The Wine Cru

31/05/2026

Some of the most interesting bottles are those that have quietly evolved over the years, developing character far beyond their original release.

This week's selection includes Château Branaire-Ducru 1975, Cockburn's Vintage Port 1967, a rare 1-litre bottle of Graham's LBV 1992, Château Ligondras 1992, and Frescobaldi Campo ai Sassi Rosso di Montalcino 1986.

A varied mix this week, spanning Bordeaux, Portugal and Tuscany, each bottle carrying decades of history and evolution.

Details via the link in our profile.

31/05/2026

Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage 2018

Mayacamas Vineyards is a historic winery located near the summit of the Mount Feeder sub-appellation of Napa Valley. It is one of the region’s most highly regarded producers of classic Cabernet Sauvignon, and is also known for its high quality white wines made from Chardonnay.

The stone winery was built in 1889 by John Henry Fisher, a German immigrant and sword engraver who moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Philadelphia. At the same time as establishing a pickle business, he planted Zinfandel vines on the property and made wine by the barrel, shipping it down the Napa River to San Francisco.

However, Fisher was forced to sell the winery when his pickle business was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and had to declare bankruptcy.

During Prohibition, the new owners sold wine legally to the Church for mass, while also running a bootlegging business on the side. In1941, the winery was sold to Jack and Mary Taylor, who renamed it “Mayacamas” and replanted the vineyards to Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

It changed hands again in 1968, and the 1971 Cabernet Sauvignon was entered into the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting. It didn’t place, but in a 2006 anniversary tasting it came in second, proving it as one of the more ageworthy wines in the Napa Valley.

Typical blend, Cabernet Sauvignon. 75cl bottle, Abv 14%

Bottle condition, capsule good, label good, wine level in neck.

29/05/2026

Chateau Leoville Las Cases Vintage 2018

Château Léoville-Las Cases based in Saint Julien appellation of Bordeaux, ranked as a second growth in the 1855 classification of the Médoc and Graves. Typical of the appellation, Château Léoville-Las Cases is Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, with smaller amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 

The estate has a history dating back to the mid-17th Century, when it used to be part of a much larger estate. During the French Revolution (1789-1799) the estate was divided in two with a small section becoming Chateau Leoville Barton. In 1840, the original estate was again divided, creating Chateau Leoville Puyferre. All three of the Léoville châteaux were named in the 1855 Classification as second growths, but Léoville-Las Cases remains the largest.

Typical blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. 75cl bottle Abv 14%

Bottle condition, capsule excellent, label excellent, wine level in neck.

Tasting Note 09/01/2026 - 95 Points

A mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc that spent 19 months in (I believe) all new French oak from this 2nd growth of Saint-Julien. Medium + burgundy color, long legs, aromas of black cherry, crème de cassis, peony, delicate stone. On the palate: medium acidity, medium body, smooth tannin, underripe black cherry, cigar wrapper, menthol, minerals and pencil shavings with a slight bitterness on the medium finish. 95+

27/05/2026

Wine Cru Wednesday - How does a prize of your body weight in classed growth Bordeaux wine sound?! These days there are marathons on just about every weekend and everywhere, but I’ve always thought this one stands out from the crowd. This year if you love the 80s as much as you do running and wine, then this could be the marathon for you!

The Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc has chosen an 80s theme to celebrate its 40th edition on Saturday 5 September.

27/05/2026

Wine Cru Wednesday

Chateau Branaire originally called Chateau Braneyre and now called Chateau Branaire Ducru

Château Branaire-Ducru , Saint Julien was ranked a fourth growth in the 1855 classification of Médoc and the Graves. The estate was founded in 1680 by Jean-Baptiste Braneyre, who reportedly saw the potential of the soils of the Bordeaux commune of Saint-Julien and the ability of Cabernet Sauvignon to flourish upon them. Before his death he gave his name to the estate, which was later changed to the current spelling, Branaire.

24/05/2026

A selection this week built around the theme of time.

From mature Bordeaux, Château Gazin 1960, Château Montrose 1967, Château Talbot 1978 and Château d’Angludet 1993 each offer a different glimpse into how fine wine evolves across decades.

Alongside them, Château Léoville Las Cases 2018 and Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 represent wines still early in their journey, structured and built for long ageing.

Completing the line-up, Château Bernadotte 2009 brings the richness and balance of a highly regarded Bordeaux vintage.

A fascinating mix this week, from bottles with generations behind them to wines with decades still ahead.

Details via the link in our profile.

24/05/2026

50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris today.

Are you celebrating it today?

22/05/2026

Pavillon Rouge Du Chateau Margaux Vintage 2004

Sold under the name of “Château Margaux 2nd wine”, it took its permanent name of Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux in 1908. Production stoped for a while and restarted on the arrival of André Mentzelopoulos in 1977 and at first greatly increased in order to improve the quality of the first wine. From the mid 1990s, the creation of a third wine in its turn, allowed for a more and more rigorous selection for Pavillon Rouge. For a few years now, a third of the harvest has gone into the first wine, barely 30% into the Pavillon Rouge, and the remainder is divided between the third and fourth wines.The quality of Pavillon Rouge has become very close to that of the first wine because all the plots involved contributed to the blending of Château Margaux not so long ago. Of course there isn’t the same complexity, the same depth, the same “magic” but the flavours are close and the balance in the mouth leads to the same subtle senses of power and softness. In general it is ready to drink a little earlier whilst retaining an excellent potential to age largely beyond 30 or 40 years.

Typical blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. 75cl bottle. Abv 13%

Bottle condition, capsule excellent, label excellent, wine level in neck

Tasting Note 21/12/2024 -92 Points

Still drinking very well. Rich palate with dark fruits giving way to soft minerality. Plenty of spin still, good acids and fine tannins and a lengthy, slightly sweet finish

20/05/2026

Wine Cru Wednesday - This week I came across an article on Artelium and how they’re using the digital platform to reach potential customers who can’t visit the Sussex vineyards. Another example of English Wines reputation continued growth. Hotly tipped across Europe as the next big thing! We are big fans of this winery, not had a chance to visit yet, but bought some of their wines. They have a white Pinot that is simply gorgeous.

Have you visited an English vineyard?

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Sussex producer Artelium Wine Estate has launched a digital cellar door designed to help customers around the world buy its wines directly.

20/05/2026

Wine Cru Wednesday

Freemark Abbey is in Saint Helena California. Established in 1886 by Victorian widow Josephine Tychson, she was the first female winemaker on the record in Napa Valley, and the winery was the 16th bonded winery on record in the region.

It was the only winery to have both a red and white wine represented in the famous Judgement of Paris tasting of 1976.

As with many winery’s it was closed during prohibition and sold before reopening after 22 years.

Over the years, the wines have received
much praise from the press, especially after their success in the Judgement of Paris tasting.

In 2016, their success culminated when the National Football League selected the 2013 Freemark Abbey Spring Mountain Fiftieth Reserve Bordeaux Blend as the commemorative Super Bowl 50 wine