Chateau Hallet Sauternes 2010

Hallet Sauternes is made from 100% Sémillon.
With delicate aromas of honey, citrus, crystallized fruit and acacia, it makes a good match not only for desserts, but also for foie gras, roasted meats and blue cheeses.

It makes a delicious aperitif when served chilled.

Gravas Sauternes is a blend of 100% Sémillon.
The wine shows a lovely pale golden color with deep golden highlights. Round and well-balanced offering complex aromas of candied fruits backed up by a hint of exotic fruit (mango, guava) and white flowers. On the palate, it is ample and fleshy, leading into a silky and long finish.   

The wine pairs well with white meats, scallops, exotic and spicy dishes, foie Gras, Roquefort blue cheese, chocolate desserts.

Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Cadettes is made from 52% Grenache, 38% Syrah and 10% Mourverdre. 

Review:

Similarly colored, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes is a Grenache-heavy blend that includes 38% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It was not destemmed and was brought up in 28% new barrels, with the balance in foudres. It offers more cassis, graphite, spicy wood, and minerality, full-bodied richness, a deep, powerful texture, integrated acidity, and awesome structure. It's a rock star wine from this estate that won't hit maturity for a decade and will keep for 10-15 years after that in cold cellars. It’s the finest wine from this estate since the 2010, 2005, and 1998.

-Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points

This is a luscious, creamy wine that's full of rich black-cherry and berry flavors edged by piquant hits of anise and black pepper. A concentrated wine structured by firm, taut tannins, it maintains lively freshness on the midpalate. This powerful wine is a bit unwieldy in its youth but should gain finesse through 2030 and hold further still.

-Wine Enthusiast 96 Points

Chateau Arnauds des Bordeaux Rouge is made from 100% Merlot.

The wine shows a deep red purple color and intense aromas of black fruits (blackcurrant, black cherry) with hints of liquorice. Very fruity and well-balanced. It is powerful and well structured in the mouth with round and silky tannins, ripe flavors of black fruits. Strong and a slightly spicy finish.

Grapes are coming from 30 year old vines planted on gravelly soils. 

The land benefits from sun exposure, warmth and humidity that are strong assets for the vine culture.

The wine pairs well with game meat and beef on the grill.

 Chateau Castegens Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon is made from 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine boasts an intense, deep and lively red color. The nose offers black fruit, blackberry, cigar box, licorice, some delicate and integrated oak flavors as well. The mouth is full of fruit flavors, spice and fine toasty flavors. The structure is rich, but the tannins are well integrated already. The finish is long and a slight mintiness give the wine a great length and some purity.

Pairs great with meat and vegetables on the grill.

Chateau Crabitey Graves Blanc is made from 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon.

Chateau Crabitey Graves Blanc displays a fine, light yellow color and a nice brilliance. Its nose is fine and complex - even lemony with its pomelo scent - with some smoky notes. In the mouth, the wine is fully developed and complex, with a nice volume as well as a light acidity for the freshness. The finish is long and distinguishes itself by nice and light woody and citrus fruit aromas.

Pairs with bisque, smoked fish, roasted chicken and vegetables with fresh herbs

Review:

"A fresh, tangy white with sliced lime and green-apple character. It’s medium-to full-bodied. Fruity finish. Creamy texture."

- James Suckling (Primeur tasting, June 2020) 91-92 pts