Montrose, Cos, Poyferre, Las Cases, Ducru, Palmer, Haut-Bailly and more
The polite 'you first', 'no, after you please' waiting game that the Bordelais like to play en primeur turned into a Darwinian stampede this week, with most of the remaining major players rushing onto the metaphorical dance floor. From the right bank, we had Clos Fourtet, Pavie Macquin, the recently transformed Troplong Mondot, and from the Clarence Dillon stable, Quintus and Dragon de Quintus.
It's been even busier on the left bank. St-Estephe gave us Montrose and Cos d`Estournel. From St-Julien, we have had a monumental Leoville Poyferre, capping a great trilogy of vintages for Sara Lecompte-Cuvelier. Also from St-Julien, we have had Leoville-Las Cases and another giant of the scene, Ducru Beaucaillou. And from Margaux, with relatively few people having tasted Palmer, it is a bit of an enigma wrapped inside a mystery - but it could yet turn out to be one of the wines of the vintage. From Pessac-Leognan, Smith-Haut-Lafitte Rouge sold out immediately. It is the first vintage for Haut-Bailly in their new winery, and they have made a complex and beguiling wine.
Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild and Haut-Brion joined the fray. We're still finalising our allocations of these and will be in touch with previous purchasers. Amid the rush of releases, it's worth not losing sight of second wines; the best offer a great insight into the grand vin at a fraction of the grand vin price. Clarence de Haut-Brion has the gravitas of Haut-Brion, in a style that won't take thirty years to be at its best. Dame de Montrose and Haut-Bailly II are produced with almost the same care and attention as their parent properties, from adjacent vineyards. La Chapelle de la Mission is an immensely inviting glimpse into the character of La Mission Haut-Brion. /NT
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Offered subject to remaining unsold; for shipment Spring 2023
