FINE WINE - The Wine Society

BORDEAUXTHE RIGHT BANKAdmirably explained by Jancis Robinson MW in her bible of wine terminology The Oxford Companion to Wine, the sometimesconfusing term right bank is ‘an expression much used of that part of the Bordeaux wine region that is on the right bank, or north, ofthe river Dordogne. It includes, travelling down river, Côtes de Castillon, Côtes de Francs, Saint-Emilion and its satellite appellations,Pomerol and Lalande-de-Pomerol, Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac, Bourg and Blaye. The most obvious characteristic shared by theseappellations, and distinct from left bank appellations, is that the dominant grape varieties are merlot and cabernet franc rather thancabernet sauvignon.’Here we concentrate on the cream of the right bank appellations, Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, in a range of drinking and keepingvintages from favourite family-owned vineyards such as Carteau Côtes Daugay and Grand Corbin-Despagne, to the hedonistic heightsof Cheval Blanc.M-CS6281 Château Carteau Côtes Daugay, 2005, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru £19 bottle £228 dozenThe Bertrand family have been delivering consistently enjoyable, full-flavoured Claretsince we first bought from them in 1989, but this 2005 is exceptionally good by anystandards. Now to 2017. 13.5%M-CS6031 Château Bourgneuf, 2006, Pomerol £27 bottle £324 dozenBourgneuf is very well placed on the central Pomerol plateau and has producedstructured, ripe yet fresh-flavoured wine in 2006 of considerable quality. 2013 to 2020.13.5%M-CS6451 Château La Tour Figeac, 2004, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru £27 bottle £324 dozenRichly fragrant and spicy, with ample fruit, grainy tannins and good length of flavour.Now to 2018. 13.5%M-CS7281 Château Laroze, 2006, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé £28 bottle £336 dozenImpressive modern Claret with the added spice and toastiness of 66% new oak andlovely fragrance which comes from quite a high proportion of cabernet franc. Now to2025. 13.5%14 To order thewinesociety.com/finewine ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone app