Bordeaux
| According to figures from Bordeaux's official trade organisation, the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux, more than 13,000 growers in the region harvest grapes each year, and about 9,000 châteaux bottle their own wines. The top châteaux are justly famous but some stunning wines are made by less well known producers at far more modest prices. Since the 1980s massive investment has modernised viticulture and vinification without compromising the care and attention to detail one would expect of the Bordelais. Competition from the New World has created a "new wave" style of Claret which is much easier to enjoy when young, but continues to improve with age. |  |
| Balls Brothers Claret Blended by Richard Balls and Charles Sichel at Maison Sichel, the wine is made up of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot. The nose is intense and there are concentrated flavours of red fruits with freshness and soft tannins. The grapes used in creating Balls Brothers Claret have been treated with the care that is lavished on the classed growths at all stages of viticulture and vinification. | |
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Red - Vintage 2001
Good weather through the summer looked as though we were looking at another great vintage. A certain amount of rain at vintage time took away some of the structure in the wines, but many have turned out to have beautiful balance and finesse. The wines are drinking beautifully now.
| Price | ||
| 2001 Chateau Fourcas-Dumont, Listrac-Medoc | £14.50 | |
| A dense wine with dark fruits, soft tannins and a warm spicy finish. | Qty | |
| 2001 Château Bellerose Figeac, Grand Cru St Emilion | £14.80 | |
| 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark red fruits and berries on the nose peppered with oaky spice and earthy minerality, the wine has good structure. The ripe round fruit is wrapped around a core of dark chocolate and earthy spice. | Qty | |
| 2001 Sarget de Gruaud Larose | £18.80 | |
| The second wine of Gruaud Larose, this wine is fruitier and more accessible than its elder with an elegant style all of its own. | Qty | |
| 2001 Chateau Bellegrave, Pomerol | £24.60 | |
| A bright garnet-red colour. Nice notes of raspberry and blackcurrant. On the palate there's a more minty flavour. Very fine balance and superbly delicate tannins. | Qty | |
| 2001 Chateau Durfort Vivens, 2ème Cru Classe, Margaux | £25.00 | |
| Rich fruit flavours with a dense tannic structure. | Qty | |
| 2001 Chateau Brane-Cantenac Grand Cru Classe Margaux | £46.00 | |
| This vineyard has been in the hands of the Lurton family since 1922. The 2001 is densely packed with blackberry fruit flavours and has a firm yet rounded tannic structure. | Qty | |
| 2001 Chateau Durfort Vivens, 2ème Cru Classe, Margaux - MAGNUM | £49.90 | |
| Rich fruit flavours with a dense tannic structure. | Qty | |
