En Primeur News : Monday, 31st May 2010

Monday afternoon sees Alain Vauthier stirring into action with his Chateau Fonbel now on the market at £165. This is very much an up-and-coming Saint Emilion property that still offers good value for money yet the quality level has soared in the last few years.

 

"Made by Ausone's proprietor, Alain Vauthier, this attractive, round, pretty wine is soft and generous, with loads of blueberry and raspberry fruit as well as hints of incense and crushed rock. It should drink well for a decade or more. 87-89" Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.

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Today may be a public holiday in the UK and the US, but we still have a couple of releases from the owners of two of the big names of Pauillac and also Chasse Spleen, the best known Chateau in the Moulis appellation of the Medoc.

 

Pichon Lalande have released their La Bernadotte 2009 which we can offer at £140. This property is situated in the Haut Medoc, just on the border with Pauillac, and benefits from the skills of the same wine-making team as Pichon Lalande itself. Robert Parker states that this is the greatest La Bernadotte that he has ever tasted and this is certainly a wine that offers good value for money in 2009.

 

"The finest La Bernadotte made to date, this 2009 is an undeniable sleeper of the vintage. Composed of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, it reveals a dense purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of black cherries, black currants, charcoal, and spice. With layers of fruit, decent acidity, freshness, and precision, and an opulent, fleshy, succulent style, it should drink easily for a decade or more. 90-92 points." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.

 

 

Just over the road at Grand Puy Lacoste, Xavier Borie has now released his extremely popular second wine, Lacoste Borie which is priced at £175. We didn't taste it ourselves in 2009 (nor did Robert Parker), but M Borie always makes an attractive wine under this label, whose main job is to drink at an early age. This is a reliable name at a fair price.

 

"Sweet berry and coffee aromas with hints of Chinese tea. Medium bodied with lovely sweet fruit and a balance of fine tannins. Clean and pretty. Second wine of Grand-Puy-Lacoste. 87-90" James Suckling, Wine Spectator.

 

 

Chasse Spleen is released at the same price as their neighbour Poujeaux, £210 per case. This seems like a good deal as it is cheaper than the 2005 and has a higher rating.

 

"The 2009 is the finest Chasse Spleen since the 1989. Its deep purple color is accompanied by notes of graphite, black currants, sweet spice, and a hint of Chinese black tea. Full-bodied and opulent with well-integrated acidity, tannin, wood, and alcohol, it is a lush beauty to enjoy over the next 20+ years. 90-92 points." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate