Bordeaux Region Report

St Julien, 4th Growth Classification
Bin soiled and stained labels.

1988 Chateau Branaire Ducru. Nose of black cherry, red cherry, cassis and sage, same on the palate, medium/big body, very tasty, held up well but time is short so you should immediately drink up, elegant, and a long, long finish. Cellar Tracker Tasting 2019.

About Chateau Branaire Ducru Château Branaire-Ducru is a renowned wine estate located in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Bordeaux region in France. It is classified as a Fourth Growth (Quatrième Grand Cru Classé) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, which highlights its longstanding reputation for quality. The estate spans approximately 60 hectares of vineyards, planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. …
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Price: £179.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

St Emilion Premiere Grand cru Classe

The Château Trotte Vieille 1988 is a classic wine from the Saint-Émilion appellation in Bordeaux, France. Known for its Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) status, Trotte Vieille consistently delivers wines that are elegant, complex, and reflective of its limestone terroir. The 1988 vintage is recognized as a structured and traditional Bordeaux year, producing wines with freshness, balance, and excellent aging potential.

Wine Overview
The 1988 Château Trotte Vieille is likely a blend typical of the estate:

Cabernet Franc (dominant): Contributing structure, floral notes, and herbal nuances.
Merlot: Adding softness, richness, and red fruit character. …
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Price: £79.95
Stock: 4 in Stock

Pomerol
Good Provenance
Stored at Wine society since original purchase
Damaged Label Top shoulder - see photo

91 points Vinous
The 1988 Vieux Chateau Certan is a vintage that I have not tasted often, something I rue even more having been reacquainted with it. To be honest, for the first five minutes it felt overawed by the 1989. However, it soon gets its act together to deliver and gorgeous nose of black fruit, melted tar and cigar box, unashamedly classic in style, less sensual than the succeeding two vintages and yet extremely well defined. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, perfectly judged acidity, tobacco and cedar dominating the second half and yet there remains more than enough freshness and length to urge you back for another sip. …
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Price: £165.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Pomerol
Good Provenance
Stored at Wine society since original purchase
Damaged Label - see photo

91 points Vinous
The 1988 Vieux Chateau Certan is a vintage that I have not tasted often, something I rue even more having been reacquainted with it. To be honest, for the first five minutes it felt overawed by the 1989. However, it soon gets its act together to deliver and gorgeous nose of black fruit, melted tar and cigar box, unashamedly classic in style, less sensual than the succeeding two vintages and yet extremely well defined. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, perfectly judged acidity, tobacco and cedar dominating the second half and yet there remains more than enough freshness and length to urge you back for another sip. …
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Price: £170.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Estephe, 2nd Growth Classification

The Cos d'Estournel wine is one of the better wines from what was a weak vintage. It is fully ready to drink, displaying a plummy, toasty bouquet, light to medium body, some soft, fleshy fruit, low acidity, and soft tannins in the finish.

Château Cos d'Estournel is a prestigious wine estate located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux, France. Established in the early 19th century by Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, the estate is renowned for its grand architectural style, including the iconic pagodas that distinguish its winery. Covering approximately 100 hectares, the vineyard benefits from a unique terroir of gravel and clay soils, ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. …
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Price: £159.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Sauternes

Château Guiteronde du Hayot is one of the oldest vineyards of the Sauternes-Barsac region. We know that back in 1800 it was owned by M. Journu, the president of the Guyenne Electoral College. The reputation of the wines produced here is very old. In 1850, Charles Cocks, a scholar at the University of France published a book titled: “Bordeaux, its region and its wines”. The book listed the major Gironde wines and Château Guiteronde du Hayot was cited among the best Bordeaux white wines.

The vineyard lies in the heart of Haut-Barsac over 25 hectares on a superb clay and limestone soil; it is planted with a combination of 90% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon and 1% Muscadelle. …
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Price: £69.95
Stock: 1 in Stock

Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe

About Chateau Latour Château Latour, located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France, is one of the most prestigious and historically significant wine estates in the world. Classified as a First Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, Château Latour is renowned for its powerful, long-lived red wines primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other classic Bordeaux varietals. The estate's terroir, characterized by its gravelly soils, contributes to the exceptional quality and complexity of its wines. With a history dating back to the 14th century, Château Latour has consistently maintained a reputation for excellence, producing wines that are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs. …
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Price: £459.00
Stock: 4 in Stock

Pomerol

Château Nénin is a producer in the Pomerol region of Bordeaux. Like all the wines of Pomerol, Nénin is unclassified, but it is considered one of the better wines in the appellation. The estate is owned by Jean-Hubert Delon. Delon bought the estate in 1997 from his cousins-by-marriage, the Despujol family, who had run the château since 1847.

About Chateau Nenin Château Nenin, situated in the revered Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux, France, is an esteemed estate known for its dedication to crafting exceptional wines that reflect the essence of its terroir. With a history dating back centuries, this historic property has been meticulously managed by the Delon family, who have upheld a tradition of winemaking excellence. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Cantenac Margaux 3rd Growth Classification

The 1986 Château Boyd-Cantenac is a well-aged Third Growth Margaux, originating from an exceptionally structured vintage. The 1986 Bordeaux growing season was warm and dry, leading to wines with firm tannins, deep concentration, and long aging potential. Now nearing 40 years of maturity, this vintage remains an intriguing choice for those who appreciate aged Bordeaux.

With time, this wine has developed elegant and complex aromas, evolving from its youthful fruitiness to more refined notes. The palate remains full-bodied, fresh, and intense, with a long, layered finish supported by well-integrated tannins. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 9 in Stock

St Estephe, 2nd Growth Classification

95 Points - Robert Parker

Reviews: "The 1986 is a highly extracted wine, with a black/ruby color and plenty of toasty, smoky notes in its bouquet that suggest ripe plums and licorice. Evolving at a glacial pace, it exhibits massive, huge, ripe, extremely concentrated flavors with impressive depth and richness. It possesses power, weight, and tannin." Parker, Wine Advocate 1994

"his bottle is similar to the one last year: dense, masculine, wet sand, austere on the nose, as if the wine is slamming a door in your face, but after a time there is a lovely touch of cardamom that develops. The palate suggests that it is worth cellaring, …
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Price: £220.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Estephe, 2nd Growth Classification

95 Points - Robert Parker

Reviews: "The 1986 is a highly extracted wine, with a black/ruby color and plenty of toasty, smoky notes in its bouquet that suggest ripe plums and licorice. Evolving at a glacial pace, it exhibits massive, huge, ripe, extremely concentrated flavors with impressive depth and richness. It possesses power, weight, and tannin." Parker, Wine Advocate 1994

"his bottle is similar to the one last year: dense, masculine, wet sand, austere on the nose, as if the wine is slamming a door in your face, but after a time there is a lovely touch of cardamom that develops. The palate suggests that it is worth cellaring, …
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Price: £225.00
Stock: 6 in Stock

Cantenac Margaux 3rd Growth Classification

The 1986 Château d'Issan is a beautifully aged Third Growth Margaux, reflecting the structure and depth of this highly regarded vintage. Known for its firm tannins and longevity, the 1986 Bordeaux wines have aged exceptionally well, and Château d'Issan is no exception. Now approaching 40 years, this vintage offers a refined and complex expression of Margaux terroir.

With a deep garnet color and subtle bricking at the rim, this wine reveals a developed bouquet of dark cherry, tobacco, orange zest, and earthy limestone. On the palate, it remains medium-bodied and balanced, with softened tannins and lingering notes of red berries, earth, and floral hints. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 5 in Stock

Margaux

1986 Château du Tertre – A Mature Margaux Experience

Château du Tertre, a distinguished Fifth Growth estate in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation, has a rich history of producing wines that embody the elegance and complexity characteristic of the region. The 1986 vintage, now approaching four decades of maturity, offers a unique opportunity to experience the evolution of this esteemed estate's offerings.​

Tasting Profile

With the passage of time, the 1986 Château du Tertre has developed a nuanced profile. Tasting notes from 2018 describe the wine as exhibiting aromas of leather and cherry, leading to a textured and smooth palate with rustic and earthy character, culminating in a smooth finish. …
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Price: £89.95
Stock: 6 in Stock

Margaux, 3rd Growth Classification

Dark core light bricking at edges. The 1986 Giscours still has a complex bouquet with clearly black currants. In the taste black currant juice, a bit leather, bitter, sweet and vanilla with some earthiness. Soft and good, but a bit drying tannin. Nice aftertaste, slightly bitter. Medium + Finish.

Château Giscours, situated in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its prestigious history and exceptional red wines. Dating back to the 14th century, the estate's vineyards span approximately 80 hectares, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

Haut-Medoc

The 1989 Chateau Hanteilan is a claret from a stellar year in Bordeaux filled with soft plummy flavours and hints of cherry alongside notes of cedar and liquorice. A well made Haut Medoc at its best now.

Serving suggestions:
This bottle will need decanting in order to remove sediment and aerate the wine to release its aromas. Serve at room temperature with sirloin steak, roast beef, braised or grilled lamb. It is perfect with soft cheeses such as brie or soft goat cheese as well as hard cheeses such as cheddar, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino or aged manchego.
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Price: £49.95
Stock: 6 in Stock

Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe

The 1986 Château Latour is a highly regarded vintage from this legendary Pauillac estate. The 1986 vintage in Bordeaux, particularly for the Left Bank, is celebrated for its exceptional quality, marked by a long, dry growing season that produced highly structured, tannic wines with great aging potential. Château Latour is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends, and the 1986 vintage is a classic example of this style. It is highly sought after by collectors due to its longevity and exceptional reputation.


Tasting Notes: Color: Deep, dark garnet, still showing youthful vibrancy despite its age. …
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Price: £525.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Pauillac 5me Cru Classe, Bordeaux
*** 94 Points - Parker ***

Château Lynch-Bages is an iconic wine estate located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France. With a history dating back to the 18th century, the estate has established itself as one of the leading producers of exceptional red wines. Encompassing approximately 100 hectares, the vineyard benefits from gravelly soils and a maritime climate, ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. Château Lynch-Bages's wines are celebrated for their power, depth, and aging potential, exhibiting rich fruit flavors, robust tannins, and a distinct Pauillac character. …
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Price: £249.00
Stock: 6 in Stock

St Estephe, Cru Grand Bourgeois Exceptional
Half Bottle

Château Meyney, located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux, has a history dating back to the 17th century. The 1986 vintage, now approaching four decades of maturity, offers a unique opportunity to experience the evolution of this esteemed estate's offerings.​


Tasting Profile

Over the years, the 1986 Château Meyney has developed a nuanced profile. Tasting notes from 2023 describe the wine as having very mature fruit, soft tannins, a lighter body, and a smooth finish. While the fruit has faded, it remains a pleasant old Bordeaux. Another review highlights aromas reminiscent of an old humidor, leather, prunes, and cedar, suggesting the wine is probably just past its peak. …
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Price: £62.95
Stock: 24 in Stock

Margaux 3me Cru Classe
*** 93 Points Wine Journal ***

*** 93 Points Wine Journal ***
Reviews "This is one of the great Palmers of the 1980s, though it is several years since I last encountered it. Here, there is one word that springs to mind-class. Wonderful definition, a little reserved at first, but wonderfully defined with cedar, sandalwood and cigar box. The palate has firm tannins as you would expect from an -86, but it is married with Margaux femininity, leading to a lovely, supple finish with graphite and blackberry lingering on the back palate. Superb. Drink now-2018. Tasted November 2009." Neil Martin, Wine Journal

Château Palmer, …
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Price: £285.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Emilion Premiere Grand cru Classe

The Château Trotte Vieille 1986 is a wine from the Saint-Émilion appellation in Bordeaux, France. This estate is classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) and is known for producing elegant and age-worthy wines that reflect its historic terroir. The 1986 vintage was more celebrated on the Left Bank but still yielded intriguing wines on the Right Bank, particularly for producers with meticulous vineyard management.

Wine Overview
Château Trotte Vieille is known for its classic Bordeaux blends, and the 1986 vintage is likely composed of:

Cabernet Franc (dominant): Contributing structure, floral aromatics, and herbal notes. …
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Price: £79.95
Stock: 13 in Stock

St Emilion Premiere Grand cru Classe
Damaged Label

The Château Trotte Vieille 1986 is a wine from the Saint-Émilion appellation in Bordeaux, France. This estate is classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) and is known for producing elegant and age-worthy wines that reflect its historic terroir. The 1986 vintage was more celebrated on the Left Bank but still yielded intriguing wines on the Right Bank, particularly for producers with meticulous vineyard management.

Wine Overview
Château Trotte Vieille is known for its classic Bordeaux blends, and the 1986 vintage is likely composed of:

Cabernet Franc (dominant): Contributing structure, floral aromatics, and herbal notes. …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Emilion Grand Cru Classe
Damaged label

The Château Ausone 1985 is a wine from a vintage celebrated for its elegance and balance in Bordeaux. Known for its unique terroir and meticulous winemaking, Château Ausone produced a wine in 1985 that reflects the charm and accessibility of the vintage, while showcasing the estate's signature complexity and finesse.

Wine Overview
Château Ausone, one of the four Premier Grand Cru Classé "A" estates in Saint-Émilion, typically blends:

Cabernet Franc (dominant): Adding structure, floral aromatics, and herbal nuances.
Merlot: Contributing softness, richness, and a lush fruit profile.
Vintage Characteristics
The 1985 vintage in Bordeaux benefited from a warm and even growing season, …
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Price: £425.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Julien, 4th Growth Classification
Magnum Bottle

The 1985 Château Branaire-Ducru is a classic example of the elegance and balance that define the wines of Saint-Julien. This Fourth Growth estate has a long-standing reputation for producing refined and structured Bordeaux, and the 1985 vintage is a testament to its consistency. The year was marked by excellent growing conditions in Bordeaux, resulting in wines with rich fruit, soft tannins, and remarkable aging potential.

Upon release, the 1985 Branaire-Ducru displayed a medium garnet hue with slight browning at the edges, a sign of graceful maturation. The nose was inviting, offering aromas of ripe red cherries, currants, and spice notes such as cinnamon and clove. …
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Price: £249.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

St Julien, 4th Growth Classification
Half Bottle

The 1985 Château Branaire-Ducru is a classic example of the elegance and balance that define the wines of Saint-Julien. This Fourth Growth estate has a long-standing reputation for producing refined and structured Bordeaux, and the 1985 vintage is a testament to its consistency. The year was marked by excellent growing conditions in Bordeaux, resulting in wines with rich fruit, soft tannins, and remarkable aging potential.

Upon release, the 1985 Branaire-Ducru displayed a medium garnet hue with slight browning at the edges, a sign of graceful maturation. The nose was inviting, offering aromas of ripe red cherries, currants, and spice notes such as cinnamon and clove. …
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Price: £59.95
Stock: 3 in Stock

Margaux

Château La Gurgue, a notable estate in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation, has a history of producing wines that reflect the region's elegance and complexity. The 1985 vintage, characterized by favorable weather conditions, yielded wines with ripe fruit flavors and balanced structures.​

Tasting Notes

A tasting note from 2010 for the 1985 Château La Gurgue describes the wine as having a gorgeous dark ruby color with great legs. The nose shows blackcurrants and oak, with a somewhat woody character. On the palate, the wine is full, fruity, flavorful, and soft, with a round mouthfeel. ​

Serving Suggestions

When serving a mature wine like the 1985 Château La Gurgue, …
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Price: £79.95
Stock: 6 in Stock