Spotlight on Bordeaux | Rediscover a firm favourite

We have the most recent vintages and well-aged cuvées, 1855 grands crus classés and pleasing prices, big names and understated domains…Rediscover the wealth of fine wine offered by an all-time classic region.

The 2018 vintage vs mature bottles

This selection is especially rich in bottles from Bordeaux’s 2018 vintage. This was a year characterised by a particularly long rainy period that lasted around 6 months before giving way to the heat of the summer. The grapes reached a high level of maturity and the alcohol content of the resulting wine might have been concerning, although many estates succeeded in the art of blending to counter this effect. The dry whites sometimes have notes of exotic fruit and are a little stronger than usual. Despite their maturity, they’ve kept a good level of acidity, making them apt for cellaring. There’s no great difference between the left and right bank wines, most of them carrying a powerful, tannic profile that will require a bit of patience. Among our partner domains, we’ve received this 2018 vintage from Châteaux Barde Haut, Figeac, Giscours, Gloria, Lagrange, Marquis de Terme, Olivier, and Saint-Pierre. And for a taste of top Saint-Emilion, we recommend the second wine from Château Troplong Mondot.

In more mature vintages, the fantastic 2000 is represented by Château Rauzan Ségla and Domaine de Chevalier. The 2011 and 2012 Château Les Grandes Murailles is an unctuous cuvée rich in aromas of black fruit and spices. For the first time, we also have a 2012 Château Sociando-Mallet, a Médoc estate that doesn’t feature in any of the region’s classifications but is nonetheless situated on one of Bordeaux’s finest terroirs.

1855 grands crus classés vs pleasing prices

The splendour of this classic region lies first and foremost in its 1855 classification. Prestigious names aren’t lacking here, with bottles from Angélus, Beau-Séjour, Canon, Cheval Blanc, Lafite Rothschild, and Margaux.

However, enjoying a good wine from Bordeaux doesn’t have to break the bank. In white, we have the 2019 from Clos des Lunes (in generous formats!) and from Château Reynon, made up largely of Sauvignon topped up with Sémillon. A new arrival for you to discover comes in the form of the 2020 Château Marjosse, a property carefully tended to by Pierre Lurton of Château Cheval Blanc. In red, Clos des Lunes’ 2018 Petite Lune is an elegant and flavourful cuvée with the charm of a classic Bordeaux bottle. Château de Reignac from the Entre-deux-Mers and Château Croix Mouton from the right bank are also worth a try.

Critics’ choice

Shining bright in this selection are certain bottles that have pleased the biggest names in wine tasting. The incredible 2018 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a cuvée scored 98 by Decanter and between 95 and 98 by Wine Spectator. This is a cuvée that strikes an excellent balance between power and freshness. A bottle given 97 by Decanter, 17.5 by Jancis Robinson, and 18.5 by La Revue du vin de France is the 2018 Château Léoville Poyferré, “a cru that plays on the great richness of its fruit”. Don’t overlook the 2016 Cos d’Estournel either, a cuvée that sports the glory of a 100/100 Parker score, a delicate nectar with a harmonious profile.

See our full Bordeaux spotlight selection here