Bordeaux Region Report

Pauillac 5th Growth Classification

1973 Château Batailley – A Mature Bordeaux for the Curious Collector
The 1973 Château Batailley is a wine from a vintage that had its challenges, yet it remains an interesting piece of Bordeaux history. As a fifth-growth estate in Pauillac, Château Batailley is known for its structured, Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines, built for aging. However, the 1973 growing season was marked by wet conditions later in the summer, leading to lighter, more delicate wines with softer tannins and a less concentrated profile than in stronger vintages.

Now, over 50 years later, the 1973 Château Batailley is likely well past its peak, with faded fruit and a more tertiary-driven character. …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Cantenac Margaux 3rd Growth Classification

The 1973 Château Boyd-Cantenac is a well-aged Third Growth Margaux, though it originates from a difficult vintage. The 1973 Bordeaux growing season was marked by cool and wet conditions, leading to lighter wines with limited aging potential. As a result, many wines from this year were best enjoyed early, and those that remain today are fragile and highly dependent on storage conditions.

Now over 50 years old, this wine may still display soft, delicate aromas but is likely to have faded fruit and a weaker structure. Boyd-Cantenac is known for producing elegant and balanced wines, but the vintage’s challenges mean its longevity is uncertain. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

Pauillac 4th Growth Classification

The 1973 Château Duhart-Milon is a well-aged Fourth Growth Pauillac, originating from a weaker Bordeaux vintage. The 1973 growing season was marked by cool and wet conditions, resulting in lighter wines with limited aging potential. Now, over 50 years later, this wine remains a historical curiosity, though its condition will vary significantly depending on storage.

Tasting notes suggest that the fruit has faded, leaving behind earthy and oaky characteristics with medium acidity, softened tannins, and a short finish. While some well-preserved bottles may still offer a glimpse into its past structure, this vintage is generally considered past its prime and should be approached with measured expectations. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Pessac-Léognan
Magnum 1.5 litres
Level top shoulder or better

1973 Mission Haut Brion

It took a skilled winemaker to produce a good wine this year, and luckily those at this storied second label were successful. The winemaker called this "a good bottle from a difficult vintage," saying, "The abundant production of the year is evident in this wine. Above all it has been affected by the profuse rains during July and September. The color is light and rather developed. The ever-present woodiness is uncertain. As for the nose, one already has the feeling of a dominant old wine. The wine is light and agreeable at the attack but the finale is more delicate. …
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Price: £795.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe

The 1973 Château Lafite Rothschild stands as a testament to the challenges faced during a difficult vintage in Bordeaux. The year was marked by unfavorable weather conditions, leading to wines that generally lacked the depth and complexity associated with this esteemed First Growth estate. Despite the vintage's shortcomings, Lafite Rothschild managed to produce a wine that, while not exemplary, offers insights into the estate's resilience and winemaking philosophy.

In terms of appearance, the 1973 Lafite Rothschild typically exhibits a ruby hue with a rusty shade towards the rim, indicative of its age. …
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Price: £545.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Margaux 2nd Growth Classification, Bordeaux
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Château Lascombes 1973

Vintage & Background
The 1973 vintage was a challenging one in Bordeaux, with uneven weather, and many wines from that era suffer from deterioration. Lascombes, a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru) from Margaux, had a mixed reputation in the 1970s, but some bottles from this vintage have held up surprisingly well with age, assuming excellent provenance and storage.

Appearance & Nose
In a mature glass, this wine often shows a colour with sienna or amber hues at the rim, softening into light ruby or garnet at the centre. On the nose, there are notes of tart cherry and pomegranate, with a hint of menthol or olive, and accompanying earthy-mushroom tones. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 9 in Stock

Château Saint-Pierre-Sevaistre, St Julien

The 1973 Château Saint-Pierre-Sevaistre is a well-aged Saint-Julien wine, originating from a historically divided estate that was later reunited under Château Saint-Pierre. The 1973 Bordeaux vintage was challenging, with cool and wet conditions, resulting in wines that were lighter and meant for early drinking. While some bottles may still offer glimpses of their original character, most have likely passed their peak.

With over 50 years of aging, this wine may still display delicate aromas of dried rosehips, faded tobacco, and tea, with flavors of red currant and cranberry. However, its structure has likely softened, and its longevity is dependent on careful storage. …
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Price: £74.95
Stock: 20 in Stock

Martillac

The 1973 Smith Haut Lafitte was fully mature decades ago and has gracefully declined into an old wine with a mahogany core, notes of mushroom and farmyard, soft fruit, nice acidity and a moderate finish.

About Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a renowned wine estate located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, France. With origins dating back to the 14th century, the estate encompasses 78 hectares of vineyards planted on gravelly soils that are ideal for viticulture. The château produces both red and white wines, primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc, with smaller quantities of Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Julien 4th Growth Classification

A surprisingly good wine for the vintage, The 1973 Talbot is now in decline as the fruit recedes, and the dusty tannins and oak become more dominant, this medium ruby-coloured wine still has good body and enough interest in the bouquet to hold many people's attention.

Château Talbot, situated in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its prestigious history and exceptional red wines. With origins tracing back to the 17th century, the estate's vineyards span approximately 107 hectares, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. …
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Price: £149.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

St Julien 4th Growth Classification

A surprisingly good wine for the vintage, The 1973 Talbot is now in decline as the fruit recedes, and the dusty tannins and oak become more dominant, this medium ruby-coloured wine still has good body and enough interest in the bouquet to hold many people's attention.

Château Talbot, situated in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its prestigious history and exceptional red wines. With origins tracing back to the 17th century, the estate's vineyards span approximately 107 hectares, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. …
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Price: £149.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Cantenac Margaux 3rd Growth Classification

The 1972 Château Boyd-Cantenac is a well-aged Third Growth Margaux, though it comes from a difficult vintage. The 1972 Bordeaux growing season was cool and damp, leading to uneven ripening and lighter wines with limited aging potential. As a result, many wines from this year are now past their peak, though well-stored bottles may still offer a glimpse into Margaux’s refined character.

Now over 50 years old, this wine would have evolved significantly, likely showing softened fruit, earthy notes, and delicate tertiary aromas. While Château Boyd-Cantenac is known for producing elegant and structured wines, the vintage’s natural challenges mean that its longevity is uncertain. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Medoc Grand Cru Classe

The 1972 La Lagune is of a good provenance having been professionally stored since original purchase.

Château La Lagune is a distinguished wine estate situated in the Haut-Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, France. With a history dating back to the 16th century, the estate has garnered acclaim for its production of high-quality red wines. Encompassing approximately 80 hectares, the vineyard benefits from gravelly and sandy soils, ideal for nurturing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot grapes. Château La Lagune's wines are renowned for their elegance, complexity, and aging potential, showcasing ripe fruit flavors, refined tannins, and a distinctive Haut-Médoc character. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 4 in Stock

Cantenac Margaux 3rd Growth Classification

This wine has a crisp sage and onion spiciness and silky leathery tannins. Crisp, intense, soft and fragrant, very dry
Drink now.

About Chateau Boyd-Cantenac Since the early 1930s, Boyd Cantenac has been owned by the Guillemet family who also run the nearby Chateau Pouget. The proprietor actually resides at Chateau Pouget since there is no official chateau at Boyd Cantenac, and the wines are vinified and cellared in a warehouse adjoining Pouget. Despite this arrangement, the wines of Boyd Cantenac are always produced with an overriding sense of attention to detail.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Cantenac Margaux 2nd Growth Classification

On the decline yet still life. Fewer fruit notes and more tertiary notes. Forrest floor, truffles, meat, umami, chocolate. Very interesting and was fun to try to a 50th birthday celebration. Color was still there with garnet hues. Really exemplifies how Bordeaux can age. Cellar Tracker Review posted 2021

Château Brane-Cantenac is a renowned wine estate situated in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France. With roots tracing back to the 18th century, the estate has earned a reputation for crafting exceptional red wines. Encompassing approximately 75 hectares, the vineyard benefits from gravelly and sandy soils, ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 8 in Stock

Margaux 3rd Growth Classification

The 1971 Château Giscours is a fully mature Third Growth Margaux, offering a rare glimpse into Bordeaux’s past. While the 1971 vintage was not considered a landmark year, Giscours has aged remarkably well, developing a complex and nuanced profile that will appeal to those who appreciate older wines.

Now over 50 years old, this wine displays a deep garnet hue with slight bricking at the edges. The aromas are rich and layered, featuring black fruit, dark chocolate, herbs, and earthy undertones. On the palate, it retains elegance and balance, with a refined texture and softened tannins, though some tasters note a slightly rustic finish. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Pessac Leognan 1er Grand Cru Classe
(High Shoulder - Small nick to the label)

The 1971 Haut Brion is one of the stand-out wines from the mediocre 1971 vintage - This well-stored bottle should be no exception. Reviewers have consistently noted that the wine is still in the plateau of its maturity having structure and complexity with a good core of fruit.

About Chateau Haut Brion Château Haut-Brion, located in the illustrious Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, France, is a legendary estate revered for its unparalleled heritage and commitment to producing wines of extraordinary quality. With a history spanning over five centuries, this historic property has been at the forefront of Bordeaux winemaking, setting the standard for excellence and innovation. …
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Price: £595.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Estephe, Cru Grand Bourgeois Exceptional
Special offer | Was £129 | Now £89

Colour is darker than expected with very little bricking. Nose shows clear signs of age and let's you know it is no longer at peak but after a few minutes of air exposure, it comes together nicely. Classic wet tobacco and ash notes on the nose. Medium body but full attack with bright acidity and even though both fruit and tannins have receded, there's still some sweetness. It really penetrates your tastebuds. More tertiary notes of forest floor, game, wet leather, tobacco and cigar box. Finish is pleasant.
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 4 in Stock

UVB

Bordeaux, in the south-west of France, needs little introduction to anyone with an interest in wine. One of the world's most prolific wine regions, it also manages to rank among the most famous and prestigious. The secrets of Bordeaux's wine success (other than magical Bordeaux Blend) are its three trump cards: diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines are the dry, medium-bodied reds that made the region famous.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Cantenac Margaux 3rd Growth Classification

Scoring an excellent 85 parker points, the 1970 Brane Cantenac is deep ruby in color, with a spicy, herbaceous, earthy scent and medium bodied, with a soft, relatively concentrated finish.

Château Brane-Cantenac is a renowned wine estate situated in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France. With roots tracing back to the 18th century, the estate has earned a reputation for crafting exceptional red wines. Encompassing approximately 75 hectares, the vineyard benefits from gravelly and sandy soils, ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

St Emilion Grand Cru Classe

The 1970 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is a wine that offers a glimpse into the history of Bordeaux and the evolution of Saint-Émilion wines. While it may not have the power of more recent vintages, it can still provide a rich and nuanced drinking experience, particularly for those who appreciate the complexity that comes with age. If you have the opportunity to taste this wine, it represents a connection to a storied past and the enduring quality of Bordeaux craftsmanship.

The 1970 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is a vintage wine from a renowned estate in the Saint-Émilion appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 10 in Stock

Pauillac 5th Growth Classification

Dark ruby, with significant browning at the edges, the wine has an open-knit, fully mature, spicy, oaky, plummy, toffee-scented bouquet, moderately rich, soft, fruity flavours, and a supple, velvety finish.

About Chateau Croizet Bages:
Château Croizet-Bages is a renowned winery located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France. The estate is part of the larger Bordeaux wine region, which is famous for producing some of the world's most prestigious and sought-after wines.

History: Château Croizet-Bages has a long and storied history, dating back to the 19th century. The estate was originally part of the larger Lynch-Bages estate, which has a history that can be traced back to the 17th century. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 22 in Stock

Pomerol

Chateau de Sales is Pomerol's largest vineyard, and produces this well-rounded, approachable and early-maturing wine. With a medium weight on the palate, the wine has plenty of savoury-sweet fruit and well-polished tannins, accompanied by aromas of caramel and earth.

About Chateau de Sales Château de Sales is a historic wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation of the Bordeaux region in France. Distinguished as one of the oldest family-owned vineyards in Bordeaux, it has been in the hands of the same family for over five centuries. The estate spans approximately 90 hectares, with 47.5 hectares dedicated to vineyards, making it the largest in Pomerol. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 9 in Stock

Margaux 3rd Growth Classification

The 1970 Château Giscours is a well-aged Third Growth Margaux, reflecting both the quality of the estate and the characteristics of the vintage. The 1970 Bordeaux vintage was highly regarded, producing structured and long-lived wines, and Giscours has aged gracefully over more than five decades. For collectors and enthusiasts of mature Bordeaux, this wine offers a rare opportunity to experience a fully evolved Margaux.

With a deep garnet hue and subtle bricking, the aromas remain fresh, showcasing red and black fruit, earthy leather, and hints of spice. On the palate, the wine retains elegance and balance, with softened tannins and a refined texture. …
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Price: £189.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

Pessac Leognan 1er Grand Cru Classe MAGNUM

This 1970 Haut Brion from the excellent 1970 vintage has received excellent reviews from wine critics.

*** 90-92 points - Wine Journal ***
Reviews: "Brown rim. Brown sugar, olives and leather nose. Quite rich for 1970. Balanced and very smooth palate. Coffee & sweet red fruits. Fully mature, a highly enjoyable wine (and far cheaper than Latour.) Somewhat under-rated by others. Then again chez Alex Hunt in November 2005. Although a little musty at first, this wine grows and grows on you. A cool, blackberry leaf, cranberry nose with lots of cedar and pine is followed by a tannic, almost rustic, broad-shouldered palate with cedary, tobacco-infused fruit. …
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Price: £1,295.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Pessac Leognan 1er Grand Cru Classe
Damaged labels

*** 90-92 points - Wine Journal ***

Reviews: "Brown rim. Brown sugar, olives and leather nose. Quite rich for 1970. Balanced and very smooth palate. Coffee & sweet red fruits. Fully mature, a highly enjoyable wine (and far cheaper than Latour.) Somewhat under-rated by others. Then again chez Alex Hunt in November 2005. Although a little musty at first, this wine grows and grows on you. A cool, blackberry leaf, cranberry nose with lots of cedar and pine is followed by a tannic, almost rustic, broad-shouldered palate with cedary, tobacco-infused fruit. Very classic in style but suited the venison perfectly. …
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Price: £475.00
Stock: 7 in Stock