En Primeur Season
I have just returned from the vineyards of Bordeaux after tasting the miraculous vintage of 2016.
In the longest growing season for many years which started with a very wet spring it is indeed a miracle that good wine was made.
In a couple of cases, the Chateaux seem to have made their best wine ever (Figeac and La Conseillante on the left bank), however most Chateaux have made good wines, some the best for several years but these are not in the class of ‘09 or ‘10.
I can recommend the following wines with the 2015 release price for a dozen bottles in brackets as a guide.
In the Medoc Chasse Spleen (£204), Cissac (£89), La Tour de By (£122) (just released as I write at £108!), Potensac (£185) and Cambon La Pelouse to note a few have produced good wines.
In Margaux Angludet (£216) is good and Kirwan (£325) is really benefiting from the new winery). Monbrison (£250), Siran and Lacombes (£570) were good and Palmer (£2390), Alter Ego (£475) and Rauzan Segla (£575) were outsanding.
In Pauillac where the Rothschild’s wines of Lafite (The best I have tasted in six years) Duhart Milon, Carruades, Mouton Rothschild, Clerc Milon, and Armailhac really shone along with both Pichons (Baron and Comtesse), Pontet Canet and the rising star of Pedesclaux.
In Saint Julien Talbot (£430), Gloria (£300) and La Grange (£325) stood out as did Langoa Barton (£365) and Clos du Marquis (£400).
In Saint Estephe Cos Labory (£250) and Lafon Rochet (£320) were outstanding.
In the district of Graves known as Pessac Leognan home to Haut Brion fabulous wines have been made which are lighter in alcohol than last year and so elegant. The wines of Haut Brion (£4350), Mission Haut Brion and their second wines La Chapelle and Clarence de are all fantastic as well as their neighbours Olivier, Pape Clement (£630), Larrivet Haut Brion (£250) and Smith Haut Lafite (£680).
On the left bank Figeac and La Conseillante (£1250) are expected to set record prices. Pomerol seems to have outperformed and for those that like the silky luxury of Pomerol these Chateauxhave performed brilliantly Clinet, Gazin (£520), Nenin (£470), Le Gay, Petit Village (£545), Rouget and the sublime Vieux Chateau Certan.
St Emilion has some attractive wines the rising star Fonplegade (£265), Troplong Mondot (£935), Soutard (£360), La Dominique and Angelus (£2870)
The dry whites of Pape Clement and Larrivet Haut Brion really set a great standard.
The sweet whites in Sauternes have had a good year and the Rieussec (£475) and Doisy-Vedrines (£269) really shone.
The First growths have all performed well this year and with the fine wine market having come off the bottom of the last few years it may be a good time to buy.
If you would like to buy this year, please do let us have your wish list so we may act quickly on your behalf to secure wines for you. Please email your wish list to enprimeur@fraziers.co.uk.