The Wine Cru

23/10/2026

Chateau Durfort Vivens Vintage 2008

Château Durfort-Vivens isolated  in the Margaux appellation. One of the grands crus classés (classified grands crus) of the Medoc it was ranked as a second growth in the original 1855 Classification. The estate is overseen by Gonzague Lurton, who took over running the property in the early 1990s.

It was one of the estates visited by future US president and known w**e-lover, Thomas Jefferson, just before the French Revolution. Jefferson, who was then ambassador to France, produced his own ranking of the châteaux of the Médoc, rating Durfort-Vivens just under Lafite, Latour and Margaux. 2008 was an excellent vintage for the region.

Typical blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. 75cl bottle. Abv 12%

Bottle condition, Capsule good, label good, w**e level in neck

Tasting Note 21/01/2024 - 91 Points

A very appealing nose of red berries and plums, then a mouthful of soft blackberry, before a creamy but elegant middle section of blackcurrant, then a finish full of wild strawberry, with hints of nuts and caramel. There’s a slightly bitter aftertaste and a little lack of ripeness which prevents it from being really top-notch, but it’s a well-crafted, well-balanced w**e that is right up my street.

**ecru **e **es **e **eclubuk

21/10/2026

W**e Cru Wednesday - if you're not in the “what is an unfinished bottle of w**e?” gang, then this is a very useful rough guide to managing open bottles. From the big outlay for a Coravin to sticking it in the fridge, there are many hints and tips here.

Do you ever find yourself with leftover w**e?

**ecruwednesday **ecru **es **eclubuk

As more drinkers savour a glass rather than finish the bottle, Gabriel Stone asks the trade how long an open w**e really keeps.

21/10/2026

W**e Cru Wednesday

A little chat about Chateau Branaire Ducru 1990!

Château Branaire-Ducru is a w**e estate based the Saint Julien appellation, in the Haut Medoc region, on the so-called “left bank” of the Garonne estuary north of the city of Bordeaux. The estate 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. The 1990 vintage was the third great vintage in a row, that many consider the best of the three.

**ecruwednesday **ewednesdays **ecru **e **eclubuk

18/10/2026

Four bottles, three w**e traditions, and plenty of history.

🍷 Gevrey-Chambertin Geisweiller & Fils 1967
🍷 Château des Jacques Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Grand Carquelin 1967
🍷 Château Branaire-Ducru 1990
🍷 Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port 1987

Two w**es from 1967 offer a fascinating comparison between Burgundy and Beaujolais, joined by mature Saint-Julien and a distinguished single-quinta Vintage Port.

Different origins, different styles, all with a story to tell.

Which would you choose?

**e **es **es **ecru **eclubuk

16/10/2026

15/10/2026

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 5 star review from Philip Roper:

Absolutely first class, great value and fast dispatch too. The W**e Cru UK always have a great range of quality products. Thank you.

https://thew**e-cru.co.uk

14/10/2026

W**e Cru Wednesday - Do you know your Chardonnay from your Shiraz? Not the grapes but children’s names! I was very amused by this article in The Drinks Business on the top ten most popular baby names. I kind of get Chardonnay, but Shiraz! No offence to anyone reading this who is called Shiraz.

Would you give a child a w**e related name?

**ecruwednesday **ewednesday **ecru **e **eclubuk

An analysis by db of three decades of birth registrations in England and Wales has found that Margaux is now the most popular w**e-related name for a baby, having overtaken Chardonnay, which grew in popularity after Footballers' Wives arrived on ITV in 2002.

13/10/2026

Currently having fun tasting some different w**es for this.

Couldn’t agree more… on that note, tickets are live for our October tasting at MJ's Brasserie here. See you there w**e lovers 🍷🧀❤️

https://thew**e-cru.co.uk/collections/w**e-tasting-events

The W**e Cru

11/10/2026

Four decades of Bordeaux in four bottles.

🍷 Château Paveil de Luze 1966
🍷 Château Bélair 1987
🍷 Château La Crock 1996
🍷 Château Boyd-Cantenac 2005

From a 60-year-old Bordeaux to the highly regarded 2005 vintage, with Saint-Émilion, Saint-Estèphe and Margaux represented along the way.
Four w**es, four vintages, one fascinating journey through time.

Which would you choose?

**eCru **e **eCollectors **e

09/10/2026

Chateau Gloria Vintage 2006

Created by Henri Martin, this estate is unique in having been built up piece by piece over several years through the purchase of parcels, the majority of which were classified as “grands crus” in 1855.The estate is regularly praised for its consistent performance and widely regarded by critics as being worthy of Cru Classe status. 2006 vintage was excellent for the w**es of Saint Julien and Bordeaux.

Typical Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot.

Bottle condition, capsule excellent, label excellent, w**e level in neck

Tasting Note 13/12/2025 -91 Points

Dark coloring without any bricking on rim. Opened (cork crumbled) with a nose of black fruits and cassis. Palate included the aforementioned, plus some chocolate, pencil lead and to***co. Fully mature and smooth.

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