Bordeaux New Arrivals In Time for Holiday Enjoyment
by Gary Cummins, Cooper Wine Educator & Specialist
* 2020 Chateau Beaumont, Haut Medoc ~$26.99 buy 6 btls of this $21.59 Located on the left bank of the Gironde, between the communes of Margaux and Saint-Julien, Chateau Beaumont draws it finesse and its delicacy from the deep gravels of the best soils of the Haut-Medoc. The vineyard is mainly situated on a deep gravel hilltop. The vineyard spreads on a 113 hectare single piece of land enabling the Chateaeu to benefit from a great homogeneity. The proximity of the Girande River estuary also has a protective, regulating effect on the vineyards. Over multiple vintages the grape varieties for the wine is a dominant balance of Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced by Merlot and a small amount of Petit Verdot. Cabernet brings structure to this wine, while Merlot brings an opulent up front fruit while Petit Verdot brings color, tannins and a hint of spice. The blend for the 2020 vintage is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot
92 Points – Wine Enthusiast: Ripe, soft, revealing sumptuous black fruits, this wine shows an impressive side to this estate. Tannins and black fruits are coming together well, with ripe black currant flavors and fine density. The wine will be worth aging.
91 Points – Decanter: Careful extraction sees a clear tannic frame to give balance and form to the wine without getting in the way of enjoyment, meaning this is a bottle that can easily be opened within the next few years. Silky texture, and the power builds through the palate, as concentrated brambled fruits begin to emerge while spicy, intense and enjoyable. A yield of 40hl/ha. Tasted three times. Cru Bourgeois Supérieur.
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* 2016 Chateau Tour de des Termes, St Estephe~$36.99 Mix-n-Match 12 Btls $29.59 The Chateau Tour Des Termes owes its name to an old tower located on a plot called “Les Termes.” The discovery of Gallo-Roman origna at the foot of the tower faors the hypothesis of the presence of an old lighthouse at this location, marking the entrance to an outer port of the ancient Gallo-Roman city, Brion, located a few kilometers away. The name “of the Terms” would mean the “end of the land.” The 2016 vintage will be remembered as one of the great years of the 21st Century for Bordeaux.
91pts Vinous
A blend of 60% Merlot /30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. “The 2016 Tour des Termes has a classic blackberry, cedar and briary scented bouquet that demands some encouragement from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, balanced acidity, quite natural and elegant in style with a persistent and disarmingly pure finish. Bravo – this is a great Tour des Termes.”
92 Points Wine Enthusiast Roger Voss – May 2019
92 Points Robert Parker
92 Points Wine Spectator
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* 2019 les Petit Smith Haut-Lafitte, Graves~$49.99 Mix and Match 12 bottles $39.99
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, thanks to its 55 hectares of superb gravelly vineyards, Smith Haut Lafitte is often referred to as the “archetypical Graves.” The estate’s history goes back to the Crusades, and a Scottish navigator, George Smith, who became the owner of the estate in the 18th century. . Since then, they have restored the 16th century tower, renovated the 18th century manor house, built two underground cellars, went back to traditional vine growing methods without chemical herbicides and set up their own cooperage. The les Petit Smith Haut-Lafitte is one of 2 second labels produced by the Estate, both organic produced by this estate.
94 Points Vinous, February 2022
The 2019 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is fabulous. Rich, powerful and vibrant, Le Petit packs a serious punch. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, mocha and dried herbs build as this effusive, generous wine shows off its racy, alluring personality. I loved it. — Antonio Galloni
94 – Decanter, January 2022
Green bell pepper, eucalyptus, dark chocolate and perfumed cherries and blackcurrants on the nose – so much aromatic intensity. Immediate impact on the palate with weighty tannins that are ample and mouthcoating giving…
94 – James Suckling February 2022
Spices, such as cloves and white pepper, with violets and dark fruit follow through to a full body with firm, chewy tannins and a polished yet intense finish. Open tannins. An ash-like undertone to it. Try after 2027
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* 2016 Chateau Olivier – Pessac-Leognan~$52.99 Mix and Match 12 btls $42.39 Chateau Olivier is in contention for one of the oldest properties in Bordeaux. Bordeaux wine historians believe the estate dates back as far as the 11th century. Some ancient remnants of the original buildings can be seen close to the east pavilion on the lower portions of the property. Those ancient beginnings are how Chateau Olivier is actually one of the few castles in the Bordeaux region. There is even a moat and drawbridge.
95 – Points Wine Enthusiast
Dense tannins are balanced by equally rich fruit in this wine. It comes from vines around a medieval, moated castle on the edge of Bordeaux city. The wine is full of ripe, juicy blackberry flavors that circle of core of dryness. Both will allow the wine to age well. Drink from 2025. (5/2019)
94 – Points Decanter
This is generous, well judged and jam-packed with the luscious black fruits that 2016 specialises in. Beautifully juicy, the aromatics are very clean, with a deeply spicy side to the cassis and blackberry. Well worked tannins, very classic Pessac. Excellent. (JA) (4/2017)
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* 2015 Chateau Clement Pichon, Haut-Medoc~$32.99 Mix and Match 12 btls $26.39 Located at the gateway to the city of Bordeaux, in the southern Médoc, the estate’s history goes back to the 14th century. At that time, it was a medieval seigneury that later belonged to the Sun King Louis XIV in person, who used it as a hunting lodge on two occasions.The present-day chateau, one of the most impressive in the Médoc, was built 1880 by the the Barons Pichons. The 70 hectare estate (175 acres) includes a listed pond, a bird preserve, and 25 hectares (62 acres) of beautiful grounds, as well as a vineyard.
91 Points – Wine Enthusiast
The 2015 Chateau Clement Pichon, dominated by ripe Merlot, is full, open and developing quickly. There’s a rich edge to the black fruits as well as some powerful tannin that will need to 2015 Chateau Clement Pichon, dominated by ripe Merlot, is full, open and developing quickly. There’s a rich edge to the black fruits as well as some moderately powerful tannins. It is an open, generous wine, full of fruit and richly structured.
