One of this morning's releases, Chasse Spleen 2016, is well worth some attention given the exceptional quality/value ratio at GBP 258. Certainly one of the best value buys of the vintage.
2016 Chasse Spleen exploded out of the blocks with a wine of extraordinary precision, class and expression. Combining great weight of ripe, supple tannins with a streak of pure, fresh acidity – not to mention delightfully vibrant fruit – this is the epitome of 2016, a vintage which has pushed some estates to altogether new heights; Chasse Spleen is definitely one of these. It received high praise from the critics with Neal Martin awarding it 92-94 points as 'the best I have ever tasted from the estate'.
The estate wines of Gerard Perse (i.e. excluding Pavie) have also been released today:
Monbousquet – GBP 445
93-96pts, Wine Spectator: 'Gorgeous mouthfeel, with a creamy, rounded edge, yet never giving up a generally racy and focused feel.'
Pavie Decesse – GBP 1100
98-99pts, James Suckling: 'Long and refined. Perhaps better than the superb 2015.'
Bellevue Mondotte – GBP 1320
95-96pts, Neal Martin: 'You cannot help but be seduced by this Saint Emilion and its satin-like texture.'
In addition we have the fine, good value Margaux Desmirail at GBP 320 and the small-production St Emilion Gracia at GBP 760. With just 150 cases, this is a rarity indeed and scores 94-95 from James Suckling.
The hotly anticipated release of Montrose went from delight to disappointment. The price was held from 2015, a very sensible gesture, but the allocations were significantly lower than we were expecting – we were sold out before we were able to cover all pre-orders. However their very fine second wine La Dame de Montrose is available at GBP 312.
Also released today was Duhart Milon from the Lafite stable, available at GBP 640. Also we have Du Tertre from Margaux at GBP 348.