COUPS DE COEUR

THIS CELLAR'S HIGHEST SCORING WINES BY OUR MASTERS OF WINE

Everyday Drinking

DOMAINE SANCY, AOP SAINTAMOUR, 2022, LOT 4244, P19

Cellaring Potential

CHÂTEAU ANDRON BLANQUET, AOC SAINT-ESTÈPHE, 2019, LOT 4261, P29

CHÂTEAU D'ARCHE, GRAND CRU CLASSÉ, AOC SAUTERNES, 2013, LOT 4291, P35

LITTLE DONKEY ROUGE, AOC BLAYE CÔTES DE BORDEAUX, CHÂTEAU MARZIN, 2019, LOT 4279, P46

2018

A stellar low-yielding vintage. Early rains provided ample water reserves for the very hot, dry season that followed. The Left Bank produced complex, tannic wines for ageing. The Right Bank is also strong, though marginally less consistent.

2017

Punishing frosts hit early causing yields to plummet and late season rains caused some dilution. A good – if not great – early drinking vintage with fresh, lighter wines from Haut Médoc and Saint-Emilion producers. Pomerol gave fruity, velvety wines.

2016

An exceptional Left Bank vintage, often likened to the outstanding 2010s. The balance of rain, heat, and dry weather was excellent. These wines are structural powerhouses, with elegance, freshness, and complex flavours. Quality on the Right Bank was also high.

2015

An incredible vintage for Right Bank Bordeaux. Very warm and dry throughout, producing dense, fleshy wines with balanced freshness. Left Bank wines are opulent in style. Margaux was a particular stand-out.

2014

A cloudy, wet summer saved by drier late season conditions. Not a stand-out for quality, but many juicy, easy-drinking wines that offer good value.

2013

Quite a wet vintage overall, producing light, fresh, earlydrinking wines. While not a memorable vintage elsewhere, 2013 Sauternes is racy and elegant, with vivid flavours.