Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend

For me, this is perfectly aged. Still some nice fruit, but loads of clay-like minerality and cedar in the nose. Soft and palate-coating but with nice balance, the tannins are still present but are not obtrusive. Really long, clingy finish. Really fine.

Blackberry, currant and some earth. Mellow dark berries and medium tannins.

2011 vintage. 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 11% Petit Verdot. This property was bought by the Bouygues brothers in 2006, the same year when they bought Montrose (up to first growth quality these days, and I gave the 2020 a perfect score). They made huge investments to increase the quality, and this 2011 is a very good effort in a much maligned vintage that remains in the shadow of the great 2010 and 2009 vintages. While the tannins have a slightly rough edge to them, it is balanced and satisfying, and a testimony to Bordeaux's ageing capacities, even in lesser vintages. An attractive food wine, and very good value too. Abv. 13%.

Very drinkable ‘17 — a vintage that kind of reminds me of some of the Bordeaux vintages I cut my teeth on, like ‘81 and ‘79. Not big, but with a cooling savoriness and restrained fruit. Cedar, gravel, dried twigs, iodine and some cassis fruit on the nose. Elegant, flowing palate with a relaxed feel and just enough very soft tannin to give some structure. Long finish. Surprisingly good!

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with licorice and pepper spice. Rustic drying tannins, medium finish ending with earthy spice. A bit harsh.

Nice at the start. Mellow, still good red fruit with some bell pepper. This fell off after about 30 minutes and never really regained its former glory. Good for what it is for sure.

Cherry cola and dark fruit aromas. Crisp black berry, vanilla flavors. Deep and rich style, still has tannins

A magical carpet ride during a magical year. Dark ruby. Subtle nose. Floral. Taste the softness of the Merlot and hard hitting blackfruit undercurrents as the wine breathed. Wonderful.

Well made, balanced, good use of oak

This 2007 isn't quite ready to drink, but the drier slightly harder style suited our lean top round steak from 5 Mary's Farm. I enjoyed the taught cassis and the subtle oak frame of this wine. Maybe I will put some in the cellar!