Bordeaux-2019

Bordeaux 2019 - EP Releases (full list)

2019 Bordeaux - En Primeur

After more sellout releases yesterday we have three stunning value Saint-Emilion wines, the best 2nd wine in Saint-Julien and a Haut-Medoc celebrating

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Bordeaux 2019 En Primeur .. The show must go on !

We continue our 2019 EP offers with a trio of excellent value wines from Saint-Emilion, the best 2nd wine in Saint-Julien and a wine celebrating their 160th anniversary with a special bottle from the Haut-Medoc.

We also now have the 2019 vintage assessment from Antonio Galloni (Vinous), completing the lineup of stellar critics sharing their views this week.

Antonio Galloni (Vinous)

"There is no doubt 2019 is an outstanding vintage, clearly an important vintage. What stands out most about the finest 2019s is their exceptional balance. Ripeness is high, but not exaggeratedly so. Tannins are also elevated, but there is virtually no sensation of tannin in so many wines, an example of where analysis based on perception can vary significantly from what is written on a lab report. The 2019s are also, in many cases, remarkably fresh, which is hard to believe given the intense heat and drought of the summer. I tasted phenomenal wines in every appellation, although there are some places that appear to have done exceptionally well, such as the north of Pauillac and into Saint-Estèphe on the Left Bank."

As we seek to bring wines of either great value, exceptional reviews or just plain great buys in 2019, we turn our focus to the right bank of the Gironde river with Saint-Emilion.

Château Grand Mayne has a westerly plot and long history in the region and as Neal Martin declares "Grand Mayne has been on an upward swing in recent vintages and this is another outstanding wine from Jean-Antoine Nony.".

With such high praise (the best ever) you have a huge score to complement (94-96 pts) and the addition of a 14% reduction on 2018, making for a compelling purchase.

Château Barde-Haut is part of the extended family that owns Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte and appears remarkable value, with such comments as 'opulent, ample and expressive' from Neal Martin and a solid 17% discount on 2018 but scoring the same as the previous best vintages (2018 & 2009).

Clos de L'Oratoire is owned by one of the more flamboyant characters in this little piece of French tranquility, Stephan von Neipperg, who owns 6 Chateaux and is now expanding outside of France to South Africa and Bulgaria. Quality and attention to detail, coupled with does of good humour is at the very centre of all his ventures. Clos de L'Oratoire is "well crafted, elegant, intellectual" proclaims Neal Martin with (92-94 pts) and despite trumping previous vintages, we are rewarded with a massive 33% reduction on 2018. What a bargain !

We have seen the release of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou which has been tipped for perfection in 2019 by Wine Advocate and in these exceptional circumstances, we turn to the 2nd wine La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou. Clearly demonstrating you do not have to spend vast sums of money to enjoy great wine from Saint-Julien and still meriting a score of 94-96 pts (NM).

Château Siran doesn’t just punch above its weight for a Haut-Medoc but in 2019 they are also celebrating a 160th year of production with an commemorative bottle. This release has also pulled out all the stops in terms of quality, with exceptional scores across the board and Neal Martin observing "This Siran boasts one of the longest finishes that I have ever encountered from this estate. Seriously good.". There is even a 10% reduction on the 2018 to sweeten the deal!

Neal Martin (Vinous)

"Two thousand and nineteen is a great vintage. I know. Boring. But my job is to tell it as it is, and that is what it is. It is an excellent vintage. Where it stands in the context of elite growing seasons such as 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2016 is another matter. Proprietors habitually trot out the “BEST. WINE. EVER” banner each year. You can easily become so entangled in hyperbole that it becomes impossible to objectively judge how true that statement is. Having tasted all the aforementioned vintages in barrel and regularly in bottle, there are instances where the 2019 vintage does surpass everything I have tasted at this unfinished stage, and others where I feel the benchmark 2016s will ultimately be superior."

The 2019 vintage and resulting En Primeur campaign will be remembered long into the history of these illustrious proceedings, with nature clearly giving something back to help heal some of the wounds. Starting more than 4 weeks late, we expect this to be a short and concentrated campaign.

The weather was particularly wet during the winter of 2018 but this was a saving grace as the long warm, dry summer came round quickly. The heat was fierce for a few short spells but the flowering was well established early on and the berries (fruit set) in a good place to compensate. A pleasant autumn, with the odd shower during harvest had already got some talking of the great potential, with well formed concentrated berries, with good acidity and healthy yields.

The term 'great vintage' is not used lightly in Bordeaux and certainly initial reports are of a very high quality, with comparisons to 2009, 2015 and 2016 previously earmarked as the best this century. Pricing is a key factor of any En Primeur campaign and expectations are it will much lower than 2018, due to current global crisis.

There has not been any of the traditional April trips to the Chateaux for day long tastings and lavish dinners, instead during these difficult times, pallets of samples have been arriving on the doorsteps of critics all over the world. Those that follow social media closely will have seen snippets of enthusiastic commentary as each appellation is meticulously poured, tasted and written up. Most have yet to publish any meaningful reports and accompanying notes but the signs are more than positive, if not glowing.

James Suckling

"2019 is an exceptional year for Bordeaux wines... Some say 2019 is close to the excellent 2016 vintage but with perhaps slightly less tannin concentration. They all agree that the quality is very close to 2018, 2016 and 2015."

With Château Pontet-Canet (98-100 pts - Wine Advocate), a powerhouse of modern day Bordeaux, selling out in Bordeaux over a weekend at £61 per btle (IB) this seems to have defined the 2019 vintage!

This level of pricing has rarely been seen in the last 15 years and was lower than the 2013 release price, which was certainly one of the poorest vintages in recent memory. This gives hope that possibly one the best quality vintages in the 21st century will unusually be one of the best value.

A vintage for buyers and drinkers alike!

We have also seen a new release from Château Latour (96+ pts Wine Advocate) this week, the first since they decided to no longer participate in the traditional En Primeur process in 2011, opting to release wine when the Chateau felt it was ready. At a release price of £2,100 for 6 bottles this also represents the cheapest vintage of the previous 10 years.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

'.. 2019 has surprised me. A lot. If you had asked me before I started tasting who I thought might be in the three-digit-score zone, I would not have had Figeac, Pichon Baron or even Ducru-Beaucaillou on that list...'"

Château Grand Mayne (Saint-Emilion)

A Grand Cru Classé since 1855, Marquis d’Alesme contributes in its own special way to the history and reputation of Margaux.

Ever since the eighteenth century, Marquis d’Alesme has made Bordeaux a place of culture and passion. The marquis’ fascination for Chinese art and the long sea voyages of Jean Bekker-Teerlink forged a strong taste for the exotic and the cosmopolitan, while a love of beauty and botany led to the creation of landscaped gardens. Ultimately, Marquis d’Alesme has always been driven by the idea that a great wine is an inspired work of art. Under the watchful eye of a family, this wine full of character brings the Orient and the West together. Dragon scales and moon gates stand alongside columns and arcades in perfect harmony. A sea of vines stretches before us, with the Rising Sun on its horizon. Marquis d’Alesme offers a highly unusual wine-tasting experience, where the pleasure of the senses vies with aesthetic enjoyment. A dreamlike utopia begins to emerge.

Neal Marin (94-96 pts) Vinous

"The 2019 Grand Mayne takes its time to unfold in the glass, eventually delivering enticing and very pure red berry fruit, beautifully defined and less exuberant than some of the vintages I was tasting 15-20 years ago. There is a sense of terroir and mineralité in situ. The palate is saline on the entry, immediately grabbing your attention thanks to unbridled freshness and vivacity. Slightly grainy in texture, the umami sensation that glides towards a very precise and natural finish is wonderful here. Grand Mayne has been on an upward swing in recent vintages and this is another outstanding wine from Jean-Antoine Nony."

2019 Château Grand Mayne (Grand Cru Classe)

75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon,

The name of Chateau Grand Mayne should be taken literally. Mayne comes from the word “manor”, which used to mean a quality home accompanied by a large parcel of land.

In this case, the name perfectly describes the St. Emilion estate of Grand Mayne. The construction of the original Saint Emilion chateau started at the end of the fifteenth century, when it was created by the Laveau family.

The Laveau family can be traced back to Chateau Grand Mayne as early as 1685. Jacques Laveau, was the founder of the St. Emilion estate. At the time it was created, Grand Mayne had 30 hectares under vine.

The 21 hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Grand Mayne is planted to 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon with vines that average close to 30 years of age. The vines are planted to an average vine density of 5,500 vines per hectare.

The vineyard of Chateau Grand Mayne is located to the west of Saint Emilion, at the foot of the plateau. Even though the vineyard is in one large block of vines, Chateau Grand Mayne is the result of two different terroirs.

£159.00 per 6 x 750ml (IB)

£164.00 per 3 x 1500ml (IB)

"Quite floral, you also find notes of licorice, espresso and earthy nuances to accompany all that beautiful, ripe, red fruit. Soft, silky and refined, this elegant, medium-bodied charmer will be better with 5-7 years in the cellar and should age and evolve for another 2 decades after that."

Jeff Leve (92-94 pts)

2019 Château Barde-Haut (Saint-Emilion)

75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc

Barde Haut was purchased by Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard in September 2000. Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard comes from a Bordeaux wine family who also own properties in the region. She’s related to Florence and Daniel Cathiard who own Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. Chateau Barde Haut is located in the eastern portion of St. Emilion on a well elevated, limestone plateau.

Over the past few years, the Garcin-Cathiard family has made a significant investment in renovating the cellars and vineyards of Chateau Barde Haut. The wine making facilities and other buildings have all been remodeled as well. Designed by noted architect Nadau Lavergne, Chateau Barde Haut does not look like it did a few years age. Completed in 2012, two Corten steel buildings have been created with the purpose of striving to be as green as possible.

£132.00 per 6 x 750ml (IB)

£137.00 per 3 x 1500ml (IB)

"The 2019 Barde-Haut is an opulent, full-throttle Saint-Émilion. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, cloves and menthol power through in a heady, exotic Saint-Émilion that very much reflects the opulent style of the year. Today, the tannins are equally imposing, which suggests the 2019 is going to need a number of years in bottle to come around. Readers should expected a potent, flamboyantly ripe style. Hélène Garcin-Lévêque and Patrice Lévêque turned out a gorgeous set of 2019s. The wines are deep, ample and so expressive. Readers who want to understand the diversity of Saint-Émilion will find that in Barde-Haut and Poesia, two wines that really capture the personality of the vintage in these two districts."

Neal Martin (93-95 pts)

2019 Clos de L'Oratoire (Saint-Emilion)

81% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc

Clos de l'Oratoire is located on Saint-Emilion's north-east slope.

The 10.32 hectares of vines grow on Fronsac molasse covering a layer of sand with a clay subsoil. This terroir is ideally suited to the blend of Merlot (90%), Cabernet Franc (5%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) grapes. Merlot contributes roundness and opulence to the wine, whereas Cabernet Franc is responsible for power, aromatic complexity, and length. With its pronounced fruity aromas and beautiful deep crimson colour, Clos de l'Oratoire is a smooth, soft, very seductive wine. Despite its tremendous ageing potential, Clos de l'Oratoire is nevertheless enjoyable seven years after the vintage.

£135.00 per 6 x 750ml (IB)

£140.00 per 3 x 1500ml (IB)

"The 2019 Clos de l'Oratoire was picked from 23 September to 7 October at 51hl/ha and matured in 50% new oak. For the vintage, it has a slightly broodier nose than its peers, but still attractive with blackberry, briary, undergrowth and a trace of peppermint. The palate displays more vivacity with fine-grain tannins and an almost Left Bank pencil lead note emanating from the 19% Cabernet Franc. Quite linear but persistent on the finish, this is a very well-crafted, elegant, intellectual Clos d'Oratoire from Stephan von Neipperg's team."

Neal Martin (92-94 pts)

2019 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou (Saint-Julien)

50% Cabernet Savignon, 46% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot

This Grande Réserve is produced on the portion of Ducru-Beaucaillou situated in- land, on the Günz Terroir in the heart of the Saint Julien Appellation. Our labors in the vineyards, as well as those in the vat-house and cellars, reflect our unequivocal ambition to produce the very finest wines.

£169.50 per 6 x 750ml (IB)

£174.50 per 3 x 1500ml (IB)

"The 2019 La Croix Ducru Beaucaillou is endowed with a gorgeous, quite sumptuous bouquet loaded with black plum, tobacco, smoke and Earl Grey aromas that burst from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannin, harmonious and velvety in texture, gradually building towards a detailed and mineral-driven finish. Maybe less opulent than the 2018 by comparison, yet a Deuxième Vin full of breeding."

Neal Martin (94-96 pts)

2019 Château Siran (Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel)

48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot

Located in the south of the Margaux appellation on a plateau made up of gravelly outcrops, Château Siran possesses a superb terroir conducive to the production of some of the greatest wines.

Having been in the hands of the same family since 1859, the running of the château was taken on in 2007 by Edouard Miailhe, a fifth-generation member of the family. Advised since 2004 by the wine-making consultancy teams of Professor Denis Dubourdieu, Château Siran’s constant aim is to produce delicate, fine and especially hedonistic wines, so characteristic of the style of this œnologist’s creations. All year long at Siran, the cellarmaster and vineyard manager work faithfully towards this aim, carrying out all the meticulous work that is a pre-requisite for making great wines. After being closed to the public for 3 years, the Château opened its doors again in July 2012 to welcome visiting wine enthusiasts once again.

£117.00 per 6 x 750ml (IB)

£122.00 per 3 x 1500ml (IB)

"The 2019 Siran has a drop dead gorgeous bouquet with pure blackberry and boysenberry fruit. Touches of crushed violet identify it as a Margaux. The oak is neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is very well balanced with succulent tannins, fleshy and sweet yet with depth and grip. Veins of blue fruit appears towards the spicy finish. This Siran boasts one of the longest finishes that I have ever encountered from this estate. Seriously good."

Neal Martin (93-95 pts)