Reds

Château la Braulterie de Peyraud, Cuvée Prestige, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

91 Highly recommended www. braulterie.com Firmly extracted with great skill, this is really an excellent example of the quality to be found in hidden corners of Blaye, a wine to savour. Lovely, a touch of high acidity on finish but even this gives you a mouthwatering close of play and will make it a good food-pairing choice. 65% Merlot, 30% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2020 Alc 13.5%abv

Château Tour St Germain, Cuvée Elégance, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

91 Highly recommended www.tour-st- germain.com A delicious wine, snapping with rich fruit, blackberry and bilberry that builds in intensity, playing with a second tier of flavour. Good balance overall, this is not trying too hard and is a great example of Blaye. From a blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in oak. Drink now-2020 Alc 14%abv

La Révélation des Vignobles Denis Lafon, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

90 Highly recommended Approx £13 St Aubin Leschallas Wines, www. slwines.co.uk Rich deep purple in colour, firm and nicely definted on the nose, followed by lovely autumnal brambly fruit held in place by rich tannic structure. This stays full in flavour right through the palate and is confident, highly enjoyable. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 12 months in new oak. Drink now-2019 Alc 14%abv

Château La Bretonnière, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

90 Highly recommended www.vignoblesheurlier.com Great stuff from winemaker Stéphane Heurlier. Firm fruits, some uplift on the finish, this has real promise, good integrity of the fruit, abundant flesh, and lovely mouthwatering finish. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec. Drink now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv

Château Haut Canteloup Cuvée Prestige, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

89 Recommended £14 The French Wine Project, www.thefrenchwineproject.com Dark, rich and velvety purple. This has oak but it’s balanced, modern, with attractive brushes of tar, bitter chocolate and coffee. Certainly this has impact, big tannins, can age another five years which is not the case with all of these. Be aware it is ambitious, it’s one to carafe. 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec. Drink now-2020 Alc 14%abv

Château Haut Bertinerie, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

89 Recommended www. myliko.co.uk The white wine tasted from this estate showed a truly excellent 2013 vintage, but here the red 2014 blows the socks off this estate’s 2013, with good ripe tannins, plush strands of damsons and black cherries. Well worked and well extracted. 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. New oak for around nine months. Always a name to trust in the Côtes. Drink now-2019 Alc 14%abv

Château les Grands Maréchaux, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

88 Recommended (2004, £79 for case of 6) www.laithwaites.co.uk

(currently sold out but buys most years), Fine & Rare, www.frw.co.uk Highly extracted but expertly done, rich damson,

tight tannins, some lift, a little drying on the very finish but this is really a lovely wine to be enjoyed right now and over the next few years. Stéphane Derenoncourt consults at this estate, made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc aged 50% in oak, grown on claylimestone soils. Drink now-2019 Alc 13.8%abv

Château le Grand Moulin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

88 Recommended www.grandmoulin.com Deft touch, clean and textured raspberry fruit, a sense of freshness brings the whole wine into focus. 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 56% Malbec. Accomplished winemaking from vines grown on hillsides that line the Garonne riverside. Also tasted the Prelude du Château le Grand Moulin, which was enjoyable but I would go for this classic château version. Drink now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv

Château Puynard, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

88 Recommended www.vignobles- gregoire.com (myvitibox.co.uk is currently out of stock) Located in a pretty spot close to the Gironde estuary, Nicolas Grégoire is owner of this 13th century estate. The wine has pretty violet reflections, and the fruit has been fleshed out, lively, clear vibrancy with a good five years ahead of it. Promising. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2020 Alc 13.5%abv

Château la Rose Bellevue, Secret, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

88 Recommended www.chateau- larosebellevue.com Dark chocolate and coffee dusting, good balance with plump black cherry fruit, a little made up, can see the oak workings here, but the overall effect is a charged sense of forward motion. Vinified in 400 litre barrels. Drink now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv

Château Clos du Loup, Cuvée Prestige, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

88 Recommended www.vignoblesbouillac.com A little tight on the attack, the fruit is pulled in, but there is good gentle spice underneath. 18 months oak ageing. 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec. Drink now-2019 Alc 14.5%abv

Château des Tourtes, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2013

87 Recommended £11 The French Wine Project, www.thefrenchwineproject.com One of the most enjoyable 2013s on display, from dozens tasted. This has well defined fruit, with integrity to the raspberry and redcurrants, enjoyable and well balanced. 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from the reliable Château des Tourtes. Even more impressive as this is unoaked, so we are really tasting the fruit. Drink now-2019 Alc 13%abv

Château Cailleteau Bergeron, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

87 Recommended Approx £17, Friarwood Wines, www.friarwood.com Strong, deep colour, highly extracted, modern, touches of vanilla and mocha. A wine with ambition, although the fruit is a little constrained. 13 months ageing in barrel for the 20% Malbec, together with 80% Merlot. Plenty to enjoy here. Drink now-2019 Alc 14%abv

Château Mayne Guyon, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

87 Recommended www.chateau- mayneguyon.com Reasonable weight, good texture to the fruit, a smoky twist of almond oak on the finish. From a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2019 Alc 13.5%abv

Château Bonnange, Clos Maë, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

87 Recommended www.chateaubonnange.fr Smooth and fleshy, from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, this is plush, damson, silky, flashy and fleshy just a little too controlled at this stage, I would give it another year before opening. Drink 2017-2020 Alc 14.5%abv

Château les Maréchaux, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

87 Recommended www.vignobles- rs.com Again, there is promise here although the structure is big and clunky. Plenty of personality and the winemakers have done a great job getting plumped up black fruits from a controlled extraction. 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv

Château La Grange d’Orlean, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

87 Recommended http://grandmoulin.com A 12 hectares vineyard known for its refined wines. This has a good deep colour, attractive expression fruit, clean, strands of flavour, not hugely complex but what there is has been well handled. As often seen in the Blaye wines, the 10% dash of Malbec gives depth and interest. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château Clos Mansio, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

87 Recommended Approx £14 (2006) Field and Fawcett, www.fieldandfawcett.co.uk Rich mouthfeel, plump fruit, this is polished with charcoal toasting and a lovely rich cinnamon spice playing with the black cherry fruit. Finishes short, but lots to enjoy. 70% Merlot (aged in stainless steel) and 30% Malbec (aged in new oak barrels for 13 months). Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv

Château les Bertrands, Nectar des Bertrands, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

86 Recommended www.chateaulesbertrands.com Deep colour, medium to full purple, rich and alluring. Touches of vanilla bean and bitter coffee on the aromatics and again on the attack. Clear pleasure on offer here, a little short. Contemporary with a sense of fun. 17 months in new oak. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château Labrousse, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

86 Recommended www.chateau- labrousse.com Deep purple colour, rich fruit, damson and black cherry, slightly hard edged. Some attractive texture and tannic hold, clove spices. Abrupt ending. 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv

Château du Vieux Puit, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

86 Recommended www.vignoblesbouillac.com Strong liquorice, chocolate and coffee, with some rich black fruits from a 5% touch of Malbec. This will have plenty of fans. Touches of frangipane because not overly sweet. The rest of the blend is 70% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged for a full 18 months in vats. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv

Château Berthenon, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

86 Recommended www.chateauberthenon.com Good plush start, but a little over extracted. Short on the finish as a result, but this has charm, fairly big, plush, modern expression. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 months ageing in cement vats. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château les Gatines, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended wwww. alliancebourg.com Lovely plush bilberry nose, feel oaked, but promisingly so. Great attack but a little short on the finish, and the fruit fades into tar and coffee. This has personality, just pair it with something that can stand up to it. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2018 Alc 12.5%abv

Château Les Cimes du Queyrous, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended www.vinbordeauxblayerousseaud.com Firm, rich, good fruit extraction, this is high in alcohol but has an attractive balance. Clay limestone soils bring out finess in the Merlot grape. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv

Château les Chaumes Malbec, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended www.chateauleschaumes.com The first vintage under Henri and Anne Parmentier (Anne is the winemaker), this has a light touch even with the richness of the fruits, there is clear flesh but the overall impression is pared back and elegant. Damson plum, and a great dollop of spice. A highly unusual 100% Malbec, aged in 25% new oak. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv

Château Maison Neuve, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended www.chateau- maisonneuve.com Strong empreumatic notes, clean fruit, a little short, but there is lovely personality here. 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv

Château Peyredoulle, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended Approx £11 (2011 vintage) Ocado, www.ocado.com Rich texture, keeps going strong through the mid palate, touches of clove spice. A little heat but lovely personality. From 100% plump Merlot fruit, easy drinking. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv

Château Cap Saint Martin, Cuvée Prestige, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended Approx £6 Calais Vins, www.calais-vins.com (resale across UK) Confident sense of extracting the most interesting part of the grape, not perfectly balanced but good structure and good fruit. 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. One year ageing in oak. Drink now-2018 Alc 13.5%abv

Château les Gorces, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended didiersicaud@orange.fr Clear potential, this is carefully extracted with a kick in its step and a sense of lightness. Just a touch dry on the finish. 12 months oak ageing. 100% Merlot. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château la Tonnelle de Grillet, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended www.grandmoulin.com An enjoyable wine. Restrained extraction but still plump in mid palate and modern, a confident touch of grilled oak, with a spot of bitter chocolate on the finish. 90% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château les Aubiers, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

85 Commended www.grandmoulin.com Clean fruit on the nose with vibrancy and violet edging. Light, good uplift, hovers over the palate. This again isn’t hugely complex, but is thoroughly enjoyable. 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château Petit Boyer Vieilles Vignes, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2013

85 Commended www. petit- boyer.com Vanilla edging on the oak fairly evident, but this is a 2013 that has done a pretty good job of balancing things out - with the added bonus of a dash of spicy Malbec. Grab a pizza, and enjoy some early drinking. 65% Merlot, 25% Malbec, 10% Cabernet France aged in one-third new oak. I also tasted an enjoyed the 2014 vintage. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château La Carelle, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2013

84 Commended www. bayle- carreau.com Again an attractive 2013, acidity goes a little high in the finish, but this has well worked summery red fruits, and a sense of freshness. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2017 Alc 13%abv

Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

84 Commended The Wine Society www.thewinesociety.com This is attractive, good plush fruit, firm with a sense of hold and clear tannins. Not hugely polished, but with a rustic charm. An early drinker from Jean-Michel Baudet and his wife Françoise. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château les Guyonnets Héritage, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

90 Highly recommended www.chateau-les- guyonnets.fr Lovely plum purple colour, red velvet edging. The firm grip is evident even on the nose, and there is an excellent sense of lift that carries this wine right through the mid palate and over the finish line. Excellent quality, tannins are present and correct, not at all drying. 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with one year in (not new) oak. Highly enjoyable, great stuff from Sophie and Didier Tordeur. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château de Bellegarde, Côtes de Bordeaux 2013

89 Recommended www.chateau-de- bellegarde.com Firm and promising on the attack, with an attractive tunnel of flavour, firm ripe but still crunchy fruit, love the construction here, not overdone but with natural sweet fruit. Very good focus, great for the category and really an impressive handling of the 2013 vintage. From an even blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, low temperature vinification and eight months in barrel. Drink now-2018 Alc 12%abv

Château Courrèges, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

89 Recommended landeau. xl@gmail.com Sweet fruit, good weight, nicely balanced, cinnamon and cedar spice, this is pretty and has good Côtes typicity. The fruit is juicy, not complex but lovely bright backbone with just enough depth. Good example of a Cadillac wine from Xavier Landeau, shows just how much value there is out in these appellations. Drink now-2018 Alc 14%abv

Perle du Payre, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

89 Recommended www.chateau-du- payre.fr The rusticity on the attack gives an attractive sense of balance to the rich, plumped up fruits. Great Côtes typicity. This is nicely put together with a good grip that carries you through. 100% old vine Merlot. Although I selected this wine, the 2013 vintage from this estate also deserves a mention - certainly an impressive achievement. Drink now-2018 Alc 13%abv

Château Clos Bourbon, Cuvée La Rose Bourbon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2014

89 Recommended Approx £10 www. hhandc.co.uk, www. farehamwinecellar.co.uk, www. rfvintners.co.uk Lovely firm, well structured raspberry and brambly fruits, astringent tannins, good personality, with grip and sense of resolve. This should hold and steadily improve over next couple of years. Has the liveliness to work well with food also, with a touch of spice for seasoning. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, from the excellent Boyer family. Drink now-2019 Alc 13%abv