
2016 Chateau Les Ormes De Pez
Regular price £48.40 Save £-48.40Known as Domaine de Pez in the 1500s, the current name was taken after the French Revolution, and refers to the elm trees that used to grow on the estate, around the town of Pez. The chateau has been in the Cazes family since 1940 when it was purchase by Jean-Charles Cazes. The winemaking facilities were renovated in 1993, and the winemaking team is shared with Chateau Lynch-Bages. New oak is used to add extra richness to the wine, and over time the percentage of Merlot has gradually increased. A well-earned reputation for consistency and quality has made Ormes de Pez one of the most sought after Cru Bourgeois wines.
TASTING NOTES
Fruity, with tobacco and herbal spice notes adding complexity. Finished on a dusty red cherry note. Medium-bodied; from an exceptional vintage.
FOOD PAIRING
The high proportion of Merlot in the blend lends this to lighter stews and meat dishes.
2014 Chateau Fonplegade
Regular price £48.70 Save £-48.70See more wines from Chateau Fonplegade
ABOUT THE WINE
For centuries, the vine rows of Chateau Fonplegade have been the source for some of St. Emillion's most coveted grapes. Since 2004, new owners from California, Stephen and Denise Adams, have invested time and passion to elevate the wines of Fonplegade to new heights.
TASTING NOTES
Lots of fruit, already showing an appealingly soft roundedness. Incredibly smooth tannins are supported by a wonderful acidity that provides a remarkably long finish. Deep purple colour. A modest amount of grapes from somewhat younger vines is also incorporated into the blend, adding voluptuous black fruit notes and a tannic structure.
FOOD PAIRING
Roast beef, stews, lamb chops, barbecue.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is an absolutely brilliant wine, and probably the best to date from this American-owned Chateau, which has been completely renovated and is now enjoying a resurrection/renaissance in quality.
2016 Chateau Calon Segur, Marquis de Calon
Regular price £49.55 Save £-49.55