Château Vermont

Elisabeth Dufourg and David Labat area an ambitious couple. She is a fourth generation family winemaker; he has amassed 20 years’ experience as a négociant. Looking to put their corner of the Entre-Deux-Mers on the map, they built a new winery in 2010 and in 2012 restructured their vineyard to identify parcels suitable for a special cuvée. They have succeeded in crafting atypical, commanding wines that punch well above their weight. They farm sustainably, use zero herbicides, and are bee-friendly. David is also the current Président du Syndicat de l’Entre-deux-Mers.

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris

$ 30 $ 180

This has a coastal nose of prairie grass, petit pois, green beans and gooseberry. The palate is medium-bodied and direct, with additional notes of sweet conference pear. This is a simple, easy quaffer suitable for all occasions. Drink now – mp

12.5%

Prairie grass, petit pois, green beans, gooseberry

Prairie grass, petit pois, gooseberry, conference pear, [0.00]

Spring vegetable focaccia

$ 190 $ 570

This has a concentrated nose of blackcurrant, cigar box, and pencil shavings. The pallet bursts with ripe cassis, pomegranate and leather, plus cooler forest floor and damp earth. The tannins are robust. Exceptionally well-made at this price, this is Bordeaux wizardry of the highest calibre. 2026-2030 mp

Moroccan-seasoned

$ 41 $ 246

A somewhat atypical nose of ripe cassis with mint, crushed black pepper and cooked plum. The pallet offers an intense and beguiling profile with more ripe cassis, blueberry, graphite, and nuanced oak. The tannins are for the long haul: ripe and firmly structured and this could well go the distance. 2025-2030 –mp

14.5%

Ripe cassis, mint, crushed black pepper, cooked plum

Ripe cassis, blueberry, pencil shavings, damp earth

Wild mushroom galette with thyme

$ 82 $ 246

2018 was a knockout vintage best savoured in the slow-maturing magnum format. The appealing nose reveals ripe blackcurrant, wet stone, and cedar. There is a bold, concentrated palate of cassis, blueberry, cinnamon, enhanced by a solid tannic backbone. As a Bordeaux Supérieur, this is unbeatable. 2023-2028–mp

15%

Blackcurrant, wet stone, vanilla, cedar

Cassis, blueberry, sandalwood, cinnamon

Balsamic-glazed roasted vegetable medley