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The 2016 Chateau Margaux is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, plus 1% of Petit Verdot, representing 28% of the total production. Lucid in color, it has a detailed and precise bouquet with mineral-rich blackberry, raspberry coulis and limestone scents. It feels very perfumed, though not powerful like many Grand Vins in 2016. The palate is a different creature to the aromatics. Here is the intensity of the vintage with shimmering black fruit laced with spice, a killer line of acidity and an irresistible crescendo on the finish. Then, graphite lingering on the aftertaste, a nod to Pauillac perhaps. The aftertaste is so long you could probably write a letter to your friend enthusing about this wine before the aftertaste fades. Doubtless it is destined to be compared to the magnificent '15 Chateau Margaux and to be truthful, there’s a hair’s breadth between them. In a worDecanter: crystalline. Drink 2026-2070.

Reserva Real was created after his majesty King Don Juan Carlos visited the winery in 1995, and was treated to one of the most exclusive and limited production wines in Spain. It’s difficult – almost impossible – not to fall head over heels in love with this rare, multi-award-winning wine. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Only about 2,000 bottles are made from the vineyard in Medlona, Alt Penedes each year. What is so special about the vineyard is the atypical slate soil, which pushes and enhances the ripeness and concentration of the fruit. The wine undergoes 30 days of skin contact and is aged for eighteen months in new French oak.

Intense mahogany red with hints of russet. Its aroma can be identified by its great aromatic intensity, with notes from its long ageing in new oak (liquorice, spices, vegetation), complemented with lactic notes and those of jam. On the palate this wine is characterised by a lush attack, good body and concentration that befit a wine that’s perfect for laying down. Its tannins are sweet and well-structured and it has a long, elegant finish.

This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot is a nicely dense wine, with very refined aromas of caramel leather and red fruits; Good structure, the tannins are present but melted, the wine offers a good acidity that brings a lot of freshness to this vintage Finish: Long with beautiful fruits along with minerality and freshness.

Crafted from organically-grown grapes

The 2016 Clos Fourtet is a blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new oak. It has a generous, well defined licorice-tinged fruit that is very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, blackberry and boysenberry fruit with that salted licorice theme continuing. This Clos Fourtet has impressive concentration, yet there is real elegance and persistence, fanning out wonderfully towards the finish. Mathieu Cuvelier has overseen another outstanding Clos Fourtet. Tasted twice, with a second bottle demonstrating a tad more backbone but equally admirable.

The blend pays tribute to the Right Bank’s black grape variety, so the Carillon d’Angelus 2017 expresses all the smoothness and opulence of Merlot (90%) with the elegance of Cabernet Franc (10%) that brings finesse to distinguish the wine. With its beautiful dark color, the Carillon d’Angelus 2017 instantly charms with its bewitching aromatic bouquet. The nose discovers ample and pure fresh fruit aromas. The palate starts with a sumptuous attack that reveals the magnitude of the vintage’s personality. The generous concentration extends to a powerful finish that ends in elegance and harmony.

James Suckling: 93-94Pts; Wine Enthusiast: 91-92Pts; Vinous: 92Pts; Decanter: 91Pts; Robert Parker: 90Pts

Showing spectacularly, the 2017 Chateau Canon checks in as a final blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc that’s from one of the most exceptional terroirs in the appellation. Hitting 14% alcohol, it reveals a ruby/purple hue as well as gorgeously sweet raspberries and cassis-like fruit interwoven with notes of spring flowers, rose petal, white chocolate, and spice. While it doesn’t have the massive opulence of the 2015 and 2016, it’s more classically styled as well flawlessly balanced, with a terrific sense of minerality, ultra-fine tannins, and a brilliant finish. Give bottles 5-7 years in the cellar, and it will evolve gracefully for 30-40 years. 

Lillet is a classic French Aperitif, crafted in the Bordeaux region since 1872. It is a blend of Bordeaux wine, macerated liqueurs (mostly citrus) and quinine which bring a delicious bitterness. Lillet Rose is made with Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon and shows light aromas of berries, orange blossom and grapefruit; Fresh, lively and fruity. Great served very chilled or in cocktails.

Thanks to the acquisition of vines planted at a place called in Pontet and the chai built in Fumet, Roger Bardet developed the first cuvées of the Pontet-Fumet castle in 1962. His grandchildren, today watch over this beautiful inheritance located in the appellation of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru: a magnificent terroir by the Dordogne from South to West Graves.Sporting a beautiful dress with garnet and ruby reflections, Château Pontet-Fumet reveals a complex and elegant nose.Silky and generous on the palate, its dense and balanced structure asserts itself by a good length.

The 2017 Chateau Margaux is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little coaxing to reveal alluring notes of blackcurrant cordial, Black Forest cake and black raspberries with suggestions of candied violets, tilled soil, fallen leaves, licorice and espresso plus wafts of underbrush and rosehip tea. Medium-bodied, the elegance and finesse on the palate is simply bedazzling, exuding a quiet intensity of fresh black fruits layered with oh-so-subtle floral and earth nuances. It has a soft, velvety texture and seamless freshness to support the tightly wound flavors, finishing long and perfumed. Beautiful! This grand vin accounts for just 37% of the crop. Drink: 2024-2060.

Sena 2015 shines by its perfect balance and seamless structure, marked by its many layers of pure fruit and silky tannins. The wine displays wonderful complexity, along with unique tension, energy and elegance. This is a definite recognition that Chile belongs to the major leagues of wine, and is a righteous reward to the team’s hard work and dedication.

Guided by intuition and backed by family heritage, Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi handcrafted a wine of distinctive quality and character. Sena is the culmination of their wonderful parternship and a passionate journey. Sena is an authentic Chilean blend made from the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot varieties. The Carmenere variety adds an evident Chilean personality to the wine. Chadwick and Mondavi searched for four long years before finding the ideal Chilean terroir in Valle de Aconcagua. There, they acquired 350 hectares of virgin hillside land, with grapes grown with a biodynamic approach. This is Chile’s finest premium wine.

Crafted from organically-grown grapes

Falstaff: 90/92Pts; Wine Enthusiast: 90Pts; Jancis Robinson: 16.5/20Pts

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Pape Clement is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, is outrageously beautiful. Rich, deep and luscious on the palate, it possesses tremendous energy and richness from start to finish. Sweet red cherry, red plum, blood orange, spice and herb notes abound in an unctuous, racy wine of the highest level. The 2017 is deep, explosive, and wonderfully persistent.

A blend of 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Chateau Clos Fourtet comes all from the upper limestone plateau and spent 18 months in 60% new French oak. This deep ruby/purple-hued effort offers a rocking perfume of ripe black raspberries, cassis, crushed stone, chocolate, and flowery incense. Powerful, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it’s beautifully done, has ripe, present tannins, and a great finish. It ranks with the gems in this solid vintage and will benefit from just short-term cellaring and cruise for 20-25 years or more in cold cellars. 

James Suckling: 97Pts; Decanter: 97Pts; Wine Enthusiast: 96Pts; Guia Penin: 94Pts; Wine Advocate: 93Pts; Wine Spectator: 92Pts

The 2012 Sena is half Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Carmenere, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Bright and focused, with a nose mixing red fruit, it is also bright-colored, with ripe black fruit and balsamic notes in the shape of tobacco and cedar wood, with a medium-bodied palate, very good freshness and acidity, sophisticated, polished and fine-grained tannins. This is still a baby, but the silky texture makes it accessible now, while the complexity should come with more time.

Guided by intuition and backed by family heritage, Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi handcrafted a wine of distinctive quality and character. Sena is the culmination of their wonderful parternship and a passionate journey. Sena is an authentic Chilean blend made from the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot varieties. The Carmenere variety adds an evident Chilean personality to the wine. Chadwick and Mondavi searched for four long years before finding the ideal Chilean terroir in Valle de Aconcagua. There, they acquired 350 hectares of virgin hillside land, with grapes grown with a biodynamic approach. This is Chile’s finest premium wine.

Crafted from organically-grown grapes