Fine Wine Parcel

March 15, 2013

We have managed to procure a rather fine selection of ‘03s at a very fine price, there are very limited quantities of each wine and I’m certain John has his eye on several.

Throughout France 2003 was an incredibly hot summer (remember them?) leading to bigger, more fruit driven & more alcoholic wines that usual. The general consensus is that ’03 is an early maturing vintage, and that these wines are approaching peak drinking time.

 

 

Chateau Caronne St Gemme Haut Medoc 2003- £16.39

The vineyard was first reported in 1648 when a local Landlord rented it to a farmer in exchange of the wines produced. Caronne is derived from “Carona” for a local spring source, and “Gemme” a corruption of “James”. In 1900 ownership of Caronne passed to Emile and Eugène Borie. Emile’s descendants would remain sole owner of Caronne until this day.

 

Chateau Gruaud Larose Sarget 2003   £19.99
The second wine of one of the best performing Second Growths shares many of the characteristics of its Grand Vin but offers superb value. Ch. Gruaud Larose is traditionally a good keeper; the Sarget, whose name comes from a previous shareholder, needs some time but not as long.

 

Chateau Maucaillou Moulis 2003     £23.59

Moulis is located midway between Margaux and St-Julien and contains some of the oldest vineyard sites to be found in the Médoc. Château Maucaillou can trace the history of its vineyards back to the 16th century. Its handsome château was built in 1875 and the property has been owned by the Dourthe family since 1929. These days Philippe Dourthe is at the helm.

 

Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape 2003 £31.85

“Vieux Télégraphe is one of the most renowned estates of the Southern Rhône. Vieux Télégraphe is a large estate and there are about 45 hectares of red grapevines planted, with an average age of around 55 years. Blessed with one of the finest locations in the area, the particularly hot microclimate is such that the Bruniers, owners of the estate for almost a century, are able to harvest as much as a week ahead of their neighbours.” (from bbr.com)





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