thewinesociety.com/bordeauxTCMAR14

BORDEAUX

2010 CLARETS: A VINTAGE TO RIVAL THE BESTD RY W H I T E S A N D A N O U T S TA N D I N G SAU T E R N E S

BESTBUYS

F O R D R I N K I N G O R K E E P I N G F R O M £ 6 . 9 5

With over 10,000 properties, Bordeaux is a veritable treasure trove of fine and everyday drinking. Styles range from modern to traditional, dry or sweet whites to easy-drinking and serious cellar-worthy reds. We’ve sifted through the many bottles available to find members lovely wines that punch above their weight.

The great 2010 vintage produced some spectacular wines at the top end and these will require long, slow maturation to reveal their true colours (and justify their price tags). At the more approachable end of the price spectrum there are delicious early drinking bargains to be had and this offer combines recent purchases and Society stocks originally purchased en primeur that represent Bordeaux at its best:

full of flavour, well balanced, fine and complex, and though most are lovely now, they are capable of giving enjoyment over many years as they evolve in bottle.

We also feature some of our favourite 2012 and 2011 whites. There are three first releases and an exclusive mixed case from the Dubourdieu family, as well as an exceptional parcel of 2008 Sauternes that offers quite amazing value for money (£21 per bottle for a ready-for-drinking top-class Sauternes is exceptional) that will make delicious drinking this spring and for many years to come.

Joanna Locke MW Society Buyer

An excellent vintage in Bordeaux to rival 2005 as the best of the new millennium to date. Excellent conditions produced wines with generous fruit and good supporting structure at all price levels: classic claret but with a friendly veneer that makes most of the wines at this level approachable now although there is no rush and many at the higher levels still need a year or two. Depending on how you like to drink your claret, the end drink dates give a good indication of how long each wine will keep maturing.

BORDEAUX BEST BUYS

2010 CLARET: NOT TO BE MISSED

Château Puy Garance, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2010Puy Garance is a seven-hectare property towards the south of Côtes de Castillon in the commune of Belves and one that we have followed over several vintages. Vinification is in stainless steel, the style is ripe, well structured and concentrated. Now to 2017. 14.5% ref TC-CB4271 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

Château Canada, Bordeaux Supérieur 2010From a small vineyard between Côtes de Bourg and Fronsac popular with members over many years, this is a merlot-dominant claret with a good proportion of cabernet sauvignon providing backbone and grip. Enjoy with food over the next couple of years. 14% ref TC-CB3771 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

Christian Moueix, Bordeaux 2010A merlot-dominated benchmark right bank claret from specialist negociant JP Moueix, blended by them to be round and easy to drink, with or without food, over the next couple of years. 13.5% ref TC-CB4191 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen

Château de Pitray, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2010Around a third cabernet franc of excellent quality, the balance merlot. Youthful but already rewarding. The Times’ Jane MacQuitty said: ‘Pitray ages elegantly so enjoy this delicious fat, fleshy, herby, green olive-scented claret now with steak and a green salad, or tuck it away for a few years’. We agree: this wine will cellar for another five years at least if you can resist it now. 14.5% ref TC-CB3781 £9.50 bottle £114 dozen

NEW Château Haut Baraillot, Bordeaux 2010 A new find from the Entre-Deux-Mers, near Targon, and a cracking little claret that is both undemanding and rewarding, classic in style but friendly with it. Enjoy over the next couple of years. 13% ref TC-CB4301 £6.95 bottle £83 dozen

NEW Château Cros de la Barde, Côtes de Bourg 2010Very nearly equal proportions of merlot and cabernet with just a splash of malbec (not unusual in these parts). Just a touch of typical Bourg grip, rounded by the quality of the vintage. Serve over the next couple of years with red meat, a hearty stew or cassoulet. 13% ref TC-CB4291 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

Château de Pitray has been in the de Boigne family for 500 years

NEW Château Moncets, Lalande de Pomerol 2010This has excellent depth of flavour and structure and more refinement than we often find in this satellite region. The vineyard is well-placed on the border with Pomerol. The blend is majority merlot with 30% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon, 20% aged in new barrels. 2015 to 2022. 13.5% ref TC-CS7891 £13.95 bottle £167 dozen

Château Peyredon Lagravette, Haut-Médoc 2010A tiny cru bourgeois property boasting mature vines owned by the Dupuch family. Modern but well structured in style, this wine is approachable now if decanted a good hour before serving. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot matured for 14 months in French oak. Now to 2020. 13.5% ref TC-CM16411 £14.50 bottle £174 dozen

Château Puygueraud, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2010Nicolas Thienpont’s family property shows the real character and potential that can be found in lesser-known regions of Bordeaux. 70% ripe merlot, 25% cabernet franc, plus its distinctive 5% malbec, which contributes beautiful colour, perfume, freshness and spice. 2015 to 2021. 14.5% ref TC-CS7911 £14.50 bottle £174 dozen

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Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2010Jean-Michel Baudet is président of the appellation and runs this family property according to strict Terra Vitis sustainable viticultural practices. On the border with AC Côtes de Bourg this wine has a certain grip and benefits from some time in bottle and from decanting. Try it with duck or a good rib of beef. Now to 2017. 13% ref TC-CB4261 £9.50 bottle £114 dozen

Château de Panigon, Médoc 2010 Award-winning cru bourgeois claret, modern in style, with fragrant oaky aroma and clean, fresh fruit. May well turn out to be better than the excellent 2009. Now to 2019. 14% ref TC-CM16511 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

NEW Le Clos de Reynon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2010 Delicious new second wine from the Dubourdieus’ Château Reynon. 100% succulent merlot, with around 20% new oak, this is a wine of considerable charm and polish. Now to 2016. 14% ref TC-CB4311 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

NEW Château Labadie, Médoc 2010 Densely structured cru bourgeois claret with around 30% new oak, Jérôme Bibey makes this wine like a mini cru classé. Merlot and cabernet sauvignon with splashes of cabernet franc and petit verdot. Now to 2020. 14% ref TC-CM15681 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen

NEW Château Moulin du Bourg, Listrac-Médoc 2010The second wine of Château Fourcas-Borie, now owned by the Borie family of Ducru-Beaucaillou whose first vintage here was the 2008. Smooth palate for a Listrac and clean fresh flavour. Drink over the next couple of years. 13.5% ref TC-CM16761 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

Château Tour Saint Bonnet, Médoc 2010Traditional and solid claret that rewards keeping, a clear contrast with the more modern Panigon (left). From a large family property that was ‘pushed’ into dropping the ‘La’ from its name in the wake of legal action by Château Latour. Now to 2019. 14% ref TC-CM14841 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

NEW Drapeaux de Floridène, Graves 2010 The second wine of Clos Floridène, which we usually offer en primeur, where an unusually high proportion of cabernet sauvignon is planted and here represents around 60% of the blend. Plenty of substance and real class, plus the Dubourdieu family’s deft touch, make this wine a true bargain. Now to 2017. 13.5% ref TC-CM17251 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

NEW Château Ampélia, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2010 From a tiny property owned and run by François Despagne of Grand Corbin-Despagne in Saint-Emilion. Made from organically cultivated merlot (95%) and cabernet franc, a third matured in new oak, this is a perfumed claret with wonderful density balanced by freshness. Now to 2018. 14.5% ref TC-CB3671 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

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Château Beaumont, Haut-Médoc 2010Possibly the best ever vintage for this popular cru bourgeois, combining charm with a touch of class and, as ever, ease of drinkability. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 46% merlot and 1% petit verdot, all produced according to strict Terra Vitis viticultural practices. An outstanding buy. Now to 2021. 14% ref TC-CM14871 £14.50 bottle £174 dozen

NEW Château Fourcas-Borie, Listrac-Médoc 2010Previously called Fourcas Dumont but renamed after it was purchased by the Borie family of Ducru-Beaucaillou in 2008. They have made a good wine even better. Well-structured claret with bright fresh fruit from 70% merlot and 15% each cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Now to 2021. 14.5% ref TC-CM14881 £16 bottle £192 dozen

NEW Château Sénéjac, Haut-Médoc 2010Sénéjac is in the southern Médoc and was made a cru bourgeois supérieur in the 2003 classification. A good proportion of cabernet sauvignon enhances the expression of vivid, fresh fruit which will need a little time to develop its potential but which already shows fine, supple tannins and length on the palate. 2017 to 2025. 13.5% ref TC-CM16741 £16 bottle £192 dozen

NEW Château Peyre-Lebade, Haut-Médoc 2010 The second wine of Château Clarke, owned by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, this is a very polished example benefiting from the Rothschild family’s substantial financial muscle. A traditional, elegantly honed blend of 70% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon matured for 14 months in barrels, just 10% of which were new oak. Now to 2019. 13%ref TC-CM17231 £17 bottle £204 dozen

NEW Château Ferran, Pessac-Léognan 2010From a historic property in the heart of the Graves appellation and in the same family for five generations. A harmonious, supple, already approachable blend of majority merlot with cabernet sauvignon. Now to 2020. 14% ref TC-CM16751 £17 bottle £204 dozen

Clos Floridène, Graves 2010 Impressive and original red from Denis Dubourdieu’s own property which has a high proportion of cabernet sauvignon planted on limestone soil. In a vintage when cabernet ripened so well, this is a great success: fragrant cassis fruit with a mineral backbone and great length of flavour. Now to 2020. 13.5% Low stock. ref TC-CM15031 £17 bottle £204 dozen

NEW Lacoste Borie, Pauillac 2010Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste performs consistently among the very best Pauillacs and is one of the most refined of the commune. François-Xavier Borie’s second wine delivers some of the class and finesse of the grand vin but at a more modest price and to suit earlier drinking. Now to 2020. 13.5% ref TC-CM15141 £22 bottle £264 dozen

NEW Hortevie, Saint-Julien 2010The Borie family of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou has added extra polish and finesse to the wines since they bought this neighbouring vineyard. The 2010 has both muscle and Saint-Julien’s cedary quality and length. Approachable now if decanted, but may be cellared to 2025. 14% ref TC-CM14911 £25 bottle £300 dozen

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Les Fiefs de Lagrange, Saint-Julien 2010Deliciously approachable second wine of Château Lagrange in probably the best vintage they have made, this stood out in a recent comprehensive tasting of the vintage for its ripe but stylish savoury flavour and charm. Only 54% of the crop was made in 2010, 60% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot with 9% petit verdot adding a touch of spice. Now to 2022. 13.5% ref TC-CM16421 £25 bottle £300 dozen

NEW Moulin de Duhart, Pauillac 2010The second wine of Château Duhart-Milon named after a windmill which used to stand next to the Rothschilds’ vineyard. This is a blend of younger-vine cabernet sauvignon (51%) and merlot, matured ten months in barrel, ten in vats, thus made for earlier drinking than the grand vin but delivering true Pauillac refinement nevertheless. 2015 to 2020. 13.5%ref TC-CM17221 £27 bottle £324 dozen

FREE UK DELIVERYWHEN YOU ORDER AT LEAST

12 BOTTLES OR IF YOURORDER IS £75 OR MORE

A run of good to excellent vintages has renewed interest in the dry whites of Bordeaux. 2011 has glorious precision, balance and sheer class. 2012 produced gently rounded wines that are charming and deliciously easy to drink.

Château La Perrière, Bordeaux 2012 A good-value Entre-Deux-Mers blend of 55% sauvignon with 45% semillon, this wine is made by the cave co-operative at Rauzan and is fresh and light yet rounded on the palate. Drink over the next six to 12 months. 12% ref TC-BW4581 £6.95 bottle £83 dozen

The Society’s Bordeaux Sauvignon Pure sauvignon blanc blended from a number of sources according to the vintage to ensure quality and freshness, drinkability and modest complexity at a fair price. A fruity dry wine that may be enjoyed on its own or matched with a wide variety of dishes. Drink over the next six to 12 months. 12% ref TC-BW4591 £6.95 bottle £83 dozen

Dourthe No 1 Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2012Dourthe have been pioneers of modern fragrant Bordeaux sauvignon, blending from different soil types to achieve greater aromatic complexity and attractive fruity palate. Drink with or without food over the next six to 12 months. 12% ref TC-BW4621 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

WHITE WINES

STAR BUY: CHÂTEAU RAYMOND-LAFON, SAUTERNES 2008

Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve, Bordeaux 2013 From the Despagne family at Naujan-et-Postiac in the Entre-Deux-Mers, this fresh, fragrant dry white is predominantly semillon with some sauvignon and muscadelle. 12% ref TC-BW4861 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen

NEW Château de la Grave Grains Fins, Côtes de Bourg 2012The colombard grape remains a key part of the tiny production of white wines in the Côtes de Bourg, and here represents around a third of the blend, adding fragrance to the riper semillon. Part fermented and matured in large oak barrels which adds creamy texture but does not mask the aromas of white fruits and flowers. Now to 2015. 13% ref TC-BW4671 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

Château Reynon Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2012Refined and perfumed sauvignon from specialists of the grape, the Dubourdieu family. 100% sauvignon in 2012, giving nicely rounded but still fresh fruit with hints of stone fruits. Drink over the next six to 12 months. 12.5% ref TC-BW4661 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

NEW Drapeaux de Floridène Blanc, Graves 2011The white partner to the red from Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu’s home property Clos Floridène. 2011 was an excellent white wine vintage in Bordeaux making gloriously fragrant wines with a lovely balance of body and freshness. This is approximately equal proportions of sauvignon blanc and semillon, part barrel fermented to make a refined white for the dinner table. Enjoy over the next year or so. 12.5% ref TC-BW4851 £14.50 bottle £174 dozen

Clos Floridène Blanc, Graves 2011 One of the most individual wines in Bordeaux and a star of the Graves appellation from Denis Dubourdieu and his sons. Around 40% old-vine semillon brings class, complexity and longevity. Limestone subsoils provide the fine mineral backbone to equip this wine for cellaring. Now to 2017. 13% ref TC-BW4481 £18 bottle £216 dozen

Château Raymond-Lafon, Sauternes 2008This has always been a top-class property but this wine really stood out in a recent comparative tasting of the vintage so we snapped up a parcel offered direct from the château. The estate is in Bommes and has been in the Meslier family since 1972. It was not included in the 1855 Classification of the wines of the region because it had only just been founded but it is widely considered to be of first-growth quality. Spicy, aromatic, luscious and fine with wonderful length of flavour, this is a delicious, classically styled Sauternes now but will develop greater complexity and honeyed character with bottle age. Now to 2025. 13.5% ref TC-BW4792£10.95 Half bottle ref TC-BW4791 £21 bottle £252 dozen

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‘This beautifully judged classically styled dessert wine has a pretty floral, blossom-like character as well as gorgeous crystallised tangerine citrus and honey. As with all the best stickies, it’s shot through with a fine line of acidity that freshens and quickens the palate.’ David Williams, The Observer, December 2013

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The International ExhibitionCo-operative Wine Society Limited.Registered Office: Gunnels Wood Road,Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2BTRegister Number: 1824R (IP)Website thewinesociety.comEnquiries 01438 741177Orders 01438 740222

A 13-bottle case containing a bottle of each of the following:

DRY WHITES

The Society’s Bordeaux Sauvignon

Dourthe No 1 Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2012

Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve, Bordeaux 2013

Château de la Grave Grains Fins, Côtes de Bourg 2012

Château La Perrière, Bordeaux 2012

Château Reynon Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2012

SAUTERNES

Half bottle of Château Raymond-Lafon, Sauternes 2008

CLARET

Château Tour Saint Bonnet, Médoc 2010

Le Clos de Reynon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

Château de Panigon, Médoc 2010

Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

Château Ampélia, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

Château Peyredon Lagravette, Haut-Médoc 2010

ref TC-MX1423

A 12-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following:

Château Haut Baraillot, Bordeaux 2010

Château Cros de la Barde, Côtes de Bourg 2010

Château Puy Garance, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

Château Canada, Bordeaux Supérieur 2010

Christian Moueix, Bordeaux 2010

Château de Pitray, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

ref TC-MX1421

A six-bottle case containing a bottle of each of the following:

Les Fiefs de Lagrange, Saint-Julien 2010

Le Clos de Reynon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

Moulin de Duhart, Pauillac 2010

Lacoste Borie, Pauillac 2010

Château Peyre-Lebade, Haut-Médoc 2010

Drapeaux de Floridène, Graves 2010

ref TC-MX1420

A six-bottle case containing a bottle of each of the following:

REDS Le Clos de Reynon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

Drapeaux de Floridène, Graves 2010

Clos Floridène, Graves 2010

WHITES

Château Reynon Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2012

Clos Floridène Blanc, Graves 2011

Drapeaux de Floridène Blanc, Graves 2011

ref TC-MX1422

EXPLORE BORDEAUX BEST BUYS

BORDEAUX 2010 EVERYDAY CLARET BEST BUYS

BORDEAUX 2010 SECOND WINES

THE DUBOURDIEU FAMILY MIXED CASE

MIXED CASES FREE UK DELIVERY

Key

- bone dry to intensely sweet screwcap new vintage

£122 A SAVING OF £11.10

This offer is open until Sunday 30th March, 2014 while stocks last.

£84

£95

£110Uncork with confidenceThe Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members’ satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven’t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise

THE SOCIETY’S PROMISE