1995 Chateau Latour
Regular price £748.50 Save £-748.50Also Available - 2001 Vintage
ABOUT THE WINE
Of the all First Growth Bordeaux chateaux, in the modern era Latour is perhaps most worthy of the classification. The name is believed to date back to the 14th Century and a fortress in Saint-Lambert, which included a tower “en Saint-Maubert”, subsequently lost to history. The tower pictured on the label is in fact a dovecot for pigeons built in the 1620s. Château Latour de Saint-Maubert passed into the hands of the Segur family at the end of the 1600s, was written of enthusiastically by Thomas Jefferson in the 1780s and achieved First Growth classification in 1855. In 1963 the Marquis de Segur sold a controlling stake in the “Societe Civile du Vignoble de Château Latour” to the Pearson Group, a British company which led a wave of new investment and renovation. New vineyards were purchased, from which ‘Les Forts de Latour’ is sourced, and the winemaking facilities were modernised. Allied Lyons purchased a majority stake in the estate in 1989, and then sold it to François Pinault in 1993. This began what may be considered the most successful period in the estate’s history; under the auspices of winemaker Frederic Engerer, Château Latour has produced some of the finest Bordeaux wines ever. Since 2012, Château Latour does not sell their wines en-primeur; instead they cellar their wines until they are ready for drinking.
TASTING NOTES
A fragrant, densely packed beauty. Cassis and vanilla, with stony minerality, exceptional concentration and a wonderful aromatic purity. Develops in the glass to reveal more oak-influence, with vanilla, toast and a hint of tobacco. A classic to be savoured.
FOOD PAIRING
Tricky to pair a First Growth wine – one never wants to distract from the experience of the wine itself; but a beef wellington would not be amiss here.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The ’95 Latour is something of a sleeper, requiring some 20 years of maturity. Showing well from 2015 – with the potential to improve until 2050.
2001 Chateau Latour
Regular price £708.20 Save £-708.20Also Available - 1995 Vintage
ABOUT THE WINE
Of the all First Growth Bordeaux chateaux, in the modern era Latour is perhaps most worthy of the classification. The name is believed to date back to the 14th Century and a fortress in Saint-Lambert, which included a tower “en Saint-Maubert”, subsequently lost to history. The tower pictured on the label is in fact a dovecot for pigeons built in the 1620s. Château Latour de Saint-Maubert passed into the hands of the Segur family at the end of the 1600s, was written of enthusiastically by Thomas Jefferson in the 1780s and achieved First Growth classification in 1855. In 1963 the Marquis de Segur sold a controlling stake in the “Societe Civile du Vignoble de Château Latour” to the Pearson Group, a British company which led a wave of new investment and renovation. New vineyards were purchased, from which ‘Les Forts de Latour’ is sourced, and the winemaking facilities were modernised. Allied Lyons purchased a majority stake in the estate in 1989, and then sold it to François Pinault in 1993. This began what may be considered the most successful period in the estate’s history; under the auspices of winemaker Frederic Engerer, Château Latour has produced some of the finest Bordeaux wines ever. Since 2012, Château Latour does not sell their wines en-primeur; instead they cellar their wines until they are ready for drinking.
TASTING NOTES
A brilliant offering, which should be drinkable much earlier than the blockbuster 2000, the 2001 Latour boasts an inky ruby colour as well as a glorious bouquet of black currants, crushed stones, vanilla, and hints of truffles and oak. The beautiful integration of tannin, acidity, and wood is stunning. The wine flows across the palate with fabulous texture, purity, and presence.
FOOD PAIRING
Tricky to pair a First Growth wine – one never wants to distract from the experience of the wine itself; but a beef wellington would not be amiss here.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Despite its precociousness this wine will last 20-25 years.
2003 Chateau Margaux
Regular price £893.95 Save £-893.95Also Available - 2005 Vintage
ABOUT THE WINE
It’s amazing when you realise that the birth of what we know of as Chateau Margaux dates back almost 1,000 years! Due to the amazing quality of the wine, the estate took the name of the appellation. Even today, the only Bordeaux wine estate to bear the name of the appellation from where it resides remains Chateau Margaux. The Ginestet family was forced to sell Chateau Margaux in 1977 to Andre Mentzelopoulos, due to mounting debts brought about in part by the plunging prices for Bordeaux wine in the 1970’s. Andre Mentzelopoulos died in December 1980 and his daughter, Corinne Mentzelopoulos took over running Chateau Margaux.
TASTING NOTES
Chateau Margaux’s 2003 is one of the most amazing examples of what incredible wine can be. An outstanding vintage, characterized by dryness and warmth. This wine delivers unmatched flavour richness and velvety smooth tannins that marry impeccably with the long oak ageing. A transformative wine. This iconic wine from an iconic vintage can be drunk now or cellared for 20-25 years.
FOOD PAIRING
Red meat, hard cheese, savoury pastries are what goes best with this powerful red.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is one of the most opulent and rich wines of the last two decades.
2005 Chateau Margaux
Regular price £1,105.00 Save £-1,105.00Also Available - 2003 Vintage
ABOUT THE WINE
It’s amazing when you realize that the birth of what we know of as Chateau Margaux dates back almost 1,000 years! Due to the amazing quality of the wine, the estate took the name of the appellation. Even today, the only Bordeaux wine estate to bear the name of the appellation from where it resides remains Chateau Margaux. The Ginestet family was forced to sell Chateau Margaux in 1977 to Andre Mentzelopoulos, due to mounting debts brought about in part by the plunging prices for Bordeaux wine in the 1970’s. Andre Mentzelopoulos died in December 1980 and his daughter, Corinne Mentzelopoulos took over running Chateau Margaux.
TASTING NOTES
The wine has a perfect bouquet with brilliant precision and amazing focus: mainly black, mineral-soaked fruit that just gets more and more intense in the glass. That graphite element become more intense with aeration. The palate is effortless with sumptuous ripe tannin, perfect acidity, layers of sensual ripe red fruit with a precise mineral finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Red meat, hard cheese, savoury pastries are what goes best with this powerful red.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is sheer class, a crystalline beauty and the persistence is simply breathtaking.
2012 Opus One, Opus One
Regular price £538.50 Save £-538.50A joint venture between the Robert Mondavi company (the family are no longer involved) and the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild, based in the Oakville appellation within Napa Valley. One of the finest wines in California, and revered throughout the world. Initially a selection of the finest lots from the Mondavi Winery, since 1991 certain vineyard parcels came to be associated with Opus One, most notably the To-Kalon vineyard, which since 2005 has provided the core of the wine.
TASTING NOTES
Blackberry, rose petals and mocha aromas, with earth, cassis and leather providing nuance. Supremely silky on the palate, with rounded tannin and a bright mineral character; violet and lavender, a hint of mint and plenty of blackcurrant, black cherry and plum fruit. Supple and lingering, with truffle and charcoal on the finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Best enjoyed with substantial, yet subtle, foods which will allow the wine to shine - a fine steak with delicate seasoning, perhaps.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The 2012 is considered one of their greatest vintages; just entering its drinking window, this wine will continue to improve until 2030.
2012 Trinite Estate, Acaibo
Regular price £66.00 Save £-66.00ABOUT THE WINE
The 2012 vintage, is the first vintage produced by Claire and Gonzague Lurton, who are part of great Bordeaux families. Acaibo is nestled in the hills in a small corner of the Chalk Hill area. The estate sits in an intimate bowl between three valleys: the Russian River Valley, the Alexander Valley, and Knight's Valley. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
TASTING NOTES
The Acaibo is remarkable for its very intense, almost seductive expression of aromas. The bouquet offers an elegant combination of floral notes (violets), spices (pepper, cinnamon, liquorice and vanilla), red fruit (blackberries and raspberries) and earthy undertones.
FOOD PAIRING
Goes well with steak, beef fillet and rack of lamb.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is the first ever vintage of this American project. Sold out at the winery, this wine is now a collector's item.
NV Opus One, Overture
Regular price £198.50 Save £-198.50ABOUT OPUS ONE OVERTURE
The world-famous joint venture between the legendary California winemaker Robert Mondavi and the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux, Opus One is based right at the heart of Napa Valley, in Oakville AVA. The One Opus is one of the very best wines we sell. It is revered as one of the most sought-after and finest wines in California. The Overture is the second wine of the estates, following the Bordelaise tradition of ‘deuxième’ wines. The most unusual aspect of the Overture by Opus One however comes from being a non-vintage blend of multiple years. This unorthodox practice helps in the creation of a wine that achieves the pinnacle level of silky softness and complexity right upon release. A truly special release which recently, was only available from the cellar door.
TASTING NOTES OF THE OPUS WINE
The immense structure of the Opus One wines cult classic requires extensive ageing before it becomes a pleasurable drinking experience; the company, therefore, decided to put together a second wine which would provide an idea of what a mature Opus One might be like. With extended barrel-ageing, and the inclusion of back-vintages of wine, the non-vintage Overture by Opus one overture is a softer, more supple cousin to its illustrious stablemate. Abundant dark fruit, liquorice and black cherry compliment the vanilla and cedar notes from time in top-quality French oak barrels, very specifically made for the estate in varying degrees of toast. Bright and pleasurable. Opus One Overture is a wine that tastes effortlessly smooth thanks to the masterful blending making a precise, but also staggeringly complex and opulent wine making it a unique experience in the realm of fine wine.
FOOD PAIRING
Charmingly hefty; requires equally inspiring food with an element of sweetness to it. American classics such as barbecue ribs and brisket are prime choices, while the French side of the wine will marry perfectly with Cote de Boeuf and braised game and lamb dishes as well. Boeuf Bourguignon with a rich demi-glace base or duck confit is a sublime pairing to try.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
An unusual and very unorthodox project from the most prominent names in the global wine world and modern winemaking history, hence superbly enjoyable and thought-provoking. Proof that some traditions are better off broken sometimes, and if done right could open a door to immensely rewarding pleasure with less patience. The ultimate comparison would be to compare this iconic second wine to its iconic father, the original Opus One wine.