This premier cru wine is adorned with a beautiful, deep violet color. The aromas are explosive, with smoky notes of roasted coffee and a range of rich, jammy black fruit typical of a great wine. Further signs of quality are evident on the palate, where a fresh attack and rich body are supported by elegant tannins that are very noticeable, yet fine. The mid-palate has an extraordinary volume and presence. The finish is long and flavorful, with a liveliness which gives balance to this wine made for long aging. Aromatically, the richness of this Pavie is already evident, but the wine’s texture requires time to polish tannins which are still immature. This is a wine whose greatness will become more evident in the future as time brings out the expression of its.

Country: France | Region: Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Made from a blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Franc (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Château Pavie 2013 is a “miracle” wine. Indeed, in 2013, half of its production will have been destroyed by a bad flowering.And despite this, Château Pavie 2013 remains one of the greatest successes of this vintage!

Château Pavie 2013 presents a beautiful deep purple color and reveals a bouquet of black fruits, blackcurrant cream, blackberries, undergrowth, earth as well as spice and oak notes in the background.

Once in the mouth, Château Pavie 2013 shows a perfect balance between woody oak notes and black fruit aromas. Medium to full-bodied, with a creamy texture, it’s loaded with velvety tannins, that unfolds on the palate, leading to a smooth finish with a mineral chalky touch.

Country : France | Region : Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The 2014 Smith-Haut-Lafitte has a fragrant mulberry and strawberry scented bouquet with cedar and subtle undergrowth scents emerging with time. There is something almost Musigny-like here (written as a complement incidentally—why not be compared to the greatest Burgundy Grand Cru?). The palate is medium-bodied with a soft and mellow opening. Quite spicy in the mouth with leather-tinged fruit on the open and inviting finish, there is something very approachable about this Smith-Haut-Lafitte, though like the 2014 Pape-Clement, it contains the substance to drink well over 10-15 years.

Country: France | Region: Bordeaux

Saint Julien may not have any first growths, but if we forget about ranking and focus on quality, Château Ducru Beaucaillou is a perfect ambassador for the appellation. Created at the end of the 17th century, the property quickly demonstrated a capacity to produce fine wines. A century later, when mildew was destroying many of Bordeaux’s vineyards, Ducru Beaucaillou managed to escape thanks to a new treatment discovered by the château’s steward: the famous bouillie bordelaise (Bordeaux mixture) consisting of copper sulphate and lime, which is still used today. However, as it was popular in America, the property suffered greatly during prohibition, which deprived it of many customers. In 1941, Ducru Beaucaillou was bought by Francis Borie, who renovated the winery and replanted the vineyard. The property is still skillfully managed by the Borie family, who have managed to maintain the exceptional quality of the production.

The considerable presence of cailloux (pebbles) in the vineyard’s soil, which is of course the origin of the château’s name, contributes greatly to the wine’s quality.

Perfectly balanced, it reveals a lovely aromatic bouquet, that is enhanced by notes of cedar and spices. Unusually long to evolve, this wine needs at least ten years to express all of its finesse and complexity.

Country: France | Region: Saint-Julien

Hubert de Bouard Silver Bell 2012 from Herbert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus comes this incredible value in a St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe. An ode to the famous bell adorning Angelus bottles, this is a Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet blend that really over delivers. Rich and plummy with chewy tannins and a superlative finish, this is a knockout plain Grand Cru and a great introduction to the wines of Herbert de Bouard.

Country: France | Region: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Song is full of freshness with a round mouthfeel and a delicate touch of oak. The velvety soft tannins, provide an easy drinking style. The flavor profile is characterized by a range of intense and powerful dark fruits and offer a deep, spicy nose. The initial flavors are delicate, growing in richness with a depth of fruit. The finish is long with a touch of oak.

The good meteorological conditions of the vintage created an excellent concentration, benefitting the Merlot in particular, which shows its richer side. The depth of the fruit and the aromatic concentration provide an excellent balance to this wine. Light and fruity, while retaining a classic elegance, Song is a wine that personifies Bong. Thanks to silkiness of the tannins (the hallmark of Right Bank wine) Song is a wine that can be enjoyed young, but can easily age 10 to 15 years.

Song By Bong represents first and foremost my crossing paths with Hubert de Boüard of Chateau Angelus.

Country: France | Region: Bordeaux