WINE

It is intense with fresh fruit of red profile, very delicate. A bouquet of floral notes and dine herbs. The wood is almost imperceptible, due to the use of semi-new oak barrels during the ageing. On nose is delicious, subtle and delicate, representing the freshness of a cold vintage.
Palate: Medium body, light and silky texture. Very fruity with very fresh red fruits. The tannins are very fine and fresh leaving a feeling of daintiness and softness.

This impressive Magnum bottle (1.5L) is home to a stunner of a Cabernet Sauvignon, produced by Master of Wine, James Cluer. A youthful, deep purple-hued wine, which is a true expression of the vineyard’s soul. It shows Napa Valley’s trademark power with intensely ripe black fruit, dark chocolate nuances, licorice, and hints of black olive and dusty stones that are all hallmarks of this exquisite terroir. Perhaps what’s most intriguing is the density, the depth, the layers, and the complexity that keep you coming back for more. Enjoy!

93 points Vinous: "The 2016 Lascombes is grown into a gorgeous wine. Blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, espresso and copious new oak all flesh out in this ample, resonant wine. As always Lascombes is done in a style that brings out the more lush, flamboyant side of Margaux. In this vintage, all the elements meld together effortlessly, something that isn't always the case. (AG)" (1/2019)

Chateau Haut-Brion is the only first growth outside the Medoc in the Graves region, acquired in 1935 by Clarence Dillon. It is also the only winer to be both First Growth from the 1855 classification and Classified Growth of the Graves. This was the first of three estates acquired by the Dillon family, and is the oldest winegrowing property in the region. The 2016 is a red wine blend made from 56% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 37% Cabernet Sauvignon. Black currants, violets and plums that is full-bodied and juicy on the palate with rich tannin and structure.

Margaux shows us the elegance and feminine side of Bordeaux. This second label of Chateau Brane Cantenac, a Second Growth of Bordeaux is a blend of 65% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Already silky and very promising, it expresses black fruit aromas of blackberry and fleshy cherry mixed with elegant toast, smoke, and vanilla. The tannins are refined and balanced and is absolutely in the drink window.

94 points Decanter: " The construction here is clear in that you can feel the architectural hand of 2016 with St-Julien balance. This is rich and deep with intense, concentrated and juicy cassis fruits joined by a touch of sweet liquorice, dark chocolate and charred oak edging. I like the balance here. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040 (JA)" (10/2018)

The colour is a quite deep garnet-red. The first impression on the nose is of ripeness, but not to excess. Fresh fruity aromas predominate. The attack is smooth, silky, and caressing on the palate. The middle palate is fullbodied and tight-knit, going into a long aftertaste. The fruity flavours are accompanied by discreet, elegant oak. The 2016 is fresh, fruity, remarkably well-focused and well-structured.

91 points -Jeb Dunnuck "The outstanding 2016 Château Marquis de Terme is an attractive, elegant wine that has classic Margaux character. Black cherry and blackberry fruits, hints of graphite and smoke earth, and plenty of tobacco leaf all emerge from this medium-bodied effort, which has some firm tannins and a great finish. Give bottles 3-4 years to let these tannins chill out, and it should drink beautifully for 15+ years. " (2/2019)

Without a doubt, Chateau Troplong Mondot has one of the most enviable and unique terroirs on the St. Emilion appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank. Specifically located on the highest point of Saint-Emilion's famous limestone plateau, the 43ha estate has ideal soils and exposure. The resulting wines combine strength and elegance, complexity and precision. The 2016 Troplong Mondot is a blend of 89% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc that is full of black and blue furites, smoked earth, chocolate, black olives, and cigar box with a chalky minerality, a plush texture; deep and opulent on the palate. Drink now, but can be aged further.

" The 2016 Haut-Bages Libéral has turned out beautifully. Rose petals, lavender and sweet red cherry are some of the notes that grace this fine, translucent Pauillac. Medium in body and precise, with exquisite finesse and nuance, the 2016 is incredibly expressive today. This is a fabulous showing from proprietor Claire Villars Lurton. (AG)" (1/2019) -Vinous 95 points

"The 2016 Branaire Ducru has a fragrant bouquet of plush blackberry and graphite aromas, hints of bilberry and briar developing in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is quite succulent and multilayered, offering supple tannin and gentle grip on the finish. Real potential here. One of the best Branaire Ducru in recent years. Chapeau! Drink 2023-2055." -Neal Martin, vinous.com (Jan 2019)

96 points - James Suckling

98 points -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "Deep purple-black colored, the 2016 Pavie Decesse bursts boldly out of the glass with confident blackcurrant preserves, baked blackberries, baked plums and sandalwood notes with touches of Indian spices, mocha and lilacs plus touches of cedar chest and pencil lead. Big, concentrated and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it has a truly impressive structure of very firm, finely grained tannins and racy freshness lifting all that densely packed fruit to a very long, multilayered finish. Wow! (LPB)" (3/2019)

99 points - James Suckling

94 points - Wine Spectator

94 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate" Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it absolutely sings of red roses, black tea and tilled black soil with a core of crushed blackberries, Morello cherries and cassis plus a hint of cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of ripe black berries and floral layers, framed by soft, silken tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. (LPB)" (11/2018)

94 points - James Suckling

93 points - Wine Enthusiast

Deeply colored, this powerful, dense, rich and intense wine combines concentration and mouth-coating levels of fruit and acidity with ripe, dark red fruits and citrus in the endnote. The wine was made from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, reaching 15.5% with a pH of 3.3. aging in 60% new French oak barrels

94 points -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
" The 2013 L'Eglise Clinet has a very precise, tightly wound bouquet with limestone-tinged, brambly red berry fruit, the Merlot still very expressive and imparting comely floral scents. There is something almost Burgundy-like about the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin surrounding a core of citrus-fresh, lively red fruit, silky smooth in texture, approachable in style, with an almost symmetrical finish. This was a great L'Eglise-Clinet in barrel in the context of the vintage and it remains a very persuasive wine in bottle. (NM)" (10/2016)