Renowned French winemaker Gérard Bertrand makes his £40+ a bottle Corbières in craggy Boutenac. Just across a small country road is the village of Fabrezan and its equally amazing vineyards. It's where, in fact, Tony Laithwaite bought his first Corbières shipment back in 1971. Today young couple Amelie and Jean-Baptiste work tirelessly, in evenings and weekends (after their day jobs as consultant winemakers), tending their ancient vines and making their cru quality Corbières.
The vines were planted by J-B's great grandfather, a cellar built by his son, but more recently the grapes were all sold to the local coop. J-B and Amelie took over in 2007 and decided they could make something much better. This fabulous Grand Cru style is the result.
only 39 left
“2020 has produced a number of excellent wines and in parts can be confirmed as the conclusion of a great trilogy,” (Decanter magazine).
Bordeaux lovers, get ready for a sensational example from fine family estate and the exceptional 2020 vintage. The best news? You don’t have to pay a fortune for this lavish French red.
As critic James Suckling says: “2020 is the third outstanding vintage in a row for Bordeaux and marks perhaps the first time the region has experienced such a high-quality trilogy of superlative years.” Jancis Robinson says “some stunning wines have been produced in 2020” and Antoni Galloni loves its “balance of richness and energy”.
With SEVEN Golds to its name this lavish Bordeaux is certainly showing off how good this vintage has been.
A superior Bordeaux! You’ll notice the appellation is a Bordeaux Supérieur and yes, it is a step up in quality. A Bordeaux Supérieur is restricted to particular grape varieties and has to meet certain quality standards. It also has higher minimum alcohol levels and longer ageing requirements than regular Bordeaux AOC wines.
And it tastes like …? Magic in a glass! Deep purple in colour, the aroma is bursting with beautiful floral notes, ripe plums, blackberry, cassis, tobacco and spice. On the palate, savour silky fruit and creamy, cedary oak and a long, velvety finish. It’s a delicious partner to a good cut of steak – but do let it breathe a bit before you serve it.
“2020 has produced a number of excellent wines and in parts can be confirmed as the conclusion of a great trilogy,” (Decanter magazine).
Bordeaux lovers, get ready for a sensational example from fine family estate and the exceptional 2020 vintage. The best news? You don’t have to pay a fortune for this lavish French red.
As critic James Suckling says: “2020 is the third outstanding vintage in a row for Bordeaux and marks perhaps the first time the region has experienced such a high-quality trilogy of superlative years.” Jancis Robinson says “some stunning wines have been produced in 2020” and Antoni Galloni loves its “balance of richness and energy”.
With SEVEN Golds to its name this lavish Bordeaux is certainly showing off how good this vintage has been.
A superior Bordeaux! You’ll notice the appellation is a Bordeaux Supérieur and yes, it is a step up in quality. A Bordeaux Supérieur is restricted to particular grape varieties and has to meet certain quality standards. It also has higher minimum alcohol levels and longer ageing requirements than regular Bordeaux AOC wines.
And it tastes like …? Magic in a glass! Deep purple in colour, the aroma is bursting with beautiful floral notes, ripe plums, blackberry, cassis, tobacco and spice. On the palate, savour silky fruit and creamy, cedary oak and a long, velvety finish. It’s a delicious partner to a good cut of steak – but do let it breathe a bit before you serve it.
Until 1997, Château Haut Brisson was an 8-hectare estate in the Vignonet section of Saint Emilion. New owner Peter Kwok was keen to expand its vineyards and the range of terroir, so began to buy up vine parcels to make it up to the 18 hectares it has today. Judging by today's scores and the quality of the wine, Kwok purchased wisely and quality has soared. Today it is under the ownership of Stephane Schinazi and continues its stellar projection, with Michel Rolland as consultant.
All its top grapes go into this wine (they no longer make La Réserve), ageing 30% of it in new French barriques, so as not to overwwhelm the fruit with oak notes. Now certified organic, with the aim of going biodynamic too, the 2020 is a magnificent wine.
only 9 left
Castillon is a tucked-away Right Bank Bordeaux appellation that, for too long, has lived in the shadow of its famous neighbour, Saint-Emilion. The two regions share the same soils, grapes and climate and the best Castillon wines certainly stand scrutiny next to the Grands Crus of the famous one. The upside is that claret lovers can still find Castillon wines at exceptionally good prices.
Château Joanin came into the Bécot family in 2001. It has the highest vineyards in all Castillon, in the lieu-dit of Joanin. Juliette Bécot is today in charge and, with the renowned Bordeaux winemaker Thomas Duclos as consultant, it’s clear they are aiming high. Merlot with Cabernet Franc, aged 50% in new oak, this is a rich red. Open early and decant.
