Château Moutin VIGNOBLES J.

Darriet

How many wineries can boast a professor of oenology on their team? Jean-Christophe Darriet is general manager at this family estate, and his brother Phillippe is Professor at the University of Bordeaux. In 2021, Philippe analysed 12 bottles of Petrus that had been sent to the International Space Station for 14 months. Whether his observations made it into his brother’s cuvée room, we will never know. What is sure is that the Darriet employ innovation and experience to maximum effect and have been in business since 1797. Their holdings encompass six estates across Loupiac (the family home), Cadillac and Graves.

Black fruit including plum, cheery, liquorice, and sweet spice

Black cherry, real cola, mulberry, forest floor and cedar

Balsamic braised venison

13.5%

Obvious notes of black fruit including plum, cherry, liquorice, char and sweet spice. This is pronounced and already showing some attractive development as one would expect from a 2017. The palate has an oak-derived notes of liquorice, cedar and sweet spice along with black cherry, plum, mulberry and cola. The finish has an attractive dusty note that works well with the fruit adding some austerity but this is still a big-hearted crowd-pleaser. 2023 – 2027–mp

$ 3033

4289 9 DE MARQUIS DE TERME, AOC MARGAUX, 2014

CHÂTEAU DUPLESSIS, AOC

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

$ 68

$ 408

$ 142 $ 426

Marquis de Terme is an exceptional wine. So exceptional that we have decided to offer the remarkable 2014 a second time as we were – exceptionally – able to secure a further allocation. The bouquet opens ripe and complex, delivering an aromatic symphony of blackberry, black cherry, leather, cinnamon, tar, and cigar box. The silky mid-palate glides across the tongue. It was a compelling drinking last year, this time it is highly polished with bramble, cassis, beef stock, and vanilla. Needless to say, the tannins are gorgeously integrated and there is plenty of acidity to support. The finish is lingering with complex and developing flavours. A glorious glass of red Bordeaux. 2025-2035 –mp

13.5%

Blackberry, black cherry, leather, tar

Bramble, cassis, beef stock, vanilla

Grilled bone-in “cowboy” ribeye steak

Moulis-en-Médoc is nestled on the Left Bank, between the cru appellations of Margaux and Saint-Julien. This lesser-known vineyard area, grown on similar soils of gravel and limestone over deeper clays and silt, can offer great value. The Château Duplessis 2018 vintage has attractive fresh and baked fruit aromas with earthy, spicy undertones. The palate has good depth, brisk acidity, well integrated oak flavours and bold tannins. 2023-2033 –jb

Cassis, baked plum, licorice, cedar

Cassis, plum, dark chocolate, vanilla, spice

Lamb kebobs with ras el hanout

Pauillac