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2007 Bordeaux

 

As in England, the 2007 summer in Bordeaux was over by the end of April, at least until the beginning of September. The weather dithered about from May up to the end of August. Conditions were largely overcast, occasionally drizzly, with the odd storm thrown in. Then, on the day before calendar pages were flipped for the eighth time in 2007, the sun came out and September turned things on their head by ending up the driest since 1985.

 

The white wines, dry and sweet, have turned out to be exemplary. The best dries are some of the nerviest and most concentrated I can remember tasting. The sweets perhaps fall short of the extraordinary wines produced in 2001, but to fall short of a great classic is nothing to be ashamed of; these are stunning examples.

 

And the reds? The news is far from being all bad. There are disasters, yes: wines for which I reduced the time spent in oral examination to an absolute minimum, gaining more pleasure from the spitting than the tasting. Yet there are others that have thrown up real interest. Some properties have made better wines in ’07 than in ’06. Alcohol levels are generally low, so those clients who bemoan the general global trend of rising abvs will find much to like here. Similarly, acidities are generally on the low side. Most of the reds of ’07 will be early drinkers.

 

The list below shows the wines which we intend to buy in the course of the campaign. Selling prices will be inserted as soon as the wines are released. A basket indicates stock available to buy.

 

If you are interested in a wine which has sold out, please email Victoria as stock may become available at a later date. Similarly, if there are particular wines you want to secure, please email your “wish list” to Victoria and we will endeavour to secure the stock.

 

Sweet Whites

Dry Whites

Pomerol

St Emilion

Margaux

St Julien

Pauillac

St Estèphe

Pessac-Léognan & Graves

 

 

Sweet Whites

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Château Rieussec., Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A very rich, apricot and hazelnut nose. Meaty notes of gingery spice and lemon, with very good botrytis. In the mouth, this is sumptuous and really sweet, with burnt sugar flavours, those apricots again, plus a bucket-load of minerals. This is very well structured, with the acidity of Sauvignon Blanc at the end.

 

2017-2030 12x75cl £444.00

2007

Château Suduiraut, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

This is always one of the longest living of Sauternes and a personal favourite. Its ageing capabilities sometimes reveal themselves as a slight obscurity in the wine’s extreme youth i.e. Suduiraut can be hard to evaluate in its infancy! I loved the 2007, however:

 

A slightly reticent nose, but long on spice and the fruit an exotic blend of banana, mango and apricot. The palate is nutty-rich and highly structured for the long haul. This is sweet and backward and full of minerals; in fact the finish is laced with dry minerals. There’s a long, steely thrust at the core. Serious stuff!

2017-2035 12x75cl £459.00

2007

Clos Haut Peyraguey, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes: A very rich nose, like a liqueur made from very ripe, yellow pears sprinkled with spice. There's a great, fat weal of sweet, creamy fruit here. The juicy acidity is submersed beneath this fruit. There are flavours of nuts. The finish leaves the mouth quite dry and there's excellent intensity right at the back. A great profile here and a fabulous finish. This shows off the qualities of the vintage to a tee!
2017-2030 12x37.5cl £144.00

2007

Château Coutet., Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

The sample here is rather unfinished, yet there is a great presence of botrytis evident and ripe fruit of lemon meringue.

In the mouth, this is fully sweet, with berry-ish fruit; nutty. There are flavours of lemon and pear. I found a great, linear shape to the '07 Coutet. This is a subtle wine of high concentration. Complete and serious.

2015-2035 6x75cl £175.50

2007

Château De Malle, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

The sample's really pretty unfinished: cloudy. Quite simple pear fruit at the moment; nice and ripe, though.

There's clean pear and crystallised fruit to be found on the palate, along with fresh, lemon acidity. This is cool and pure; fresh and complete. The fruit has a spring-like quality. This is long and the finish is spicy/mineral. I like this very much.

2016-2025 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Doisy-Daëne, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes: There are some herbal Sauvignon Blanc aromas to this, like the crushed leaves of Choisya ternata. (If you've never crushed and sniffed the leaves of this plant, you should. It makes for a very good Sauvignon Blanc tasting note!) The aromas are rich and there's good botrytis in evidence. There are distinct flavours of strawberry here. DD has a very linear, clean profile this year. There's juicy, herbal fruit and fabulous length. Doisy-Daëne's now one of the most reliable performers in the region.
2016-2025 12x75cl £240.00

2007

Château Rabaud-Promis, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A very pear-drop nose that includes an interesting suspicion of liquorice root.

Ther pear-drops are there on the palate, too. This is long and has a finish full of intensity. A pretty wine underpinned with chalky minerals. Sherbet. Most attractive mouthful.

2017-2030 12x75cl £282.00

2007

Château Rayne-Vigneau, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

This is one of my "pet" chateaux. I love the style here.

The nose is rich and fresh, showing very good botrytis. There's almost a hint of simming pools about it, plus the lemon.

This is rich and cool and fresh and lemony/spicy. Great shape in the mouth. There's an almost peppery spice. Flavours of apple and lemon and the botrytis. Vigorous and composed; lively and structured. Some green, herbal, Sauvignon flavours at the start. A keeper. Great stuff.

2016-2025 12x75cl £225.00

2007

Château d'Yquem, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Notes:
2020-2040 12x75cl £3,960.00


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Dry Whites

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Château Bouscaut Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

As usual, there is a degree of toasty wood on the nose at this stage. The fruit beneath is cool and peary, with a touch of green apple peel.

The palate reveals good energy. There's a distinctive herbal note to the crunch. Good meaty weight through the middle palate as it builds crunchily in the mouth. Long and green apply. Concentrated. There's real nuance here. Very good.

2011-2016 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Carbonnieux Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

The nose is slightly reticent, although there is some pleasant whitecurrant, fresh fruit, minerals and sage-like herbal aromas.

This is nicely composed amd ripely meaty, with very good intensity. Gravel minerals in evidence. This is long and has fine concentration; real presence at the finish. Crushed rocks  and lemons. A great success!

2012-2018 12x75cl £207.00

2007

Château de France Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

There's real meatiness to the nose. Crushed rock minerals, lemons and green apples.

Peary, fresh fruit in the mouth. There's a nice weight of slightly meaty, mineral fruit. This is complex and gains throughout in prickly minerality and freshness. Crisp, full apple and lemon finish. Very good effort.

2011-2015 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

This is almost water white in the glass.

A ripe nose, not that pronounced at the moment. There are aromas of small oranges and tangerines, whitecurrant and orange flowers. Good complexity.

The is serious from the off; crunchy throughout. Backward, gaining in intensity through the palate. Lots of crushed rocks and there's long, lemony acidity. Complete and linear, with great drive at the back. The finish is really solid. Fine wine.

2013-2020 12x75cl £501.00

2007

Château Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 45% Semillon and 55% Sauvignon Blanc

Very smoky nose. Floral and then there are the crushed rocks. Smoky, meaty, chicken skins aromas. Floral and lemony, with hints of what I call angelica.

This is creamy, with a cool-ripe emtry. Very bright fruit hemmed in with fine minerals. Melon, perhaps. Herbal, lemon fruit. Fabulous concentration. Very, very long. This gains in intensity at the back, with a finish that's somewhere beyond the horizon. Brilliant!

2013-2025 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes: A very toasty nose that includes hints of burnt match, beneath all of which is very ripe and rather delicious smelling pear fruit. The palate is peary and sunny and very mineral. This is much more terroir-driven and serious than normal. Compact, and there are flavours of wet stones and crushed minerals. And then there’s the crystalline pear fruit at the long finish. Very good.
2011-2016 12x75cl £216.00

2007

Château Laville-Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 83% Semillon, 17% Sauvignon Blanc

Very aromatic nose full of angelica and meaty, leafy aromas. Lemon and green orange; fennel.

This is very mineral; lemony and a touch closed. Lemon flavours tinged with aniseed, with great, granular minerailty. The acidity is well hidden, just medium and juicy and lemon and lime. Linear, with a disarmingly long finish.

2012-2022 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Intersting nose of spice (turmeric and coriander?), plus tangerine fruit. Lemon and earth.

There's a nice richness of tangerine fruit. This is very, very mineral and full of stony grip. Long and bristling with intensity. Complete. This is really quite powerful, with a great, full, solid finish. Big wine and a good one at that.

2011-2017 12x75cl £342.00

2007

Pavillon Blanc de Château Margaux, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A ripe, clear and delicious smelling nose of leafy whitecurrants, with a hint of tangerine.

This is concentrated, with herbal, angelica fruit and medium acidity. Long and full of vigour and great, juicy drive at the end. Just fabulous Pavillon Blanc

2011-2018 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A pretty nose, floral (chamomile; elderflower), plus lemon, apple and lime fruit.

This is rich, with solid, concentrated fruit of pear and lemon and lime. Very grainily mineral. Soapy, lime-llike acidity. This is powerful and very long, with a fabulous finish.

 

Retasted in London 30/04/08

A very pungent nose of crushed Choisya leaves, mint and lemon and lime. Concentrated, with sandy minerals. Long and quite solid. Juicy, composed, controlled. Long and grippy. A fabulous example of the vintage. 18.5/20.

2013-2019 12x75cl £465.00

2007

Château de Fieuzal Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes: A ripe and floral nose, pretty and summery, giving up fruit of tangerine and lemon. The palate is quite backward at the moment; rather reined in. This is very mineral and grippy and prolonged. There’s a wealth of lime-like acidity and a really spicy finish. Long and lively.
2012-2017 6x75cl £141.00


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Pomerol

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Château Clinet., Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Clinet this year gives off ripe, slightly tarry scents of pure, slightly peppery bramble fruit. The nose is a little creamy, a touch smoky. The palate is creamy, the fruit cool and blackberry. There are rich, integrated, nutty tannins and a minerality that swells through the palate. Subtle grip I found here. The tannins coat the mouth and squeak against the teeth like fine beach sand. This is linear, with a nice finish. Despite its dryness, I like it.

"One of the finest Pomerols of the vintage, Clinet's 2007 reveals an impressive display of chocolate-infused black cherry and blackberry fruit intertwined with hints of truffles and incense. It is a dense, medium to full-bodied, well-built effort with sweet tannin as well as surprising richness and length. This beauty, a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years. It was made from yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare, and the natural alcohol is a remarkable 14%." Robert Parker

2014-2021 12x75cl £351.00

2007

Château La Conseillante., Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Very nice, creamy blackcurrant and pure plum fruit to the nose. Good concentration of aromas. This is floral and gives off wisps of smoke and nuts.

There are some fine, integrated tannins in the mouth. A juicy and cool wine. Very mineral and composed. A cool arrow of fresh fruit flies through this. Crisp and lively and very tasty.

2013-2020 6x75cl £300.00

2007

Vieux Château Certan., Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc

Lovely colour: a deep ruby/purple

A pretty nose of summery, fresh fruits. There's real spice from the Franc, blackcurrants and pencil shavings.

This is full of structure right from the off. Cool and medium weight, with very fine, nutty, integrated tannin. A complete wine and a very good one.

2012-2020 6x75cl £540.00


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St Emilion

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Château Angélus, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A very rich nose and a very floral one. I found blackcurrants and spice and plums. Complex and delicious smelling.

This is creamy and discreet and balanced. Red and black plum fruit. Cool and intense. And you won't hvae to wait too long.

2013-2020 12x75cl £1,050.00

2007

Château Beau-Séjour-Bécot, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A floral nose of very ripe apples and their blossom, plus red and black plums.

A very cool and fluid entry meets the tongue. Nice easy style to BSB this vintage.There are some rich tannins, but they're ripe and integrated. Balckcurrant and plum fruit. A fresh wine.

2013-2020 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Bellefont-Belcier, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

A very smoky oak nose spices up ripe fruit of bramble and black plum.

A cool entry to the palate here and a touch creamy, too. Some big, nutty tannins frame the pure plum fruit. This is cool; almost a touch aloof. Fresh and long and grippy, with a subtle, linear shape. Finishes very well indeed.

2011-2018 12x75cl £177.00

2007

Château Bellevue, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A black, smoky nose that includes brambles and earth; rather brooding.

This is very cool adn highly structured from the front. The blackest fruit in a pretty fresh package. Bramble and plum. Dusty, rich tannins in profusion. Very long. A bit of a monster!

2014-2020 12x75cl £321.00

2007

Château Berliquet, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A very floral nose here. The fruit's all about the ripest red apples and red and black plums.

On entry, this is very cool and fluid, with a nice easy style. There are some rich, nutty tannins that are very ripe and integrated. Blackcurrant and plum, fresh fruit. This is charming.

2013-2019 12x75cl £189.00

2007

Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

The nose is rather closed, but I did coax some black cherry and plum fruit from the glass. It smells fresh and tangy.

The entry manages ot be both tangy and creamy. The fruit's all about plums. This is loaded with integrated, rich tannins. Fresh and quite backward. Classy and super-cool.

2013-2020 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Cheval-Blanc, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot

This is very deep, almost opaque.

The nose is very fresh, with spicy Cab Franc aromas. There are hints of chocolate and violet.

Take a sip, and this is creamy, showing very fresh blackcurrant fruit. Very mineral; long, linear and complex. Rather beautiful, in fact. There are nutty/buscuity tannins and just medium acidity. This is cool and classy. Fabulous profile. Fabulous altogether, actually. One of the wines of the vintage.

2013-2025 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Clos Fourtet, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Big colour here.

Strawberry and raspberry nose, along with glacé blueberry notes.

This is a very cool wine, showing delightful raspberry fruit. Real persistence; subtle and elegant. There's great length here, too. Clos Fourtet's made something very good from the vintage

2012-2018 12x75cl £312.00

2007

Clos La Madelaine, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A creamy nose and floral with it. Lots of pure red and black fruits.

There are walnut flavours here, along with the fresh plums. Rich and quite grippy tannins. I find this very credible. Lovely nutty, mineral length...and what length! This offers great value.

2012-2018 12x75cl £153.00

2007

Château Figeac, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A distinct note of pencil shavings plus, as ever, the Figeac mélange of red and black fruits, currants and plums. This is floral, too.

In the mouth, the 2007 Gigeac's creamy, yet full of freshness. There are some very fine tannins and great minerality. Very long and full of purpose. The tannins are squeaky, but ripe and integrated. Good and intense and long with it. Very good for '07.

2014-2020 12x75cl £519.00

2007

Château de Fonbel, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes: The nose here has a pleasing density, with a lovely creaminess. The fruit aromas are about blackcurrant and plum. The palate is a little creamy and very cool. There’s a little very fine tannin. Fonbel’s fresh and forward in ’07, with nice length. An elegant St Em.
2010-2016 12x75cl £105.00

2007

Château La Gaffelière, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

There are oaky notes to a nose that's redolent of loganberry and myrtle. Hints of chocolate.

Decently rich palate, very cool, with almond-fine tannin. Nice integration altogether. There's tasty fruit of bramble and plum. This is long and natural and very good

2012-2019 12x75cl £309.00

2007

Château La Tour du Pin, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 25% Cabernet Franc and 75% Merlot

Opaque, with a very narrow band at the rim.

Light, fresh nose of summery fruits. Fresh plums and a touch of nutty wood.

A creamy entry here, very pure. Nice minerals. Very long; integrated, structured, fresh and elegant. Very good.

2012-2017 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Lucia, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc

A nose of violet and creamy red and black plums; roses, perhaps.

A creamy entry. The fruits are plush and red and black. There are some slightly sandy-but-ripe, medium tannins. This is elegant and forward, with medium, covered acidity.

2011-2017 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Moulin St Georges, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes: A floral, nutty nose, showing very fresh fruit. This is really quite aromatic. Fresh plums and blackcurrants and a bit of dark chocolate. Hint of rose petal. This is very cool and more backward than the Fonbel from the same stable. There are some nutty, mild tannins and the minerality kicks in half way through. A juicy cherry-ish finish. There's some grip at the back. Something of a banker, as usual.
2013-2020 12x75cl £225.00

2007

Château Pavie-Maquin, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Floral aromas of fresh black cherries, along with a hint of smoke.

Creamy, black bramble and cherry fruit on the palate. Very cool with a good shape. This is elegant and full of minerals. Integrated, yet backward. Very, very long. Full of intensity and grip.

2012-2018 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Petit Cheval, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot

Real Franc aromas in the spice and green pepper, pencil graphite. Tangy blackcurrants.

A rich, very cool, creamy, silky entry. Blackcurrant fruit, plus the spice and rich, nutty tannins. A long and linear palate, with a lovely finish. Really chunky and mineral at the end. Juicy-fresh. This is fine.

2012-2020 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Troplong-Mondot, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A sweet, floral nose of ripe red apples and black plum fruit.

This is very cool and structured from the off; very mineral and full of grip. . Long and embryonic. This bristles with intent. Very long and intense at the end, with lots of nutty, rich tannins. Impressive stuff.

2014-2020 12x75cl £444.00


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Margaux

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Alter Ego de Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A perfumed nose, with hints of violets and other flowers. The fruit is fresh black plum and blackcurrant.

There's very good freshness at the front of the palate, with really pretty decent concentration. There are some medium, nutty tannins that are well integrated. Very fresh, pure fruit. Lovely Alter Ego.

2012-2017 12x75cl £261.00

2007

Château Giscours, Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Notes: Here I found aromas of pure blackcurrant and, interestingly, seashells. The palate has a light touch. There are some ripe tannins and the whole thing is unforced and very cool. This is honest wine, shapely and pretty. Tannins are ripe, medium, knit and nutty through a palate that’s long and juicy. I like this. It’s honest, as I said. A second sample was more intense and woodier. Good ’07.
2012-2019 12x75cl £282.00

2007

Château Lascombes., Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A very deep colour.

The nose is big, smoky and gives off roasted nut wood aromas. The fruit's a bit inky at the moment, of cassis and damson.

There's a very cool, creamy entry once this wine's in the mouth. There are fine, grainy tannins, some rather woody. This is dry and quite worked. The fruit has a welcome purity about it. This is mouthcoating, long and juicy.

2013-2019 12x75cl £399.00

2007

Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A floral nose and a very pure expression of berry fruit: red and black currants. A hint of nut and mint.

This is cool and seriously pretty. Mineral and compact for the time being, with nice, subtle grip. I found great, pure, fresh , crisp red and black fruits on the palate. Very long. A very beautiful wine and a real Margaux.

2013-2023 6x75cl £1,260.00

2007

Château Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

This is rather closed on the nose. There are spicy wood aromas from the oak, along with black fruit of blackcurrant and cherry. Floral notes,s including violet.

A supple, cool, satin-textured entry wines round the taster...and then it shuts up like a book. Very mineral, with some firm tannins. Flavours of ripe red apples and blackcurrants. Very good shape. A complete wine.

2013-2020 12x75cl £1,200.00

2007

Château Kirwan., Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Notes: Floral, smoky nose, giving of aromas of pure cassis fruit. The entry is cool across the tongue. Not a big wine, but a juicy one, with aspects of the wood. Nutty. Not overdone and good.
2013-2020 12x75cl £258.00

2007

Pavillon Rouge de Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A very pretty nose of pure blackcurrant Cabernet fruit, a touch meaty.

This is very cool in the mouth, medium weight and full of blackcurrant fruit. There are some nutty-rich tannins and great freshness here. Very long and it finishes harmoniously. Fine Pavillon.

 

2013-2019 12x75cl £381.00


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St Julien

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Château Beychevelle, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

The nsoe is full of the aromas of tangy red and black plums. There are mineral notes, along with some nut.

There's really decent concentration here. Beychevelle's very mineral in '07. It is balanced, with covered ripe tannins. Highly grippy, mineral and fresh. Nice finish, too.

2012-2017 12x75cl £270.00

2007

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Lovely ripeness about the nose here. The fruis is floral blackcurrants and fresh plums. It's quite a meaty nose, perhaps with hints of dried fruit and menthol. Mostly just rather pretty berryish fruit.

Very plush and satiny entry of real class. There's good concentration to be found here. This is very mineral and very cool...then very juicy. Rich and very fine tannins lead on to high grip. There's a really chunky finish, Long and juicy. This is excellent for the vintage; full of purpose and structure.

2014-2022 12x75cl £561.00

2007

Château Gruaud-Larose, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes: Very smoky/oaky nose with a richness of blackcurrant fruit beneath. Quite spicy; a bit of a Christmas cake nose. Creamy and cool palate, with a supple entry. Pure blackcurrant fruit. There are some rich, prickly tannins with a hint of wood about them. Grippy, long and intense at the finish. This could be very good indeed.
2012-2018 12x75cl £309.00

2007

Château Langoa-Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Nice nose here, of tangy blackcurrants, with hints of ripe red apples and nut. The usual St Julien warmth and a little dried fruit.

The entry is all creamy, followed by spicy blackcurrant fruit. This has good grip and vigour and the tannins are rich and integrated. A beginning, middle and end here. Well done!

2012-2019 12x75cl £288.00

2007

La Croix de Beaucaillou, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes: The nose is a rich, floral compote of ripe blackcurrants, with hints of plum. Quite a stately nose. There’s a lovely, cool concentration about Croix this year. It’s richly, nattily, almost pippily tannic, with a good weight of cassis fruit. Highly grippy. There’s lots going on here. Ducru has really performed this vintage.
2013-2020 12x75cl £195.00

2007

Château Léoville-Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

The nose is rather closed at present, but I did coax some cedar, blackcurrant and plum aromas from the glass with a degree of agitation (the wine, not me).

There's tannin right from the off to this cool, focussed and compact wine. A welcome purity of crisp blackcurrant fruit, plus a wealth of slightly sandy tannins. Backward. Nicely long and intense at the back.

2014-2022 12x75cl £366.00

2007

Château Léoville-Poyferré., St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A rich nose of cold tea and blackcurrants, with a distinct and rather pleasing animal note.

This is finely composed in the mouth. Therre are some very fine, totally integrated tannins and a lick of mineral expression. This is cool and complete and quite forward. Long and nicely concentrated. Nice wine.

 

Retasted in London 30/04/08

A very black, smoky nose, giving some peppery spice. There are floral notes to the blackcurrant fruit. Cool and just medium weight in the mouth. A very credible palate. Medium, fine, quite chunky tannins. Mineral and long, with some decent grip. Fresh. This has substance. 18/20.

 

2012-2019 6x75cl £222.00

2007

Château Saint Pierre, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes: The aromas are floral here, plus there are scents of damsons and blackcurrant. In the mouth, the entry is supple and cool, of blackcurrant and plum. There’s a welcome intensity and grip; real purpose to St Pierre. The fruit is fresh and the wine has shape and structure. This bristles. Good wine.
2014-2022 12x75cl £294.00

2007

Château Talbot, St Julien, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

"Intense deep red, good intensity of fruit, slightly floral and lifted, quite meaty middle palate and good ripeness overall, good Saint-Julien for medium term." **** Decanter

 

 

 

2012-2018 12x75cl £258.00


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Pauillac

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Château d'Armailhac, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Fresh fruit here: very pleasant blackcurrant, a little floral. Then the spice from the wood.

This is very fresh from the front. The tannins are a touch grainy at the moment, but they are covered by the fruit. A palate all about blackcurrants and minerals. Good length and follow-through to a crisp, full finish. There is some nutty wood. The grip is good. Nice wine. This made friends in the tasting room

2012-2020 12x75cl £213.00

2007

Château Clerc-Milon, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes: This is floral and, beneath, aromatic blackcurrant fruit and hints of chocolate and plum. There's good fruit concentration here. It is satin-textured and cool and pure. It is even a touch backward. Very good drive at the finish. Long and fresh and structured.
2014-2021 12x75cl £252.00

2007

Château Croizet-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A woody nose, with a good purity of blackcurrant Cabernet fruit. There’s good shape to the palate, with that pure Cabernet fruit melded to ripe and chunky tannins. Cool, long and savoury, with good intensity. This is very good Croizet; stand-out Pauillac in ’07.

2012-2018 12x75cl £135.00

2007

Château Grand Puy Lacoste, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

The aromas are good and spicy, showing off ripe red and blackcurrant fruit. Nutty, classy stuff.

This is very cool and very pure and rather beautiful. It isn't creamy, but rather simply concentrated. Rich blackcurrant fruit and fine tannins comprise the linear palate. Very long and classy. Top performer.

2015-2025 12x75cl £330.00

2007

Château Haut Batailley, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

There a note of peanut here; something I often find in La Lagune. Good richness of black and red fruits to the nose, along with evident minerals and spice.

The palate brings good creamy natural fruit. It's mineral, too. Crème de cassis and damson. This is one composed and classy puppy. The tannins are integrated and a touch grainy and the whole caboodle is well concentrated right through. Elegant. It finishes well. Fresh and balanced mouthful.

2013-2020 12x75cl £201.00

2007

Château Lafite, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

This is opaque, with a very narrow band at the rim.

A cool nose, decently concentrated, giving up fresh fruit of blackcurrant and damson with a citrus, orange note. There's a hint of chocolate.

The fruit in the mouth is smooth and velvet textured, although this is a touch backward at the moment. It's only medium weight. There's good black fruit and rich, nutty, medium tannins; lots of grippy minerals. This is very juicy, with a great, square finish. Good tension adn structure here. Very good for '07.

2014-2025 12x75cl £2,460.00

2007

Château Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Very deepm ruby-purple colour.

A very pleasant nose of creamy cassis, red apple and apple blossom. Hints of violet.

Creamy-rich, pure blackcurrant fruit. Long, with some big grip at the back. This is really quite forward for Latour at this stage. The tannins are integrated, quite chunky and beautifully ripe. The freshness is covered. Very tasty stuff.

2014-2025 12x75cl £2,460.00

2007

Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Lovely proper claret nose of nutty red and blackcurrants with hints of cedar and, perhaps, mint.

Forts of cool and medium weight, with a supple, silky entry. Red and blackcurrants again appear in the mouth, then minerals and prickly grip. All this leads to a juicy, crisp finish. This is long and quite serious.

The medium acidity is well covered. There's a hint of red apples. Tannins are just medium and well controlled. Lovely aftertaste.

2014-2020 6x75cl £291.00

2007

Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

There's a touch of violet to the aromas here, as well as this wine's colour in the glass! Really pure, blackcurrant fruit and the freshly sawn wood.

Creamy and tangy blackcurrant fruit in the mouth. There's really good vim and drive.

A purity of fruit encased in minerals. Plenty of purpose here. Tangy-fresh. One of the better '07s.

2013-2022 12x75cl £402.00

2007

Château Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A fine nose: fresh and pure; very black, of the wood and a blackcurrant cordial. This is a little mealy from the wood. Wisps of milk chocolate.

Supple and cool and pure entry of blackcurrant fruit, then very mineral. Very credible, ripe, round tannins. The grip creeps in subtly at the end. This is a complete and quite gentle wine. It is also expressive of terroir. Great drive. One of my favourites this year.

2015-2023 6x75cl £1,260.00

2007

Petit Mouton, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

The 2nd wine of Mouton gives up a very fresh and crunchy nose of red and black fruit. A cassis cordial nose and spicy from the Cabernet Franc. Complexity here.

Concentrated, cool, supply satin entry, then lots of chunky tannins. This is long and grippy, with a juicy, solid finish. Cool and structured. Medium plus acidity and fresh berry fruit. A rather lovely mouthful.

2013-2020 12x75cl £480.00

2007

Château Pichon Baron de Longueville, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes: The aromas here are floral and rich, a touch smoky and of pure Cabernet fruit. Quite a creamy nose, really. This is about tangy blackcurrant fruit and structure. A little backward; a meaty, mineral wine. Balanced and quite burly at the moment, with some chunky tannin to resolve. The medium-high acidity is covered. Embryonic.
2013-2021 12x75cl £528.00

2007

Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A nicely aristo nose showing a good purity of cassis fruit, along with nut aromas.

This is cool and creamy in the mouth, yet structured from the front. Rather closed, in fact. There's pleasant red and blackcurrant fruit and nutty, integrated tannins. A touch dry, but long and bristling.

2013-2020 12x75cl £600.00

2007

Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Very crisp fruit to the nose here, almost citrus fresh. Plus there's woody, slightly exotic spice: star anise?? The fruit's rather closed at the moment.

Wow, this is backward and really rather austere at present. But there is good substance along with the high, chunky tannins. Cool. The fruit is blackcurrant and cold tea. Long in the mouth and really grippy. I think this will be very good.

 

Retasted in London 30/04/08

Deep pinky ruby. Good purity of blackcurrant fruit on the nose. This seesm ripe; it's a touch floral. There's a hint of dried fruit. The fruit's quite soft and almondy. It becomes fresher towards the back of the palate. This is quite long enough and mineral with it. A juicy finish. A little integrated tannin. Nice shape to this. 17/20.

2014-2022 6x75cl £228.00


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St Estèphe

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Château Cos d'Estournel, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

This is pretty much opaque. The '07 Cos gives up a ripe cordial of a nose: blackcurrants and spice and beef. Walnut liqueur and oriental spices. Really quite oaky.

This is really cool in the mouth; backward and linear. Medium weight. full of medium, quite chunky tannins. Long and with nice grip.

2015-2023 12x75cl £660.00

2007

Château Lafon Rochet, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A tangy-fresh nose of plum and damson fruit, along with dark chocolate aromas.

The palate begins with a soft, cool entry, a touch creamy. There are credible, rich tannins and high minerality here. It just drives coolly onward in a nicely controlled fashion. Really good shape here. I like this. It's not big, but highly credible.

2014-2022 12x75cl £207.00

2007

Château Le Crock, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

Notes:
0-0 12x75cl £0.00

2007

Château Montrose, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

This is opaque in hue, with a very narrow band at the rim.

The nose has a slightly roasted/toasted aspect and pure, slightly leafy blackcurrant Cabernet Sauvignon aromas.

This offers satin smooth blackcurrant fruit up front. There are low, paste-like, nutty tannins. The grip gains in intensity. A very mineral wine. Long and with real interest at the finish. A juicy ending.

Much more purpose here than the pretty-but-slight Calon.

2013-2022 12x75cl £459.00


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Pessac-Léognan & Graves

 

Vintage Wine Drink dates Case size Price In Bond
2007

Domaine de Chevalier Rouge., Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

A rich nose of black cherries, blackcurrants and the blackest plums and there's a good deal of smoky wood. Quite a dense, fresh nose. This is really quite perfumed.

Creamy, crisp fruit on entry, largely of black plums. This is mineral and quite backward and full of structure. Juicy, plum skin fresh. There are some rich, nutty tannins. Tasted twice.

"One of the vintage's top successes, this blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot exhibits a juicy, black currant, forest floor, and soil-scented nose. Layered with brilliant precision, purity, and density, it is a medium to full-bodied, elegant, intensely flavored, soft, upfront blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It should drink well for 10-15 years." Robert Parker

2014-2021 6x75cl £129.00

2007

Château Haut-Bergey, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes: A creamy, cassis-scented nose, with a touch of almost peppery spice. Fresh wood. The palate offers a creamy entry. This is rather a nice package! Richly, nattily tannic and really quite parallel in shape. Medium plus acidity that’s covered. Fresh blackcurrant fruit. Length is good and it finishes well.
2013-2020 12x75cl £159.00

2007

Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 43% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc

A fresh nose, Cabernet dominant. Floral notes; a touch of spice and, perhaps, a lick of milk chocolate.

Fresh plums across the tongue, as well as blackcurrant. This is full of nutty tannins right from the front. The finish is chunkier (than the La Mission), although less mineral. Mouthcoating. The tannins are slightly pippy, but fine and largely integrated. The freshness is covered. Good drink.

2013-2025 12x75cl £2,460.00

2007

Château La Mission de Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

N.B. This is 43% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc

A very mineral nose; smoky, too. There are hints of violet to the ripe plum fruit. It's a pleasantly dense nose and a much riper one thna that of the 2nd wine. There's a slight citrus note.

The palate starts very cool and crunchy, with blackcurrant and plum fruit. This is very, very mineral and powers juicily forward to a great, fresh, grippy finish. The tannins are quite drying. It is nicely long, though, and has real interest in the finish. Nutty and linear. Nice wine.

2014-2022 12x75cl £2,010.00

2007

Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Notes:

Really good nose to SHL in '07. There are black cherry and blackcurrant aromas, plus iron and some sweet spice.  

This is full of rich, fine tannin. There great freshness to the cassis fruit flavours. Quite dry, but there's some real grip here and length, too. Needs time.

 

Retasted in London 30/04/08

A rich nose of black fruit and purple flowers; sweet chestnut and pencil shavings. A very cool wine in the mouth. Decent profile. This seems a touch slight. Pure blackcurrant fruit and medium tannins. I think this is a very decent effort. 16.5+/20.

2013-2020 12x75cl £330.00


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