Château Pavie Arômes de Pavie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009
Arômes de Pavie is the second label of Château Pavie, and is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009—a warm, ripe vintage is drinking beautifully now. Tight on opening, but after three hours aromas of earth and dust, and freshly turned soil emerge and subside, followed by Damson […]
Château Angélus Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé 1995
Lovely and accessible, the 1995 Angélus shows off its pedigree and high percentage of Cabernet Franc with only minimal decanting. A slightly woodsy bouquet of black currants, plums, cedar, forest underbrush, spiced orange pomander, dried lavender, and incense. On the palate, poised supple tannins and a fine acid backbone underpin steeped blackberry, crème de cassis, […]
Scottish Beef Stew Topped with a Phyllo Dough Crust
My take on classic Scottish Beef Stew—the butteriness Phyllo dough crust adds a delicious dimension of flavor and texture. I’ve also substituted leeks for yellow onions and flat iron steak for beef chuck. The flat iron, while more expensive is ultimately more tender. And for me, this is the perfect sort of dish to serve […]
Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse 2000
A splendid Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse. Opens with floral aromatics that descend to deeper notes of steeped blackberry, black cherry, charcoal, camphor and dried sage. Structured, powerful fore-to-mid palate tannin with acidity to match, this feels too young at this point, as though it’s not yet fully knit together. Medium-plus finish with herbal notes, and subtle minerality. […]
Château Belleuve Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2000
Earlier this year, I was invited to attend a dinner showcasing several vintages of Vieux Château Certan. François Thienpont was on-hand to explain the wines, and I felt lucky indeed to be seated next to him throughout the evening. Château Bellevue is managed by his brother, Nicolas and vigneron, Stephane Derenoncourt. A blend of 80% Merlot […]
Château Beau-Séjour Bécot Premier Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion 2000
Ruby-hued and breathtakingly fresh, with a deep perfume of black cherry and cassis, forest notes, cedar, graphite, violets and an unexpected top note of smoke and coal dust. In the mouth, the 2000 Beau-Sejour Becot is silk over sinew, with penetrating black fruit neatly framed by polished tannins and moderate acidity. There are decadent notes […]
Château Ausone Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé 2000
Where to begin? Château Ausone 2000 recalls some of my top red Burgundies—wines of this caliber have an otherworldly quality, that can only be described as an ethereal, gossamer, and transcendent. Complex, ever-evolving layers of black currants, ripe blueberries, gravelly earth, iron, olives, sweet tobacco, violets, camphor, and even a touch of dried honey. It’s […]
Château Figeac Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé 1995
Figeac has been on my radar for some time now. News of Michel Rolland replacing the existing team at the estate in early 2013 created ripples amongst fans. Revered for its old-school styling, I’m glad to have had the chance to taste it, courtesy Burgnut. Incredibly fresh, the ’95 yields classic notes of black currant, […]