Bordeaux

Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2006, Pauillac

Best 2013 - 2022

The wine produced at "GPL" is classified as one of eighteen Cinquièmes Crus (Fifth Growths) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste certainly out performs its position as a 5th growth. Like Pontet Canet and Lynch Bages it is capable of genuine greatness.

Chateau Lynch Bages 2006, Pauillac 5eme Cru

Best 2014 - 2025

The great Château Lynch-Bages is located in the Pauillac appellation of the Bordeaux region. The wine produced here was classified as one of eighteen Cinquièmes Crus (Fifth Growths) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 but is considered as to be a regular over-performer. 

Chateau Soutard St Emilion Grand Cru 2005

Drink 2013 - 2020

Château Soutard can trace its history back to 1775. The owners in 2005 were Isabelle, Hélène and François de Ligneris, the family having owned the Chateau since 1836. From 1988 Soutard's winemaking was in the hands of François, who initially trained as an architect before switching his studies to wine. He then spent time working with the Hill-Smith family in Australia before beginning to take over from his father. And like his father, François was a born agitator.

Chateau Guillot Clauzel, Pomerol, 2007

Undeniably this is a more forward version of Guillot Clauzel, so drinking now is an option but it will be utterly approachable in 3-4 years and will develop well over 6 – 10 years. This great success merits kudos to winemaker-in-chief Dominique Thienpont.

Lalande Borie St Julien 2009 (EP 12 bottles)

Drink 2015 - 2021

Although many people mistake Lalande Borie for the 2nd or even 3rd wine of Ducru it is in fact made from the vineyards further inland from the estuary, in near proximity to Chateau Talbot. Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) 88-90/100 The finest wine I have ever tasted from Lalande Borie, the 2009 (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc) displays lots of purity along with a boatload of black currant, raspberry, and black cherry fruit, no evidence of wood, broad, rich, deep flavors, and a velvety texture. It should drink well for a decade or more.

Chateau du Tertre Margaux 2009 5eme Cru (EP 12 bottles)

2017 - 2020

Floral and perfumed, with blackberry and blueberry. Full and silky, with a lovely finish. Balanced. Lovely chocolaty character and texture. Big improvement. 55 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 percent Merlot, 15 percent Cabernet Franc and 8 percent Petit Verdot. Score: 88-91 James Suckling, Wine Spectator, March 2010

Chateau Les Trois Croix Fronsac 2009 (EP 12 bottles)

This is the home estate of Mouton-Rothschild’s former regisseur, Patrick Leon. As ever, Fronsac is underrated.  This is elegant, well structured Bordeaux full of charm and character. With its full dense style with thick tannins, full body but fairly short finish this wine is made for early drinking.

Chateau Guillot Clauzel Pomerol 2009 (EP 12 bottles)

Optimum 2015 - 2025 +

Guillot Clauzel is a must-buy consideration for fans of top Pomerol. Stylistically this wine is a junior version of Le Pin – and fortunately it is available at a whisker of the price. The structure is feminine, almost Burgundian in some respects, whilst flavours are driven by deep red fruits, hints of toasty oak and leather with an impressive long finish. Classically styled, Ch Guillot Clauzel is age-worthy and will mature well in bottle for up 15 more years.

Chateau Capbern Gasqueton St Estephe 2009 (EP 12 bottles)

Drink 2014 - 2023

Critic Jancis Robinson wholeheartedly recommends this 2009 wine and has reportedly bought 3 cases for her next significant birthday celebrations. Chateau Capbern Gasqueton represents this very well, capitalizing on some mature Cabernet vines to very great effect. The 2009 is expertly made and will provide classic 2009 drinking from 2015 until 2025 and perhaps further. All this at a price that will be substantially below £20 a bottle.

La Croix de Beaucaillou, St Julien 2009 (EP 12 bottles)

20 years ago the fruit that creates this wine would have made it into Ducru Beaucaillou itself. But Bruno Borie's relentless pursuit of excellence at Ducru has resulted in the production levels falling by around 50%. La Croix is the primary beneficiary of this draconian selection process and thus the wine tastes more like a classed growth than a 2nd wine.

Chateau Lagrange 2009 St Julien 2009 (EP 12 bottles)

Optimum 2017 - 2020

Lagrange has been a HarperWells favourite for many years. The 09 is a slightly lighter, less powerful style of St.-Julien, but also less oaky than previous vintages have tended to be, the 2009 Lagrange offers attractive, fresh, red and black currant notes, and an elegant as well as corpulent attack and mid-palate.

Reserve de la Comtesse, Pauillac 2009 (EP 12 bottles)

Drink 2017 - 2028

Robert Parker @ Wine Advocate 91-93* The finest second wine they have made, the 2009 Reserve de Comtesse is composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. Flavorful and full-bodied with loads of texture and opulence, it offers up aromas of forest floor and black fruits. The surprisingly high tannin level is barely noticeable given the sweetness of the fruit and abundant glycerin. Nevertheless, the 13% alcohol is right in line with that of the Pichon Lalande. Drink the Reserve de Comtesse over the next 10-15 years.