Wine of the Month - April 2019

For the month of April 2019, we turn our focus to the village of Saint-Estèphe. Our selection features 2 exceptional cru bourgeois, and 2 amazing second wines of the super Second Growths: Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose. In addition, 3 of the 4 wines are from 2010, one is from 2015. Our regular customers know that both 2010 and 2015 are considered the peak performance years of Bordeaux Left Bank. With 2010 quickly approaching the 10th anniversary mark, these selections are aged perfectly to be enjoyed today.  The selection:

• 1 x Château Ormes de Pez 2010, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, 90 pts
• 1 x Château Phélan Ségur 2010, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, 90 pts
• 1 x La Dame de Montrose 2015, Second Wine of Château Montrose, Second Growth, Grand Cru Classé, 90 pts
• 1 x Les Pagodes de Cos 2010, Second Wine of Château Cos d'Estournel, Second Growth, Grand Cru Classé, 93 pts

Located north of Pauillac (which produces 3 First Growths, and numerous Second Growths), the Saint-Estèphe appellation possesses a terroir that has deep layers of clay with scattered presence of a marine limestone. The diverse soil composition gives its wines subtlety and complexity.

(Photo credit: LA MAISON DES VINS DE SAINT ESTÈPH)

Tasting Notes

Château Ormes de Pez 2010 - "This dense purple-colored 2010 exhibits dark raspberry and blueberry fruit notes, less power and structure than its neighbor De Pez, but more finesse, elegance and fruit forwardness. This impressively endowed effort should drink nicely for 10-15 years." - Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate (5/1/2011, Issue 194), Ratings: 87-90, Drink: 2013-2026

Château Phelan Segur 2010 - "A major sleeper of the vintage, the 2010 Phelan-Segur has a dense ruby/purple color, ripe mulberry and black currant fruit intermixed with some floral notes, and a hint of subtle oak as well as touches of lavender and licorice. Layered, opulent, ripe and fleshy, this beauty should drink nicely for 10-15 years." - Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate (2/27/2013, Issue 205), Ratings: 90, Drink: 2013-2028

La Dame de Montrose 2015 - "The 2015 La Dame de Montrose is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot that was picked between 15 September and 8 October. It has a perfumed, floral and pure bouquet with black cherries, blueberry and violets, all with commendable delineation for a deuxième vin. The palate is well balanced with a more sumptuous texture compared to its fellow Saint Estèphes, thanks to that lush Merlot that forms the core of this wine. It has commendable energy and feels approachable, therefore with 3-4 years in bottle, you should have yourself a fine if not exceptional La Dame de Montrose." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/27/2016, Issue 224), Rating: 88-90, Drink from: 2019-2032 

Les Pagodes de Cos 2010 - "Probably the best second wine ever made at Cos (although the 2009 should not be discounted), the 2010 Les Pagodes de Cos is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot finishing at 14% natural alcohol. This wine exhibits beautiful, silky tannins as well as sweet, rich mulberry and black currant fruit with hints of spring flowers, licorice and subtle toast. A full-bodied, opulent and -ideal- second wine, most people who have tasted it would probably agree that it is actually better than many vintages of Cos d-Estournel from the 1960s and 1970s. Drink it over the next 10-15 years." - Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate (2/27/2013, Issue 205), Rating: 93, Drink from: 2013-2028