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.
Three large plots in the best parts of Pauillac form the vineyard of this classified growth, an unusual configuration and a direct inheritance from the estate’s founder, Pierre Ducasse, an eminent lawyer. In the 18th century he gave a single name to a fine vineyard holding, which was put together through inheritance and purchases. When he died in 1797, his son, Pierre, inherited a 60-hectare exploitation, named Ducasse-Grand-Puy-Artigues-Arnaud, of which two third were planted with vines. The estate was classified in 1855, under the name of Artigues Arnaud.
Thanks to impeccable harvesting and tailor-made winemaking, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot produced a wine renowned for its aromatic complexity, glorious structure and ageing capacity, all true to the classic Pauillac style.
For more info, visit Château Grand-Puy Ducassewebsite.
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 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.
5th Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac, Château Pontet-Canet has experienced an irresistible rise which has made it one of the most emblematic brands of the Médoc. Led by Justine and Alfred Tesseron, Château Pontet-Canet has established itself as one of the finest references on the left bank of Bordeaux.
The 2017 vintage was marked by an episode of frost at the end of April, which had little impact on the vineyard due to the protective influence of the Gironde estuary. The growing cycle took place under favorable climatic conditions, including flowering in mid-May and veraison at the beginning of July. Despite some rain during September, the health condition is perfect and the grapes harvested at full maturity are of high quality.
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.
Originally Venetian wine traders in 1912, the Fabiano family moved to Verona in 1956 to produce wine on a larger scale, sourcing fruit from Estate and contract vineyards in Soave, Bardolino, and Valpolicella.
Produced by a careful selection of local grapes from the high hills vineyard located in the classic area of the Valpolicella DOC region, in particular around the ancient village of Negrar, this Amarone is a wine of antique lineage. It is a limited production dedicated by Nicola Fabiano to his grandfather Francesco and to his father Sergio. They have been for their children and in particular for him (Nicola) an inspiration and a good example with their passion and tenacity in producing great quality wines.
Château Nénin is located in the village of Pomerol, one of the most prestigious areas of Bordeaux. The Domaine was bought by Jean-Hubert Delon in 1997 from his cousins, the Despujols, owners of the estate since 1847. Jean-Hubert had the intention of continuing the centuries-old tradition of the Château, and precisely for this reason, since immediately, extensive renovation and modernization works, including technical ones, were carried out. Under his direction, the land was in fact drained, the vineyards renewed and the cellars modernised, to improve the vinification and aging processes.
Fugue de Nénin was created and first sold in 1997. Fugue comes from sandy-clay soils found in the eastern part of the Château’s vineyards, as well as from the young vines. This second wine is a typical example of the charm of Pomerol. The wines are smooth and silky and can be enjoyed earlier than those of the Grand Vin.
2017 is a vintage presenting smooth Merlots and structures on the predominantly clayey parts of the Pomerol plateau, and more in finesse and roundness on gravelly-sandy terroirs. Cabernet Francs, once again more decisive on these same great terroirs, offer a pleasant balance to the blend of the first wine, combining power, elegance and complexity.
Coming from younger vines, the second wine of Château Giscours comes from the same terroirs and the same grape varieties as its elder.
La Sirène de Giscours, a name full of delicacy and elegance that reflects so well the personality of the second wine.
Developed with the same philosophy that guides the teams in making Château Giscours, La Sirène is a magnificent expression of Margaux’s terroir. A wine of pure pleasure.
The estate’s Second Wine offers a different interpretation of the Calon terroir. Le Marquis de Calon Ségur is totally distinct from the First Wine, Château Calon Ségur Grand Cru Classé. “It benefits from a true expression of its own”, underlines Vincent Millet. “The plots are separated out from the beginning.”
Le Marquis de Calon Ségur provides immediate enjoyment, warmth and a velvety texture. It is carefully aged generally for 17 months in oak barrels, a third of which are new. Deliciously easy-drinking, silky and expressive, its charm comes to the fore, while at the same time bringing to our minds the elegance of the Grand Vin.
For more info, visit Château Calon Ségurwebsite.
VARIETALS
57% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is the estate’s latest addition. This wine has a pure and direct character. The grapes which make up this wine’s blend come primarily from gravelly plots of land near to the Gironde estuary, a good environment for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Les Griffons offers a vigorous and fresh tasting experience, full-bodied and clean, overflowing with energy.
Named after the turrets that embellish the château, Les Tourelles de Longueville is the second wine of Château Pichon Baron and embodies the charm of the estate. The grapes used in this wine’s blend are primarily from the Sainte Anne plot, mostly planted with Merlot, giving it a distinctive personality and it is the best introduction to the Pichon Baron spirit.
Pere Ventura was created in 1992, named after the founder of this winery in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Barcelona), which makes sparkling wines under the auspices of DO Cava. It portrays an inimitable image, which speaks for itself in terms of the product and values which have inspired it: quality, elegance, distinction and prestige.
TRESOR ANNIVERSARY 2017 is unique and commemorates the first harvest in 1993 and is an homage to all the Cavas that are treasured, year after year, in the Chapel, the library located in the deepest part of Pere Ventura underground cellars.
This Cava Gran Reserva stands out, most especially, for its elegance, complexity and excellent carbonic integration. The result of the perfect crux of creativity, tradition and modernity, with a profound respect for the unique character of the Pere Ventura terroir.
Château Figeac is one of the leading St. Emilion estates and its wine, with its high Cabernet content, has often been described as the most Médoc-like in Saint-Émilion. It is located in the north-west of the appellation with its vineyards adjoining those of Cheval Blanc. Its 40 hectares of vineyards (unusually for the right bank there is only 30% Merlot in the vineyard with 35% Cabernet Franc and – rare on the right bank – 35% Cabernet Sauvignon) lie on a deep, Médoc-like gravel topsoil (‘Graves’) over a flinty, iron-rich subsoil.
Since 2010 Figeac has been managed by Comte Eric d’Aramon and his wife Laure and there has been some serious improvements here recently under winemaker Frédéric Faye. Michel Rolland has been brought in to consult – but not to change the unique Figeac style. As a consequence, the wines produced now seem a little riper and more polished than before but are still fine, pure and classic.
A sizeable part of production is relegated to the second label – Petit Figeac.
After two stunning vintages in 2015 and 2016 Figeac is one of the hottest properties in Bordeaux.
Download Tasting Note
