Ch?teau d'Armailhac is a wine estate in the Pauillac appellation of the M?doc. As Mouton d'Armailhac, it was ranked as a fifth growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Improvements in quality in recent decades mean that it is now regarded as one of Pauillac's best-value wines.

Neal Martin Rating 91

"The 2009 Ch?teau d'Armailhac has a lovely nose, the Cabernet Sauvignon component more expressive compared to my previous encounter, graphite infusing the generous black fruit that is in keeping with the style. The palate is medium-bodied with touches of cherry liqueur and spice on the entry, the Merlot in the driving seat with good acidity and a lively, spicy finish with tobacco, hickory and black pepper on the aftertaste. It is a delicious d'Armailhac that is just about ready to rock 'n roll. Tasted August 2016."

Drink Date 2018 - 2032

This wine was labeled as Chateau Mouton d?Armailhac from 1750 to 1955 and its name has morphed over the centuries to become Ch?teau d?Armailhac today. It's a dry, medium bodied high quality Bordeaux with firm structure and very good aging ability. 

Its dark berry and redcurrant flavours benefit from the added complexity of black olive, herb and cedar notes. This drinks well now and will evolve positively for up to a decade, potentially beyond, in optimal cellar conditions. 

"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 D?Armailhac (a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) hits the ground running with wonderfully open-knit, flamboyant scents of Morello cherries, black raspberries, blackcurrant jelly and rose oil, leading to an undercurrent of cinnamon toast, aniseed and mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is charged with energy and expressiveness, delivering red and black berry layers with loads of spicy sparks, framed by plush tannins, finishing long and fragrant."

Rating 93+
Drink Date 2022 - 2039
Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Chateau de Fonbel is owned by the Vauthier family, who also own Ch. Ausone, and the 16 ha vineyard and winery is found just below Ausone and Moulin St Georges in the famous right bank appellation of Saint Emilion.

Now run by Alain Vautier, the wine benefits from all the associated positives of its link to the highly regarded Ausone and is seen as one of the rising stars of the appellation, consistently offering solid wines of high quality.

The vineyard is unusually planted with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% petit verdot for the St. Emilion appellation. These two varieties give the wine structure whilst also adding layers of complexity which are complimentary to the Merlot component which makes up 70% of the blend. the balance is made up by 3% carmenere, and the wine spends 10 months in oak (30% new), producing a wine with long ageing potential - up to 15 years.

75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec

"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Pitray features bright, expressive wild blueberries, black raspberries and warm plums scents with hints of spice cake and potpourri. Full-bodied, the palate is laden with juicy blue and black fruits, framed by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with beautiful purity."
92 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon join forces in this powerful, smooth and structured red with its flavours of red plums, dried thyme and black olives in a wine that drinks beautifully now, especially alongside savoury flavours such as mushrooms, aubergine and venison. 

Chateau Duhart-Milon is in the Pauillac appellation in the Medoc on Bordeaux' left bank and is owned by the Rothschild family, who acquired this 4er Cru chateau in 1962. 

The property is named after the Sieur of Duhart, who was a gun runner to Louis XIV, the original owner of the land. The second part of the name, Milan, comes from the small hamlet of Milan, which separates the Duhart-Milon vineyard from Chateau Lafite. 

The Blanc is pale yellow in colour, with green highlights. The bouquet is strong and characterful, with aromas of broom flower, citrus fruit, peaches, and apricots. The wine is elegant, delicate and quite vivacious on the palate.

Grape 80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc

Food match oysters, mussels, fish

Classic Graves from an exceptional vintage which favoured the left bank. This shows hallmark cassis and bramble fruit with lovely ripe tannins and keen balancing acidity. Entry level Bordeaux at it's best.

Chateau du Tertre Margaux is one of the estate?s flagship wines. It is silky and elegant, yet powerful and concentrated. The palate is fruit forward with excellent texture, tannin and balance. This wine will age very well in the cellar but is already drinking excellently.

Commanding Bordeaux made from Merlot and Petit Verdot from one of the estates owned by the Borie family of Ducru-Beaucaillou in Saint-Julien. This is a second tier wine from a great estate. 

The 2018 Grand-Puy-Ducasse is deep garnet-purple in color and has quite a lot of cedar/oak on the nose to begin, opening out to a core of warm black and red currants, stewed plums and mulberries with touches of pencil shavings, fried herbs, lavender and tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, the palate gives a firm, grainy frame with some chew from the oak and fresh, crunchy red and black fruit, finishing savoury.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 91 to 93

Fabulous example of structured black fruited Bordeaux offering superb value for money with dark summer berry flavours, notes of dried thyme and black olives combining in a wine of complexity. Smooth and long. 

The primary grape is Cabernet Sauvignon, which is balanced by Merlot and Cab Franc. These varieties, along with the incredibly gravelly soils which gave the region it?s name, give you an extremely earthy wine with plenty of power and character.

The nose has notes of dark fruit, damp grass, mushroom and crushed stones. The palate continues the trend but adds mouth drying tannins; dark fruit character comes through. The finish is slightly herbaceous with notes of toasted cedar.
 A great glimpse of Graves at a great price.