A TASTING OF FINE 2008/9/10 CLARETS

In Event Reports, IWFS London Blog by ashepherdiwfs

This wonderful tasting, held at the Army and Navy Club in Pall Mall, led by Jeffrey Benson, featured ten wines from the cellar of one of our members, Lancelot Jaundoo.

We tasted the clarets in flights of three.

  • Château d`Angludet, Margaux : 2008, 2009, 2010

This estate had been neglected since before the Second World War until Peter Sichel acquired and completely renovated it in the early 1960s. It has been converted to biodynamic farming methods. It remains in the Sichel family ownership. The terroir is mainly sand, gravel, and clay. Around 50-55% of the blend is Cabernet Sauvignon.

All three vintages are among Angludet’s best, all delicious.

  • Château Batailley, Pauillac : 2008, 2009, 2010

The estate was bought by the Borie family in 1932 and subsequently, in 1942, divided in two (the smaller part forming Chateau Haut Batailley). It remains in family ownership. The terroir is gravel, clay, and sand, with clay and sandstone below the surface. Around three-quarters of the blend is Cabernet Sauvignon.

All three wines were a pleasure to taste.

  • Château Roc De Cambes, Côtes de Bourg : 2008, 2009, 2010

This estate has the best reputation in its appellation. It was purchased in the late 1980s by François Mitjavile, equally highly regarded for his Tertre Roteboeuf in St- Émilion. The terroir of the small vineyard, only 12.5 hectares, is largely limestone and clay, similar to St-Émilion. The blend is largely Merlot.

All three were lovely wines, with years ahead.

  • Tinto Pesquera, Ribera Del Douro, Reserva Especial, 2010

Tinto Pesquera is the flagship property of the Familia Fernández Rivera, known for top quality Tempranillo wines – this was 100% Tempranillo. Terroir of clay and sand, with limestone, marl and chalk layers.

A contrasting but super wine with which to conclude this tasting.

Many thanks to Lance for his generosity in sharing these wines with us, and to Jeffrey for leading the tasting.