Page 4 - Wine Journal

Our selections for July 2021 are:

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Les Hauts de Smith Rosé 2020, Bordeaux, not rated - Summer is here, and we would like to shake things up a bit by introducing our subscribers to one of our favorite rosés: Les Hauts de Smith Rosé from the renowned Château Smith Haut Lafitte.  Château Smith Haut Lafitte has experienced an incredible rise in quality and critical acclaim over the past few vintages.  A huge push has been made toward organic viticulture in the vineyard, and this is reflected in the amazing accolades over their latest vintages of grand vin.  Though many think Bordeaux is a region that only produces red wine,  Pessac-Léognan is also known for its top-quality whites, and now rosé.  Production of rosé has been increasing throughout the region and more and more estates are crafting Cabernet or Merlot-based expressions of this delicious, pink beverage.  Bordeaux rosé – though dry – is a bit fruitier and heartier than its Provençal cousins, and

Have you tasted Château Figeac? Do you have it in your cellars?  Why do we ask these questions?  Allow us to elaborate.

Unlike the Left Bank classification of Médoc which dates back to 1855, Saint-Émilion revises its classification periodically.  The next revision is slated to be in 2022.  That’s where Château Figeac comes in.  Figeac is one of the estates currently classified as Premiers Grands Crus Classés.  This is a shortlist of 18 producers (out of hundreds) that represent the best of Saint-Émilion.  To be recognized as a member of this group is already quite the honor.  However, the crème de la crème would not be a French expression if we cannot identify a handful few that stand out among peers, nonetheless.  To recognize its best Premiers Grands Crus Classés, Saint-Émilion has its A list: the original two - Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc, and the new entrants since 2012 - Château Angélus and Château Pavie.

It has been widely

If you are in Paris, after visiting Arc de Triomphe, a 20-minute stroll down Champs-Élysées will take you to La Réserve Paris, a lovely hotel where you can enjoy either a light or a fancy lunch at the Michelin-starred La Gabriel restaurant.  If you are in the mood for wine, their menu offers a fabulous selection of different vintages from Château Cos d'Estournel.

That is no coincidence.  La Réserve Paris and Château Cos d'Estournel share the same devoted owner, Michel Reybier, who created an intensely intimate and luxurious experience that took luxury spa and hotel to a new level before acquiring the storied estate in Bordeaux.

Happy Father's Day!  If you want to top off your Father's Day gift, here is an idea: Château Canon 2020 is a must-buy of the vintage, a potential 100 point wine, according to more than one wine critic.

Our selections for June 2021 are:

Anwilka 2007 - A mere 7 kilometers from the ocean in the prestigious region of Stellenbosch, this fabulous red blend is one of the most stunning expressions of South African red wine to date.  This star of a property was purchased in the late 1990s and an extensive replanting of the vineyards subsequently followed.  It was a team effort among three friends: Lowell Jooste – the former 4th generation owner of Klein Constantia before he relocated to southern California, Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus in Saint-Émilion, and Bruno Prats, the former owner of Château Cos d’Estournel.  The original vintage of Shiraz-Cabernet blend was released in 2005.  The blend beguiled the palates of critics like Robert Parker, who described it as, “the finest red wine I have ever had from South Africa.” Shortly after the glowing reviews of the press were released, the wine skyrocketed in terms of demand.  Anwilka continues to be one of the premier expressions

Our selections for May 2021 are:

Château Carbonnieux 2015 Pessac Léognan, Rated 91-93 (Neal Martin) This adored property has one of the longest and most extensive histories in all of Bordeaux, dating back to the 12th Century.  The vineyard is an astonishing 900-hectares, making it the largest in the appellation.  Yet despite its size, Château Carbonnieux still manages to have rigorous quality control, yielding some gorgeous, charming, and consistent wines.   The wines are produced at Château Carbonnieux with a mixture of tradition and modern innovation, resulting in timeless red and white wines, with much critical acclaim.  Balance is key at the estate, and if there was one word to describe the vinification process, it would be “gentle.”  The aim here is to preserve the wine’s roundness and mineral qualities – never to create some over-the-top, roughly tannic wine.  This results in incredibly beautiful and balanced wines that are versatile enough to drink after some decanting

Our selections for April 2021 are:

Château Berliquet 2010 Saint-Émilion, Rated 90-93 (Robert Parker Jr) - This is one of the oldest properties in the Right Bank appellation of Saint-Émilion.  This 10-hectare vineyard is planted with an even split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  The philosophy of vignerons here is about capturing the tension of the limestone and the strength of clay terroir in every vintage.  Starting in 2007, the legendary Nicolas Thienpont of the famed Saint Émilion Premiere Grand Crus Classé Class ‘B’ estate, Château Pavie Macquin,  and well-known consultant Stephan Derenoncourt began advising this property.  Quality since then has skyrocketed as these gifted vignerons began implementing cutting edge technology such as optical sorting in 2009.  In 2017, Château Berliquet was acquired by the Chanel Group, the famous fashion label which also owns the Second Growth property in Margaux, Château Rauzan Ségla.  The 2010 vintage of Château Berliquet provides the

(Credit: Château Latour) 

At Château Latour, Cabernet Sauvignon is king.  The estate boasts the most plantings of this regal varietal out of all the First Growths at about 10,000 plants per hectare – that’s over 80% of its vineyard!  The wines of Château Latour possess everything a Cabernet-lover dreams about.  Raw, unbridled power, energy, stunning fruit, and of course – ageability.  Château Latour’s Grand Vin is one of the most age-worthy wines on the market, with the ability to lay down for decades.  

In fact, Latour wines are so robust, that in 2012 Château Latour made the radical decision to eliminate Futures and only release their wines when they were ready to drink.   It’s decisions like these – and many others – that put Château Latour in a league of its own.  The visionaries at this property do not rest on their laurels by any means.  Instead, they focus tirelessly on making innovative choices in their relentless pursuit of a perfect bottle, vintage after

Our selections for March are:

Paul Jaboulet Aîné La Maison Bleue 2016  Last month, we presented Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert.  This month, we bring you another wine from the same producer.  Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aîné is considered one of the jewels of Hermitage, producing beautiful Syrah with unparalleled complexity and intensity.  The vineyards were established almost 200 years ago by Antoine Jaboulet on the slopes of the Rhône Valley.  A small chapel, built in 1235, sits on top of the hill surrounded by vineyards.  The chapel was lived in by a hermit.  Hence, the name for the appellation, Hermitage.  The current winemaker and viticulturist, Caroline Frey, took over operations at the property in 2014 after graduating from Bordeaux University.  She converted Paul Jaboulet Aîné over to biodynamic viticultural practices and installed a 100% gravity-flow vat room.  The wines are truly stunning and continue to improve year after year.  The