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As the campaign nears the end, several big names made an appearance over the last few days. Montrose, the latest of the Super Seconds, leapt onto the market in a feeding frenzy. Receiving an incredible 95-97 Parker points, there was serious interest in this wine with négociants quickly selling out. Even we thought it was the best Montrose over the past several years.
Troplong Mondot is one of the most sought after Right Bank wines year-in and year-out. We sold out of our initial 2008 allocation without even really offering it and were able to secure another parcel, allowing us to include it here. Parker described it as “˜a worthy rival to the prodigious 2005′ which is currently £2000-3500 on the market. We are sure we will quickly sell out of this parcel as well, so act quickly.
A lesser known château, Saint Pierre is more famous on the continent than in the UK – but it is one of our favourites from St. Julien, which also delivers a lot of wine for its price. It is owned by Henri Martin who also owns Gloria. Over the years, his passion and dedication have transformed this quiet estate into one of Bordeaux’s best kept secrets.
Two of our favourite châteaux also surfaced yesterday – Rauzan Sègla and Canon – both of which are owned by Chanel. They are so stylish that even Coco herself would approve. We believe that Rauzan Sègla is consistently the best Margaux following Ch Margaux and Palmer. It offers a fleshy palate that is nonetheless incredibly poised and complex. Canon is much more like a Pomerol in style rather than a hedonistic fruit bomb like many St. Emilions these days and is discreet and backwards when young. It requires a bit of time, but it blossoms beautifully after being cellared. It is one of our perennial favourite Right Bank wines.
Tasting scores are taken from Jancis Robinson’s Purple Pages, Wine Spectator, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, Matthew Jukes and Goedhuis & Co.
All wines are offered in bond. Other formats are available.
Ch Montrose, St. Estèphe
£510.00 per 12 IB
2013 – 2030+
Aromatic with notes of violets, black cherry and raspberries. Quite mouthfilling yet poised, tender and feminine. Its gentle side turns muscular as its St. Estèphe tannins show through its veil of fruit. Under the direction of Jean-Bernard Delmas (the former manager of Haut Brion), Montrose has been working hard over the past few years, and it is really showing.
JR:16 WS:88-91 RP:95-97 MJ:18 GD:90-92
Ch Troplong Mondot, St. Emilion
£495.00 per 12 IB
2014 – 2032+
A big, velvety full-throttle 2008 that reveals copious layers of ripe bramble fruit, damson plums, crushed spice and dark chocolate. Superfine tannins fill out its brooding palate as fresh uplifting acidity carries it through to an incredibly long finish. This was arguably the most concentrated and complex St. Emilion at the UGC tasting.
JR:16.5 WS:91-94 RP:95-97 MJ:17.5 GD : 90-93
Ch St. Pierre, St. Julien
£295.00 per 12 IB
2014 – 2028+
Reticent on the nose, this 2008 offers an aromatic palate of violets, roasted coffee, sweet raspberries and black cherries. Its tannins are chewy yet ripe lending it a full-bodied palate yet with a sculpted feel due to its minerality and freshness. Wonderfully concentrated, this wine has lots of potential.
JR:16.5 WS:88-91 RP:92-94 MJ:16.5 GD : 89-92
Ch Rauzan Ségla, Margaux
£425.00 per 12 IB
2011 – 2030+
A delicious, expansive wine that is immediately impressive (and delicious), offering notes of sweet berry fruit, red plums and subtle spice. Despite its feminine curves, the admirable structure carries it to a long finish. An impressive Rauzan Ségla.
JR:16.5 WS:90-93 RP :91-93 MJ:17.5 GD : 90-92
Ch Canon, St. Emilion
£440.00 per 12 IB
2013 – 2032+
More in the Figeac style of St. Emilion, the 2008 Canon offers a restrained nose and a minerally-tight palate that delivers incredible concentration, potential complexity and balance. This wine is just aching to reveal its impressive layers of sweet fruit, gently roasted spice and earthy notes. But it will require a bit of patience.
JR:17 WS:89-92 RP:90-93 GD:90-93