Slinky smooth with ruby-bright fruit

CWM Ranking: High 2:1 Deep concentrated ruby colour. Toasty oak, grilled meat, pencil shaving, kirsch, blackcurrant, currants. Surprising, bright, juicy palate. Creamy secondary characteristics. Robust forward fruit, victoria plum, dark cherry, currants. Well held with ripe tannins. Balanced and enjoyable. Fruit falls away towards the end but reasonable length.

An array of characters such as violets, oregano & thyme, along with glacé cherry Sweet ripe cherry fruit dominates the front palate which then develops into a more savoury wine, showing earthiness, toasted spices and lovely dried herb characters.

This 20ha estate has been owned since 1994 by Florence and Daniel Cathiard, who also own Château Smith Haut Lafitte and are making some of the most exciting, perfectly honed wines in Bordeaux. Their top wines ell north of £80 a bottle so this wine appears relatively good value, particulalry since it came out top at a recent Decanter tasting of Red Graves from 2016. Bravo. Planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, on mostly gravel soils with some clay. Grapes are handpicked and sorted twice, whole-berry fermented in large oak vats before ageing 14 months in 25% new French oak barrels. This is intense, fruity and a real joy to drink now or keep for another 10 years.

CWM Ranking: - First Class Decent yields of 50 hl/ha help keep this regular performer on an even keel pricewise. 60% Cab Sauv 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. 25% new oak. V dark, opaque black purple. Savoury, woody, nose, then fine rich fruit with plenty of concentration, backed up with some ripe but big tannins and fine acidity.

The desire to nurture the Estate’s exceptional qualities has shaped Ornellaia’s philosophy since the beginning. Ornellaia is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot and the faithful expression of unique terroir developed in harmony with nature. ““With its usual deep ruby red colour, Ornellaia 2020 stands out on the nose with ripe red fruits and delicate vanilla and gentle tobacco notes. Upon tasting, the wine reveals itself to be rounded and velvety, making an enjoyable and engaging first impression that entices for a second sip. The tannins are dense yet elegant and the finish proves to be savoury and enduring.” Olga Fusari – Winemaker Press “This is a beauty, so generous and opulent with fully seamless transitions. The wine’s traditional blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with tiny percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, although this warm vintage makes due with a pinch less of the Cabernet Sauvignon. […] This broad and generous expression has a beautiful quality of fruit and oak that speaks to the very best of Italian winemaking.” 95-97 Points – Wine Advocate, Monica Larner

Fairly simple cherry and redcurrant aromas lead to blackcurrants and plums in the mouth, with refreshing acidity and a line of bitterness on the back palate. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed, which perhaps adds that greeness underneath the ripe fruit. A more structured, tannic wine than initially expected, but with lovely fruit - delicious wine.

An array of characters such as violets, oregano & thyme, along with glacé cherry Sweet ripe cherry fruit dominates the front palate which then develops into a more savoury wine, showing earthiness, toasted spices and lovely dried herb characters.

CWM Rating High 2:1 Acquired by the Casteja family of Ch Batailley fame in June 2022. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc. 19.9hl/ha, 30% new oak, 14% ABV. Deep ruby with rich sweet fruit nose, followed up with a well balanced, energetic palate that has moderate extraction of ripe yet stony tannins. This wine is available to order En Primeur. When you order wines En Primeur you buy wines that are as yet not available for physical delivery but are available for purchase. They are sold without Excise and VAT taxes and an invoice is issued soon after order, for payment. Excise and VAT may become payable when the wine physically arrives in the UK. When a wine arrives in the UK is a matter of when it becomes available from the producer and when we are able to import it. Normally wines will be shipped 2-3 years after harvest, but it can take longer or less than that. When the wines are shipped to the UK they can either be transferred, under bond, to an account in a Bonded warehouse or delivered duty paid. For Under Bond deliveries. Please indicate by return if you wish the wine to remain under bond and before the wine arrives provide details of the bonded warehouse address and the account you would like it held under. A charge for the under bond transfer will be made at the time of delivery, and varies from Bond to Bond. For Duty Paid Deliveries. All prices exclude HM Excise, Customs and VAT. Current Excise rates are £13.39 per 4.5 litre case (equivalent to 6x75cl), Customs are Zero and VAT is currently charged at 20%. These taxes are liable to change, and will be charged at the prevailing rate when the goods are shipped and delivered. At that time, a refund will be issued for the value of the amount paid En Primeur and a new VAT invoice issued, including a charge for onward delivery. Only the balance of the two will be payable on delivery. Contact orders@cambridgewine.com with any further enquiry.

Pessac-Leognan, just south of the city of Bordeaux, features gravel-rich soils that produce wines with excellent clarity and definition. Odyssée is a cuvée by Château Haut Nouchet, and its vines are some of the highest elevation in the appellation. The blend is about 60/40 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, with a splash of Petit Verdot. We found this wine impressive in its combination of intensity and restraint. The nose is dark and polished with plum and wild cherries, and notes of liquorice and spice. The mouth is inky and dark but the fruit is laid over a beautifully clean structure of fine gravely tannin. This is a classy, sleek Bordeaux with a beautifully balanced mouthfeel, that tastes a lot more expensive than it is.

The Premier Cabernet Sauvignon of Vasse Felix. This wine’s distinctive style possesses all the hallmarks of the finest Margaret River Cabernet; elegance, generosity and ageability.

When you order wines En Primeur you buy wines that are as yet not available for physical delivery but are available for purchase. They are sold without Excise and VAT taxes and an invoice is issued soon after order, for payment. Excise and VAT may become payable when the wine physically arrives in the UK. When a wine arrives in the UK is a matter of when it becomes available from the producer and when we are able to import it. Normally wines will be shipped 2-3 years after harvest, but it can take longer or less than that. When the wines are shipped to the UK they can either be transferred, under bond, to an account in a Bonded warehouse or delivered Sold En-Primeur. An incredibly limited and rare bottling of Ridge Monte Bello to be delivered in 2025. The core blend of Monte Bello 2022 was assembled by the production team over two days in February. Out of twenty-six candidate lots, fourteen were selected at this stage, with a few earmarked as potential additions at the next blending session. The team reconvened on May 3rd for the second and final assemblage of 2022 Monte Bello. The panel of eight determined that, of the three further lots being presented, just one had the qualities consistent with Monte Bello. The addition of this lot will result in a final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The typically intense dark purple colour of a young Monte Bello belies the vivid aromatics: the nose opens with a wonderful floral aroma over the precise berry fruit. There is copious structure, but it is very fine-grained even at this early stage. Splendid balance and harmony already, with an ultra-long finish indicating the great potential of this wine.

This fine wine is made with the same care as our Bordeaux Grand Crus (Lafite). Grapes are closely monitored when reaching maturity in order to find the optimal balance between phenolic ripenes and acidity. After careful sorting and desteming, grapes are placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Regular pump-over ensure a gentle extraction of the tannins. After malolactic fermentation, 50% of the wine is transfered into French oak barrels for a period of 12 months. TASTING NOTES Intense ruby-red colour with glints of garnet. Initially the nose presents scents of fresh strawberry, red cherry, gooseberry and blue flowers. Then subtle notes of bay, tobacco, caramel and graphite emerge. On the palate, the wine is generous with soft yet lively tannins, leading into a long, lingering finish.

Super modern style, Cab, Syrah, Tempranillo. Grown at 1800m. Amazing winery,

Second wine of the excellent Le Pin Beausoleil. Guide Hachette 1 star "raspberry, wild strawberry, blackcurrant and violet: here is a pretty spring bouquet. A few subtle menthol notes add a touch of freshness. On the palate, everything is silky and there is no trace of tannins. It is indeed the fruit that reigns here throwing the Little Sun."

A deep blend of red and purple colours and abundant aromas introduces us perfectly to this beautiful Cabernet. Rich and complex in flavour, notes of cherry and blackberry transition to mixed herbs, bramble and mocha, complemented by a delicious dimension of sweet fruit. Soft and smooth on the palate, the 2021 Maitre D' balances flavour and structure perfectly.

17/20 James Lawther jancisrobinson.com "Dense but vibrant and aromatic. Plenty of crunchy fruit and freshness. Bigger structure than 2019, closer to 2018, the tannins firm and textured. Dry, persistent finish. One for the cellar. Should be GV".

CWM Ranking: High 2:1

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenère, 10% Merlot. This wine is likely to have the broadest drinking window of any modern San Leonardo. Despite the deep purple colour, it is already open and generous on the nose, with vivid ripe morello cherry fruit. The gentle extraction has imbued the wine with a cashmere texture even at this young stage, while the palate is lifted by the leafy, currant-bud notes that are San Leonardo’s signature, reflecting as they do the influence of cool air flowing down from the Dolomites. Balance, charm, and great ageing potential, this San Leonardo has it all. Ideal weather conditions and a strict selection from older vines have yielded a classic San Leonardo of sublime balance. After the numerous challenges affecting the vineyards in 2017, the San Leonardo team hoped for an easier ride the following year. Their prayers were answered at every stage of the growing season, starting with a prolonged cold winter that killed off bugs which would otherwise attack leaves, flowers and grapes later in the year. There was also copious snow, turning to rain throughout spring, which replenished missing ground water. Flowering was perfect, and summer passed with much more sunlight than 2017, but without any extremes of temperature. Then September saw very large thermal differences between day and night – “the secret to incredible perfume” according to owner Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga. The grapes were harvested in the cold of October, further enhancing the aromatic freshness as well as helping fix a beautiful colour. Balance-wise, the result harks back to pre-climate change vintages, with all the flavour benefits of a lengthy growing season but still just 13% alcohol. Despite the propitious weather, the quantity made remains below average, due to recent replantings being excluded from the blend. Harvest began on October 1st and finished on October 18th with the last of the pergola-trained Carmenère.

CWM Ranking: High 2:1

Teal Lake has done an excellent job with this Blend. It is a Dry Red wine from Australia. It is Mevushal under the supervision of the OU

Only produced in outstanding vintages. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot. This is a serious wine, a really serious wine. Slightly sour black and fruits with dried violets, the nose is exceptional and has such smooth and sweet taninns. This is Aurelio Montes showing off and I’m very glad he does.

This classic Cabernet shows inviting flavours of blackberry, with hints of cocoa, almond and cedar. A full-bodied wine with excellent balance on the palate and a smooth lingering aftertaste, it just cries out for some lamb or beef steak. Really delicious.

A full-flavoured yet finely structured Cabernet of great appeal: black berries, dried leaves and fine gravelly tannin, reflect an outstanding year.

Another classic vintage for Caronne Ste Gemme, but with some lovely rich ripe fruit. Already a perfumed wine, this is generous and likely to be rich while also balanced. Blackberry fruit and fine acidity balance the structure. There is good aging potential here

CWM Ranking - First Class 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Veronique Dausse considers this a good vintage for St Estephe. The clay soils protected the vines from water stress during the drought-like summer. There is a lot of Merlot planted across the 70ha of vineyards at Phelan Segur. Average yield for St Estephe 41hl ha . 44hl ha at Phelan, clay helped. Deep dark ruby, chocolate and cassis nose, good concentration, fresh and energetic, long, fine and precise. Tannins were well integrated and well balanced. .

A 17-acre portion of the Peyrabon vineyard lies in Pauillac and is made into this separate wine. This latest release with 61% Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth, sumptuous with big tannins and blackcurrant flavours. With its concentration and great fruit, it will age well. Drink from 2023

The vines of this 50-acre estate, close to Listrac, have produced a rich wine in this vintage. With its spice and toast character and ripe berry fruits coming together nicely, the wine will develop well. Its potential is for medium-term aging, meaning it will be ready to drink from 2022

Grippy structured tannin supporting fat, plump black fruit. Should mature well.

Mid ruby, garnet rim, ripe and juicy, sweet fruit, lovely and a bargain for real Pauillac.

Big, rich and velvety like a decent Margaux should be with a modern glossy feel on the palate. Designed for earlier drinking as a second wine, with extended barrel ageing. Delicious fruit, ample weight and body, ripe tannins.

The latest vintage from the legend of Lebanon.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Spicy new oak amid bright red fruits. Smooth and sweet berry fruit, with a high kick of spice.

Aromas of blackcurrant and ripe red fruits. Full and rounded palate with a long lingering finish.

Aromas of blackcurrant and ripe red fruits. Full and rounded palate with a long lingering finish.

This enticing wine displays gorgeous aromas of blackberry, plum, dark red fruit, and cranberry, with hints of caramel and exotic spices. The luxurious berry notes are echoed on the palate, where they are supported by supple, refined tannins and an energetic mouthfeel that carries the wine to a long, lush finish.

Big heady scent of dark fruit, leather and tobacco. Much more medium bodied compared to some of the recent vintages with good acidity and balance. Length is good with dry tannins, many years of life over which this will be enjoyed Meerlust's gorgeous iconic Bordeaux blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot.

The second wine of Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte is a fantastic wine, as you would expect from the calibre of Grand Vin. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot matured in 20% new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp and firm tannin, quite tensile and energetic with impressive structure and length on the almost Pauillac-like, graphite infused finish. Do not ignore this little gem from Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, because it always punches above its weight.

Another classic vintage for Caronne Ste Gemme, but with some lovely rich ripe fruit. This is a very classic ‘Claret’, taught perfectly balanced acidity and lots of light touches. Only 13% which is where I think good Bordeauxs should be. There is good aging potential here.