Amphorae Famille Chety 2015
Amphorae Famille Chety 2015
Ch. Auney l’Hermitage Graves Blanc 2018
Ch. Auney l’Hermitage Graves Blanc 2018$34.99Add to cart
Ch. Auney l’Hermitage Graves Blanc 2018
Ch. Auney l’Hermitage Graves Blanc 2018AOC Graves Blanc: from a 2ha plot, gravel / clay / limestone soil, planted to 65% Semillon, 20% Muscadelle, 15% Sauvignon Blanc. Elevage is done in 4hl barrels for 9 months, and production is about 9500 bottles per vintage.
Known as Chateau Le Chec until 2012, when its long-time owners changed the name to Auney l’Hermitage, the estate is run by Sylvie and Christien Auney. They produce two cuvées each of red and white wine, favoring Merlot and Semillon in their respective blends. Graves Blanc and Graves Rouge are the core wines of Auney l’Hermitage, and make up the bulk of its production, while the best parcels are dedicated to their higher-end red and white “Cuvée Cana” bottlings.
Auney l’Hermitage was gradually assembled through the reclamation of ten small domaines totaling 8.5 hectares. Many of these properties were actually clearings in the woods planted to grape vines by small farmers, dating back to the nineteenth century, and were abandoned or on the verge of being abandoned. Christien Auney has chosen to maintain the separation between each of his parcels, meaning that each plot of vines has its own distinct terroir. Some of these plots were ignored for so long that they’ve never seen modern pest management (i.e. pesticides), and as of 2012 the Auneys have undertaken a conversion to certified organic practices.
This is the only estate harvesting manually in the commune of La Brède, which has always been the practice due to the separation of the parcels comprising the estate. Moreover, ripening times for each plot vary widely due to location and vine type, allowing Christien and his team to harvest over a longer period of time.
Ch. Canon La Gaffeliere 2012
Ch. Canon La Gaffeliere 2012Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
Barrel Sample: 90-92
Ch. Gigault Cuvée Viva 2012
Ch. Gigault Cuvée Viva 2012 
Ch. Pavie St. Emilion Grand Cru 2010
Ch. Pavie St. Emilion Grand Cru 2010$449.99Add to cart
Ch. Pavie St. Emilion Grand Cru 2010
Ch. Pavie St. Emilion Grand Cru 2010Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Pavie delivers tantalizing suggestions of candied violets, star anise and tapenade over a core of prunes, blueberry compote, Morello cherries and fruitcake with touches of underbrush and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, rich and exotically opulent, the palate has a rock-solid texture of velvety tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous palate of black and blue berry preserves, finishing long and fragrant.
Ch. Petite Freylon Bordeaux Blanc 2015
Ch. Petite Freylon Bordeaux Blanc 2015$18.99Add to cart
Ch. Petite Freylon Bordeaux Blanc 2015
Ch. Petite Freylon Bordeaux Blanc 2015
Chateau Lascombes 2009 750ml
Chateau Lascombes 2009 750ml
Chateaux Margaux 2004 750ml
Chateaux Margaux 2004 750mlThe 2004 was born in conditions closely resembling those of 1996: the same unsettled summer weather, the same early autumn and the same rainy harvest. Last minute rain, though, in no way modifies the body of a wine, nor weakens its muscle; it only takes away a bit of fatness, which gives it a finer silhouette.
Château Margaux 2004 is therefore a great classic vintage. There is great finesse and above all, purity on the nose. In this subtle combination of floral, fruit and spice aromas, all are clearly present but no single aroma dominates. On the palate, the tannic structure is tight-knit, fine and tender. The general impression is firstly balance, precision, freshness and finally an air-light grace which can only be found in great Margaux.
La Devise de Lilian 2012
La Devise de Lilian 2012The second wine of Chateau Lilian Ladouys, a historic 47 hectare estate that lies in the heart of the Saint Estephe appellation, on the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Production at the Chateau started in the mid-seventeenth century, then under the ownership of the Barre family. A succession of families purchased and sold the property over years, then finally in 2007 Jacky Lorenzetti purchased the property and made some real investments. The Lorenzetti family also purchased 50% of the stunning Chateau D’Issan estate in Margaux, and with that they brought the talented Bordelaise winemaker Emmanuel Cruse into the fold! Emmanuel took Chateau Lilian Ladouys’ wines to the next level, producing wines from the estate that rival many of the best anywhere on Bordeaux’s left bank. With recent vintages appearing on Wine Spectator’s prestigious list of the Top 100 Wines and Top 100 Value Wines, it is hard to resist the exceptional values Emmanuel is now producing at Château Lilian Ladouys!
La Devise is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, from vines of 40 years old on average. The soils in Saint Estephe are gravel, clay, and limestone, the mix translates wonderfully into the minerality of this wine. A complex nose sets the tone, offering blueberry and stone notes mixed with blackcurrant and hints of smoke, pepper, and vanilla. Aged for 12 months in a combination of barrels and vats, then bottle aged at the winery. The extra time in the bottle here is really what sets this beauty apart. This is such a gorgeous polished wine, with a soft mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a long seamless finish. This is what great Bordeaux is all about, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune! A truly remarkable effort at this price point, rivalling many Bordeaux I taste at $50+ a bottle. Its drinking great now with 30 minutes of air in the decanter, and you can expect it to age gracefully for another 4-5 years. With Easter right around the corner here’s the perfect pairing for lamb! I can’t wait to see what Jacky Lorenzetti and Emmanuel Cruse do next with this new renaissance of the lovely Château Lilian Ladouys!
