Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Figeac 2010 Palmer 2005 Leoville2000 Set
$2,199.00(Each of these three illustrious wines contributes its own style – Figeac’s cabernet-infused elegance, Palmer’s velvety opulence, and Léoville’s powerful refinement – making the trio a comprehensive snapshot of Bordeaux excellence.)
Château Figeac (St‑Émilion): Figeac’s house style is unique on the Right Bank – its blend has a high proportion of Cabernet, yielding a wine of Left Bank-like structure combined with Right Bank charm. A typical Figeac shows aromas of blackberries and dark cherry intertwined with cedar, violets, and a touch of graphite mineral. On the palate it is elegant and poised, with the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon imparting fine-boned tannins, freshness, and a mineral thread to complement Merlot’s plummy fruit. Hints of tobacco, wet earth, and floral notes add complexity. The wine finishes long and refined, marrying silkiness with lively acidity – a testament to Figeac’s balanced, aristocratic character.
Château Palmer (Margaux): Palmer is an opulent counterpoint in Margaux, known for its seductive richness and velvety texture. It offers a swoon-worthy bouquet – expect ripe blackberry, black cherry, and plum layered with exotic floral notes (violet, rose) and sweet spices. On the palate Palmer is full-bodied, plush, and enveloping, often described as “pure silk and velvet” in texture. Its Merlot content lends a voluptuous, supple mouthfeel bursting with sensuous dark fruit, while fine tannins caress the palate. Hints of licorice, cocoa, and truffle emerge as it opens. The finish is extremely long and attractive, showcasing power married to Margaux elegance – an “opulent and flamboyant” style that remains beautifully balanced and refined.
Château Léoville (St‑Julien, 2000): The Léoville in this set (a top Saint-Julien from 2000) represents Left Bank class and depth. It delivers intense aromas of cassis, blackcurrant and black cherry, underpinned by classic notes of graphite, cedar wood, and tobacco leaf. In the mouth it is powerful yet impeccably refined – a “towering” Cabernet Sauvignon core gives concentrated dark fruit and structure, while polished tannins and a mineral streak provide elegance. Hints of smoke, earth, and menthol might appear with air. The wine’s precision and length are outstanding: a long, mineral-laced finish lingers with persistent dark fruits and Pauillac-like intensity. In essence, this 2000 Léoville showcases first-growth pedigree in all but name – rich and structured, but also beautifully balanced and age-worthy.
Trotte Vieille 2005 St Emilion
$359.99Château Trotte Vieille is a historic St-Émilion known for a more classically styled, Cabernet Franc-leaning wine. Its profile emphasizes freshness, mineral nuance, and structure. The bouquet often has a distinctive limestone-derived minerality and a touch of “oceanic” freshness alongside aromas of crushed red berries, cherry, and subtle florals. You might also detect herbal and earthy notes – cedar, tea leaf, a hint of menthol – reflecting its old-vine Cab Franc component.
On the palate, Trotte Vieille is medium-bodied and firmly framed. It has bright, savory red fruit flavors (tart cherry, redcurrant) that are lively but not overly dense, supported by dry, fine-grained tannins that give it a serious backbone. The style here is more “old-school” Saint-Émilion: not overly sweet or plush, but rather elegant, with a certain austerity in youth. The finish highlights that tension between fruit and earth – you’ll note the fresh acidity, a touch of bitter cherry skin, graphite, and a gentle toastiness.
With some age, the wine gains softness and the tannins relax, revealing more round fruit and a lovely perfume of violet and forest floor. In essence, Château Trotte Vieille is fresh, mineral, and aristocratic – a wine of subtle complexity and classic balance, showcasing Saint-Émilion’s limestone terroir through its lifted aromatics and refined, persistent finish.
De Ferrand 2019 Saint-Emilion
$99.99Château de Ferrand has recently risen in quality, now offering an elegant, vibrant Saint-Émilion that marries ripe fruit with polished structure. The aroma profile highlights ripe black cherries and plums along with floral notes (violet, peony) and indulgent hints of espresso, cocoa, and licorice. There’s an appealing mix of sweet spice and fresh fruit on the nose.
The palate is medium-bodied, forward, and supple, showcasing juicy red and black fruit (cherry, raspberry, plum) that is sweet and energetic in character. What stands out is the silky, lush texture – thanks to very refined tannins, the wine feels velvety and round in the mouth. Hints of chocolate and espresso weave through the fruit, and a subtle streak of minerality and saline freshness (from the limestone terroir) adds lift. The finish is bright and lively, with lingering red berry and mocha notes.
Chateau de Ferrand manages to be rich and polished yet also fresh and spirited, a balance that makes it enjoyable young (for its fruit and softness) while also capable of medium-term aging. In short, it’s a gorgeous, refined St-Émilion that emphasizes elegance, balance, and a beautiful purity of fruit – an estate to watch, now delivering wines of silky charm and subtle complexity.
La Commanderie 2019 Saint Emilion
$81.99Château La Commanderie produces a supple, polished St-Émilion that is pleasurable even when young. The wine often opens with aromas of ripe black cherry and red currant along with pretty floral tones (rose petal) and a touch of savory herb, tobacco, and earth.
On the palate it is medium-bodied, fresh, and silky. The Merlot-rich fruit profile is sweet and creamy in texture – you’ll taste lush red cherries and plums that are impressively pure and vibrant. Tannins are very soft and polished, giving a velvety mouthfeel with no hard edges. Hints of cocoa and espresso emerge towards the finish, adding a gentle savory accent to the sweet fruit. Despite the easy-drinking nature, the wine isn’t simple; there is brightness and a bit of length, with the finish showing lingering black cherry, a dash of cocoa, and a savory, minty touch. In warmer years it can approach a “creamy, supple” richness, while maintaining lift.
Overall, La Commanderie is soft, refined, and fruit-forward, offering sweet, ripe berries on a polished frame. It can be enjoyed on release for its silky, vibrant charm, yet a few years of cellaring can further integrate its flavors and add even more smoothness to the already suave finish.