Bordeaux

Ambrosius by name and by nature, this beautiful expression of Saint Emilion Grand Cru is a dry, impressive blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Grapes were grown on sandy soil and sandstone on one vineyard and this wine represents exceptional value for money, both for drinking now and for cellaring. Expect a commanding southern French red now; expect great complexity within four or five years of bottle age. 

Ch?teau La Tour Carnet is found on the road to Saint-Julien-Beychevelle and its beautiful 12th century quadrangular tower provides an indication to the structured and elegant wine that is made here.  Made by Bernard Magrez this wine is 60% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc and offers red fruits in abundance, balanced by subtle vanilla from time in oak. The palate is medium  bodied with ample silky tannins that help drive the wine to a long and powerful finish. 

"Composed of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Chambrun is deep garnet-purple in color with warm blackberries, black cherry pie and blueberry compote with touches of fried herbs and cedar. The palate is medium to full-bodied with bags of vibrant fruit and a firm frame of rounded tannins, finishing long and refreshing."

Rating (90 - 92)+

Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown

In the heart of the Bordeaux vineyard, Chateau Carbonneau is situated 20 kilometres from St Emilion and 35 kilometres from Bergerac. In a unique and idyllic setting, the chateau offers luxury accommodation and fine wines on the slopes of Pessac sur Dordogne.

Shortly after 1992, Wilfrid and Jacquie Franc de Ferriere inherited the property and began by replanting the vineyard with grape varieties typical of the Bordeaux region, especially Merlot which grows well on the slopes of Gensac. Thus began the revival of wine at Carbonneau. The Vineyard covers 15 hectares planted on the clay/limestone soils of the slopes of Gensac.

"The medium to deep garnet colored 2009 Langoa Barton is scented of warm red and black plums, dried mulberries and blackcurrant cordial with touches of dried mint and new leather. Medium to full-bodied with a solid frame of grainy tannins and bold freshness, it has loads of red and black berry preserves layers on the long, savory finish."

Rating 91
Drink Date 2019 - 2034
Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Chateau Montlabert is in the heart of St Emilion and produces some of its most outstanding red wines which have great longevity with their soft sweet warm fruit flavours and deep blackcurrant notes. Great concentration, fine smooth tannins and velvety richness all make this superb Right Bank red a wine to covet and collect. 

Winemaker Notes

Chateau Peymouton has a wonderful deep ruby color. It reveals a rich and elegant nose with delicious aromas of blackcurrant and plum. On the palate the attack is powerful, with fine, silky tannins. There are beautiful notes of ripe red fruits and the subtle minerality on the finish contributes to the freshness of the wine.

Critical Acclaim

WE91

Wine Enthusiast

Next door to, and under the same ownership as, Grand Cru Classé Château Laroque, Peymouton has produced a rich wine that has layers of tannins as well as elegantly perfumed fruit. Acidity and a dark texture give the wine its potential. Drink from 2022. 

Bordeaux at its best with the soft flesh of Merlot and structure of dark berry fruited Cabernet Sauvignon, both combining to make an outstanding wine for drinking now and for ageing. 

Château Anthonic’s vineyards extend over some 30 hectares and are composed of a mixture of clay and limestone soils (typical of the Moulis plateau) and parcels of sandy-clay and Garonne gravel. The composition is 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon resulting in an aromatic wine with notes of cassis, florals, toasty oak and racy minerality.

Chateau Belgrave is a large estate in the Medoc, on the left bank of Bordeaux, a region well known as Cabernet Sauvignon's stronghold. It makes up 46% of this bold, full bodied red, with the balance being 50% Merlot which adds flesh and roundness to the impressive structure of this wine. The inclusion of 4% Petit Verdot adds further complexity, intense colour and supports the tannin structure of this impressive wine. 

Chateau Belgrave is produced by Dourthe Estate, a family owned winery founded in 1840. The family now owns nine estates and 500 hectares of vineyards in Bordeaux.

Winemaker Notes

Blend: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot

Critical Acclaim

WE93

Wine Enthusiast

Produced by the team of Calon S?gur, this wine is stylish and elegant while also full of the Saint-Est?phe tannic structure. Fresh and fruity, it is also firm and tannic. Drink this spicy, juicy wine from 2025.

JS92

James Suckling

This is structured and very linear with superfine and polished tannins. It?s full-bodied yet reserved and held back with such tension and focus. Full-bodied, fine and chewy on the finish. Better in 2020.

D90

Decanter

Great freshness of bountiful, ripe fruit and fine ripeness from 68% Cabernet. A lovely wine from perfectly managed vineyards.

JD90

Jeb Dunnuck

A rocking wine from the northern M?doc is the 2015 Ch?teau Capbern and it?s 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot brought up in 60% new barrels. This medium to full-bodied, ripe, impressively concentrated beauty boasts outstanding notes of ripe black cherry and currant fruits intermixed with lots of crushed flower and damp earth/clay-like nuances. It has terrific purity and ripe, yet present, tannin and will benefit from a couple years in the cellar. It?s a little gem that will be loved by old-school Bordeaux lovers. Tasted twice.

In the heart of the Bordeaux vineyard, Chateau Carbonneau is situated 20 kilometres from St Emilion and 35 kilometres from Bergerac. In a unique and idyllic setting, the chateau offers luxury accommodation and fine wines on the slopes of Pessac sur Dordogne.

Shortly after 1992, Wilfrid and Jacquie Franc de Ferriere inherited the property and began by replanting the vineyard with grape varieties typical of the Bordeaux region, especially Merlot which grows well on the slopes of Gensac. Thus began the revival of wine at Carbonneau. The Vineyard covers 15 hectares planted on the clay/limestone soils of the slopes of Gensac.

"This great terroir sandwiched between Vieux Ch?teau Certan, Petrus and La Fleur Petrus, on the high plateau of Pomerol, has been owned for many years by the Barrau-Badar family. Beautiful coffee, cedar wood, Christmas fruitcake, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit jump from the glass of this full-bodied, rich, multi-layered, and very impressive Certan de May. I don?t remember it showing this well in barrel and post-bottling, but it is strutting its stuff at age 10, and has a good 20 years of upside left to it. This is a beauty. I especially admire the layered, textural style of the wine. Drink it over the next 20 years."

Rating 95+
Drink Date 2015 - 2035
Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Ch?teau Chantalouette is the second wine of Ch?teau de Sales. Owned by the same family for over five centuries, the 116 acre estate is the largest in the appellation and boasts the only true castle of Pomerol.

The vineyards here are composed of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon on small gravel and iron-rich loess.

Vinification is managed delicately, leading to beautifully crafted wines that are expressive of their terroir. Traditional racking and light egg-white fining help to preserve the brightness of the fruit.

Chantalouette is named after one of the larger parcels constituting the vineyard of Ch?teau de Sales. The wine is charming, round, elegant, and approachable from a young age.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cissac gives up savory notions of dried Provence herbs, charcuterie and Sichuan pepper over a core of red and black currant preserves with a touch of graphite. The medium-bodied palate delivers just enough black fruits with earthy/savory accents and a chewy texture, finishing with appealing freshness and a herbal lift.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown -  Wine Advocate