A classic pair of St Juliens both of which receive heavy praise from Neal Martin have been released today. One such property which is again reaching the peak of its once-great powers is Lagrange. Their 2019 has been released this morning at the very sound price of £369.
Lagrange 2019
£369 per case/12 IB
“The 2019 Lagrange was picked from 24 September and finished with the Petit Verdot on 14 October - the longest harvest at 27 days. It has quite a dense, powerful bouquet with black fruit, sous-bois and cedar, taking its time to open but somehow remaining more “distant” than previous vintages of Lagrange. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, layers of black fruit with just a light citric touch. Quite a streamlined Lagrange in the context of a warm growing season, this feels agile and nimble on the finish. Excellent.”
94-96pts Neal Martin
Gloria 2019
£300 per 12/IB
The second is the perhaps lesser known Gloria, a wine which we at BI have loved for years, and which always features in the 70 or so wines that make the cut for our “Bordeaux 10 Years On” tastings. Its propitious terroir close to Beychevelle (their holdings actually include a small portion of vines just over the border in Pauillac close to Pichon Lalande, which they are allowed to include in this wine via a special dispensation) and the addition of a brand new, state of the art winery has taken this wine to new heights. Neal scores it a mighty fine 93-95 points, using similar words to those which have leapt up in so many of our own notes: “nimble” and “athletic”.
“The 2019 Gloria continues a strong run of form - those rustic Glorias of the 1970s and 1980s are a distant memory. This has a precise and detailed bouquet that offers blackberry, briary, cedar and light tobacco aromas that gently unfurl in the glass. The palate is very well structured with a lovely citric undercurrent lending freshness and sharpness. This is a nimble Saint-Julien, athletic in build with a sapid finish that urges you back for another sip. Excellent.”
93-95pts Neal Martin
Check out more exciting releases below:
Langoa Barton 2019
£354 per case/12 IB
“The 2019 Langoa Barton has a very typical Langoa nose, which is a good thing, sporting vivacious black cherries, blackberry, crushed iris, cedar and light blood orange scents lurking offstage. Lovely oak integration here. The palate is beautifully defined on the entry, a structured almost big-boned Langoa with enormous grip on the spicy finish. I love the generosity of this Saint-Julien, one that I suspect will be seductive on release but don't be deceived - it deserves cellaring lest you get a smacked wrist for being impatient.”
93-95pts Neal Martin
Leoville Barton 2019
£648 per case/12 IB
“A pure, focused red with blackberries and blackcurrants. Very floral, too. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and fine-tannined. Pretty clarity and balance to this. Less muscular than the 2018, but very attractive all the same.”
95-96pts James Suckling
Gazin 2019
£632 per case/12 IB
Chateau Gazin, is run by the 5th generation of de Bailliencourts whose ancestor Louis Soualle bought the estate in the early 20th century. It boasts some of the Right Bank’s most privileged terroir, sitting as it does in prime position on Pomerol’s famous plateau, adjacent to Chateau Petrus and but a chip and a putt from both Chateaux Lafleur and L’Evangile. Recent vintages have seen this traditional, full-bodied Pomerol properly start to express the full potential of its coveted location and 2019 looks to be another great success, while remaining, as Neal Martin puts it, “Quintessential Gazin.”
“The 2019 Gazin is tightly wound at first and needs coaxing from the glass. Broody dark berry fruit, truffle and smoke eventually emerge, flanked by a discrete marine influence. The palate is very promising with saturated tannins that belie the structure of this Pomerol. The freshness is very impressive, lighting up the senses. The finish is imbued with wonderful tension and traces of iron on the aftertaste. Quintessentially Gazin, this is a superb wine.”
95-97pts Neal Martin
Bourgneuf 2019
£410 per case/12 IB
“The 2019 Bourgneuf was picked from 19 to 30 September and matured in 35% new oak. It has a pretty bouquet, refined and pure with blackberry, briary and touches of orange blossom. This is very well defined, the aromatics do not try to over-reach themselves. The palate is crisp on the entry with crunchy red fruit, tertiary in style, hints of truffle, brine and black pepper towards the finish. There is a "natural swagger" about this Bourgneuf, probably earlier drinking than other Pomerols, yet with breeding and class from the Vayron family. Tasted twice with consistent notes.”
92-94pts Neal Martin
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