Despite the cold winter days we have been tasting some fabulous roses including the new 2011 vintage from Chateau de Sours.  We are delighted to have been re-selected to do our annual ex cellars offer.   Martin Krajewski has maintained a great budget beating deal, and we are able to offer it at £8.49 (inc VAT) per bottle.   This is only on offer until Friday 9th March 2012.

2011 proved to be a vintage with challenging growing conditions which started with a Spring  heat wave and temperatures sawed to over 30 degrees.  In fact we were out in Bordeaux last April doing the Bordeaux En Primeur tastings and it was so hot you really needed sun screen, not that I had any!  This heat wave shocked the vines out of their dormant state and pushed them much further on than usual.  Flowering was therefore early though the flowering was even, which was good.  Through June and July to August the weather proved inconsistent with great fluctuations in heat, rain, drought and humidity.   However despite these challenging conditions the team has produced a great vintage.

Chateau de Sours broke all records of early picking and started harvesting on 17^th August for the sparkling wines and 25^th for the still wines.

Recently described by Matthew Jukes, wine writer for Money Week as “The most thrilling rose of the year” the team at Chateau de Sours have surpassed themselves for this fabulous 2011 vintage.

“Chateau de Sours Rose 2011 is a vibrant, light and strawberry pink in colour.  Summer fruits are in abundance on the nose, enhanced with strawberries and a bunch of red currants.  Pear drops on the front of the palate, strawberry and bubblegum with a well balanced citrus and grapefruit uplifting acidity that flows through into a refreshing smooth finish.  There’s a fantastic underlying steely minerality that adds extra depth and complexity.  A real must for the summer.”   Tasted January 2011 James Goodhart

The blend is predominantly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, 12.5% alcohol. 

If you would like to buy online go to our website Chateau de Sours Bordeaux Rose 2011 .

My Personal thoughts on the 2009 Port Vintage

Samantha and I tasted all the 2009 Ports at the London International Wine Trade Fair (LIWTF) in May at Excel. We tasted some single Quinta (Vineyard) wines from Warres (only about 200 cases produced) and Quinta do Vesuvio. Incredibly small volumes, hugely concentrated with slightly raisons / dates characters. We went on to taste the Fladgate Partnership ports which consists of Taylors, Fonseca, Croft and Skeffington. We tasted them with Adrian Bridge, CEO at The Fladgate Partnership.

A Panoramic View of the Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas vineyard

The Fladgate Partnership ports are in a totally different class. Impressive, mega sweet fruit, juicy, concentrated with power, structure but also with a fantastic acidity / lift that put them in a different sphere in my view. I asked Adrian why have they made a first class vintage and yet Dow’s and Graham’s haven’t declared. He didn’t really want to answer in case he was seen to be slagging off the competition (Fair enough), however reading between the lines either they either mis-read when to pick or they simply picked too late.

“In over three centuries of making great ports, we have seldom seen four outstanding vintages come along in a decade. Like the great landmark vintages of the early twentieth century, the ‘09s are built for long term ageing” Adrian Bridges

“we have not seen colour intensity and tannic grip like this over twenty years. In addition the quality of the fruit is impressive and the wines are supported by excellent acidity” David Guimaraens The Fladgate Partnership’s head winemaker.

Taylors 2009

12 x 75cl                      Taylors Vintage Port 2009                                            £390 In Bond

6 x 75cl                        Taylors Vintage Port 2009                                            £200 In Bond

Going back and forth, the Taylor’s 2009 has a lighter nose than the 2007 with precise dark cherry, Seville orange, fresh fig and a hint of scorched soil. The palate is full-bodied packed with ripe black cherries, fresh fig and white pepper; very harmonious and focused although I feel that the 2007 has a little more depth and persistency. Very pretty and very pure, this Taylor’s may well put on weight with a couple of years in bottle and merit a higher mark. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 95 POINTS

Taylors ‘Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009

Limited – still waiting to see if I have an allocation. Let me know and I will do my best. One for the Wine collector.

3 x 75cl                        Taylors ‘Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009           £270 In Bond

“The Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009 has a more introverted than Taylor’s Vintage, an earthy bouquet with touches of orange essence developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good backbone, quite reserved and composed at the moment. This is not a flamboyant Vinha Velha, but there is a very attractive, slightly biscuity quality towards the finish. Superb. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 94 POINTS

Fonseca 2009

12 x 75cl                      Fonseca Vintage Port 2009                                          £380 In Bond

6 x 75cl                        Fonseca Vintage Port 2009                                          £195 In Bond

“The Fonseca 2009 has a very ripe sweet prune and fig-tinged bouquet that is very precocious. Touches of smoke, raisin and dark plum begin to emerge with time, though it needs to evolve a little more cohesion. The palate is full-bodied with saturated tannins, luscious dark berried fruit, touches of pomegranate, fig and dates that lead to a gently grippy, persistent finish. This is a fine Fonseca, but I wanted it to give me more flamboyance and brio. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 93 POINTS

Croft 2009

12 x 75cl                      Croft Vintage Port 2009                                                £310 In Bond

6 x 75cl                        Croft Vintage Port 2009                                                £160 In Bond

“The 2009 Croft has a very pure pretty bouquet with ripe blueberry and dark plum-scented bouquet. Fine definition although not quite as complex as I remember the 2007 at the same stage. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins, moderate acidity, harmonious with a plush blackberry, crème de cassis and spice-tinged finish. Good potential, although I think the 2007 has an intellectual edge. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 93 POINTS

Finally, One for the Children, Grand Children and God Children

Vintage Collection Tri-Pack 2009

This contains 1 bottle of each Taylors, Fonseca and Croft in a wooden presentation box

3 x 75cl                        Vintage Collection Tri-Pack                                         £110 In Bond

Current Duty level on Port is £28.94 ex vat per 12x75cl, £14.47 ex vat per 6x75cl and £7.24 ex vat per 3x75cl bottles. VAT is at 20%. The Port will arrive in Bond in January 2012. There is a chance it may arrive before Christmas but the ‘time window’ is small and difficult to guarantee.

These wines are under allocation.  If you would like to buy these please contact us - 01765 688200 

Jamie Goodhart, Managing Director, Bon Coeur Fine Wines

New in this month is our Chilean collection of wines including the ever popular Los Vascos wines from Baron de Rothchild (Lafite), and the 2007 vintage of Encierra as well as Amancaya Gran Reserva 2007 the flagship wine from the exciting Amancaya winery in Mendoza, a joint venture between the Rothschild’s of Lafite and Nicolas Catena - all are delicious wines and come highly recommended.  Click on the links to our Bon Coeur Fine Wines online wine website to buy these wines.

AMANCAYA
Flagship wine from the exciting Amancaya winery in Mendoza, Argentina. This joint venture between the Rothschild’s of Lafite and Nicolas Catena.  The wine expresses the best of both worlds- Argentinean purity of fruit and concentration and the expertise of the finest winemakers in Bordeaux. A truly excellent blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Complex nose offers currant, graphite, tobacco, liquorice, cedar flavours. It’s finely balance with 12 months in French oak. Claret in style but with an extra dimension and charming velvety texture. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot.

Amancaya Gran Reserva 2007                                                   £115 ex vat per 12 bottle case
Complex nose offers currant, graphite, tobacco, liquorice, cedar flavours. It’s finely balance with 12 months in French oak. Claret in style but with an extra dimension and charming velvety texture. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot.

Cheapest price we can find this on the market is £135 ex vat per case. It’s becoming like gold dust – Our allocation is only 50 cases

LOS VASCOS
Chateau Lafite’s Chilean property and very popular with all our customers.

White Wines

Los Vascos Chardonnay 2008                                                     £81.60 ex vat per 12 bottle case
This vintage has a brilliant and clear colour with golden reflections. It has an explosive nose of melon, grapefruit and exotic fruit coupled with the typical Chardonnay note of hazelnut. In the mouth, it is rich, fresh and pleasantly fruity with good structure and a long finish.

Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc 2009                                              £81.60 ex vat per 12 bottle case
Light yellow robe with beautiful green sparks. The nose shows the traditional ‘wild’ and expressive aromas of Sauvignon Blanc: boxwood and shrub followed by notes of chives and fruit such as pineapple, lime, green apple and white peach. The mouth is fresh, juicy and balanced. Good persistence. The grapes from Casablanca and Leyda bring in a fruity and mineral touch, while those from the Andean foothills contribute with volume and a creamy texture

Rosé Wines

Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2009                        £71.38 ex vat per 12 bottle case
A good year overall in terms of climatic conditions despite the dry spring and summer. Optimum ripening led to a very good rosé. Bright, light red robe. Intense red fruit aromas: strawberries, raspberries and cherries. Refreshing, lively and juicy mouth. Aromatic, balanced and good persistence

 
Red Wines

In Chile, 2007 was generally within the normal weather parameters, although at the beginning of summer there were some extremely hot days but these were controlled by focused irrigations and precise and timely canopy management. On top of this, temperatures became more moderate at the time of the harvest which permitted an excellent and healthy ripeness.
Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2007                                   £81.60 ex vat per 12 bottle case
Brilliant red ruby colour. Pleasant mature fruit such as red cherries, raspberries and plums. Notes of sarsaparilla and gooseberry jam, glazed dry fruit, red fruit in syrup and white chocolate. Spices of black pepper, nutmeg, bay leaves, mint and cloves. Sweet, round, vigorous and elegant tannins. Good acidity, with character. Simply delicious

Los Vascos Gran Reserva 2007                                                 £102.02 ex vat per 12 bottle case
The colour is brilliant red ruby. The nose explodes with fruit: black cherry and blackcurrant (cabernet), strawberry (malbec), raspberry (syrah), and plum with light touches of bay leaf and black pepper (carmenère). The oak is a delicious complement adding cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate and tobacco. It is creamy, intense, and fresh, with balanced acidity, good structure, finishing with a great expression of fruit marked by raspberries and sweet cherries, with little touches of liquorice. The wine is absorbing and harmonious, intensely delicious and entertaining

Le Dix de Los Vascos 2007                                                         £120 ex vat per 6 bottle case
Le Dix 2007 has a deep red garnet colour. The powerful nose develops aromas of very ripe black fruit and wild cherries with notes of cedar, laurel, and licorice. The oak is pleasantly integrated thus complementing the enjoyable aromas of toasted coffee, vanilla, tobacco and cinnamon. The Syrah adds nuances of violets and raspberries. In the mouth, it is round, dense, fresh and fruity. Even though the wine is concentrated, Le Dix remains very balanced and elegant improving the freshness and length with rich but ripe and soft tannins. It finishes with a strong taste of cherry and a light bitterness of walnut peel typical of great Cabernets. The Carmenère adds enjoyable touches of pepper. To drink from 2009 but with very good ageing potential. A very good vintage! Our Allocation is only 30 cases

Encierra ‘Vineyard Reserve’ 2007                                             £132.66 ex vat per 12 bottles
A wine that we honestly believe is worth £20 a bottle so much so that we ship about 10% of the production. I have included Derek Smedley’s tasting notes. Please note that he has given this wine a whopping 95 points. It’s Cabernet dominated (60%) with an excellent backbone of Syrah (35%) but has 3% Camenere and 2% Petit Verdot that gives the wine extra complexity. It can be drunk now but no hurry. They are basically surrounded by Chateau Lafite Chilean property Los Vascos. We believe it’s almost as good as Almaviva (the partnership of Bordeaux first-growth Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Concha y Toro) which  Berry Bros sell at £43 per bottle

“There is a complex mix of rich black fruits showing on the nose, blackcurrant very prominent with damson and black cherry backing it. The fruit on the palate feels ripe ensuring richness and sweetness. The rounded tannins add to the fleshiness of the black fruit mix. Towards the back some strawberry and mulberry are in evidence giving some freshness but then dark chocolate lurks behind enriching the finish” Derek Smedley 95/100 points Drink 2009-2018

Jean-Marie Guffens, the winemaker and owner of Verget has been described by Robert Parker (World’s top Wine Critic) as “The world’s greatest Chardonnay winemaker”. His wines speak for themselves and are normally over subscribed on release as agents and wine merchants fight for allocations.

We are delighted to advise that we have managed to negotiate allocations of the following and they are in stock now!  Hurry as stock will go quickly. 

For further information on Verget wines go to the Verget wine producer profile on the website.

Bourgogne Terriors du Cote d’Or, Verget 2008 – £9.99
The grapes are sourced from Meursault and Puligny Montrachet. Apply fresh in style with creamy complexity and a touch of minerality and finesse. Lacking the richness of the 2005 & 2006 vintage but still excellent. Pure in style and very well balanced.

Macon Charnay ‘Clos St Pierre’ Verget 2008 – £10.99
Richer in style than the Bourgogne with more melon fruits and a hint of creamy vanilla. Enhanced on the palate added fruit and creamy, beautifully balanced with the fresh acidity and integrated oak. Great finish.

Saint Veran ‘Le Clos’ Verget 2008 – £13.99
Again more serious is style. Very pure with orchard fruits, white peaches, a touch minerals and well balanced citrus characters. Very smooth with great balance and length.

Prices Include VAT. Normal delivery conditions apply.

We also have a very small parcels of White Burgundy wines, see below, available at the end of November. Prices are In Bond per 12 x 75cl bottle case.  Special In Bond conditions apply click on the wines for more detail.

Pouilly Fuisse ‘Terres de Pierres, Verget 2008                            
Puligny Montrachet, 1er Cru ‘Sous Le Puits’ Verget 2008                
Macon PierreClos Chavigne Blanc, Domaine Guffens-Heynen 2008