Sommelier’s Recommendation

2010 Château Cerestin La Lande, Mèdoc
PHP 2,700
Equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from 30-year-old vines produced a well-balanced wine that capitalized on the virtues of a great vintage where ripeness was balanced out to perfection by fresh acidity. This wine is delicious already but it will continue to improve with age for 10 years, or more. No doubt, this classic Bordeaux red wine will be enjoyed with duck, lamb, roasted red meat or game and of course, a nice juicy steak.

2009 Château Haut Brignot, Mèdoc
PHP 1,900
Stury wine made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot with mostly old vines with low yields producing concentrated flavors. The resulting wine is rich, structured with good ripeness and the kind of concentration expected from one of the most revered vintage of the least 5 decades and ageing power that will ultimately imbue harmony into the wine. For now, enjoy the wine for its juicy plum and blackberry aromas, a mouth feel of smoothness amid firm round tannins, easily a match for richer dishes.

2008 Château Pingoy, Graves
PHP 2,300
Made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend that is quite typical of wines from Graves, this ruby-colored wine with a nose of ripe red fruit is round, generous, full-bodied and fruity. Many will probably enjoy this with a good steak or lamb, although it is just as cozy with venison and Kangaroo loin.

2007 Château Pingoy, Côtes de Castillon
PHP 2,300
Made from 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a classic Bordeaux right-bank wine. A well-balanced wine that combines power with elegance is destined to be a popoular choice to pair with a fine steak and other red meat.

2006 Château Ludeman la Côte, Graves
PHP 2,300
The early-ripening zones like Pomerol and Graves fared well, and despite the difficulties of the year (cool damp August and the threat of rot) this was a successful vintage for Graves classed growths. The Merlot was picked at a good level of ripeness before the Sept rain could cause damage, and the Cabernet Sauvignon concentrated in late-season sunshine. The wines have a good depth of fruit, fresh acidity and strong tannins. Consistent with the friendly demeanor common to the fine wines of Graves, the 2006 Château Ludeman la Côte is more than ample on the palate as well as on the nose.

2005 Château Roulet, Canon Fronsac
PHP 2,500
Canon-Fro sac is an appellation for red wines produced in a small area in the east of the Bordeaux wine region. Canon-Fro sac wines have long ranked among Bordeaux’s most respected. The wine is made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Mable grapes, with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon added. Steaks, lamb and poultry with wine-reduction sauce are frequently ordered to accompany this wine.

2005 Château Fleur de Gadras, Bordeaux
PHP 1,300
Their beautifully structured supple and flavorsome wine is made from ‘noble’ varieties – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Perhaps because the vines are tended with such unusual affection their response is to yield the most remarkably ripe and healthy fruit. This is a wine with elegant smell and ripe but subtle tannins. Many prefer to pair this fine claret with cooked meats, poultry, red meat, cheese.

2005 Château Meyre, Cru Bourgeois, Haut-Mèdoc
PHP 2,800
A skillful blend of Merlot and Cabernet results in a wine that is balanced and elegant with ripe fruit flavors, good acidity held up by a firm structure ripe tannins and flavored by 12 months of 30-40% new oak. Obviously well above its class, the wine is drinking beautifully now but destined for even better times in years to come. Enjoy this one with lamb, steak and grilled red meat, or if you like, sipped slowly over some fine music or a good film in the comfort of your living room.

2003 Château Les Tuilieres, Bordeaux
PHP 1,500
Marked by heat wave that resulted in early harvest of very ripe grapes, 2003 produced rich, fruit-filled wines, often with high alcohol. Cabernet Sauvignon withstood the extreme summer heat better than Merlot. In general the ripeness of the wines coupled with lower acidity levels mean shorter cellaring time. All the 2003s are drinking very well today.

2000 Château Angelus, Premier Grand Cru Classé A, St. Émilion
PHP 45,000
Château Angelus has one of the longer histories in the St. Emil ion appellation, some 700 years old, and is considered one of the top estates in the entire Right Bank (St. Emil ion and Pomerol). Vineyard is planted to 50% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Franc with 3% Cabernet Sauvignons on two unique types of soil. Clay with limestone and clay with sand and limestone that is located on the sloping hillsides. The vines average close to 38 years of age. The grapes are hand picked and sorted three times and only 7000 cases are produced each year. Fans of Angeles enjoy the wine for its silky velvety texture and its ability to age well for many years.. It’s a rich, full bodied and concentrated Bordeaux wine filled with luscious, opulent, spicy dark fruit, licorice, spice and truffle.

2000 Château d’Issan, 3eme Cru Classé, Margaux
PHP 8,800
Chateau D’Issan is located in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux. The vineyards date back to the 12th century, but it was not until the Cruse family took over the estate in 1945 that the true potential of the vineyards was revealed. Today, Emmanuel Sr. and Marguerite Cruse run the estate with true passion towards the whole wine making process. They make continual improvements to both the vineyard and the technical aspects of winemaking. The vineyard is made up of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot making it authentically Margaux!

2000 Château Le Malinay, Moulis en Mèdoc
PHP 2,900
Moulis-en-Medoc is a small village in the Haut-Medoc district of Bordeaux in south-western France. To qualify for the AOC Moulis title, wines must be made from grapes grown in specific plots in the parishes of Arcins, Avensan, Castelnau, Cussac, Lamarque and Listrac. Planting densities are limited to between 6500 and 10,000 plants per hectare carefully tended to with specified vine-management techniques. The yield must not exceed 45hL per hectare. These are high-quality wines that offer a similar style to those produced by their more prestigious neighbors such as the eastern edges of Moulis bordering the northern edge of Margaux, sharing similar terroir.

1999 Château Gruaud Larose, 2eme Cru Classé, St. julien
PHP 8,900
Since the 1980s, Gruard Larose has been held by groups of institutional investors before coming into the hands of the Merlant family in 1997. The vines are in a single block on a rise consisting of deep red gravel. Georges Pauli and his team have been responsible for winegrowing since 1970. Due to their expert care, Gruard Larose’s soil is able to express its full potential. The wine is more than ever worthy of its Second Growth status in the 1855 classification. The 1999 Gruard Larose delivers lots of blackberry, mineral and mint on the nose. Full-bodied, with plenty of fruit and racy, polished tannins on the finish. This wine is quite enjoyable now but collectors will bring home an extra bottle or two to cellar for a few more years also.

1999 Château Langoa Barton, 3eme Cru Classé, St. Julien
PHP 8,200
The blend of Cabernet Sauvgnon 72%, Merlot Noir 20%, Cabernet Franc 8% produces a wine that is typical of the Saint-Julien area, well balanced wines with subtle bouquets and flavors; the emphasis being on elegance and finesse rather than on power and extraction. Famous 2nd growth Léoville Barton is made at Langoa Barton because there is no château at Léoville Barton. Barton uses only a small amount of the supple, fleshy Merlot in his blends, keeping the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon high.

1999 Château Leoville Barton, 2eme Cru Classé, St. Julien
PHP 14,000
The family secret, however, is that there is no Chateau at Leoville-Barton at all. Grapes from the 47 hectare vineyard are vinified in the cuvee of neighboring Chateau Langoa-Barton. Vineyard being planted to 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, reflects the Barton’s vinous ideology: traditionally styled, Cabernet dominated St. Juliens. The resulting wine is rich, and densely concentrated with compelling fruit complexity, enticing inner-mouth perfume and suave tannins. Though rarely hard in its youth, the wine is capable of extended aging for decades.

1999 Château Marquis d’Alesme-Becker, 3eme Cru Classé, Margaux
PHP 8,300
Typical of Margaux, the delicate aroma of dark forest fruit leads to a full-bodied, but not heavy, wine this is a complex blend of grapes and flavors’ that has nothing going against it. Not as harsh as some Margaux’s are, this wine needs to be savored in the mouth to explore its full taste. This is a soft, fruity wine, with blackberry, coffee and light vanilla on the nose and palate. Full, with very velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. One could drink it with good red meat that will stand up to the superb wine.

1999 Château Miaille Boutet, St. Émilion
PHP 3,200
Chateau Miaille Boutet, designated Grand Cru of St. Emilion, is made from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It is a special cuvee from Chateau Vieux Pourret. This property has two vineyards, which situate next to 2 famous Grand Cru Classe vineyards: 3 hectares next to St Emilion city center (in front of Chateau Franc Mayne) and 2 hectares next to Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf. The limestone and clay based vineyards of Chateau Miaille Boute lies within the Southeast quarter of St. Emilion. On average, the vines are 40 years of age.

1998 Château Bolderon, Haut-Mèdoc
PHP 2,900
Despite some late rains during harvest, the vintage produced some very good quality wine. Although the 1998 Médocs are not the ripest wines of the decade, they have both length and balance. These are not flashily wines but they will continue to show well for some years to come. Haut-Medoc wines with a higher Merlot content in the blend faired very well.

1997 ChâteauFerriere, 3eme Cru Classé, Margaux
PHP 8,200
Château Ferriere is Médoc’s smallest Cru Classé chateau. The soils comprise deep swathes of very typical Garonne gravel, over a chalk marl, and they are planted with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The average vine age is 35 years. Due to both its size and the extraordinary care taken during the winemaking process, Château Ferrière is a rare wine, highly valued by connoisseurs. The wine offers impressive depth of fruit and character on the nose: blackberries, light vanilla, flowers, and spices. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, with excellent tannins that caress the palate.

1996     Château Le Boscq, Cru Bourgeois, St. Estephe
PHP 3,900
       Château Le Boscq is a Cru Bourgeois wine estate in the St Estephe appellation in Bordeaux , and has been owned by Dourthe which part of the CVBG group – one of the leading négociant companies in Bordeaux – since 1995. The wine is well-balanced with fresh bouquet of dark fruits and subtly roasted, oaky notes. The wine is round on the attack and well-structured on the palate, revealing a tannic structure enveloped in concentrated, ripe flesh. The dense, tight texture on the finish signals a wine with great ageing potential.

1996     Château Clinet, Pomerol
PHP 8,500
       Château Clinet makes up one of the most prestigious terroirs of the appellation, set as it is upon the best parcels of the renowned gravel terraces of Gunz, terroir of the greatest Merlots in the world. The vineyard is planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 60% new oak barrels and 40% one-wine oak barrels. Only 3000-4000 cases are produced each year. The 1996 is a backward, muscular, highly-extracted wine with a boatload of tannin. The saturated plum/purple color is followed by an aggressively oaky nose with scents of roasted coffee, blackberries, and prunes. It is somewhat of a freak for a 1996 Pomerol given its richness, intensity, and overripe style. The wine was extremely closed for the first five years, but bottle age helped it to evolve with the tannin fully integrating itself into the wine’s concentrated style.

1996 Château Muret, Haut-Mèdoc
PHP 3,600
1996 was an uneventful year which is a blessing for Bordeaux. This resulted in classic wines like this Château Muret that ages beautifully by virtue of good acidity and a firm structure. Still with many years of life ahead, the wine is already drinking nicely and is mellow enough to pair with a very nice steak or lamb.

1995 Château Grand Puy Ducasse, 5eme Cru Classé, Pauillac
(M) PHP 9,500
This 5th Growth Pauillac is made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, 25-year-old vines planted on Garonne gravels and silica, typical of Pauillac, for the Cabernet Sauvignon, and sandy gravels for the Merlot. Grapes are hand picked and de-stemmed before fermenting in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks followed up 24 months of 40%-new French Oak all under the consultancy of the famous Denis Dubourdieu.

1995 Château Grand Puy Ducasse, 5eme Cru Classé, Pauillac
PHP 18,000
This 5th Growth Pauillac is made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, 25-year-old vines planted on Garonne gravels and silica, typical of Pauillac, for the Cabernet Sauvignon, and sandy gravels for the Merlot. Grapes are hand picked and de-stemmed before fermenting in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks followed up 24 months of 40%-new French Oak all under the consultancy of the famous Denis Dubourdieu.

1995 Château Lynch Bages, 5eme Cru Classé, Pauillac
PHP 16,000
The wine of Château Lynch-Bages is part of the lineage of the great Pauillac wines. The blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot is aged in French oak barrels for 15 months (70% new wood). The wine combines structure and finesse, elegance and longevity. It is further distinguished by its opulence. Generous right from its youth, it develops more flavors’ and greater complexity as it matures. Château Lynch-Bages has been characterized by its extraordinary qualitative homogeneity. The 1995 vintage exhibits wonderful dark cherry and leather notes. Medium bodied with well-integrated tannins and a nice earthy spice on the finish. A true expression of a classic Lynch-Bages.

1994 Château Malescot St.-Exupery, 3eme Cru Classé, Margaux
PHP 9,000
The Zuger brothers have put much into the estate, improving quality, before handing over to Roger Zuger’s son, Jean-Luc. Under the Zuger’s the estate has grown to 23.5 ha, and many improvements and innovations have been implemented. The vineyards are planted with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, planted to a density of up to 10000 vines/ha, with an average age of about 35 years. After 14-16 months in barrel the wine is bottled without fining or filtration. Chateau Malescot St-Exupéry produces 13,500 cases each year. The wines, in most wine lovers’ experience, have a quality that exceeds the property’s reputation and price tag.

1994 Château Reve d’Or, Pomerol
PHP 4,750
Proprietor Maurice Vigier plants this 7-hectare vineyard to 80% Merlot and 20% cabernet Sauvignon producing a mere 18000 bottles a year of classic right-bank red wine with ripe flavors of plum and a velvety texture typical of wines from Pomerol. This wine is a fine expression of Merlot grape variety, fleshy and mellow, well-rounded, dense, full-bodied but elegant and long. Best with a nice juicy steak but many other roasted or grilled red meat would do just fine.

1992 Château Priure-Lichine, 4eme Cru Classé, Margaux
PHP 6,900
Famous and sometimes controversial wine consultant Michel Rolland guided this Grand Cru Classe Chateau to an unusually elegant rendition of a Margaux red wine, showing restraint and deep respect for its innate personality. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot is a classic left bank blend. Seriously wet summer in 1992 brought apprehension to winemakers until dry periods showed up during harvest. Not a big wine by any measures, enjoy this matured Margaux for its fragrance, understated charm, a good wine for savory food that is not too heavy.

1990 Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé, Pessac-Leognan, Graves
PHP 4,800
Pretty famous Chateaux steeped in winemaking history dating back to 17th century, its wines are continued to preserve a slightly rustic personality what is expressive but retrained, primarily an expression of Merlot grown on sandy-gravel-clay soil with limestone bedrock. (White Bouscaut is a fantastic wine, round and fruity.) Wines of Pessace-Leognan and Graves are notably friendly and approachable but that doesn’t mean they are simple and shallow. These are structured wines with distinction. Good food accompaniments include grilled or roasted meat, stew and a nice juicy steak.

1990 Château Larose Trintaudon, Cru Bourgeois Superieur, Haut-Mèdoc
PHP 4,500
Elegant wine, subtle flavors, firm structure from the blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Merlot supporting the wine for the slow ageing process that produces complexity and depth of flavors. This matured Bordeaux is a fine match for a really good steak, lamb, stews, grilled and braised meat. It is also a nice wine to sip and savor on its own.

1989 Château Palmer, 3eme Cru Classé, Margaux
PHP 39,000
Château Palmer’s 52 hectares of croupes (knolls) of Garonne gravel are planted to 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Here, the tradition and evolving techniques have always gone hand in hand, and always with respect for the typical characteristics of this outstanding terroir. Finesse and elegance, typical of the great wines of Margaux, are the permanent trademarks of Château Palmer, characterized by the softness and refinement of silk, the warmth of velvet, and the leather of noblesse. The unusual combination of grape varieties – as much Merlot as Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Petit Verdot – gives Château Palmer a bouquet of extraordinary complexity, with fruit, flowers, and spice wrapped in a fleshy and generous structure. The subtle balance between aromatic richness and powerful yet always restrained tannins makes Palmer a wine of incomparable charm in youth and in maturity.

1988 Château Gazin, Pomerol
PHP 9,500
The Château GAZIN vineyards cover 64.2 acres in a single lot, with 56.8 acres under vines, located on the renowned clay-gravel plateau of Pomerol. The estate can produce up to 100,000 bottles a year. The grapes are fermented in small cement vats. The wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels (50% new) according to the Bordeaux tradition: malolactic fermentation in casks, rackings to separate the fine wine from the lees, fining with egg whites and, if necessary, light filtration. The wines offer aromas of charred wood, coffee, blackberry and cherry fruit, and new saddle leather. On the palate, it is full-bodied, dense, chewy, and intense; this muscular as well as backward vin de garde requires cellaring.

1988 Château Gloria, Cru Bourgeois, St. Julien
PHP 6,900
Very few experts will argue with the suggestion that Chateau Gloria definitely belongs in the list of Grand Cru Classe if there will ever be an update to this famous classicization. As it stands today, this classic red wine from St. Julien remains a favorite among connoisseurs and wine collectors simply because it is reliable and a real joy to drink. Surprising soft and mellow considering its blend fo 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% cabernet Franc, but faithful to the St. Julien style of wine, many would order a top-end steak or a nice poultry or game in red wine sauce to accompany the wine.

1986 Château de Malleret, Cru Bourgeois Superieur, Mèdoc
PHP 4,500
The blend of 54% Merlot. 41.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2.5% Petit Verdot produced a wine with a distinguished yet delicate nose full of refined fruit. On the palate the wine shows a balance of spice and woody notes, with flavors’ of fresh red berries. Subtle flavors’ and silky tannins persist with a balance and freshness which carries through to a superb finish. Popular food accompaniment includes rack of lamb, side of beef or cheese.

1985 Château Cos d’ Estournel, 2eme Cru Classé, St. Estephe
PHP 21,000
Cos d’Estournel is without doubt the leading estate in St-Estéphe. It is located in the south of the appellation on the border with Pauillac and its vineyards are superbly sited on a south-facing gravel ridge with a high clay content, just north of Lafite. Cos d’Estournel is typically a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc – do not be fooled by the relatively high Merlot content, as these are full-bodied, dark, brooding tannic wines when young which develop a complexity and intensity that can rival many top growths from Pauillac. The 1985 vintage offered earth, tobacco, spice, cassis and cranberry on the nose. This elegantly styled wine offers a lot of charm. Plums, tobacco, Asian spice and forest floor aromas tempt you. Light in style and fully mature, it’s a softer style of this estate, packed with finesse.

1985 Château Du Coursin, Bordeaux Superieur
PHP 2,900
1985 was a vineyard’s dream year, a practically problem-free growing season resulting in clean wines that are expressive and attractive. This humble Bordeaux Superior punches far above its weight. The wine is soft, mellow and elegantly balanced an excellent accompaniment to savory dishes and even those with a touch of heat or spice.

1983 Château Andron Blanquet, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, St. Estèphe
PHP 5,100
Following a lackluster period in the 1970’s, Bernard Audoy has brought this attractive 15-hectare property into the limelight in St. Estèphe. Situated next to Château Cos d’Estournel, the estate was purchased by the Audoy family (who also own Château Cos Labory) in 1971. This is classic St. Estèphe – assertive and powerful, yet with an intriguing supple, fleshy fruitiness and a deep colour. Château Andron Blanquet makes lovely very reliable succulent St Estèphe. Winemaking is similar to Château Cos Labory, a Grand Cru Classe but only 20% new oak is used. Made with a blend of 35% Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, this wine is firm and deep, a fine accompaniment to a really nice steak.

1982 Château Cure Bon La Madeleine, Grand Cru Classé, St. Émilion
PHP 5,500
1982 was and still is a much heralded vintage ushering in the modern era of Parker wines. Château cure Bon La Madeleine is a small estate adjacent to the legendary Château Ausone. Considered a connoisseur’s wine, it is hardly seen outside of France. The wine is flavorful yet elegant and friendly with food, especially steaks and grilled meat.

1982 Château Grand Puy Ducasse, 5eme Cru Class, Pauillac
PHP 21,000
This 5th Growth Pauillac is made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, 25-year-old vines planted on Garonne gravels and silica, typical of Pauillac, for the Cabernet Sauvignon, and sandy gravels for the Merlot. Grapes are hand picked and de-stemmed before fermenting in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks followed up 24 months of 40%-new French Oak all under the consultancy of the famous Denis Dubourdieu.

1982 Château Leoville Barton, 2eme Cru Classé, St. Julien
PHP 32,000
The family secret, however, is that there is no Chateau at Leoville-Barton at all. Grapes from the 47 hectare vineyard are vinified in the cuvee of neighboring Chateau Langoa-Barton. Vineyard being planted to 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, reflects the Barton’s vinous ideology: traditionally styled, Cabernet dominated St. Juliens. The resulting wine is rich, and densely concentrated with compelling fruit complexity, enticing inner-mouth perfume and suave tannins. Though rarely hard in its youth, the wine is capable of extended aging for decades.

1982 Château Magence, Graves
PHP 6,000
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Dark, rich fruit on the nose with a touch of cinnamon. The palate is unbelievably smooth and decadent with gravelly notes (hence Graves) and huge black berry and cassis hints. A wine that should not be missed from a vintage that is heralded as one of the most significant years in the last century. Now fully matured, the wine is a bit lighter with red fruit aromas and some herbal notes, the palate is on the lighter side, slightly austere and tight knit with medium finish.

1978 Château Angelus, Premier Grand Cru Classé A, St. Émilion
PHP 25,000
Château Angelus has one of the longer histories in the St. Emilion appellation, some 700 years old, and is considered one of the top estates in the entire Right Bank (St. Emilion and Pomerol). Vineyard is planted to 50% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Franc with 3% Cabernet Sauvignons on two unique types of soil. Clay with limestone and clay with sand and limestone that is located on the sloping hillsides. The vines average close to 38 years of age. The grapes are hand picked and sorted three times and only 7000 cases are produced each year. Fans of Angeles enjoy the wine for its silky velvety texture and its ability to age well for many years.. It’s a rich, full bodied and concentrated Bordeaux wine filled with luscious, opulent, spicy dark fruit, licorice, spice and truffle.

1978     Château La Rose du Pin, Pauillac
PHP 4,700
       Typical of wine from Pauillac, Château La Rose du Pin has a lot of body, slightly less evident now with age. The wine was once very tannic and difficult to approach, now with age and maturity it is harmonious.   Youthful sharp have mellowed out and an opulent bouquet with aromas of blackcurrant has given way to cedar with age. Enjoy the sturdy combination of elegance and complex flavors with sophisticated food with simple recipes using ingredient of the highest quality.
1975     Château Le Maine, Graves
PHP 4,700
       20 months maturation in oak before bottling really helped tame the tannic structure of the wine allowing it to age slowly inside the bottle for many years to produce the velvety texture that gives us the silkiness on our palate today. 1975 was rated highly but wines were relentless hard and required extensive ageing. Enjoy this classic French red wine with a good steak or grilled red meat.

1975 Château Marquis d’Alesme-Becker, 3eme Cru Classé, Margaux
(M) PHP 28,000
Typical of Margaux, the delicate aroma of dark forest fruit leads to a full-bodied, but not heavy, wine this is a complex blend of grapes and flavors’ that has nothing going against it. Not as harsh as some Margaux’s are, this wine needs to be savored in the mouth to explore its full taste. This is a soft, fruity wine, with blackberry, coffee and light vanilla on the nose and palate. Full, with very velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. One could drink it with good red meat that will stand up to the superb wine.

1975 Château Le Commandeur, Pomerol
PHP 5,300
Fans of well respected Pomerol Chateau La Croix de Gay would enjoy this second label. Le Commandeur is a faithful rendition of Pomerol’s expression of the Merlot grape variety, black fruit flavors, good flesh, smooth texture, attractive bouquet, a real treat for someone ordering a nicely marbled steak.

1975 Château Montrose, 2eme Cru Classé, St. Estephe
PHP 15,000
The 94 hectare Bordeaux vineyard of Chateau Montrose has a terroir of gravel, typical of the St. Estephe appellation with sand and some clay. The vineyard is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot with vines that are on average close to 40 years of age. The large gravel found throughout the estate’s topsoil originated in mountains in the Massif Central and the Pyrenes. These pebbles absorb the sun’s heat during the daytime and release it at night. This is an important way of improving the maturity of the grape. The 1975 is ruby tea colored with an earthy, Asian spice, smoke, tobacco and cassis filled nose. Old school in style, this foursquare wine is on the firm and austere side of the style meter. It ends in a cassis and cranberry finish.

1975 Château Pouget, 4ème Cru Classé, Margaux
PHP 7,900
Compared to some of the cru classé Medoc properties, Château Pouget had a relatively calm history of ownership. From 1748 to early 20th century the estate changed hands through inheritance only – and just managed to avoid being snatched away during the French Revolution. It is named after the estate’s original owners, the Pouget family, who were bequeathed a working vineyard in the mid 18th century (it had once been cultivated by the monks of Cantenac’s ancient priory). This was handed down to the De Chavailles family in the 19th century, until its 1906 purchase by ‘outsider’ Pierre Guillemet, who in the thirties added Chateau Boyd-Cantenac to his portfolio. For several decades the wines of Guillemet’s holdings were handled together but are now produced separately. Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot Noir 30%, Cabernet Franc 10%

1967 Château Canon, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, St. Émilion
PHP 17,000
Owned by The house of Chanel, Château Canon’s vineyard of 22 hectares on the clay – limestone plateau is planted to 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. The medium-bodied wine is appreciated for its silky texture, impeccable balance, well integrated tannins and a refined and pretty finish. The 1975 has been in maturity for many years and is still smooth and supple, attractive and thoroughly enjoyable. This is a wine of finesse and ageless charm.

1961 Château Calon Segur, 3eme Cru Classé, St. Estephe
PHP 78,000
Chateau Calon-Segur was the treasure of renowned 18th century winemaker Alexandre de Segur. Although he owned wine powerhouses Lafite and Latour, he famously declared that "his heart was with Calon-Ségur." Mature red-amber color. Developed aromas of singed plum, roasted cherry, currant, tobacco, marzipan and chocolate. Fat, rich and complex in the mouth, with lovely sweetness leavened by firm acids. Fully evolved but still fresh. Very solidly structured wine but perhaps beginning to lose its grip on the end.

1961 Château Rauzan Gassies, 2eme Cru Classé, Margaux
PHP 55,000
Grapes are hand-picked. Fermentations last about 3 weeks in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with frequent pumping-over’s and addition of yeasts. Wines are afterward transferred to oak barrels, of which 25% are new, for 14-18 months aging. They are fined and filtered prior to bottling. No press wine is added into the grand vin. Not a noteworthy 1961, Rauzan-Segla is a ripe, fruity, somewhat awkward and disjointed wine. While the wine tastes jammy, diffuse, and finishes flat, it nevertheless has appeal, as well as plenty of concentration and power.

1959 Château Ducru Beaucaillou, 2eme Cru Classé, St. Julien
PHP 49,000
This is one of the great vintages of this famous second growth from Saint Julien. Well-balanced and full of cedar and black currants backed up with a bit of spice, the age and quality of the vintage makes this a very special wine as does its complexity and finesse. You may find floral and coconut hints in here.

1 4 月, 2014 in Sommelier Selection 2013, Wine List