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. | |
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1995 | 1993 | 1992 | 1988
Red - Vintage 2003
2003 was the year that Northern Europe sweltered in record high temperatures. Despite weather more generally associated with the warmer areas of the Southern Hemisphere, the wines have the definite taste characteristics of Bordeaux.
| Price | ||
| 2003 Chateau Gasquerie, Côtes de Castillon | £7.50 | |
| Very much like a St Emilion, being full of dry fruit and having a long, satisfying finish, it is modern Bordeaux winemaking at its best. Deep purple, a bouquet of black fruits with toasted coffee notes, ripe and round cassis flavours and warm finish. | Qty | |
| 2003 Chateau Labegorce-Zede, Cru Bourgeois, Margaux | £21.90 | |
| Owned by the Thienpont family (Château le Pin and Vieux Château Certan), this Cru Bourgeois Margaux is widely regarded as one of the best non-Cru Classé wines of the commune. Reminiscent of roses and red cherries with smoky mineral undertones, very elegant with a superb finish. Ready to drink. | Qty | |
| 2003 Chateau d'Angludet, Cru Bourgeois, Margaux | £22.20 | |
| One of the unsung heroes of Bordeaux. From the NW corner of Margaux. This is an intense wine with black fruit aromas and well-structured fruit and tannin. | Qty | |
| 2003 Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Cru Grand Bourgeois-Haut-Medoc | £33.30 | |
| The nose is very complex, with black olives, pencil shavings, mineral edged black fruits with some cassis , and some smoky elegance. The palate continues with this richness, which has sweet and spicy fruit and a very full body, cut through by a healthy presence of tannins which very much dominate towards the finish. | Qty | |
| 2003 Chateau Palmer, 3rd Growth Margaux | £107.80 | |
| Part owned by the famous négociants Peter A. Sichel. Certainly one of the greatest wines of a great vintage. Deeply coloured, this vintage has a very particular style, almost New World. Vanilla, red fruit, and spice can be found on the nose. The palate is big and aromatic. Will develop beautifully. | Qty | |
