First Growth
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2004 Pauillac
Refined and aromatic, with blackberry, graphite and cedar unfolding over dark currant fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and precise, shaped by silky tannins and fresh, well-judged acidity. Tobacco and subtle earth emerge with air, while the fruit remains clear and composed rather than heavy. The finish is long, polished and quietly persistent, carrying cassis, cedar and mineral detail. An elegant mature Pauillac with depth held firmly in reserve.
Chateau Margaux 2004
Polished and aromatic, with violets and dark red fruit joined by espresso, tobacco and gentle earth. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, balancing fresh cherry and blackberry with finely shaped tannins and an elegant, measured richness. Floral lift and spice keep the wine poised as it opens. The finish is long and composed, carrying ripe fruit, subtle oak and savoury detail without losing its characteristic delicacy.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2013 Pauillac
Fine-boned and restrained, with tobacco, cassis and crushed gravel leading into fresh red cherry. The palate is medium-bodied and polished, favouring clarity and precision over weight. Firm but refined tannins frame the fruit, while subtle cedar and mineral notes give the wine a classical, savoury shape. The finish is clean and measured, tapering through cherry, tobacco and cool stone with an understated, composed persistence.
Chateau Haut-Brion 2008 Pessac-Leognan
Silky and layered, with black raspberry, ripe cassis and dark plum set against tar, spice and warm gravel. The palate is polished and concentrated, yet the tannins remain fine and elegant, giving the fruit a seamless, measured flow. Tobacco and subtle smoke emerge through the middle, adding savoury complexity without obscuring the freshness. The finish is long, balanced and persistent, carrying pure dark fruit, mineral depth and refined structure.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2017 Pauillac
Graceful and steadily unfolding, with sweet red fruit moving toward plum and dark cherry as the wine opens. The palate is refined and silky, building intensity without heaviness and showing remarkable purity through the middle. Fine tannins and fresh acidity hold the fruit in precise balance, while graphite and cedar add discreet savoury depth. The finish is long, calm and persistent, leaving polished fruit and mineral detail.
Château Latour 1974 Pauillac
A fully mature, restrained claret with smoke and spice over gently evolved fruit. The palate is round and silky at first, then turns leaner as marked acidity and a lightly astringent finish come forward. Provenance matters at this age; stand upright, decant carefully for no more than thirty minutes and serve with simply roasted beef.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1952 Pauillac
Fully mature and richly textured, with blackberry, liquorice and leather carried by a broad, refined and complex bouquet. The palate is round and warming, balancing sweet fruit with drying tannins and a substantial, gently rounded finish. Bottle condition is essential at this age; stand upright, decant carefully for about ninety minutes and serve with lamb or slow-cooked beef.