Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot

Region: Italy, Tuscany
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: Dark plum aromas and flavours which are displayed in a ripe and juicy profile. Notes of morello cherries, fleshy mission figs and hints of brown sugar are framed with earthy impressions of iron and graphite.
Expressive aromas of ripe black cherry, vanilla bean and toasted nuts are prominent on the nose. At first taste, the supple and approachable tannins from the Merlot provide a full mouthfeel. The core is warm and smooth, balanced by notes of ripe plums and chocolate-covered cherries. Cabernet Franc in the blend uplifts the palate with cedar and fresh mint. This well-rounded, dynamic wine can be enjoyed for years to come.

Region: France, Bordeaux, Pauillac
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Franc (7%) & Petit Verdot (3%)

Tasting notes: The nose gives off fresh, intense, and dense dark fruits scents suggesting a lovely texture, with a bursting wide range of aromas: cherry, dark berries, raspberries, cinnamon, and violet. The neat and vibrant attack is followed by a full, firm structure without being coarse. On the contrary, the tannins are extremely refined albeit significantly thick.

Region: Italy
Grape variety: Merlot (43%), Cabernet Franc (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) & Petit Verdot (5%)

Tasting notes: The nose exudes black cherries, wild honey, and sweet mint. This full-bodied wine immediately envelopes the palate, framed and defined by an intense minerality. Flavours of dark plums, sweet roses are enhanced by notes of black pepper and exotic spice. The finish is vibrant and uplifting, with bright acid and a hint of cedary oak.

Award: 93 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2022

Region: France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Merlot (10%), Cabernet Franc (10%) & Petit Verdot (5%)

Tasting notes: Ripe and spicy, this is a smoothly textured wine. Its wood aging and creamy texture are rich, opulent and generous. With tangy acidity in the background, this dense wine is already impressive.

Critical Acclaim
James Suckling - 94 points: "Blackberry and plums sit amid violets, earthy notes and gentle, hazelnut oak. The palate delivers attractively smooth, supple tannins that carry long flavours of fresh dark cherries. Try from 2020."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 90 Points: "Medium to deep garnet-purple in colour, the 2015 De Fieuzal is scented of lovely ripe plums and crushed red currants with touches of forest floor and bay leaves. Medium-bodied, firm and grainy with great freshness cutting through the earthy layers, it finishes long."

Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Julien
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (8%) & Petit Verdot (7%)

Tasting notes: Ruby colour black reflections, frank nose that opens on aromas of stewed fruit, candied fruit, notes of toasted wood, animal tip, good balance on a fairly fleshy and full wine, the character is pretty with finesse, frankness, tannins are ripe, good frank and straight lengthening on finesse.

Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Estephe
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: Fine and elegant full-bodied wine with a nose marked by aromas of fresh black fruit. Its structure is harmonious, despite its young age, with aromas of blackcurrant and black cherry typical of the Merlot varietal; along with toasted notes. Beautiful aromatic persistence.

Region: France, Bordeaux, Margaux
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: With as much Merlot in the blend as the 1990 and 1996 the quality of this wine is as good as any vintage that winemaker Paul Pontallier can remember. When we tasted the 2004 Chateau Margaux we found it to be as fabulous and exciting as the 2000 had been at a similar stage. The nose was simply beautiful - ripe, fine sweet, elegant and powerful with huge potential. The palate is expansive and multi-faceted. Alongside Latour, this is one of the two wines of the vintage.
2004 was born in conditions closely resembling those of 1996: the same unsettled summer weather, the same lovely early autumn, the same rainy harvest… Last minute rain though in no way modifies the body of a wine, nor weakens its muscle; it only takes away a bit of fatness, which gives it a finer silhouette. Château Margaux 2004 is therefore a great classic vintage. There is great finesse and above all purity on the nose in this subtle combination of floral, fruit and spice aromas; all are clearly present, but no single aroma dominates. On the palate, the tannic structure is tight-knit, fine and tender. The general impression is firstly balance, precision, freshness and finally an air-light grace which can only be found in great Margaux.

Reviews:
Wine Advocate - 94/100 - Neal Martin - 01/03/2017 – Tasted September 2016: The 2004 Chateau Margaux has always been a promising wine and here, served blind against the First Growths, it finally proved that patience is necessary when it comes to such wines. It has an exquisite bouquet with brilliant delineation, scents of redcurrant, raspberry coulis, cold stone (almost flint-like) with pencil-lead and cedar lending it a Pauillac-like sense of aristocratic flair. The palate is extremely well balanced with a supple opening, nigh perfect acidity with a surprisingly citric undercurrent that lends so much freshness and tension. While it does not have the weight and power of say, 2000, 2005 or 2009, it cruises along with utmost harmony and you become smitten by its charms - something that is perhaps in short supply among the First Growths in this vintage. This is excellent.

Region: France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan
Grape variety: 58% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc & 4% Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: There is a generous and floral approach before the lovely fluid interplay between tannin and fruit on the palate. The wine then settles and confidently delivers its Haut-Brion calling card of sweet, open-textured savoury fruit.

Region: Bordeaux, France
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes: Notes of dark berry fruit, notably cassis and plum, with subtle hints of spice and cedar. The paalte is often described as well-structured with fine tannins and a balanced acidity.

Food Pairing: This red blend pairs wel with a variety of dishes, especially those featuring red meats, such as braised beef, lamb and venison, due to its structure and tannins. Magnums (1.5L bottles) offer a larger volume for sharing and the wines characteristics allow it to compliment both classic and more adventurous pairings.

Awards:
Concours General Agricole Paris 2024 - Silver
Le Guide Hachette Des Vins 2022 - 1 Star
Concours General Agricole Paris 2020 - Silver
The TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2020 - Bronze
Le Guide Hatchette Des Vins 2019 - 1 Star

Region: Pauillac, France
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes: The Chateau Pontent Canet is known for its intense, complex and powerful profile. It features deep garnet purple colour and nose that bursts with aromas of blackcurrant pastilles, raspberry coulis and blueberry compote with hints of candied violets, beep dripping and tar. The palate is full bodied with firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, offering a long, lifted finish. Its a wine that is both rich and elegant with smokey, cedary Pauillac chracter and a fruity dominant, tingling finish.

Food Pairing: Chateau Pontet Canet is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes.