Forty-seven percent of the crop made it into the savory, complex, fully mature 2003 Rauzan Segla. Notes of coffee bean, white chocolate, forest floor, red & black currants & tobacco leaf are present in this dark plum/garnet-colored 2003. The final blend was 53.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot & the rest tiny dollops of Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc. There is a slight herbal tinge to the wine, but it is fresh, complex aromatically, & exhibits the vintage’s opulence Robert Parker
- The Wine Advocate
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“ This wine has become more structured & backward since I tasted it last year. Only 48% of the production made it into the final blend (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, & 6% Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc). Revealing loads of muscle along with floral-infused sweet black currant fruit, superb density, high tannin, & an austere, but impressively pure & textured mouthfeel, purchasers should lay this 2005 away for a decade before considering consumption. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.” 90-93 points
- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.
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To reiterate, the 2010 Rauzan Segla is like a super-duper version of the 1986. Displaying fabulous density, an inky violet color & a superb nose of forest floor with a hint of menthol as well as loads of creme de cassis, mocha & touches of chocolate & subtle oak, this full-bodied, deep, concentrated wine represents only 45% of the estate’s production. It is certainly not for those who can’t wait a few years for it to round into shape, as I suspect it needs at least 5-8 years of bottle-age, but it should last for half a century or more. 95 points. Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate. ...

The 2007 Raymond Lafon has retained its Alsace-inspired bouquet, but it is just a little subdued at this showing with honey, mandarin, oyster shell & lime leaf. The palate is very well balanced with racy acidity, notes of dried honey, mandarin, quince & barley sugar, almost straight-laced & foursquare on the cooking apple tinged finish. This is a very fine Sauternes that should age gracefully. Drink 2011-2025. Neal Martin
- The Wine Advocate
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Château Recougne's is our best-selling claret. We're very rarely able to secure its delicious white (' Bordeaux Blanc' is just 7% of the region's produce). However, one a year we get a small parcel. If you're quick you can enjoy this mouth watering hit of green apple, honeysuckle & pear! This wine is bone dry & elegant with a zesty edge to the flavours of grapefruit & green apple. Extra body & roundness is added by the Semillon. This wine will be perfect with soft cheeses. ...

Château Recougne is a Majestic classic – & legend has it that it was also a favourite of Henri IV. During a stay at the château, he was reportedly so impressed by the quality of the wine, he declared the land ‘terra recognita’, or ‘recognised land’. Today, the wines’ labels still feature the wax seal that symbolises the prestigious designation. This bottle is a step up from the norm – it’s made with Merlot from Château Recougne’s oldest vines, which produce grapes with impressive intensity. Our buyers even consider it a ‘baby Pomerol’. It’s full of ripe red- & black-fruit flavours with notes of liquorice, spice & coffee. Pair its silky, structured tannins with red meats, like leg of lamb. ...

Château Reynaud Lacoste sits in the Entre-Deux-Mers appellation & has been in the Lacoste family for six generations. The winemaker today is Benoît Lacoste, who is passionate about environmentally friendly practices. This is made purely from Sauvignon Blanc. But the grape has different flavours from what you may expect in New Zeal&. Here, it's more subtle. Unusually for a white wine, this is made in contact with its skins (a practice common in red winemaking) before being rested on its lees. This makes for a textured, more full-bodied white wine with plenty of character. Great with asparagus risotto. ...

An unusually waxy texture & slight disjointedness on this wine are almost certainly a sign that it has only just begun its evolution
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Part of our Pop-Up Cellar sourced by Lay & Wheeler. Surprisingly deep colour in the glass. The nose is rich & with real citrus & marmalade notes indicating good botrytis intensity. The palate is rich & fresh. Good texture & fine acidity underlying it. The acidity & sweetness are in fine counterpoint. This is one of the best Sauternes of 2008. ...

Part of our Pop-Up Cellar sourced by Lay & Wheeler. A defined & elegant nose of candied lemon peel, honeysuckle & white flowers. Flavours of peach & the subtle botrytis notes of marmalade envelop the palate. This has a pleasing weight, cut-through by a crisp dart of acidity & a mineral edge. Lovely poise & direction, very refined indeed. ...