At the beginning of the 19th century, John-Lewis Brown (1769-1851), bought a vineyard and designed in the village of Cantenac, a traditional Tudor style château, reminding him of his Scottish origins. His name is forever linked to the Grand Cru Classé. After the 1855 Grand Cru Classification, Louis Armand Lalande (1820-1894), Bordeaux winemerchant and owner of several estates in Médoc, extended the building. Surrounded by a remarkable British style park, Château Cantenac Brown is since then among the most original in Médoc and of the wines to watch out for, getting better vintage after vintage.
BriO de Cantenac Brown is the second wine of Château Cantenac Brown and was first created in the 2001 vintage. From the style of its label, through to the careful selection of lots and to the bottling, the wine aims to express the modernity of Château Cantenac Brown in the 21st Century. Charming, delicate and brilliant, a pleasurable wine for sharing. It can be enjoyed young, but will improve when kept for a few years.
For more info, visit Château Cantenac Brownwebsite.
VARIETALS
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Château Clauzet is a classic red Bordeaux blend from the Saint-Estèphe appellation in the Médoc.
While 2013 was a challenging vintage for red Bordeaux across the board, critics generally describe Clauzet 2013 as a successful, mid-weight wine with the firm structure typical of its region.
The 2017 vintage is particularly notable as it was the final one produced under the 20-year ownership of Baron Velge before the estate was sold to Jacky Lorenzetti and the integration of Château Clauzet within the structure of Château La Haye.
VARIETALS
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
Past Château Lafite, then up the small hill of stones, the locals call “Caux”, to Cos d’Estournel and its discrete neighbour Château Cos Labory.
The name of the estate comes from its geographical location on the Cos hill and the name of François Labory, who was the first owner until 1845. Mr. d’Estournel then acquired it before selling it again to an English banker, Charles Martyns in 1852. The property was finally taken over by George Weber in the 1930’s, who bequeathed it to his daughter and son-in-law, François Audoy in 1959. In 1971, the couple acquired the neighbouring estate, Château Andron Blanquet, until their elder son Bernard took over, now the emblematic symbol of the estate, having always lived in Saint-Estèphe.
Over time, the changes came gradually through substantial investment into technology, particularly an ultra-modern vat house and a new cellar. Having decided to vinify the wines at low temperatures to preserve and extract the fruit, their aim is to offer wines that age well but are also enjoyable when still young. Château Cos Labory combines characteristic Saint-Estèphe vigour and elegance and its rich tannin content gives this wine good ageing potential.
Château Faugèresis known for wines that demonstrate a stylistic evolution focused on finesse. This trend was put in place at the property by Silvio Denz, a Swiss-German businessman passionate about wine and owner of several vineyards in the Bordeaux region.
A Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion, Château Faugères extends over a vineyard of 37 ha located on one of the most beautiful terroirs of the Right Bank, the famous limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion. In order to better respect the environment and to enhance the richness of the soil, the vineyard is cultivated according to a sustainable natural viticulture.
2017 was a vintage of many challenges and an early harvest. Fortunately, Château Faugères was one of the properties spared by frost. The quality of the fruit was preserved throughout the vegetative cycle. An exceptional wine, the Château Faugères 2017 is the second vintage of the estate’s Grand Vin adorned with a Lalique “Calice” engraving.
The flagship of the estate, this wine is simply the expression of the best terroir that Fontesteau can offer.
No vintage is ever the same as another. The magic of blending confers a unique style to each: the Cabernet Sauvignon is always the dominant variety in the Château Fontesteau blend, a deep and elegant wine. Château Fontesteau wines are at their best after 5 to 10 years in the cellar yet never disappoint those patient enough to wait 20 years or even more.
“A deeply coloured, plump, fruity vintage with a lovely supple, elegant finish.” – Dominique Fouin
Château Laffitte Carcasset was founded in 1759 at «Le Carcasset», an area located at the heart of Saint-Estèphe appellation. In 1781
his owner, Jean Laffitte, lawyer and prosecutor of the King Louis XVI in Bordeaux, gave his name to the estate.
This beautiful chartreuse typical of the 18th century, is surrounded by the Classified Growths of Saint-Estèphe. The vineyard is on the gravellous plateau, near the Gironde estuary where the Cabernet and the Merlot best express their potential.
Château Laffitte Carcasset is a classic Saint-Estèphe red wine. A powerful, deep and well-structured wine, round and elegant, with excellent ageing potential.
For more info, visit Château Laffitte Carcassetwebsite.
VARIETALS
59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
The Château Larcis Ducasse has existed since the 17th century. Preservation, terroir expression and vine care are the watchwords of this estate, elevated to the rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion in 2012 thanks to the work of Nicolas Thienpont, after he took the reins of the domaine in 2002.
Chateau Larcis Ducasse 2017 reveals a velvety, sensual and fleshy mouthfeel, which envelops the palate in a succession of different sensations.
For more info, visit Château Larcis Ducasse website.
The Barton family’s passion for wine is reflected in the elegance and consistency of Château Léoville Barton. This estate was classified as a 2nd Grand Cru Classé in 1855 and lies within the iconic terroir of Saint Julien in the Médoc.
The Château was built in 1758 by Monsieur de Pontet. Beneath the private apartments lie the crypted vaulted cellars in which silence reigns eternal.The most renowned vintages of Léoville Barton are left to age in the peace and quiet of these cellars to reach their ultimate potential.
For more info, visit Château Leoville Barton website.
Château Lynch-Bages is a prestigious wine estate in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France. Though officially classified as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, it is widely regarded as a “super second” because its quality consistently rivals that of higher-ranked Second Growth estates.
Situated on the Bages plateau just southwest of Pauillac, overlooking the Gironde estuary, Château Lynch-Bages is owned by the Cazes family since 1939. Under the leadership of the late Jean-Michel Cazes and currently his son Jean-Charles Cazes, the estate has gained international legendary status.
Château Ormes de Pez belongs to the Médoc landscape since the 18th century. Located West of Saint-Estèphe and bordering the hamlet of Pez, the estate owes its name to a magnificent grove of elm trees, which no longer exists today. Château Ormes de Pez is the second property – after Château Lynch-Bages – acquired by the Cazes family in 1939.
With distinctive harmonious spicy character, Château Ormes de Pez is true to its terroir. Wine lovers appreciate its opulence, elegance and well-rounded structure. Its powerful, rich and excellent tannic backbone allows graceful ageing.
Château Palmer stands as an icon of elegance and sophistication within the illustrious Margaux appellation of Bordeaux. With a history dating back over two centuries, this esteemed estate has consistently produced wines of extraordinary quality and distinction. Situated on gravelly soils, Château Palmer’s vineyards yield grapes that embody the unique terroir of Margaux, resulting in wines celebrated for their finesse, complexity, and age-worthiness. Embracing tradition while embracing innovation, Château Palmer remains a beacon of excellence in the world of wine, captivating enthusiasts with its unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and the timeless allure of its wines.
Carrying a unique style, already magnificent, Château Palmer 2017 will sublime over time, imbued with this depth and nobility that only the Grands Crus have the secret.
Château Phélan-Ségur is a St Estèphe property that produces textbook meaty, solid and long-lived St Estèphe. Founded by Irishman Bernard O’Phelan, the estate was developed by his son, Frank, and renamed Phélan Ségur in the early 20th century. It was bought by Xavier Gardinier in 1985 and run by his sons, Thierry and Laurent until 2018, when Philippe Van de Vyvere bought the property.
2013 saw an extremely wet, cool spring. And a dry summer. September was less rainy in the St Estèphe appellation than in the rest of the Médoc, enabling to wait for optimal ripeness and to harvest the grapes with a relatively relaxed attitude.
Comte Joseph Marie de Ségur, the Lord of Cabanac, purchased and created this 7.5-ha estate, which still bears his name “Ségur de Cabanac.” Guy Delon, 7th generation of winegrowers in Bordeaux, took over the property in 1985. Today he continues to manage the estate with his son JF Delon and his daughter Guylène. They also own another Cru Bourgeois, Château Moulin de la Rose in Saint-Julien.
The parcels of this property are situated on the eastern part of Saint-Estephe. The vineyards, composed of gravel, are facing the estuary of the Gironde.
For more info, visit Château Segur de Cabanacwebsite.
Legend relates that the name of this imposing estate originates with Connétable Talbot, a famous English warrior, defeated at the battle of Castillon in 1453. Talbot is one of the Medoc’s oldest estates, its glory never tainted. Through the years, it has been fortunate enough to remain in good hands. The owners are Nancy Bignon-Cordier and her family. They are the fourth generation of Cordiers to manage this Saint-Julien fourth Classified Growth.
For many, Talbot embodies the ideal Saint-Julien, a generous bouquet, extremely stable and dependable during aging, a champion of longevity; even young Talbot is pleasant and rounded, always characterized by silky, mild and very civilized tannins. Talbot possesses an expansive character. It’s never withdrawn into itself and has the courtesy of being in a good mood every day.
Corte S. Anna is the name of the courtyard located in front of the restored tufa country house. It is symbolized by the weathervane in the courtyard, which features a rooster.
The line Corte Sant’ Anna, which is vinified and bottled by Rubinelli Vajol, identifies this younger Amarone, which has a shorter ageing period.
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