White out...

The news today is no news. All is quiet on the Place, so we have taken the opportunity to offer the great white wines from Haut Brion, Laville Haut Brion, Pape Clement, Margaux and Domaine de Chevalier. The 2008s are not as fat and rich as the 2007s, but they are classically mineral and possess the brightness and charm one expects from great Bordeaux sec. We thought that they were delicious, thrilling wines, but sadly they have been made in tiny quantities.

Château Haut-Brion (blanc), 1er Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan

Château Laville Haut-Brion, Cru Classé, Péssac-Léognan

Château Pape-Clèment (blanc), Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan

Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, Bordeaux

Domaine de Chevalier (blanc), Graves Cru Classé

Mouton second tranche

We are delighted to offer a small second tranche of Mouton Rothschild 2008. We have secured a small parcel and can offer these cases at either £1825 per case untied, or £1750 (the first tranche price) linked to either Clerc Milon (£265) or d`Armailhac (£235). These sister properties are really on top of their games. The Mouton wine-making team have made great strides and the quality of these wines has really been lifted. Please hurry to avoid disappointment. Château Mouton-Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé, Pauillac Château Clerc Milon, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac Château d'Armailhac, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac

Hedonistic St Julien…

The big news this morning is the release of one of the shinning lights of St Julien, Ducru Beaucaillou. Bruno Borie's wonderful estate is producing fabulous wines. It has been their ambition to make a wine of first growth quality, and the 2008 certainly rivals the big five. This is a monumental Ducru, boasting enormous power, concentration and weight as well as offering complexity and finesse. Kudos to Bruno for producing one of the outstanding wines of the vintage and a worthy successor to his outstanding 2005.

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, 2ème Cru Classé, St. Julien

More Margaux

This morning sees the release of two spectacular Margaux properties, Lascombe and Malescot St Exupery. Lascombe is in a fine vein of form and has developed a large following in the far east. Malescot has also enjoyed a renaissance since the millennium. A string of successful wines has risen this property from almost obscurity to its position as one of the major players in the commune. Anyone looking for smart Margaux, should seriously consider both of these 2008s.

Château Lascombes, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux

Château Malescot St-Exupery, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux

For lack of a better headline... `95-97 point` Montrose

Jean Delmas, formally of Haut Brion has produced a splendid 2008. This is a really deep, brooding effort. It is classic and austere and will reward patience. A very fine Montrose and at £500 per case, this looks good value when compared to the likes of Palmer and older vintages of Montrose. Château Montrose, 2ème Cru Classé, St. Estèphe La Dame de Montrose, second wine of Montrose

Fashionable new releases…

This morning we have several new releases, including two from the fashion giant Chanel. One might wonder what a Parisian fashion house and perfumer is doing producing Margaux and St Emilion. What we can tell you is that Rauzan Segla and Canon are much improved. The hard work and considerable investment are really paying dividends - these are two great efforts.

Next we have Alain Vauthier’s Moulin St George. The vineyards of this St Emilion property adjoin those of the great Chateau Ausone. Robert Parker has referred to this property as a `junior Ausone` in the past, and we believe it to be amongst the best value buys from St Emilion.

Jumping back to the other side of the Garonne, we have the release of Branaire Ducru. This fourth growth property is well situated across the road from Beychevelle - another consistent performer from the St Julien commune.

To complete the round up, we have the mighty impressive de Fieuzal. This Pessac property has wowed Mr Parker; a really long-term effort and stunning value for money…

Château Rauzan-Ségla, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux

Château Canon, St. Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé

Château Moulin St Georges, St Emilion Grand Cru

Château Branaire-Ducru, 4ème Cru Classé, St. Julien

Château de Fieuzal (rouge), Pessac-Léognan

Trophy wines…

Today we are delighted to release some of the highest scoring wines of the vintage. Haut Bailly and Troplong Mondot have matched Haut Brion and Cheval Blanc with 95-97 points from Mr Parker. When you consider that the 2005 Troplong is almost £2000 per case, this, ` worthy rival to the prodigious 2005!`, looks like a keen buy. Veronique Sanders continues to push quality ever higher at Haut Bailly. A great wine and a very fair price. Hurry while stocks last.

Finally, Pavie Macquin and Smith Haut Lafitte. Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt keep up their recent run of form. This could very well be in the same league as the monumental 2000 and 2003. Smith Haut Lafitte is making better wines than ever before. A wine with a big score to price ratio…

Château Troplong-Mondot, St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé, Graves

Château Pavie-Macquin, St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Château Smith Haut Lafitte (rouge), Cru Classé, Péssac-Léognan