Wednesday 24 April 2019

This morning sees the release of some of the best value wines in all of Bordeaux from Pomerol superstar Denis Durantou.  “Denis is famed for Eglise Clinet and rightly so” but his excellent range of more affordable right bank wines are year on year, some of the best bargains to be found in the whole of Bordeaux, and particularly so in 2018.

Situated just across the border from Pomerol in Lalande de Pomerol, La Chenade and Les Cruzelles are both typical blends, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and light use of oak (30-40% new).  La Chenade shows off fresh black berries and dark perfumed notes and the smooth tannins and balance of great winemaking.  “Easy to recommend” – Decanter.  The quality of Les Cruzelles is also evident in the glass – tasting much more expensive than it is, a little more dense but with elegance and dark fruited balance once again. “a crowd-pleaser style” - Wine Spectator.
 
Made from 100% merlot, Saintayme is Denis’ super value St Emilion.  One of Denis' favourite wines, Montlandrie is still an insider’s secret - from the highest vineyard in the Cotes de Castillon.  A gorgeous wine in 2018, Montlandrie seems to gets better every year.  We can also offer a very small amount of Petite Eglise as quantities are hugely down this year.

From the team behind Ausone, we can offer La Clotte.  This small vineyard is located close to Chateau Ausone on Saint Emilion's limestone plateau, from old vines averaging over 50 years of age, and is now the 5th vintage since the Vauthier family took ownership.  Ausone is one of the wines of the vintage so this small production family jewel is worth seeking out – “with the juicy, seductive texture to the fruit that you see in so many of the best wines in 2018.”  Decanter.  Very limited availability, please advise ASAP if you wish to place an order.

One of the most affordable Classed Growths, La Tour Carnet has a strong following in Asia and is released at £250 per 12.

Prices

COUTET   |   £367 per 12x75
90-93 WS  -  Lush, creamy and overt, with almond, ginger cream and maple notes draped over a dried apricot core. Displays good oomph but needs to stretch out a bit.

CHENADE   |   £145 per 12x75
90-92 WA  -  Medium-bodied, the palate is fresh and juicy with plenty of bright black fruit and a plush texture, finishing long and refreshing.

CRUZELLES    |   £210 per 12x75
91-93 WA - Full-bodied, rich and packed with perfumed black fruit, it has a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long.

FONBEL    |   £160 per 12x75
91-93 WA - Medium to full-bodied, the palate has wonderful freshness and a soft, creamy texture supporting the vibrant red and black fruit preserves flavors, finishing with a peppery lift.

LA CLOTTE   |   £560 per 12x75
93-95+ WA  -  ...leaps from the glass with gregarious scents of crushed blueberries, Morello cherries and black raspberries with touches of oolong tea, violets, mocha and cigar box plus a waft of cedar. Full-bodied with a solid frame of fine-grained tannins and oodles of freshness, it is packed with vibrant black and blue fruits layers, finishing long with great purity.

MONTLANDRIE   |   £174 per 12x75
92-94 WA  -  The medium to full-bodied palate is richly fruited with black and blue fruits, lifted by earthy accents and lovely freshness, finishing long and velvety textured.

MOULIN ST GEORGES   |   £290 per 12x75
94 Dec  -  This is always my wine to buy from the Vauthier lineup for the 95% of us who can't afford Ausone, and here again it is gorgeous, with the most perfect line of sight to the generous black fruits, showing sapidity and juice.

PETITE EGLISE  |   £181 per 6x75
91-93 WA  - This is the first time Cabernet Franc was used in the blend and the first time younger vines from L'Eglise Clinet were used... Full-bodied, the palate is packed with fragrant black fruit preserves, textured by ripe, rounded tannins and finishes long and perfumed.

SAINTAYME    |   £135 per 12x75
89-91 WA - ...the palate reveals beautiful freshness and elegance with soft tannins and loads of mineral sparks on the finish.

TOUR CARNET   |   £250 per 12x75
93 Dec  -  The construction and the architecture feel more like 2010 and 2016 than many of its peers in 2018. It's a good wine that's clearly going to age exceptionally well. It has notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, dark chocolate, liquorice and black pepper. It has layers of complexity and enough acidity to rein in the exuberance.

For more information or to place an order, please call on 01223 849040 or email us  (finewine@albanyvintners.com)