2014 Chateau Giscours
Regular price £81.30 Save £-81.302014 Clos du Marquis
Regular price £160.75 Save £-160.752014 Chateau Cantenac Brown
Regular price £77.85 Save £-77.85The Chateau for Cantenac Brown is unique in the Bordeaux wine appellation. It is perhaps the only Bordeaux chateau designed as a traditional Tudor estate in the entire region! At the start of the 19th century, the well-known Scottish, animal painter, John Lewis Brown purchased the estate and Bordeaux wine vineyards. As was the tradition in the Medoc at the time, he renamed the estate Cantenac Brown. More recently, in 1989 AXA, the massive insurance company with several Bordeaux chateaux in their portfolio including Pichon Baron in Pauillac, and estates in Pomerol and Sauternes bought the vineyard. AXA sold the property in 2006 to the Halabi family.Today, the Simon Halabi family are the owners of Chateau Cantenac Brown. One of the first moves made by the new owners was to place Jose Sanfins in charge of the wine making at Cantenac Brown.
Among the finest Cantenac-Browns of the last three decades, the saturated purple-coloured 2000 is a sleeper of the vintage. Loaded with chocolatey black currants intermixed with sweet earth, cedar, and spice box, it exhibits medium to full body, surprisingly ripe tannin for a wine from this estate, a multi-layered texture as well as mid-palate, and a finish that lasts 25-30 seconds.
Any game, red meat, super creamy cheese and fatty fish cooked with complex herbs and spices. Lamb curry.
This is the wine for you if into earthy, tannic full-bodied wines.
2014 Chateau Branaire Ducru
Regular price £74.00 Save £-74.002014 Chateau Leoville Las Cases, Petit Lion
Regular price £72.55 Save £-72.552014 Domaine Antonin Guyon, Aloxe Corton 1er Cru 'Les Fournieres'
Regular price £66.40 Save £-66.40ABOUT THE WINE
The second generation now manages this domaine, founded by Antonin in the 1960s. Based in Savigny-les-Beaune, they own vines throughout the Cote d'Or, including parcels in some of the finest Premier and Grand cru vineyards. Harvest is by hand, with initial sorting in the vineyard; no more than 50% new oak is used, and the wines of the domaine have a classic freshness and purity to them.
TASTING NOTES
Delicate in colour, with wonderful minerality and fine tannins. Bright cherry fruit, very intense, with a touch of oak adding elegance. Exceptionally well-balanced.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal very slightly chilled, with summer salads; or with pork dishes on colder evenings.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A superb vintage for Burgundy, the 2014 Guyon is a delightful wine.
2014 Chateau Chasse Spleen
Regular price £57.50 Save £-57.50ABOUT THE WINE
Chateau Chasse Spleen remained the property of the Castaing family until it was sold just before World War 1 to a German family of wine merchants. After the outbreak of World War I, Chateau Chasse Spleen was confiscated as enemy property and sold at an auction in 1922 to the Lahary family. The modern era for Chateau Chasse Spleen starts in 1976 when the estate was bought by the Merlaut family. At the time of the purchase, Chasse Spleen owned about 40 hectares of vines. Under the direction of Jacques Merlaut and his daughter Bernadotte Villars they expanded their vineyard holdings so that today, Chasse Spleen has 80 hectares of vines. They also updated and modernized their winemaking facilities.
TASTING NOTES
The 2014 Moulis Chasse-Spleen is refined. On the nose, it is ample, frank and aromatically fresh. Mainly produced on a fleshy black fruit aromatic palette, typical cedar accents are felt after swirling. The palate is ample, vibrant, elegantly structured on creamy and delicate tannins. The grain is fine and precise. The finish is persistent. This wine is a total success!
FOOD PAIRING
Pairs very well with venison, oven baked pasta with bacon, mushroom risotto, hard cheese.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is a very good example of Moulis from a good vintage.
2014 Chateau Montrose, Dame de Montrose
Regular price £52.85 Save £-52.852014 Chateau Fonplegade
Regular price £48.70 Save £-48.70See more wines from Chateau Fonplegade
ABOUT THE WINE
For centuries, the vine rows of Chateau Fonplegade have been the source for some of St. Emillion's most coveted grapes. Since 2004, new owners from California, Stephen and Denise Adams, have invested time and passion to elevate the wines of Fonplegade to new heights.
TASTING NOTES
Lots of fruit, already showing an appealingly soft roundedness. Incredibly smooth tannins are supported by a wonderful acidity that provides a remarkably long finish. Deep purple colour. A modest amount of grapes from somewhat younger vines is also incorporated into the blend, adding voluptuous black fruit notes and a tannic structure.
FOOD PAIRING
Roast beef, stews, lamb chops, barbecue.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This is an absolutely brilliant wine, and probably the best to date from this American-owned Chateau, which has been completely renovated and is now enjoying a resurrection/renaissance in quality.
2014 Chateau Berliquet
Regular price £48.25 Save £-48.25ABOUT THE WINE
Berliquet is one of the oldest vineyards in Saint-Emilion, able to trace its history back to 1794. 9 hectares of vineyards are superbly sited on the limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion, adjoining those of Chateau Canon and Chateau Magdelaine. Until 1978 Berliquet's wine was made by the local co-operative; since 1978 the wine has been vinified and matured at the chateau and the wines have improved significantly, earning promotion to Grand Cru Classe' in 1985. Typically a blend of 67% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon.
TASTING NOTES
Red and black fruit, with notes of fruitcake and roasted herbs; medium-bodied and fairly easy-going. Fragrant and appetising.
FOOD PAIRING
Great with grilled steak, aubergine pasta or bacon tartlet.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Early-drinking Saint-Emilion, from a very reliable estate.
2014 Chateau Branaire Ducru
Regular price £43.55 Save £-43.552014 Conti di San Bonifacio, Docet
Regular price £41.30 Save £-41.30The estate, in the Maremma region of Tuscany, was purchased in 2002 by the Conte di San Bonifacio, Manfredo, and his English wife Sarah. They have since transformed it into a spectacular wine resort and wedding venue, with olive groves, beautifully manicured vineyards and a restaurant serving exceptional meals created using locally sourced ingredients. The first vines were planted in 2004 and the vineyard now comprises 7 hectares. Winemaker Luca d'Attoma has an exceptional talent for crafting Tuscan wines using international varieties.
Dense and earthy, with a Bordeaux-like graphite note. Opens up on the palate to reveal subtle cherry and blackberry fruit, with ripe, structured tannins and a long finish.
Ideal with lamb or game, barbecued or roasted. Excellent with stew too.
Cabernet Franc brings aromatic complexity, while the Cabernet Sauvignon brings depth on the palate and full bodied character. A wine which benefits from time in the decanter.
2014 Domaine Loic Mahe, Savennieres 'Les Fougeraies'
Regular price £38.70 Save £-38.70ABOUT THE WINE
Having worked as a consultant for other wineries, Brittany-born Loïc couldn't wait to start his own, and so in 2011 he purchased 11 hectares spread between Savennières and La Franchaie, Certified organic and non-interventionist, Loïc prefers to let the effects of the seasons and terroir dominate the character of his wines. Grapes are exclusively picked by hand, with careful sorting to ensure quality fruit. Fermentation is slow, using natural yeasts and minimal sulphites, with maturation in oak barrels or small tanks.
TASTING NOTES
A Savennières of pleasure that combines the power of the terroir with a beautiful structure. Very dry, yet generous, with an unctuous character balanced by fresh acidity and impressive complexity - apple and pear fruit, with a hint of nuttiness and a touch of earth on the finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal with fish, especially where they are cooked in powerfully flavoured sauces, but it will also be a good match with white meat (chicken, pork, veal) and creamy sauces.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
With a white of this complexity it is advisable to decant 30 minutes to an hour before serving; this wine will age beautifully for up to 15 years from vintage.
2014 Chateau Fonplegade, Fleur de Fonplegade
Regular price £33.60 Save £-33.60See more wines from Chateau Fonplegade
ABOUT THE WINE
For centuries, the vine rows of Chateau Fonplegade have been the source for some of Saint-Emilion’s most coveted grapes. Since 2004, new owners from California, Stephen and Denise Adams, have invested time and passion to elevate the wines of Fonplegade to new heights.
TASTING NOTES
Easy-drinking red, dominated by red-berry fruit. Tannins are present yet unthreatening; a very pleasant wine from an excellent vintage for the chateau.
FOOD PAIRING
Roast beef, stews, lamb chops… very flexible, but rich, flavourful dishes are best.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A reliable wine for dinner parties, guests will not be disappointed.
2014 Chateau Brane Cantenac, Baron de Brane
Regular price £21.75 Save £-21.752014 Bodegas Francisco Casas, Camparron Reserva
Regular price £19.60 Save £-19.60ABOUT THE WINE
Founded in 1942 by Francisco Casas Gomez, Bodega Francisco Casas remains a family-run winery, with the fourth generation now in charge. In 1965 the family bought a new cellar in Morales de Toro, the heart of the Toro region. Their vineyards cover more than 10 hectares in the surrounding region. The climate in Toro is continental, with extreme contrasts in temperature during winter and summer; there is a longstanding winemaking tradition in this area, predating even the Ancient Roman era. Eduardo Casas has recently taken over the Bodega, the latest generation to shape the Casas legacy.
TASTING NOTES
Dark fruit berry colour. Cherry, kirsch, prune and fruit compote nose. Incredibly smooth finish, with a refreshing herbal note.
FOOD PAIRING
Great with lamb and beef casseroles, and strong, hard cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Bright and youthful, 2014 was another superb vintage for Toro, Rioja and Ribera del Duero. These latter two regions may be more fashionable, but Toro has the history, the vineyards and increasingly also the technical expertise to more-than match them for quality.