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2013, 2014 & 2015 Finding Value in the Côtes de . Report by Jane Anson, Decanter’s Bordeaux correspondent

he home of good value and There are excellent Maisons des Vins in all enjoyable , the AOC Côtes de corners of the Côtes that offer regular tastings Wines to try: Whites Bordeaux has the fourth largest and stock the vast majority of the wines sales of red wines in . selected here. The Bordeaux region as a whole The Côtes draws together wines is experiencing a renaissance in tourism, T made from four separate areas of , with around five million visitors per year, and Cadillac, Castillon and Francs that lie on the the Côtes offer some of its most enriching and Château la Rose Bellevue Prestige, Right Bank of Bordeaux along the Dordogne exhilarating experiences. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 and Garonne rivers. Over 900 winemakers This is some of the oldest viticultural terroir 91 Highly recommended make their home here, farming an area of in Bordeaux, with many châteaux dating back www.chateau-larosebellevue.com 10,000 hectares and producing around 10% of to the 12th century and earlier. There are Roman Bright, clean, good grip, sparkling citrus Bordeaux’s overall output per year. The vast remains to be found around the city of Blaye, flavours, this has been oak aged for five months majority (97%) of the wine here is red, but along with a UNESCO World Heritage Citadelle but with great restraint, 85% , there are also some excellent white wines. overlooking the Estuary. Cadillac and 15% Muscadelle. A lovely example of a Blaye And the spirit of the Côtes is clear – these are Francs are full of historic châteaux and ancient white, from an always-reliable producer. welcoming, family-run properties that churches that date back to the Middle Ages, Drink now-2017 Alc 13.5%abv prioritise not only making wonderful wines, while Castillon is full of rolling countryside as but welcoming visitors to discover what are it reaches out towards the green Dordogne, Château des Tourtes Cuvée Prestige, some of the most beautiful parts of Bordeaux. with towering limestone hills that offer perfect Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 These four regions are part of the fabric of bedrock for vines. There are marathons, 90 Highly recommended Bordeaux’s history, and yet are also part of its hikes, markets and various events where £11.50 The French Wine Project, renaissance, making some of the most winemakers can share their passion and www.thefrenchwineproject.com exciting wines of modern Bordeaux. know-how with visitors. This gets to the point straight away and is On wine labels, look out for either the The tasting below gathered together over easily one of my favorites tasted. Lots of general Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, which 220 wines from; for the reds, the 2014 and interest, from fresh white flowers to lemon is becoming an increasingly strong promise of 2013 vintages, and for the whites the 2015 and rind, lots of interest with a touch of flinty value and quality, or one of the four individual 2014. These were then cut down to around reduction on the very first nose. Drink names of Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs, 100 final choices. now-2017 Alc 14%abv indicating that the grapes are grown only in These are three vintages with real variations that specific area. All tend to be from small in style, with the full range from light, fresh, Château Haut Canteloup, properties (the average size is around 10 early drinking bottles to more powerful Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2015 hectares), and most have a majority of the structured wines to age. The 2013 vintage for 90 Highly recommended grape in their red wines. This is, the reds was a little bumpy in places, but we £9.90 The French Wine Project, however, the land of experimentation, with have narrowed down the field to some www.thefrenchwineproject.com many young winemakers, and increasing excellent examples, full of light fresh fruit and Distinct citrus flavours,with touches of numbers now use the more unusual varieties unforced pleasure. The 2014 vintage was, in gooseberry and asparagus Sauvignon, this is of or alongside the contrast, almost uniformly excellent, and you almost tart but manages to be mouthwatering more usual Merlot and . will find plenty of wines offering both firm rich instead, good example of a northern The whites tend to be blends of Sauvignon fruits and soft, round tannins. The whites in hemisphere Sauvignon, with grip and presence. Blanc, Semillon, and sometimes Sauvignon 2014 also show some great success, with plenty 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Sauvignon Gris and Gris or Muscadelle. to get excited about. And while the brilliant 5% Muscadelle. Drink now-2017 Alc 13.5%abv. These are richly textured and interesting 2015 reds are still ageing in cellars right now, wines that have a story to tell, so it’s always the whites on show seem hugely promising – La Révélation des Vignobles Denis Lafon, worth looking at the back label, visiting the the acidities a little lower than in 2014 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 website, or heading out to Bordeaux to visit. perhaps, with a gourmet take on the Côtes. 89 Recommended

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www.denislafon.com www.lacaussade-saintmartin.com Rich, round, silky, but here also a nice grip of A lovely bit of lift and a touch of reduced Smudged smoky extract on the nose, this is lemon and a sizzle of rosemary spicing. expression. The 50% Sauvignon Blanc here citrus grilled over vine shoots. Has personality Enjoyable blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and expresses green-tinged citrus and lime fruits and grip, and a soft candyfloss finish. 40% Semillon from winemaker Dominique and is zippy with lift, brought into balance Distinctive, perhaps because from an unusual Raimond. Drink now-2017 Alc 14%abv with 50% Semillon. Six months in new oak blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon gives a roundness without sacrificing the Blanc, aged in 400 litre barrels with regular Château Berthenon, Sauvignon, edge. Great stuff from Denis Lafon. Drink lees stirring. Drink now-2017 Alc 13.5%abv Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2015 now-2017 Alc 12.5%abv 87 Recommended Château des Matards, Cuvée Quentin, www.chateauberthenon.com Château Manon La Lagune, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 From the 2015 vintage, this has a classic Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2015 88 Recommended Sauvignon nose, freshly cut grass, good 89 Recommended www.chateau-des-matards.com spiciness without being overpowering. This is www.myliko.co.uk, Musgrave SuperValu Cheerful sunflower colour, with a silky and made up of 95% Sauvignon Blanc with a 5% Straw colour, with a smooth rich mouthfeel sweet mouthfeel. A white wine that is full of squeeze of Sauvignon Gris. Unoaked, focusing from the off. This has high aromatics of freshly personality, from 100% Sauvignon Blanc first on the character of the grape. Drink now-2017 cut grass. Good typicity, making the most of vinified and then aged for nine months in oak. Alc 13%abv its 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now-2017 Majoring on exotic fruit rather than the more Alc 13%abv typically Bordeaux expression of Sauvignon, Château Dubraud, very enjoyable. Drink now-2017 Alc 14%abv Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château Haut Grelot, Cuvée Sélection, 86 Recommended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2015 Château Maison Neuve, www.chateaudubraud.com (sell online) 89 Recommended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 This is rich and silky smooth, it is unoaked Bancroft Wines, www.bancroftwines.com 88 Recommended but has regular stirring of the lees to fatten A rich and ripe expression of the 2015 vintage. www.chateau-maisonneuve.com up the texture of the wine. 70% Sauvignon This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc given the full Crisp and clean, a little sour perhaps, Blanc; 15% Semillon and 15% Muscadelle from treatment - so six months oak ageing, with the gooseberry tart rather than fool, but on the winemakers Celine and Alain Vidal. Drink fermentation done in new oak (before half of mid palate a lovely citrus flesh comes into now-2017 Alc 12.5%abv the wine passes into one year old barrels for play, and this turns into a very pretty wine. the ageing, and owner Julien Bonneau 100% Sauvignon Blanc, on the fresh scale. Tutiac Sélection, cleverly using the new barrels for his red Unoaked, gentle lees stirring. Drink now-2017 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 wine). Drink now-2017 Alc 13%abv Alc 13%abv 86 Recommended www.tutiac.com Château Lacaussade St Martin, Château Montfollet Le Valentin, Fragrant on the nose, with white flowers and Cuvée Trois Moulins, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 gentle curling citrus. This fades quickly, but is Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2015 87 Recommended pretty. 100% Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked. Drink 89 Recommended www.chateaux-solidaires.com now-2017 Alc 12%abv ➢

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Château Haut Bertinerie, Château La Bretonnière, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Reds Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 85 Commended 90 Highly recommended www.myliko.co.uk www.vignoblesheurlier.com From an excellent estate that I often enjoy, Great stuff from winemaker Stéphane this is not quite up to their 2013 standard for Heurlier. Firm fruits, some uplift on the finish, the white, but still an enjoyable wine with well Château la Braulterie de Peyraud, this has real promise, good integrity of the defined flavours. 100% Sauvignon Blanc, aged Cuvée Prestige, fruit, abundant flesh, and lovely in barrel for around 10 months with regular Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 mouthwatering finish. 85% Merlot, 10% lees stirring. Sauvignon is often a strong 91 Highly recommended Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec. Drink finisher but this ends just a little soft. Drink www.braulterie.com now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv now-2017 Alc 13%abv Firmly extracted with great skill, this is really an excellent example of the quality Château Haut Canteloup Cuvée Prestige, Château Bel Air La Royère, to be found in hidden corners of Blaye, a Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 wine to savour. Lovely, a touch of high 89 Recommended 85 Commended acidity on finish but even this gives you a £14 The French Wine Project, www.bel-air-la-royere.com Approx £13 (red wine mouthwatering close of play and will make it www.thefrenchwineproject.com 2011 vintage) www.cadmanfinewines.co.uk, (red a good food-pairing choice. 65% Merlot, Dark, rich and velvety purple. This has oak but wine 2012 vintage) www.wineye.com 30% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. it’s balanced, modern, with attractive brushes Lemon curd roundness, smoked almond and Drink now-2020 Alc 13.5%abv of tar, bitter chocolate and coffee. Certainly a twist of lime. Combine that with ripe grapes this has impact, big tannins, can age another and you have this attractively full expression. Château Tour St Germain, Cuvée Elégance, five years which is not the case with all of Could do with a mouthwatering finish Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 these. Be aware it is ambitious, it’s one to perhaps, but this is good stuff. 100% 91 Highly recommended carafe. 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc with just under half seeing www.tour-st-germain.com 3% Malbec. Drink now-2020 Alc 14%abv some barrel ageing. Drink now-2017 A delicious wine, snapping with rich fruit, Alc 13%abv blackberry and bilberry that builds in Château Haut Bertinerie, intensity, playing with a second tier of flavour. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château Les Bertrands, Cuvée Prestige, Good balance overall, this is not trying too 89 Recommended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 hard and is a great example of Blaye. www.myliko.co.uk 85 Commended From a blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Malbec, The white wine tasted from this estate www.chateaulesbertrands.com 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in oak. showed a truly excellent 2013 vintage, but This is a foodie white, round, soft and sexy but Drink now-2020 Alc 14%abv here the red 2014 blows the socks off this lacks a llittle punch. 100% Sauvignon Blanc with estate’s 2013, with good ripe tannins, plush six months in French oak. Drink now-2017 La Révélation des Vignobles Denis Lafon, strands of damsons and black cherries. Well Alc 13%abv Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 worked and well extracted. 60% Merlot, 40% 90 Highly recommended Cabernet Sauvignon. New oak for around nine Approx £13 St Aubin Leschallas Wines, months. Always a name to trust in the Côtes. www.slwines.co.uk Drink now-2019 Alc 14%abv Rich deep purple in colour, firm and nicely definted on the nose, followed by lovely Château les Grands Maréchaux, autumnal brambly fruit held in place by rich Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château Les Charmes Godard, tannic structure. This stays full in flavour right 88 Recommended Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 through the palate and is confident, highly (2004, £79 for case of 6) www.laithwaites.co.uk 89 Recommended enjoyable. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet (currently sold out but buys most years), Fine & Rare, www.nicolas-thienpont.com Sauvignon. 12 months in new oak. Drink www.frw.co.uk A small estate owned by Nicolas Thienpont now-2019 Alc 14%abv Highly extracted but expertly done, rich damson, that consistently produces excellent white wines. Majoring on straw and freshly cut grass, the green side of Sauvignon is on display. I’m not complaining - the juiciness is highly welcome, especially as it is underpinned by peach flesh, and rounded out by a touch of oak. Drink now-2017 Alc 13%abv

Château Tifayne, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 87 Recommended www.tifayne.com Pale straw colour, strong hay on the nose, this is 100% Muscadelle and is unusual, a little wild and rustic. Rose on the finish. Enjoyable, just clear your mind of expectations of a Bordeaux

white. Drink now-2017 Alc 12%abv Anglada Mathieu Photograph:

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tight tannins, some lift, a little drying on the redcurrants, enjoyable and well balanced. 70% www.fieldandfawcett.co.uk very finish but this is really a lovely wine to be Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rich mouthfeel, plump fruit, this is polished enjoyed right now and over the next few years. reliable Château des Tourtes. Even more with charcoal toasting and a lovely rich Stéphane Derenoncourt consults at this estate, impressive as this is unoaked, so we are really cinnamon spice playing with the black cherry made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% tasting the fruit. Drink now-2019 Alc 13%abv fruit. Finishes short, but lots to enjoy. 70% Cabernet Franc aged 50% in oak, grown on clay- Merlot (aged in stainless steel) and 30% limestone soils. Drink now-2019 Alc 13.8%abv Château Cailleteau Bergeron, Malbec (aged in new oak barrels for 13 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 months). Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv Château le Grand Moulin, 87 Recommended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Approx £17, Friarwood Wines, www.friarwood.com Château les Bertrands, Nectar des Bertrands, 88 Recommended Strong, deep colour, highly extracted, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 www.grandmoulin.com modern, touches of vanilla and mocha. A wine 86 Recommended Deft touch, clean and textured raspberry fruit, with ambition, although the fruit is a little www.chateaulesbertrands.com a sense of freshness brings the whole wine constrained. 13 months ageing in barrel for the Deep colour, medium to full purple, rich and into focus. 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Malbec, together with 80% Merlot. Plenty alluring. Touches of vanilla bean and bitter 56% Malbec. Accomplished winemaking from to enjoy here. Drink now-2019 Alc 14%abv coffee on the aromatics and again on the vines grown on hillsides that line the Garonne attack. Clear pleasure on offer here, a little riverside. Also tasted the Prelude du Château Château Mayne Guyon, short. Contemporary with a sense of fun. 17 le Grand Moulin, which was enjoyable but I Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 months in new oak. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv would go for this classic château version. 87 Recommended Drink now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv www.chateau-mayneguyon.com Château Labrousse, Reasonable weight, good texture to the fruit, a Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château Puynard, smoky twist of almond oak on the finish. From 86 Recommended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet www.chateau-labrousse.com 88 Recommended Sauvignon. Drink now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv Deep purple colour, rich fruit, damson and black www.vignobles-gregoire.com (myvitibox.co.uk is cherry, slightly hard edged. Some attractive currently out of stock) Château Bonnange, Clos Maë, texture and tannic hold, clove spices. Abrupt Located in a pretty spot close to the Gironde Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 ending. 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, estuary, Nicolas Grégoire is owner of this 13th 87 Recommended 5% Malbec. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv century estate. The wine has pretty violet www.chateaubonnange.fr reflections, and the fruit has been fleshed out, Smooth and fleshy, from a blend of 90% Cabernet Château du Vieux Puit, lively, clear vibrancy with a good five years Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, this is plush, damson, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 ahead of it. Promising. 90% Merlot, 10% silky, flashy and fleshy just a little too controlled 86 Recommended Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2020 Alc 13.5%abv at this stage, I would give it another year before www.vignoblesbouillac.com opening. Drink 2017-2020 Alc 14.5%abv Strong liquorice, chocolate and coffee, with Château la Rose Bellevue, Secret, some rich black fruits from a 5% touch of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château les Maréchaux, Malbec. This will have plenty of fans. Touches 88 Recommended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 of frangipane because not overly sweet. The www.chateau-larosebellevue.com 87 Recommended rest of the blend is 70% Merlot and 25% Dark chocolate and coffee dusting, good www.vignobles-rs.com Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged for a full 18 balance with plump black cherry fruit, a little Again, there is promise here although the months in vats. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv made up, can see the oak workings here, but structure is big and clunky. Plenty of the overall effect is a charged sense of personality and the winemakers have done a Château Berthenon, forward motion. Vinified in 400 litre barrels. great job getting plumped up black fruits from Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Drink now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv a controlled extraction. 84% Merlot, 10% 86 Recommended Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. www.chateauberthenon.com Château Clos du Loup, Cuvée Prestige, Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv Good plush start, but a little over extracted. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Short on the finish as a result, but this has 88 Recommended Château La Grange d’Orlean, charm, fairly big, plush, modern expression. www.vignoblesbouillac.com Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, A little tight on the attack, the fruit is pulled 87 Recommended 18 months ageing in cement vats. Drink in, but there is good gentle spice underneath. http://grandmoulin.com now-2018 Alc 13%abv 18 months oak ageing. 70% Merlot, 20% A 12 hectares vineyard known for its refined Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, wines. This has a good deep colour, attractive Château les Gatines, 5% Malbec. Drink now-2019 Alc 14.5%abv expression fruit, clean, strands of flavour, not Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 hugely complex but what there is has been 85 Commended Château des Tourtes, well handled. As often seen in the Blaye wines, wwww.alliancebourg.com Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 the 10% dash of Malbec gives depth and Lovely plush bilberry nose, feel oaked, but 87 Recommended interest. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv promisingly so. Great attack but a little short £11 The French Wine Project, on the finish, and the fruit fades into tar and www.thefrenchwineproject.com Château Clos Mansio, coffee. This has personality, just pair it with One of the most enjoyable 2013s on display, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 something that can stand up to it. Merlot, from dozens tasted. This has well defined 87 Recommended Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. fruit, with integrity to the raspberry and Approx £14 (2006) Field and Fawcett, Drink now-2018 Alc 12.5%abv ➢

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Château Les Cimes du Queyrous, Château la Tonnelle de Grillet, this wine right through the mid palate and Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 over the finish line. Excellent quality, tannins 85 Commended 85 Commended are present and correct, not at all drying. 50% www.vinbordeauxblayerousseaud.com www.grandmoulin.com Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with one Firm, rich, good fruit extraction, this is high in An enjoyable wine. Restrained extraction but still year in (not new) oak. Highly enjoyable, great alcohol but has an attractive balance. Clay plump in mid palate and modern, a confident stuff from Sophie and Didier Tordeur. Drink limestone soils bring out finess in the Merlot touch of grilled oak, with a spot of bitter chocolate now-2018 Alc 13%abv grape. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv on the finish. 90% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv Château de Bellegarde, Château les Chaumes Malbec, Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château les Aubiers, 89 Recommended 85 Commended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 www.chateau-de-bellegarde.com www.chateauleschaumes.com 85 Commended Firm and promising on the attack, with an The first vintage under Henri and Anne www.grandmoulin.com attractive tunnel of flavour, firm ripe but still Parmentier (Anne is the winemaker), this has Clean fruit on the nose with vibrancy and violet crunchy fruit, love the construction here, a light touch even with the richness of the edging. Light, good uplift, hovers over the palate. not overdone but with natural sweet fruit. fruits, there is clear flesh but the overall This again isn’t hugely complex, but is thoroughly Very good focus, great for the category and impression is pared back and elegant. Damson enjoyable. 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, really an impressive handling of the 2013 plum, and a great dollop of spice. A highly 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv vintage. From an even blend of Merlot and unusual 100% Malbec, aged in 25% new oak. Cabernet Sauvignon, low temperature Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv Château Petit Boyer Vieilles Vignes, vinification and eight months in barrel. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 Drink now-2018 Alc 12%abv Château Maison Neuve, 85 Commended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 www.petit-boyer.com Château Courrèges, 85 Commended Vanilla edging on the oak fairly evident, but Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 www.chateau-maisonneuve.com this is a 2013 that has done a pretty good job 89 Recommended Strong empreumatic notes, clean fruit, a little of balancing things out - with the added [email protected] short, but there is lovely personality here. 80% bonus of a dash of spicy Malbec. Grab a pizza, Sweet fruit, good weight, nicely balanced, Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec. and enjoy some early drinking. 65% Merlot, cinnamon and cedar spice, this is pretty and Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv 25% Malbec, 10% Cabernet France aged in has good Côtes typicity. The fruit is juicy, not one-third new oak. I also tasted an enjoyed complex but lovely bright backbone with just Château Peyredoulle, the 2014 vintage. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv enough depth. Good example of a Cadillac Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 wine from Xavier Landeau, shows just how 85 Commended Château La Carelle, much value there is out in these appellations. Approx £11 (2011 vintage) Ocado, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv www.ocado.com 84 Commended Rich texture, keeps going strong through the www.bayle-carreau.com Perle du Payre, mid palate, touches of clove spice. A little heat Again an attractive 2013, acidity goes a little Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 but lovely personality. From 100% plump Merlot high in the finish, but this has well worked 89 Recommended fruit, easy drinking. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv summery red fruits, and a sense of freshness. www.chateau-du-payre.fr 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink The rusticity on the attack gives an attractive Château Cap Saint Martin, Cuvée Prestige, now-2017 Alc 13%abv sense of balance to the rich, plumped up Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 fruits. Great Côtes typicity. This is nicely put 85 Commended Château Monconseil Gazin, together with a good grip that carries you Approx £6 Calais Vins, www.calais-vins.com Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 through. 100% old vine Merlot. Although I (resale across UK) 84 Commended selected this wine, the 2013 vintage from this Confident sense of extracting the most The Wine Society www.thewinesociety.com estate also deserves a mention - certainly an interesting part of the grape, not perfectly This is attractive, good plush fruit, firm with a impressive achievement. Drink now-2018 balanced but good structure and good fruit. sense of hold and clear tannins. Not hugely Alc 13%abv 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. One year polished, but with a rustic charm. An early ageing in oak. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv drinker from Jean-Michel Baudet and his wife Château Clos Bourbon, Cuvée La Rose Bourbon, Françoise. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château les Gorces, 89 Recommended Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Approx £10 www.hhandc.co.uk, www. 85 Commended farehamwinecellar.co.uk, www.rfvintners.co.uk [email protected] Lovely firm, well structured raspberry and Clear potential, this is carefully extracted with brambly fruits, astringent tannins, good a kick in its step and a sense of lightness. Just Château les Guyonnets Héritage, personality, with grip and sense of resolve. a touch dry on the finish. 12 months oak ageing. Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 This should hold and steadily improve over 100% Merlot. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv 90 Highly recommended next couple of years. Has the liveliness to www.chateau-les-guyonnets.fr work well with food also, with a touch of spice Lovely plum purple colour, red velvet edging. for seasoning. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet The firm grip is evident even on the nose, and Sauvignon, from the excellent Boyer family. there is an excellent sense of lift that carries Drink now-2019 Alc 13%abv

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Château Laroche, Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 87 Recommended www.jean-merlaut.com Dark velvet in colour, with tight tannins, fairly high acidity and squeezed cassis juice on the attack. Can see the ambition here and the tannins have been well rounded off. These are dark fruit expressions with some spice, buttoned up, I would suggest giving it another 12 months in bottle. Drama, touch Château Réaut, with a refreshingly unusual blend of 40% of Brett on finish. 68% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc. Drink 89 Recommended Sauvignon. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv 2017-2020 Alc 12.5%abv (£15 2012 vintage) www.vinatis.co.uk Deep but well controlled extraction, midnight Château La Caussade, Château les Conseillans, velvet tones, oak on nose. This is highly Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 charged, but here there is texture, and even 88 Recommended 87 Recommended a touch of astringency that suggests the Majestic, www.majestic.co.uk (not currently in stock) www.chateaulesconseillans.fr tannins are still flexing and have further to go. Pretty much every element has been pushed Pure cassis on the nose, silky structure, again Charming, with potential from an increasingly to the extreme here, but the result certainly a nice lift, not hugely expressive right now, impressive performer located on the has appeal. Smoky and smudged, bilberry and but a quiet sense of confidence, a little short limestone slopes of the Côtes. 58% Merlot, blackberry fruits. Supercharged but fun. 60% on finish but smooth. Pretty. 58% Merlot, 20% 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 10% One of the few tasted when I would also now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv thoroughly recommend the 2013 vintage. Drink now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv Domaine du Seuil, Château Melin, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Cadillac Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château de Bellegarde, 88 Recommended 87 Recommended Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 £10.99 Fine Wines Direct www.finewinesdirectuk.com www.vignobles-modet.com 88 Recommended Warm welcoming nose, sweetly ripe fruit. This On the nose, charred, smoky vanilla bean is in www.chateau-de-bellegarde.com has heart and personality, and offers plenty of full effect, swiftly followed by a punch of dark This has lovely violet notes, some plush damson enjoyable drinking. 50% aged in oak, 50% fruits on the attack. A little overworked, but fruits, touch of fattening up through vanilla bean stainless steel, finessing an equal blend of coffee beans and bitter, dark coco caste make oak, tannins are well smoothed out, for the price brambly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. for a fun, impactful wine. One third new oak. and appellation this is really an impressive wine. Organic wine. Drink now-2018 Alc 12.5%abv 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. To be drunk now but the freshness suggests Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv there is a good four or five years still to go. Château Biac, Just from a tiny one hectare of vines though, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 Château Lamothe de Haux, with an even blend of Merlot and Cabernet 87 Recommended Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Sauvignon. Drink now-2020 Alc 12%abv £30 www.uncorked.co.uk 86 Recommended One of the rare 2013 that has a rich, round www.chateau-lamothe.com Rodney Densem Wines Château Grimont, mouthfeel. The fruit is still very much on the www.rodneydensemwines.com (Première Cuvée) Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 fresh rather than overripe scale, and I would On the attack, a great whiff of concentrated 88 Recommended suggest getting going on this fairly soon, but cherry coulis, certainly showing a contemporary www.delor-bordeaux.com you will find a very pretty wine. Great approach, it is expressive but needs time in the Soft and light in structure. Raspberry and accomplishment from this reliable estate. glass to open. Rich, sticky tannins. 60% Merlot, cherry, light tannins, easy to drink. The Patrick Léon, ex-Mouton Rothschild, is 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet property has been in the Yung family for three consultant here, attracted by the excellent Franc. Also tasted their Cuvée Valentine, same generations, today run by Paul and Jean. This terroir. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv vintage but with a full 80% Merlot, a similarly is a blend of 60% Merlot with 35% Cabernet enjoyable bottle with a touch more weight on Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, vinified in Château du Grand Moueys, the fruit. Drink now-2018 Alc 12.5%abv stainless steel. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 87 Recommended Château Prieuré Canteloup, Château Clos Chaumont, www.grandmoueys.com Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Rich in colour with a fine sweetness to the 86 Recommended 88 Recommended fruit. Cedary oak on display, this is impressive www.chateaucanteloup.com www.closchaumont.com quality. 72% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, An attractive estate to the north of Bordeaux A consistent performer, Château Clos Chaumont with at least half of the wine spending 10 overlooking the river Garonne farmed by has Hubert de Boüard as consultant and sits months in barrel. Since 2012, the stunning Xavier and Valérie Germe. Fresh, light fruit, on a beautiful spot high up on a limestone Grand Moueys has ben owned by Zhang gentle but enjoyable, low tannins, early ridge. This is soft and smooth, nice grip, very Jinshan, and he is clearly working hard on drinker, enjoyable. 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet light of touch on the attack but rustic tannins developing the potential of this wine. Drink Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unoaked. come in through the mid palate. Easy to like, now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv ➢

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Château Sainte Marie, Cuvée Alios, Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 86 Recommended www.chateau-sainte-marie.com Concentrated in colour and purpose. This has a frank and open nose, is replete with dark cassis fruits, liquorice, a flush of heat on the rustic but hearty finish. Enjoyable, with a touch of spice from the 5% . Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château les Hauts de Palette, Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Château Suau, by his son Henry. 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet 86 Recommended Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink www.leshautsdepalette.com 84 Commended now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv Dark ruby in colour. Attractive nose, well www.chateausuau.com textured fruit, firm but controlled extraction. Impactful, with rich oak that is just a touch Château Ampélia, On the palate there is cinammon, rich liquorice, overdone. Clear ambition, with dark fruit, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 bitter chocolate, all thoroughly modern. I’m blackcurrant rolled in bitumen. Organic wine, 88 Recommended not going to fall in love with this but there is with Michel Rolland as oenologist. Drink The Wine Society www.thewinesociety.com plenty to admire. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv (currently sold out) Dark and deep purple in colour, this has B de Biac, violet edging and a good structure, starts out Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 well although majors on cinammon and spice 85 Commended rather than fruit in the mid-palate. A very £23 www.uncorked.co.uk enjoyable wine, with a sexy Castillon flourish Soft and smooth on the attack, the blend here Château des Demoiselles, from one-third new oak barrels. François is 86% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Despagne’s Castillon estate, taking his Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Even the 91 Highly recommended excellent vineyard-driven approach out of second wine gets 16 months in barrel, and this www.ducourt.com his home turf of Saint Emilion. 80% Merlot does very well for what is a distinctly patchy year. Bright and vibrant, with a violet expression on and 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2019 Drink young, but enjoy. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv the nose. Good clean fruit, this feels like it is Alc 13%abv moving forward, picking up the pace over the Château le Doyenné, course of the palate. Good uplift, nice spice, Château Roque le Mayne, Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 an excellent wine. 74% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 84 Commended Sauvignon. 12 months in oak, then an extra 88 Recommended £14 Adnams, www.adnams.co.uk year in bottle at the estate. Also tasted the www.vignobles-meynard.com This has an expressive but restrained nose Special Réserve de Famille 2014, another This is poised with clean dark fruits, good restraint and starts off very well, although finishes a successful bottle majoring more on highly- even though it has the requisite Castillon little short. Bright attack, charming, but early charged chocolate with coffee finessing. sexiness that most buyers of this appellation drinking. 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Drink now-2020 Alc 13.5%abv are looking for. Oak shortens the finish a little. Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Charming 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% wine from Marie-Dominique and Jean Watrin, Château Canon Montségur Cuvée Gaspard, Malbec. Drink now-2019 Alc 14%abv from a 13 hectare property that dates back to Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 1791. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv 91 Highly recommended Château Moulin de Clotte, [email protected] Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Domaine de Darlan Vieilles Vignes, Perky, good grip, black fruits and a sense of 87 Recommended Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 freshness, this is a good spicy interesting wine www.vignobles-lannoye.com 84 Commended with a sense of subtlety. Owner Gregory Violet reflections, attractive nose, a touch of £14 www.bordeaux-wine-guindeuil.co.uk Lovato - who also owns Château Lajarre - sweetness from a 20% dusting of oak, but this Pale ruby raspberry, nose is expressive of makes excellent use of its 50% Cabernet is 80% aged in stainless steel vats and has a strawberries and redcurrants. Drink soon, this is Franc, blended with 50% Merlot. 12 months in lovely softness to it. Like the potential here, charming but light from a blend of Merlot and oak. Drink now-2020 Alc 13.5%abv should continue to develop for another few Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2018 Alc 12.5%abv years. 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink Château la Clarière Laithwaite, now-2019 Alc 14%abv Château Langoiran, Cuvée Prestige, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 88 Recommended Château Montlandrie, 85 Commended £24 (2012 vintage) www.laithwaites.co.uk Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 [email protected] Promising nose, rich and deeply textured on 86 Recommended Sleek and polisihed on the nose, but the the palate, with firm bilberry and damson Approx £20 www.leaandsandeman.co.uk tannins swamp the fruit a little on the palate. fruit. Contemporary in style, with a lovely Denis Durantou makes the best of this difficult Give this one time to breathe. 65% Merlot, 35% texture and depth. Great expression of vintage by coaxing out the freshness of the Cabernet Sauvignon, one third new. Drink the appellation and the vintage. Tony red cherry fruit, and avoiding any sense of now-2018 Alc 13%abv. Laithwaite’s property since 1984, now run over extraction. A blend of 75% merlot, 20%

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Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, Château de Belcier, aged in both vat and barrel. Salinity on the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 finish. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv 85 Commended [email protected] Château Pillebois Vieilles Vignes, The nose is full of rich plum fruit, with a good Château Godard Bellevue, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 structure giving it plenty of hold. I like this Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 86 Recommended wine. A light touch for early drinking, 100% 89 Recommended www.vignobles-petit.com Merlot. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv www.vignobles-arbo.com Promising nose, with notes of tobacco, black Bright and reflective purple colour, this comes truffle. Good potential, still young right now Château La Grande Maye, very close to the complete package, good and has some hurdles to get over. Plenty of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 structure, contemporary with a flick of ambition on display, liquorice and black 85 Commended freshness, richly textured dark fruits. Good cherry takes you through to the finish. 90% Approx £11 Justerinis & Brooks quality, from a blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink Rich, deep in colour, very ripe black fruits on the Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. now-2018 Alc 12.5%abv nose, touches of blackcurrant coulis and port Drink now-2019 Alc 14%abv spices. Enjoyable, although a touch of heat on Château Tertre de Belvès, the finish. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvinon, Château Puyguéraud, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 aged in oak barrels. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv. Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 85 Commended 87 Recommended www.feret-labonnelle.com Château La Pierrière, www.nicolas-thienpont.com Touch of volatile acidity (a sharp edge) on the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Rustic on the nose, charming, this has a nose, which has been a key marker of the 2013 85 Commended feeling of fun and has a lift on the finish. vintage, but this pulls things together on the www.delor-bordeaux.com Enjoyable Right Bank expression from palate, has a finely grained structure and juicy Lightweight in colour,with clean unfussy fruit winemaker Nicolas Thienpont. Great for the redcurrant and raspberry fruit. 90% Merlot, 10% on the nose. A touch rustic but attractive vintage, make the most of it by drinking soon. Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv raspberry leaf and redcurrant keeps things 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec. light and easy drinking. 80% Merlot, 15% Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv Château Cadet, Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv Château Puyfromage, 85 Commended Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 £14.25 (2012 vintage) Corney and Barrow, Clos Louie, 86 Recommended www.corneyandbarrow.com Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 www.puyfromage.com Raspberry russet in colour, redcurrant and 85 Commended Firm well extracted fruit on the nose, clean raspberry leaf comes through clearly on the [email protected] attack, cherries and raspberries, again palate, slightly underripe fruit but clever Again, a successful expression of 2013. Oak displays a modern Right Bank typicity, winemaking keeps things pretty. This is made used cleverly to bring out a sexy appeal. enjoyable. Touch rustic but plenty to enjoy. by Louis Mitjavile, son of François from Tertre Sense of freshness and careful extraction, not Drink now-2018 Alc 12.5%abv Rôteboeuf. Early drinking, but works well with trying too hard (which probably took a lot of the vintage. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. effort). This is an organic wine, made it open Château Le Priolat, Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv vats with manual punching down. Drink Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2013 now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv 85 Commended Château Damas de Montdespic, www.chateau-adfrancos.com Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 Clos Lucin 2014, Good colour, bright and clean. Touch 85 Commended Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux medicinal on the initial attack, this has been www.vignobles-lavau.com 84 Commended well drawn together by owner André Vossen Good typicity of the merlot-driven Castillon [email protected] and consultant Michel Rolland. 70% Merlot, with a plump, oak-driven sense of fun. This A perky bright attack, fresh fruit on the nose. 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet has quite a powerful attack, lively fruit, Things get a little soft in the mid palate but Franc. Light, early drinking. Drink now-2018 contemporary styling. Plenty to enjoy with a there is plenty of early drinking pleasure on Alc 13%abv plate of charcuterie or cheese. 70% Merlot, offer here. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. Aged in aged for 12 months in oak with regular lees 80% French oak and 20% American oak. Drink stirring. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv.

Château de Chainchon, Cuvée Tradition, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 85 Commended www.chateau-chainchon.fr Good typicity for Castillon, in that this wine has a sense of finesse and generosity, oak-driven, confident and firm. A little hefty Union des Côtes de Bordeaux upfront, but plenty to enjoy here. 100% Merlot. Organic wine from Vignobles Erésué. Drink 1, cours de XXX juillet - 33000 BORDEAUX now-2019 Alc 14%abv +33 (0)5 56 00 21 99 - www.bordeaux-cotes.com

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