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Bordeaux 2017: Pichon Lalande, Lafon Rochet, Petit Village...
5th June 2018.
One of our favourite wines of the vintage has now released, Chateau Pichon Lalande. This noble Second Growth is known for its distinctive elegance and under Nicolas Gluminueau since 2013 has been on top form. The 2017 recalls some of the top vintages here; dense and long, and very fine indeed with wonderful ageing potential. The good news here is that the Chateau have released at more than 20% below the price of the 2016. "A very "Pauillac" Pichon Lalande, less opulent and giving than recent vintages and more in the style of say, the 1996 or 2010." 93-95 Neal Martin
The consistently good and popular second wine Reserve de la Comtesse is also available at £360 per case. "This is a wonderful second wine, and a real success in a vintage" 92 Jane Anson, Decanter.
Saint Estephe's Chateau Lafon Rochet is also now released. Overseen by the dynamic young proprietor Basile Tesseron, Lafon Rochet is a very exciting property to watch. Situated in St Estephe neighbouring Lafite, the Cabernets here are naturally concentrated and as part of the vineyard is planted on blue clay, they hired Jean-Claude Berrouet (winemaker of Petrus for over 40 years) to help with the blend, and the wine is now more focused and refined than ever. "A crisp and vivacious Lafon-Rochet that should please many wine-lovers.Expect this to land at the top of my banded score." 91-93 Neal Martin
Pauillac
£1116 per 12 btl / £558 per 6
93-95 Neal Martin "It is a very “Pauillac” Pichon Lalande, less opulent and giving than recent vintages and more in the style of say, the 1996 or 2010. There is very good persistence on the saline finish but it is clearly a wine that is going to require more cellaring than its peers. Tasted four times in total, each time this gained more substance and density."
94-96 Wine Advocate "very deep garnet-purple in color with an incredibly fragrant nose of roses, lavender and baking spices over a core of crushed blackcurrants, wild blueberries and fresh plums plus touches of iron ore and underbrush. Medium-bodied and elegant with firm, grainy tannins, it's quite taut and muscular, with lots of perfumed and mineral layers and a long finish with lingering cinnamon and anise notes."
£360 per 12 btl / £180 per 6
92 Decanter "This is a wonderful second wine, and a real success in a vintage where second wines are often punching below their weight. It's rich, plump, floral-edged and above all extremely drinkable. It has a juicy frame and it delivers."
90-92 Neal Martin "really quite beautiful bouquet with perfumed blackberry, blueberry and subtle vanilla scents. The palate is medium-bodied with just a little sinew on the entry. There is certainly good weight and backbone here, quite saline compared to its peers with a slightly chalky finish with a touch of charcoal. Very fine."
St Estephe
£383 per 12 btl
93 Decanter "This is a lovely St-Estèphe this year, firm and bright with bristling fruit right out of the gate - hugely unusual to see that this year. This is one of my favourites, and is totally charming with its cassis and damson fruit, but it's the juice and friendly tension that sets it apart. Silky and enjoyable. Buy."
91-93 Neal Martin " the bouquet is very expressive with plenty of blackberry, wild hedgerow, oyster shell and pressed flower that blossom in the glass. It is very well defined and more sophisticated than I have detected in recent vintages. Perhaps this is the first vintage where the new winery, replete with concrete vats, has really played a serious role in meliorating quality. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite saline in the mouth with just a hint of black olive. There is a slightly grainy texture with a sustained peppery finish, completing a crisp and vivacious Lafon-Rochet that should please many wine-lovers. Expect this to land at the top of my banded score."
Pomerol
£612 per 12 btl / £306 per 6
94-95 James Suckling "This is layered and very poised with plum and chocolate character. Full body and chewy tannins that are polished and focused. Very long and serious."
90-93 Antonio Galloni "The 2017 Petit-Village is a very pretty and promising mid-weight Pomerol. The high percentage of Cabernet Franc comes through in the wine's distinctly floral/savory profile that brings lift to the bright, red-toned fruit."
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.