wine-info
Bordeaux, May 2012
This is the first Stone, Vine & Sun list dedicated to Bordeaux. (Admittedly, when we founded the business ten years ago our messianic enthusiasm for the wines of the Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon came with a contrarian disregard of Bordeaux). So why now? - apart, perhaps, from an indication of maturity (or rather middle age...). The reason is simple: the reds of the 2009 vintage. Last year we began selling the early releases of this great year, and their fruit, flesh and all-round appeal demanded that we zip down to Bordeaux in freezing January weather to hunt around for more. Whilst we were there Robert Parker was retasting the 2009s in Bordeaux. He re-affirmed his original judgement that “this is unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted... What was clear in the tastings from the bottle…is the remarkable consistency of the vintage... Of course, everyone focuses on the top of the pyramid… yet, truth be known, they only represent a small percentage of what Bordeaux produces, and there are hundreds and hundreds…of wines under $25 a bottle that represent absolutely compelling value”. We couldn’t put it better.
Of course this selection isn’t simply of the 14 reds from 2009: we found fascinating little parcels of 2005s and 2006s. Then there are highly enjoyable and under-valued, beautifully perfumed whites: the unoaked examples with plenty of Sauvignon Blanc taste riper and weightier than wines from the Loire at the same price; and the oaked wines based on Semillon likewise offer a really fascinating alternative to white Burgundy. We also include a pair of rosés and four sweet wines.
This is a 100% Secure Ecommerce Website
Our Favourite Selection
-
Product Code: CHZ110
Domaine des Chazelles, Viré-Clessé, Vieilles Vignes, 2010
“From a very sunny, well-exposed site, this has become one of our benchmark wines: lightly (almost undiscernibly) oaked and with an ability to age...”
-
Product Code: PRF112
Preignes Le Vieux, Syrah, IGP Pays d’Oc , 2012
“This refined and pure Syrah is new to our list - in style it’s worlds away from an inky Australian example, rather crafted in a light and fragrant...”
-
Product Code: SUM213
Summer Staples
“A selection from our Summer list containing two bottles each of 3 whites and 3 reds, six different varieties, with a discount of 10%”
More Info
-
Product Code: DEP111
Domaine Depeyre, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Rouge, 2011
“From about 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 25% Carignan, grown on black schist vineyards near the village. Youthful, opaque purple. This delivers a...”
-
Product Code: PUT712
Château de Putille, Anjou Blanc Sec, 2012
“Ripe pears and a touch of lavender honey on the nose. Attractive weight and rich texture, with bright, pure flavours of pear and melon: a lovely...”
-
Product Code: MUD211
Mud House, The Woolshed Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2011
“Sourced from the Woolshed block of Mud House’s Marlborough vineyards in the upper Wairau Valley. The sheltered hillside site and clay soils shape...”
-
Product Code: NAV210
Domaine Navarre, Saint-Chinian, Le Laouzil, 2010
“Deep ruby. Ripe and seductive scent of morello cherries. This combines great purity of red fruit with impressive concentration. Lushly textured....”
-
Product Code: ESC111
Escarpment, The Edge Pinot Noir, Martinborough, 2011
“In 1998, after building a huge reputation at both Delegats and Martinborough Vineyards, Larry McKenna established Escarpment on 24 hectares of...”
-
Product Code: CHL110
Chapin & Landais, Saumur Brut, Le Grand Saumur, 2010
“We continue with this excellent vintage fizz, made from Chenin Blanc (here known as Pineau de Loire) with 10% Chardonnay. Chenin Blanc has excellent...”
-
Product Code: CL313
Chenin Styles
“A selection from our Loire list containing two bottles each of six whites; 1 sparkling, 2 dry, 1 medium and 2 sweet, at a discount of 10%.”
More Info
-
Product Code: CEN210
Cennatoio, Innominato, Toscana Rosso, IGT, 2010
“The “nameless” wine is a blend of 70% Sangiovese and 15% of each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Soft purple. Aromas of red fruit and cloves....”
-
Product Code: APA410
Apaltagua, Envero, Gran Reserva Carmenère, Apalta Vineyard Selection, Colchagua, 2010
“The hillside slopes of the Apalta valley, a sub-region of Chile’s warm Colchagua Valley is a superb terroir for red grapes, notably Carmenère....”
Share this website with your friends
