By country :: France :: Bordeaux
As a UK-based wine merchant, introducing France's and quite possibly the world's most famous wine region is an interesting exercise. There is no doubt that the development and rise to fame of Bordeaux owes a lot to the UK. The Aquitaine region (to which Bordeaux belongs) was part of the English kingdom for a long time and only became French at the end of the Hundred Years War.
However, English, Irish, Scottish and even Dutch merchants continued to establish themselves in Bordeaux, buying properties, improving viticulture, drying the marsh lands of the Medoc and planting new vineyards. The names of Châteaux such as Lynch-Bages, Smith-Haute Lafitte and Cantenac-Brown are testimony to the strong Anglo-Irish heritage in Bordeaux. The connection between Bordeaux and Leith, where our premises are located, is also very strong. Not only was Leith the main Scottish port for centuries, but the Auld Alliance between France and Scotland was also in existence. Recent excavations near the Vintners building in Leith (where 18th Century bottles of claret have been found) have unearthed remnants of a 16th century French garrison which came with Mary Stuart when she landed in Leith.
Top Bordeaux wines continue to fascinate wine lovers from around the world. Their production has not increased but interest in them has done so dramatically, particularly with the developing Chinese and Russian markets. The 2005 'gold rush' increased the prices for cru classés immensely. Dominant grape varieties here include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
In this section I have selected Bordeaux wines that will not result in bankruptcy. These wines offer excellent value for money.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate the Bordeaux section to the late Edward Kuriansky who left us last April. Ed was a huge fan of French wines and he particularly loved top Bordeaux. As a close friend, he conferred to me his passion for good wines and also inspired me to achieve my dream and become a wine merchant. I hope he would have been proud of my choices in this section.
Philippe
Found 10 products.
Château La Croix Blanche 2008Our price: From £12.15With lots of cherry on the nose, this is a well balanced wine with soft tannins and integrated oak. Very elegant and fairly powerful, Château La Croix Blanche is ready for drinking now but will also keep for betweeen five and eight years.
Château La Rose Montviel 2007Our price: From £21.82Under the watchful eye of the famous Michel Rolland, this wine has been crafted with the greatest of care. It has spent 16 months in new French oak, and displays the typical characters of Pomerol. With rich but ripe tannins, intense cherry and plum flavours are followed by a long toasty finish.
Château Le Grand Verdus Cuvée Tradition, 2008Our price: From £11.25CHÂTEAU LE GRAND VERDUS - Thomas Le Grix de la Salle
Château Le Grand Verdus Grande Reserve, 2007Our price: From £17.55CHÂTEAU LE GRAND VERDUS - Thomas Le Grix de la Salle
Château Le Grand Verdus, Bordeaux Blanc, 2010Our price: From £9.90CHÂTEAU LE GRAND VERDUS - Thomas Le Grix de la Salle
Château Mayne Graves 2010Our price: From £8.77Made from 100% Merlot, this Bordeaux Supérieur has spent 10 months in oak, 25% of which is new. It displays ripe plum jam and chewy black fruit flavours, and its oak is well integrated, with 'pain grillé' flavours.
Château Mille Roses Haut Médoc 2006Our price: From £19.12Bordered by Château Giscours and Château Cantemarle, this young estate is situated in the heart of the Margaux appellation. David Faure established the estate in 1999 and called it Mille Roses in memory of his mother who had a huge garden filled with roses. He used his vast experience gained throughout Bordeaux, Burgundy and Provence to produce his modern, fruit-driven left-bank claret. Unusually for the area, the wines are Merlot dominated, and have dense but approachable tannins that can be enjoyed young. The Margaux is in its first vintage, and is showing great promise.
Château Mille Roses l'Enfant Haut-Médoc 2007Our price: From £13.95Bordered by Château Giscours and Château Cantemarle, this young estate is situated in the heart of the Margaux appellation. David Faure established the estate in 1999 and called it Mille Roses in memory of his mother who had a huge garden filled with roses. He used his vast experience gained throughout Bordeaux, Burgundy and Provence to produce his modern, fruit-driven left-bank claret. Unusually for the area, the wines are Merlot dominated, and have dense but approachable tannins that can be enjoyed young. The Margaux is in its first vintage, and is showing great promise.
Château Mille Roses Margaux 2008Our price: From £24.52Bordered by Château Giscours and Château Cantemarle, this young estate is situated in the heart of the Margaux appellation. David Faure established the estate in 1999 and called it Mille Roses in memory of his mother who had a huge garden filled with roses. He used his vast experience gained throughout Bordeaux, Burgundy and Provence to produce his modern, fruit-driven left-bank claret. Unusually for the area, the wines are Merlot dominated, and have dense but approachable tannins that can be enjoyed young. The Margaux is in its first vintage, and is showing great promise.
Château Rauzan Segla 2eme Cru Classè 2002Our price: From £28.35This is the second wine of this iconic estate in Margaux. With almost equal measures of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the wine has a beautiful balance, opulence and the great structure associated with the Margaux terroir.
