Bon Coeur Founder and Chairman, James Goodhart, has handpicked his top 6 Christmas Clarets you must drink throughout the holidays... Discover a world of Fine Wines with our Hidden Gems, Rising Stars and Customer Favourites. Go on, treat yourself this Christmas!
Château Corbin, St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2014
An excellent property that we have been following for several years under the watchful eye of the fourth female generation with Annabelle Cruse-Bardinet. The estate is situated on the north-west section of the Corbin plateau and the subsoil is predominantly clay-based as opposed to the regular limestone, which crafts richer and more fuller bodied wines that its neighbours. My mini Château Canon!
"This is a gorgeous wine, it has wonderfully flexible tannins that are full of life. It has a lovely gourmet edge, with a touch of dark chocolate and lovely damson fruit, as well as great texture and complexity. A real wine to discover and savour, from a vintage that generally did better on the left bank." Drink 2022-2026. 92/100 points. Jane Anson
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Château Meyney, St. Estèphe 2012
Located in the heart of St. Estèphe, we believe this is a hidden gem property with 51-hectares of vines spread across 63 plots right next door to the Super Second Growth; Château Montrose... it has even been mistaken for Montrose in recene blind tastings! Despite not being classified, Jane Anson rightly points out it is 'always one of the real value picks in St. Estèphe', and we wholeheartedly agree and is one of our Médoc hidden gems.
"The 2012 Meyney is a deep, structured wine with a lot going on in the glass. The expressive bouquet alone is enticing, but all the elements simply come together effortlessly. The pliant fruit suggests the 2012 can be enjoyed young - and it can - but there is also more than enough depth to allow the wine to age gracefully for years. This is an impressive Saint-Estèphe, especially for the year. Drink 2018-2032." 91/100 points. Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, January 2016
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Château de Sales, Pomerol 2010
Chateau de Sales is owned by no less than 14 cousins and headed up by Henri and Marguerite de Lambert, and has strong claims to be the Bordeaux estate with the longest time in any one family's hand (since 1464!). Marine Treppoz is the President, and along with cousins Henri and Marguerite, represent the 25th generation at de Sales. Located in the far west Pomerol, with 47-hectares of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are almost all in one block on sandy soils, which has produced in the excellent 2010 vintage a supple, rounded and delicious Pomerol.
"Good medium ruby. Blackcurrant, violet and a dusty mineral note on the deep nose. Dense, lush and chewy, offering, pure, precise dark berry and floral flavors. Finishes broad, saline and very long, with a density of texture and a degree of fruit concentration that I have never before found in De Sales--and that I didn't even think was possible in view of this estate's very sandy soils. Without doubt the best wine ever made by owner Bruno de Lambert. Well done." 90/100 points. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, August 2013
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Château Phélan Ségur, St. Estèphe 2012
Our rising star of St. Estèphe! This 70-hectare property is nestled away between its famous neighbours Châteaux Calon Ségur and Montrose. We believe that under the ownership Philippe Van de Vyere, the future is an exciting one for Phélan Ségur in the more than capable hands of Managing Director; Véronique Dausse. 2012 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, and wowed us upon tasting... this won't be around long!
"Lots of glamour and density on the nose with real St-Estèphe integrity too. Round and chock full of St-Estèphe stoniness. Beautiful texture. Should last very well for a 2012..." Drink 2022-2040. 17.5/10 points. Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com, February 2016
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Château Langoa Barton, St. Julien 2011
Sister estate to the esteemed Second Growth, Château Léoville Barton. A well-respected Third Growth in its own right, Langoa Barton owns 18-hectares of prime vineyards planted on cool, gravel-clay soils like those of neighbouring Château Beychevelle. The estate is still run by Lilian Barton Sartorius and her children; Damien, and Mélanie, alongside consultant Eric Boissenot. Langoa Barton has improved dramatically in recent years to the point where we believe it is now producing wines of a similar quality level of its more famous sibling, yet a fraction of the price.
"Well placed black fruits, there is some austerity to the tannins and it is softer through the mid palate than you are going to find in this estate in more recent vintages, but it has a tomato leaf freshness and an appealing grilled cherry and woodsmoke aromatic that builds as it opens in the glass. Good stuff." Drink 2021-2038. 91/100 points. Jane Anson, decanter.com, February 2021
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Château Batailley, Pauillac 2010
Owned by the Castéja family since 1932, Batailley is without doubt the jewel in the crown for Borie-Manoux. A Classified 5th Growth that produces some of the most reliable and best value for money Pauillac available. Quality has improved in recent years through greater selection in the vineyards via yield reductions and new pruning techniques as well as the introduction of more stainless steel and cement vats in the cellars. One of the most consistent and affordable Bordeaux Growths, and 2010 is a stellar vintage.
"Aromas of freshly sliced mushrooms and dark fruits. Full body, with an incredible depth of fruit and finesse here. The tannins are amazing quality. Love the texture. Give it four to five years of bottle age." 94/100 points. James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2013
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Prices quoted are per bottle, by the case (6x75cl or 12x75cl) and include Duty & VAT.
Free delivery to UK mainland for orders over £200 retail. Standard delivery charged at £15 if order totals less.
