It has been a couple of years since Wine Connect has had a Bordeaux indent but with Covid lockdowns behind us now, and following on from the 2023 Ian Leamon Tour de Bordeaux, it seems like the right time to fire up the next shipment.
Happily, our timing coincides with the availability of the excellent 2019 vintage which is rated at 19/20 for the Reds and 17/20 for the Sauternes.
In compiling this indent offer we have once again concentrated on a few old favourites such as Domaine de Chevalier, Chateau Lascombes and Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste. We visit each of these Chateaux on my Tour of Bordeaux and we feel that each of these chateaux punches well above their weight when we compare the quality versus price.
Of course, prices across the range have crept up so we always try to offer the second label where possible as we believe these wines offer a great insight into the style and quality of the chateau as well as great value for money.
Tasting notes are provided where possible and scores from respected wine writers plus any other relevant comments included below.
Chateau Carbonnieux 2021 (White) – Pessac Leognan. $89.00
Chateau Carbonnieux was included in this year’s Bordeaux tour for the first time and it was an absolute joy to visit. Located in the Pessac Leognan region, it is highly regarded for its white wine as the tour members could testify.
The 2021 Ch. Carbonnieux is a lovely example of fruit intensity whilst still retaining refinement. We tasted this wine in June alongside the 2016 and it was a lovely demonstration of how this wine ages so gracefully.
2019 Domaine de Chevalier – Pessac Leognan. $199
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc.
Crimson hue. Blueberry and dark fruit notes. Pure, fresh and precise, even a touch ethereal. Tannins finely honed. Elegant and refined with no extremes. A lovely wine. (JL) 17.5 Jancis Robinson.
2020 Chateau Sociando Mallet – Haut Medoc. $89
Generous, sweet black fruit on the nose. Rounded and juicy with an attractive undergrowth sort of quality to it and plenty of chewy tannins to last. Tempting to think that this would be quite a good price, and could age as well as many more prestigious addresses. (RH) 17 Jancis Robinson.
2019 Chateau Lascombes $185.00 and Chevalier de Lascombes - Margaux $82.00
Chateau Lascombes is consistently one of the highlights of my Tour de Bordeaux. This beautiful winery is located in the Margaux region and it is the source of complex and generously flavoured wines. Both the first label and the second label, Chevalier de Lascombes. I cannot recommend these wines more highly.
2019 Chateau D’Issan – Margaux $15970% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot. 45% of the production
. A touch restrained but pure, bright, juicy and intense. The palate is silky and substantial with the backing of plentiful tannins. Perception of old-vine intensity. Builds to an impressively long finish. Similar to 2016 but with more aromatic freshness. (JL). 17.5 points. Jancis Robinson.
2020 Blason D’Issan (2nd Label) $59.00
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 55% of the production.
A real charmer. Pure and delicately fragrant. Juicy and fresh with crunchy fruit. Medium-bodied weight. Flows across the palate. Fine tannins. Clean finish. Great balance. A coup de Coeur. (JL) 16.5 points Jancis Robinson.
2019 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste – Paulliac. $195.00
83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot.
Deep colour. A refined classic. Fragrant, lifted dark-fruit nose with blackcurrant notes to the fore. Super palate, the tannins plentiful and firm but offering a velvety texture at the same time. Lots of freshness, even a saline edge. Builds to a long, dry, mouth-cleansing finish. (JL) 17.5+ points. Jancis Robinson.
2020 Lacoste Borie (2nd Label Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste) $75.00
I first discovered Lacoste Borie 7 or 8 years ago and I thought it was a knockout straight away. It has plenty of rounded sweet fruit while maintaining plenty of grip and acidity. A superb second label for Grand Puy Lacoste.
2019 Chateau Lafon Rochet – St Estephe. $99.00
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
Black core. It's very dark and charry on the nose. Savoury though there's no lack of black fruit. Dark, rocky elegance. Big tannic presence but not aggressive. (JH) 16.5++ points. Jancis Robinson.
Two years ago, Christophe Congé, (winemaker at Chateau Lafite) was headhunted by Chateau Lafon Rochet (CLR) so I made a point of including CLR on the 2023 Tour de Bordeaux and I was so pleased that I did. This is an amazing winery and the wines are superb. Pound for pound, this may be the best value wine in our current offer and I think we can expect even bigger things in the future.
2019 La Dame de Montrose. - St Estephe. $105.00
48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot.
Cabernet expression is particularly marked, especially on the palate. Dark fruit with a savoury edge on the nose, the palate lively and lifted with fresher flavours. Dark fruit again with a minerally edge. Firm, dry finish. GV? (JL) 17 points. Jancis Robinson
Château Montrose is an outstanding 2nd Growth Château in St Estephe and this is its equally outstanding second label which has been a firm favourite of Wine Connect for many years now.
2015 Château Climens – Sauternes. $175.00
If you were lucky enough to be on this year's Tour de Bordeaux, you will have vivid memories of our lunch at Château Climens on the last day in the Château where we enjoyed the 2015, 2010 and 2005 vintages with our lunch.
I am pleased to say that I am able to source some of the 2015 for this current offer. Whilst young for a Sauternes the 2015 is showing considerable youthfulness AND complexity. This is a delicious wine which we enjoyed with Ceviche of meagre fish, lime and kaffir lime, coconut milk. Needless to say Sauternes is more than a dessert wine.
2019 Château Coutet – Sauternes. $99.00
75% Sémillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Muscadelle. Vines average 50 years of age.
Lustrous gold. It's very round and gorgeous with some evolution already and quite a bit of botrytis effect. Golden syrup of the vines! Long. 18 Points Jancis Robinson
2019 Carmes de Rieussec – Sauternes. $65.00
This is the second label from Chateau Rieussec and this has always been a winner with Wine Connect. It is lighter in concentration than first label Sauternes and it is well suited as an aperitif style and it is the perfect accompaniment to paté and terrine.
