Cheval Blanc 2019
£4500/12 IB
A dramatic release this morning comes in the form of Cheval Blanc. Their 2019 has been released at £4500, fully 32% down on the 2018– and crucially, well below the current market price of the most comparable recent releases, 2015 (GBP 5575) and 2016 (GBP 5550).
Branaire Ducru 2019
£348/12 IB
95-96pts James Suckling “Dark-berry and blue-fruit character to the firm, chewy tannins that are polished and solid. Medium to full body. Wood and walnut undertones now. Impressive.”
Branaire Ducru have released their 2019 at GBP 348, which represents a 25% discount on the 2018 release. Not only is this in line with some of the most compelling prices we have seen so far this year, but the quality at this St Julien address just continues to rise.
James Suckling scores the wine an impressive (95-96)pts, putting it on a qualitative (if not stylistic) level with the excellent, firmly structured 2018. It is hugely satisfying to see this venerable property once again deliver the quality for which it has been so admired over the past two decades under the auspices of the charming Maroteaux family.
Beychevelle 2019
£658 per case/12 IB
93-94pts James Suckling “Rich, layered red with lots of ripe fruit and creamy, round tannins. Yet, it’s fresh and refined at the same time. Flavorful finish. Ripe and solid. Equal to the 2018 in quality.”Second we have Beychevelle at GBP 658. This is almost 10% below the release of the 2018 which scored the same from James Suckling.
Leoville Poyferre 2019
£616 per case/12 IB
One of our favourite St Juliens, the ever-popular Leoville Poyferre, have released their 2019 vintage at the very engaging price of GBP 616. This is fully 25% below the release of the 2018 and puts it just outside (but acceptably so) the magical £50 per bottle IB bracket.
Cos d’Estournel 2019
£1368 per case/12 IB
Cos d’Estournel has been on a truly remarkable roll with huge scores from the key critics for each of the last four vintages – including the triple 100-pt 2016. Today we see the release of the 2019 at GBP 1368 – 23% down on the 2018 price.
Duhat Milon 2019
£624/12 IB
The Lafite-owned Pauillac Duhart Milon has been released this morning at GBP 624 per 12. This is an 8% discount on the 2018 and represents a very fair price for what we thought was a tremendous Duhart. Whilst the 2018 had a sense of great drama – and inevitably demands a longer wait in the cellar before broaching – the 2019 has a joy and completeness, even at this early stage, that gives it enormous charm without denying itself sound ageing potential.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown (92-94pts) shares our view, stating “this 2019 is a remarkable beauty, seeming to confirm that this estate has well and truly turned a corner in terms of quality.” Likewise, James Suckling (95-96pts) loved its approachability “You already want to drink this.”, while Jane Anson calls it “an excellent Duhart.”
Angelus 2019
£2844/12 IB
98-99 points James Suckling “An extremely refined and sharpened Angelus with super fine tannins and sweet ripe fruit in the center palate. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and so very polished. Silky. Very subtle. Bright blue fruit, black fruit and stones. Supple and minerally. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc.
