Bordeaux 2017: Evangile, Armailhac, Clerc Milon, Clos du Marquis...

Evangile.jpg

18th May 2018. 

First up today we have a "stunning wine" from one of Pomerol's biggest names - Chateau l'Evangile (94-97 AG). Yields suffered from frost which wiped out all of the Cabernet Franc this year and left them with only 50% in quantity and a wine that is 100% Merlot for the first time ever.  Released at £2100 per cs, the superior 2016 and 2015 can be picked up for £2120 and £1800 respectively.
 
We also have the first offerings from Mouton Rothschild, the "opulent and powerful" Armailhac at £388 per cs (93-94 JS) and Clerc Milon at £624 per cs - "A serious wine that is delivering on its potential, vintage after vintage" 94 Decanter.  Due to high demand these wines may have to be allocated, please let us know quickly if of interest.
 
Leoville Las Cases was one of the wines of the vintage and from the same team, Clos du Marquis is released at £426 per cs.  Quality is even higher here since the introduction of the second wine La Petite Marquise in 2015: "fine-grained tannins, great intensity and a long, mineral-laced finish" 91-93 WA. It was a wine that impressed us hugely this year.
 
Over in Margaux Du Tertre (90-92 AG) is now released at £345 per cs and a Prieure Lichine of "pure class" at £330 (91-94 AG).

 

Pomerol

£2120 per 12 btl  /  £1060 per 6
94-97 Antonio Galloni  "The 2017 L'Évangile is a stunning wine. Frost wiped out half of the potential crop, including all of the Cabernet Franc, which means the Grand Vin is 100% Merlot. Rich, sumptuous and explosive, the 2017 possesses remarkable depth and stunning intensity in all of its dimensions. The purity, energy and textural resonance of the fruit is ravishing... it is magnificent, even in the early going. In a word: dazzling!" 
95 Decanter  "This has a lovely silkiness to it, one of the real successes in the appellation in terms of the texture and the quality of the tannins..."


Pauillac

£388 per 12 btl  /  £194 per 6
93-94 James Suckling  "Opulent and powerful for d'Armailhac with blackcurrants, blackberries and black olives. Full-bodied, tannic and extremely muscular. Very well done indeed.
90-92 Neal Martin  "The 2017 d'Armailhac has an opulent bouquet despite this comprising one of the highest percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon ever, which Philippe Dhalluin attributes to the maturity of the berries. There is some lovely cassis and blueberry fruit here with a smear of vanilla. The palate is structured with fine tannin, here the Cabernets are much more expressive with a fine bead of acidity, an attractive pencil lead tincture coming through towards the finish. This is a more floral d'Armailhac that will drink well for the next decades."

£624 per 12 btl  /  £312 per 6
93-95 Wine Advocate  "deep garnet-purple in color and scented of crushed red and black currants, wild blueberries and black pepper with touches of cigar box, violets, underbrush and menthol. Medium-bodied and with a very firm structure of wonderfully ripe, pixelated tannins and exhilarating freshness, it finishes long with notes of pebbles and floral perfume."
94 Decanter  "wonderful richness to it, offering powerful cherry pit, graphite and dark chocolate notes but without being overly sweet. A serious wine that is delivering on its potential, vintage after vintage. The Cab Franc vines are on limestone and clay here, and reached perfect ripeness." 


St Julien

£426 per 12 btl  /  £213 per 6
91-93 Wine Advocate  "gorgeous notions of crushed plums, blackberries and cassis with hints of chocolate box, pencil lead, menthol and lavender. The palate is medium-bodied, very finely crafted and refreshing with firm yet fine-grained tannins, great intensity and a long, mineral-laced finish.
91-94 Wine Spectator  "Blueberry, blackberry and plum fruit is lined with graphite, anise and sweet tobacco notes. There's juicy energy and a nice bramble hint at the very end. Has purity and typicity. Well done."
 

Margaux

£330 per 12 btl  /  £165 per 6
94 Decanter "This is the definition of a wine to buy in an off-vintage. It has the signature of the last few years, but in an early-drinking package. It's a little oaky and smoky for sure, but handles it well and delivers punch and personality without overstating the case."
91-94 Antonio Galloni  "The 2017 Prieuré-Lichine is another in a series of utterly gorgeous wines that have emerged from this château in recent years. The construction of a new cellar a few years ago seems to have made a huge difference in the precision of the wine. Soft, supple and gracious, with gentle contours and silky tannins, the 2017 is pure class. Succulent red berry, plum, rose petal and mint infuse this gracious Margaux
 
£348 per 12 btl  /  £174 per 6
90-92 Antonio Galloni  "distinctly powerful, savory Margaux. A rich concoction of jammy dark fruit, smoke, leather, licorice, tobacco and game melds together in this pliant, inviting Grand Vin from du Tertre. All the elements are beautifully woven together in a silky, succulent du Tertre that will drink well with minimal cellaring... a strong vintage for du Tertre, with lovely fruit presence and terrific balance."
89-91 Neal Martin  "It has a very pleasant bouquet, pure blackberry, briary and more iris than violet aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine line of acidity, very harmonious and for want of a better expression, appears to be a Margaux that wears its heart on its sleeve."
 
Please enquire, order online or contact us at sales@albanyvintners.com.
 
En Primeur wines, offered lying In Bond in the UK Summer 2020. 
Wines may be ordered in special sizes for a small supplement (6x150cl Magnums, 1x300cl double magnum, 3x300cl double magnums, 1x600cl imperial) . Please enquire for details.
Sweet wines may be ordered in half-bottles (case of 12x37.5 or case of 24x37.5) at no extra cost.