2019
Chateau Haut Bailly Grand Cru Classe 2019
$349.99Château Haut-Bailly Grand Cru Classé is a refined Pessac-Léognan red with the estate’s characteristic balance of perfume, graphite and poise. Cabernet-led notes of cassis, black cherry, plum, violet, tobacco, cedar and crushed stone develop into a sleek, savoury palate.
Medium to full-bodied, it is defined by fine tannins, fresh acidity and a persistent mineral finish. Elegant rather than overtly showy, it rewards decanting and pairs well with roast beef, lamb or duck.
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.
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.
Senilhac 2019 Haut Medoc
$36.99Château Senilhac is a solid Cru Bourgeois that delivers a classic Left Bank profile with approachability. Grown on clay-limestone soils, it produces a wine with a smooth, rich character and plenty of structure. In the glass, look for aromas of ripe blackcurrant and red cherry accented by touches of oak spice (vanilla, toast) and a hint of cedar. There’s also an underlying earthy, graphite note marking its Médoc origin.
The palate is medium-bodied to full, offering sweet dark berry and plum flavors up front, followed by notes of cocoa and tobacco toward the back. The texture is generous and balanced – the fruit is plush and forward, while the tannins are present but relatively refined (not harsh). As a young wine, Senilhac can show firm, dry tannins in the core (typical of its structure). but they are surrounded by ample fruit and a hint of spice, so the wine remains drinkable and satisfying.
The finish brings a mix of spice, oak, and lingering blackberries. Overall, Château Senilhac is an honest, well-structured Haut-Médoc with ripe fruit, a touch of oak, and a classic backbone, drinking well in its first decade while also holding a bit for further softening.
Pauillac 2019 Pichon Tour Pibran
$81.99Château Pibran (often just “Pibran”) offers a generous, Merlot-rich take on Pauillac. Uniquely for Pauillac, nearly half the blend is Merlot, which yields a juicy, supple texture alongside the Cabernet structure. Aromatically, Pibran shows ripe cassis and blackcurrant layered with hints of ripe red fruits (plum, cherry) and subtle savory touches of tobacco and pencil shavings.
On the palate it is both juicy and structured – succulent black fruits flood the attack, supported by rich tannins that give classic Pauillac firmness. Notes of smoky cedar, graphite, and a touch of leather often emerge as it breathes. Despite its solid backbone, the high Merlot content makes the wine approachable and rounded in mouthfeel, especially in warmer vintages. The finish is long and generous with dark fruit, showing Pauillac’s depth with an extra plushness.
Overall, Château Pibran marries Pauillac’s cassis/tobacco character with an inviting, juicy warmth, making it both charming and age-worthy.
Durfort Vivens 2019 Margaux
$99.99Château Durfort-Vivens is a refined Margaux known for its elegant, terroir-driven style. Compared to some peers, Durfort-Vivens emphasizes freshness and finesse over sheer power. It often displays a fragrant bouquet of red and black berries (currant, cherry) intertwined with floral notes (lilac, violet) and a streak of minerality from its gravelly soils. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and harmonious – expect fresh, lively fruit flavors, an earthy touch of tobacco and pencil lead, and fine-boned tannins.
There is a “fresh elegant Margaux” character here: the wine has vibrancy and “life” to it, without the heavy opulence of some Margaux estates. As it develops, subtle oak integrates to give hints of vanilla and spice, but the core remains bright fruit and floral elegance.
Durfort-Vivens shows that graceful balance, with ample depth and a long, pure finish – a Margaux for those who appreciate poise and classical elegance over brute force.
Moulin Blanc 2019 Montagne Saint Emilion
$34.9990% Merlot | 10% Cabernet Franc
From a certified organic, 60 years old, single-vineyard comes this excellent value 2019 Bordeaux.
An understated but pure bouquet with red cherries and violet aromas in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, finishing with fine, chewy tannins. Just over 2,000 cases produced!
Calet 2019 Blaye Cotes De Bordeaux
$29.9991pts & Best Buy – Wine Enthusiast: “Mainly Merlot, this wine has a dense structure, that emphasizes fruitiness first, the smoky structure second. It is potentially powerful, with acidity and black fruits at the end. Drink from 2024.” – ROGER VOSS
Chapelle 2019 Blaye Bordeaux
$39.9995 Decanter: “Pure and focused nose with cleanly defined aromas of classic black currant, cassis and touches of meat and spices. Well-managed tannins, rich and mouth filling”.
Ricco Bambino 2019 La Serpiente S Blanc
$15.99Ricco Bambino’s orange Sauvignon Blanc from the Okanagan Valley is a vibrant expression of the varietal, crafted with minimal intervention and a natural, organic approach. This wine greets the senses with lively aromas of zesty grapefruit, ripe lemon, and tropical passionfruit, complemented by subtle hay field nuances. On the palate, it offers a crisp acidity that enlivens the flavors, creating a refreshing and balanced experience.
Larrivaux 2019 Haut Medoc
$49.99Intense berries on the nose, predominantly blackcurrant and bramble. Parma violet notes kiss the palate up front with structured, ripe tannin. Hints of light leather linger in the mouth on the end.