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Bordeaux 2017: Lynch Bages, Clos l'Eglise, Larrivet Haut Brion...
22nd May 2018.
We now have the release of one of Bordeaux's most sought-after wines - Chateau Lynch Bages has a huge following across the world from the traditional European markets to the new markets.
Under Jean-Charles Cazes the Chateau has focused on equal distribution, promoting the wine in the Far East but not forgetting their traditiional markets of Europe and the US. This approach has paid dividends with Lynch Bages being popular both En primeur and when physical. Released 22% cheaper in Bordeaux than the 2016, this is a very good Lynch Bages that impressed us hugely. Available at £885 per cs. 92-95 Galloni "a wine of impeccable balance and class".
Demand always outstrips supply for this great Pauillac wine so please register your orders asap!
We can also offer the second wine - Echo de Lynch Bages at £300 IB and the excellent white wine, Blanc de Lynch Bages at £350 IB.
Today's other releases include; the "magnificent" Larrivet Haut Brion Rouge at £290 per cs (93-96 AG), a "fine" Clos L'Eglise at £685 per cs, Quinault L'Enclos at £265 per cs and Monbousquet at £460 per cs.
Pauillac
£885 per 12 btl / £442.50 per 6
92-95 Antonio Galloni "a wine of impeccable balance and class. Deep, fleshy and inviting, the 2017 should be ready to deliver pleasure with minimal cellaring. All of the Lynch-Bages signatures come through in a very pretty, deceptively medium-bodied wine loaded with personality."
95 Decanter "the extremely dark fruit has great finesse. It is broad-shouldered and savoury-edged, and each time I tasted this wine it seemed a little richer and more complete, over-delivering for the year. This is going to age extremely well."
£300 per 12 btl / £150 per 6
89-91 Antonio Galloni "absolutely delicious. Pliant and open-knit, the 2017 offers up a compelling mélange of red berry fruit mixed with floral and spice notes.. exactly what a second wine should be."
LYNCH BAGES BLANC
£350 per 12 btl / £175 per 6
92 Antonio Galloni "The 2017 Lynch-Bages Blanc is gorgeous. It is also quite unique, as the blend includes more Sémillon than normal as a result of frost damage to some of the Sauvignon Blanc. I admit I am not usually a fan of the Blanc here, but the 2017 is terrific."
Margaux
£440 per 12 btl / £220 per 6
89-92 Antonio Galloni "The 2017 Rauzan Gassies offers good depth, but firm tannins and angular contours convey a feeling of rusticity. Even so, the 2017 finishes with real weight and gravitas. It will be interesting to see if it acquires a bit more finesse during the course of its aging."
Graves
£290 per 12 btl
93-96 Antonio Galloni "The 2017 Larrivet Haut-Brion is magnificent... the wine is a highly unusual blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. In the glass, the 2017 is rich, sumptuous and explosive, with serious density to match its flamboyant personality. A highly unusual wine, the 2017 has so much to offer. Wow! Now, for the bad news. Production is down 75%."
90-92 Neal Martin "I appreciate the style of this Larrivet that may turn out to be one of the more cerebral wines from the appellation..."
Pomerol
£685 per 12 btl / £342.50 per 6
92-95 Antonio Galloni "brings together power, tension and energy. There is quite a bit of richness to the fruit, but also plenty of supporting structure. Beams of underlying tannin give the 2017 its drive and sense of direction, while keeping the flavors perked up. Bright red stone fruit, mint and white pepper lead into a sculpted finish lifted by striking floral notes. This is a decidedly tannic, tightly wound Pomerol that is going to require patience, but it is also hugely promising. The 2017 was done in 100% new 300L barrels."
91-93 Neal Martin "a well-defined, very pure bouquet with cranberry, dark cherries, bay leaf and crushed stone. It needs a little time to open in the glass and is not as immediate as the 2016 last year. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very smooth in texture with a slightly lactic note towards the finish. There is a touch of dark chocolate that infuses the red berry fruit with a subtle liquorice tincture that lingers on the aftertaste. This is a fine Clos l’Eglise... "
St Emilion
£265 per 12 btl
92-93 James Suckling "A firm and silky red with blackberry and chocolate character. Medium-to full-bodied, pretty and focused. A delicious young wine."
89-91 Neal Martin "The 2017 Quinault l’Enclos has a slightly warmer microclimate than Cheval Blanc so it was not affected by frost at all. It is managed exactly like Cheval Blanc... broody dark berry fruit laced with warm gravel, becoming more Left Bank in style as it opens up. The palate is medium-bodied with lace-like tannin, very linear and conservative in style, quite saline in the mouth with a brisk, dried herb, perhaps even fennel-tinged finish. Give this three, maybe four years in bottle as I would like to see it develop a little more grace and personality."
£460 per 12 btl / £230 per 6
89-92 Wine Spectator "Bright and fresh, featuring floral lift, a bright savory streak and light tobacco and cedar hints mixed with a core of cassis and cherry preserves."
89-91 Wine Advocate "profoundly scented of baked plums, blackberry pie and mincemeat pie with touches of mocha, unsmoked cigars and tilled black earth. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with seamless freshness and tons of black fruit and exotic spice layers coming through on the long finish."
£465 per 12 btl / £235 per 6
90-92 Wine Advocate "the 2017 Blanc has pretty aromas of lemon curd, white peaches and fresh grapefruit with touches of chalk dust and orange blossom. The palate is medium-bodied, very zippy and refreshing with a great intensity of citrus flavors and a mineral-laced finish."
91-92 James Suckling "Dense and fruity with lots of sliced-melon and -lemon character. Full-bodied and flavorful. Beautiful lemon-curd and cooked-apple undertones."
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