11th June 2018.
Chateau Leoville Barton 2017 is released, at £654 per 12 IB, 12% below the 2016 price. This Second Growth is one of the great names of Bordeaux, with an enviable track record for consistent quality; 2017 is a great expression of Cabernet Sauvignon (93%) and a striking success, with great scores from the critics across the board:
Antonio Galloni (93-96) highlights it as "One of the few truly exceptional Left Bank wines of the vintage, the 2017 Leoville-Barton is simply fabulous". Also particularly interesting to note that Barton is Neal Martin's top scoring St Julien, alongside Ducru Beaucaillou and Leoville Lascases (which we expect to to be significantly more expensive). For the level of quality here this will be one of the best value buys of the vintage.
Following Leoville Barton, we have neighbouring Second Growth Leoville Poyferre. More Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot in the blend (though still 68% Cabernet) gives Poyferre a rich, rounder feel than its neighbours with more exotic notes. This is undoubtedly a lovely Poyferre , displaying “serious depth and concentration within the context of the year. Bright and floral, with beautifully layered fruit, the 2017 is at once gracious and powerful.” AG
Transformed since 2007 under the ownership of the billionaire Bouygues brothers, Montrose is now managed by Hervé Berland, the former director of Mouton Rothschild with Jean-Bernard Delmas (formerly of Haut Brion) as consultant. “A fine, very classic Montrose” NM, The Wine Advocate bestows lavish praise: “possessing great poise and intensity, this is one of the greatest Montrose’s I have tasted" ranking it behind only Lafite, Mouton and Cos d’Estournel on the Left Bank.
We can also offer the second wine, La Dame de Montrose at £324 per 12.
St Julien
£654 per 12 btl / £327 per 6
93-95 Neal Martin "It has a perfumed and pure bouquet that demonstrates a little more cohesion and refinement than some of its Saint-Julien peers. Blackberry and touches of bilberry fruit, cedar and crushed stone – this is a knockout nose with bags of potential. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, perfectly pitched acidity and beautifully integrated oak. Seriously, this is nudging (not equaling, nudging!) the 2016 in terms of quality and there are just a handful of properties where I can state that this year."
93-96 Antonio Galloni "One of the few truly exceptional Left Bank wines of the vintage, the 2017 Léoville-Barton is simply fabulous. The 2017 also has the distinction of having a very high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky crème de cassis, white flowers, lavender, crushed rocks, menthol and spice give the 2017 a distinctly layered, resonant feel. The 2017 offers fabulous density and structure, although the tannins need time."
£666 per 12 btl / £333 per 6
95-96 Jame Suckling "Very tight and energetic finish to this young, new red with currant and blackberry character. Hints of crushed stones. Dense and four-square with a chewy tannin structure and a long finish. Very muscular. Serious encore to the 2016. Same level?"
93-95 Jeb Dunnuck "Château Léoville-Poyferré has been on a roll for over a decade now, and they’ve produced a terrific, fruit-forward, pleasure-bent 2017 that readers should snatch up... Awesome crème de cassis, violets, spice box, and crushed rock-like minerality all emerge from this dense, medium to full-bodied, sexy 2017 that has sweet tannin and an expansive, opulent texture. I love the depth of fruit, and where too many wines in the vintage can be straight and a touch charmless, this beauty dishes out tons of pleasure! Don’t miss it."
St Estephe
£1180 per 12 btl / £590 per 6
93-95 Neal Martin "It has a little more volume and intensity compared to the Cos d’Estournel that was tasted immediately prior to my visit. Blackberry, raspberry, cedar and pressed flowers bloom in the glass, though there is a noticeable change with aeration after 20 minutes – hints of juniper and bay leaf, rendering a more nuanced and complex array of aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin and it feels a little chalky in the mouth, yet also tensile and certainly extremely focused. There is already a palpable sense of energy in situ, well structured and vivid, though not as complex or as nuanced as the 2016 Montrose on the finish since the growing season forbade that. I appreciate the pastille-like purity on the aftertaste and the potent tang of cracked black pepper and graphite that hang around for 45 seconds after the wine has departed. It is a fine, very classic Montrose and I suspect more approachable than those of yesteryear."
96-99 Wine Advocate "opens to reveal remarkable earth and exotic spice notes of crushed rocks, black truffles, star anise, cassia and fenugreek over a core of crème de cassis, blackberry preserves, violets and blueberry pie with touches of cigar box, charcuterie and black soil. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid frame and an exquisitely ripe, very fine-grained texture, it has wonderful freshness with electric energy and a very long, minerally finish. Possessing great poise and intensity, this is one of the greatest Montrose's I have tasted!"
£324 per 12 btl / £162 per 6
90 Decanter "A good year for Dame de Montrose, showing extremely well balanced plum and damson fruits, and a lovely texture. There was no frost here, as you would expect from a vineyard so close to the Garonne river."
St Emilion
£1170 per 12 btl / £585 per 6
92-95 Antonio Galloni "The 2017 Peby Faugères is powerful, rich, dense and explosive. Always one of the more flamboyant wines in Saint-Émilion, the Peby possesses tremendous intensity from start to finish. Raspberry jam, red cherry, wild flowers and sweet spices build to a super-expressive crescendo. In 2017, Peby is a bit more feminine than it usually is. Even so, the 2017 is full-throttle and absolutely delicious."
95-96 James Suckling "Beautiful red with a supple and juicy undertone to the full body, pretty fruit and ripe tannins. Very refined and polished. Subtle chocolate and bluefruit. Love the layers and complexity. Really fine and juicy. Real merlot."
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.
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