Tasting Bordeaux 2011 En Primeur at Chateau Cos D'Estournal

We have recently released our 2011 Bordeaux En Primeur Review, written by our Managing Director, James Goodhart, we have also produced full PDF reports with tasting notes for each of the wines on our website.

2011 Vintage – En Primeur Bordeaux                                           

The 2011 Bordeaux vintage was a challenging one that started with the driest winter on record, only half the normal level of rain fell between December and April (with the exception of February).

In Bordeaux, they had a very early warm spring, flowering in some places was 3 – 4 weeks earlier than normal followed by a cool, dry summer with a very hot period at the end of June which caused a lot of damage and added to the stress on the vines. Extreme temperatures of over 40C on the 27th / 28th June in some areas caused a loss of up to 25-30% of the yields.

Hail storms also hit Sauternes on 25th April, causing damage in Guiraud and La Tour Blanche. Hail hit parts of Palmer and Margaux and surrounding Chateaux on the 5th June. There was a hail storm that hit the Pauillac North and St Estephe Border on the 1rd Sept. Difficult to know who it hit, some claimed heavier rain, however it wasn’t good.

The wet weather that hit Bordeaux on the 3rd September forced a few properties to pick slightly earlier than they wished, (Probably one week early) which is evident in some slightly green tannins. The grapes were very small due to the dry conditions, too much rain at this stage can swell the grapes causing the skins to spit and starting a natural fermentation on the vines. Fortunately this did not occur.

Terroir has played a big part in the 2011 vintage. The clay soils in Pomerol definitely helped retaining moisture for the vines, resulting in greater consistency in Pomerol compared to St Emilion.  However there are exceptions and this is categorically a vintage to “do your homework and know your winemaker/Chateau” some of them have got it right and others have struggled.

The grape that seems to have shone the most in 2011 is the Cabernet Franc with higher proportions used in the blends than normal, however it slightly depends on the soils.

In terms of quality it’s a mid-table vintage. If I have to place it over the last decade it’s without doubt behind 2009, 2010, 2005, 2000, 2003 and above 2007, 2002, 2006 and 2004 and on par with the 2001 and 2008 vintage. It will probably turnout to be a modern version of the 1988 vintage.

For the 2011 En Primeur, pricing will be a key ingredient. Most chateaux understand they have to reduce prices,  however it needs to be significant.  Time will tell. Fingers crossed that they will listen to the consumer for a change.

I have separated my Bordeaux 2011 En Primeur Report into Right Bank (Pomerol, St Emilion) Left Bank (Margaux, Pauillac, St Julien, St Estephe, Medoc and Pessac-Leognan) and Sauternes/Barsac.

Chateau de Sours Bordeaux Rose 2010 has been nominated wine of the week by Matthew Jukes writing in Money Week.  He is certainly a fan ”Beautifully balanced and incredibly mouth watering, 2010 de Sours Rose is a fabulous wine and it is certainly the finest vintage to date”.

We recently stayed at Chateau de Sours, the owner Martin Krajewski and his team have been doing some tremendous work at the Chateau – they are also doing their bit for the planet by using the underground cellars as a natural cooling system for the new cellars – a considerably effective and efficient air cooling system.  An extensive replanting programme has been underway for the last few years and the team are making better and better wines.  Bravo Martin its all coming together rather nicely.

If you would like to buy some Chateau de Sours Bordeaux Rose 2010 at our online wine shop.  Currently in stock at £9.95 a bottle whilst stocks last! 

Fancy trying the Chateau de Sours Sparkling Rose – lovely and refreshing, full of red berry and summer fruits – on offer now at £7.99 (was £9.99).

Great summer drinking – even Alan Titchmarsh on his ITV show called it “Probably the best Rose in the world” – well its in my fridge chilling for lunchtime!

Samantha Goodhart, Bon Coeur Fine Wines

We are proud to have been selected by Château de Sours (1 of only 3 UK based Wine Merchants) to offer the Chateau de Sours Rose 2008. Despite all the world troubles, poor exchange rates etc, the owner of Chateau de Sours, Martin Krajewski has reduced the price at the Cellar door so we can sell it at under £7 per bottle.

Click here to buy from our website

Bordeaux, to be honest, had a difficult June and July but was blessed by good weather in August and September. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were picked at optimum ripeness during the week commencing 29th September without a trace of disease and were quickly moved from the vineyard to the winery. The blend this year is 60 % Merlot and 40 % Cabernet Sauvignon

Martin has invested in a new ‘state of the art’ Press that not only cools the grapes but allows the ‘free run juice’ to run off by gravity into the fermentation tanks. Controlling the temperature helps the freshness and the ‘free run’ juice helps the purity of the wine.
 
Chateau de Sours Rose 2008 is a lovely luscious and vibrant pink colour and offers vivacious red berry fruit aromas, with hints of strawberry bubblegum, raspberries and cream on the palate. The summer fruits are enhanced, with purity that is married beautifully to a lovely refreshing, balanced acidity and a long dry finish.
 
The wine is available in 75cl clear heavyweight Bordeaux screw-top bottles.  We are also taking cases of Magnums and single wooden presentation boxes for single Double Magnums and Imperials.

Each month we select a wine which we hope you find of interest, either because it’s a new find, great value or simply because it is just too good to keep to ourselves.

Chateau La Roca, Cotes du Roussillon 2005

Click here to buy from our website

Wine Information
Vintage: 2005
Grape Variety:  40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Carignan
Region:  Cotes de Roussillon, France
Alcohol: 13%
Bottle Size:  75cl
Closure:  Cork
Bottle Price: £6.49   Case Price:  £77.88

Background
This wine was found by James Goodhart, is fantastic value for the quality of the wine.   The Domaines vineyards extend over 20 hectares planted with a majority of old vines and nestled at the foot of La Chaine des Alberes, Pyrenees.

Traditionally fermented and aged in oak barrels for 12 months.  On the nose and palate this is a soft, smooth and well rounded wine with subtle spice on the long and fruity finish.  Bright ruby red in colour with mature red berry fruit and vanilla aromas on the nose.

What do I eat with it….
Goes fantastically with a winter warm casserole, roast lamb, roasted vegetables or red berry puddings, blackberry and apple crumble.
 

:

Weddings are arguably one of the most magical days in your Family’s lives with nothing left to chance!  With  so much to organise it is often difficult to decide on which Champagnes, Sparkling Wines, and still wines to serve.  Bon Coeur Fine Wines are seasoned specialists in providing wine for corporate events, weddings and functions throughout the year.

There are so many wines to choose from here are a selection of our top wedding wines.  For Champagne our in house Jacques Bon Coeur Champagne or why not try  Crement de Bourgogne Sparkling Wine by Cave de Lugny.  Some popular white wines to look at are Louis Latour Grand Ardeche 2005 or from New Zealand a lovely fresh and zesty Wild Rock, Sauvignon Blanc 2007.  For red wines Philippe de Rothchild Mapu Merlot 2007, soft and easy drinking from Chile or traditional red Chateau La Roca, Cotes de Rousillon 2005.  And to complete the meal a delicious dessert wine Chateau Liot, Sauternes 2001.

So how much do you need and how do we avoid running out on the big day??  Here’s a brief guide to help you through the big questions for the big day. (more…)