Feytit-Clinet, Lynch-Bages, Pontet-Canet, Pape-Clement, Capbern
A rich, polished Pomerol with silky tannins and great poise - Neal Martin thinks this 'might well be the finest Feytit-Clinet to date'. It may not enjoy fancy facilities, but by focussing on reducing yields and modernizing production, live-in proprietor Jeremy Chasseuil has transformed quality at Feytit-Clinet. For a wine of this calibre in Pomerol, it represents seriously good value.
You wait ages for one big release and then lots come along at once. Lynch-Bages is complex, classic and - according to Neal Martin, 'reminiscent of Latour toward the finish'. The leap in quality here no doubt has something to do with the new winemaking facility, inaugurated with the 2020 vintage. Those with an eye for detail will notice the subtle shadow silhouette on the 2020 label, celebrating the new winery, the fruit of four years' work. Overachieving super second Pontet-Canet has been at the vanguard of developments in Bordeaux over the last two decades. First it was organics, biodynamics, amphorae; more recently it has been a return to hand-sorting, and the elimination of pump-over in the winery in favour of gentle pressing. 2020 Pontet-Canet is Lisa Perrotti-Brown's highest-scoring wine in all the Medoc except for first growths Mouton and Margaux.
Pape-Clement is one of the most sophisticated and expressive wines in Pessac-Leognan. This afternoon we have also had Calon-Segur and sibling estate Capbern. Capbern has long been a wine trade insider's secret, and these days is made by the same winemaking team as at Calon-Segur. (We will be in touch with previous purchasers of Calon-Segur). Also over the last two days we have had the two Pichons. While these are allocated to previous purchasers, the recently renamed Pichon Comtesse Reserve is a serious and profound expression of Pauillac in its own right. Along with Echo de Lynch-Bages it demonstrates how good some second wines have become. /NT
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Offered subject to remaining unsold; for shipment Spring 2023
